Joanna James
Mozambique's notorious reputation was down to its civil war which continued for a quarter of a century. But now it's one of the emerging tourist destinations loved by nature lovers and foodies.
Diving is one of the best things in the Mozambique things to do list. The country has a coastline that expands over 2,500 kilometres. Whether you are an experienced scuba diver or not, Mozambique is an excellent spot for everybody as there are a lof training centres in the area. Once you take the plunge into the sea, you are in for a lovely vista of coral reefs and colourful fish. Mozambique scuba diving hotspots are habitats for whale sharks as well.
From 1500 to 1975, the country was colonised by the Portuguese, and before all that happened, the country was a popular trade hub among Indian, Arabic and Chinese traders. Everything that occurred throughout history has left its imprints, and due to that, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its colonial architecture is what fascinates most people – among the most famous buildings are Fort Sao Sebastiao, the Chapel of Nossa Senhore de Baluarte and a few other European buildings.
If you are a foodie, you are going to love this place. While you can enjoy seafood at places like Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort – for a feast that comes cheap, make your way over to the fare. The place is located in Maputo and is packed with delightful seafood – grilled prawns and freshly caught fish are always a nice treat.
Ponta does Ouro is famous for its dolphin encounters. The site is located in the south of the country and off the African border. The environmentalists are trying to acclimatise dolphins to the area so visitors can interact with them – you can take your pick from the many companies that offer dolphin tours – most of the time, the money you pay for these tours are used to fund conservation work and research programmes.
Seafood plays a big part in Mozambique's cuisine – which is only natural as the country boasts the longest stretch of coastline in Africa. It doesn't matter whether you are dining at a sidewalk shack or a five-star eatery, menus are dominated by seafood. If you are having dinner at a restaurant in Mozambique, make sure you sample octopus, prawns and calamari which are absolute favourites among tourists. But if you are not a big fan of seafood, you have meat options too.
The obvious choice for exploring wildlife would be Kenya or Tanzania. But Mozambique also boasts quite a good wildlife scene – which is perfectly clear when you visit Gorongosa National Park. The park was greatly affected by the civil war, and it is impressive how the park has been restored to its normal condition. Floodplains at the reserve are now inhabited by elephants, lions, hippos and antelopes. Also, if you can spare some more time, visit Marromeu National Park which is a haven for water birds.
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