2-Day Maputo Special Reserve Tour: Safari, Beach & Wildlife

Safari, lagoons and a night on the beach at Maputo Special Reserve

A 2-day tour from Maputo into Maputo Special Reserve, a 1,040 km² conservation area 100 kilometers south on Maputo Bay. You drive through open grasslands and past freshwater lagoons to reach one of two beach campsites (Dobela or Membene), where you spend the night and explore the reserve's lakes, wetlands, mangrove forests and coastline. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, English or Portuguese-speaking guide, all meals, and pickup from Maputo.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Getting To Know the Park

• Drive to Maputo Special Reserve
• Explore lakes, wetlands, and forests
• Drive past lagoons with birds, hippos, crocodiles
• Observe elephants and plain game
• Camp overnight at Membene Challets

Day 2: Exploring The Park

• Breakfast at campsite
• Continue exploring the reserve
• Drive around reserve to see wildlife
• Enjoy the beach and safari experience
• Lunch before departure

The experience

The reserve combines lakes, wetlands, swamp forests, grasslands and mangrove forests with a coastline where you can camp. On the drive in, you'll pass open areas where elephants and other plains game gather, and stop at freshwater lagoons where hippos, crocodiles and a wide variety of birds live. The route takes you through different ecosystems in a single afternoon, so the landscape shifts as you move deeper into the reserve.

You overnight at either Dobela or Membene, the two main beach camping spots. Breakfast and dinner are included, along with the air-conditioned vehicle for the full two days. The second day follows the same route in reverse, so you see the reserve from a different angle on the way back to Maputo. A live guide in English or Portuguese travels with you both days.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for both days.
• English or Portuguese-speaking guide.
• overnight accommodation at Dobela or Membene beach camp.
• dinner and breakfast.
• hotel pickup and return to Maputo.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 45 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Maputo Tour Guides

Is this one for you?Choose this overnight camping trip if you want two full days to explore the reserve's wildlife and coastline rather than a single-afternoon visit, and prefer a guided route through the landscape over navigating it yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years); Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is Maputo Special Reserve from the city of Maputo?

The reserve is located 100 kilometers from Maputo on Maputo Bay, about a two-hour drive depending on road conditions.

What animals will I see on this tour?

Elephants and other plains game inhabit the open grasslands; hippos and crocodiles live in the freshwater lagoons; and a wide variety of birds are visible throughout the reserve, especially around the water.

Where do I sleep on the 2-day tour?

You overnight at one of two beach campsites: Dobela or Membene, both located within Maputo Special Reserve on the coast.

What meals are included?

Dinner on the first night and breakfast on the second morning are included. Lunch is not covered by the tour.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel in Maputo?

Yes, pickup from Maputo is included. The air-conditioned vehicle collects you and returns you to the city at the end of day two.