Niassa Game Reserve & Lago Niasso (Lake Malawi)
Known as ‘Africa’s last true wilderness’, the Niassa Reserve, at 38,000km2 (14,668 sq miles), is the largest game reserve in Mozambique. Surprisingly it has over 12,000 elephant, 8000 buffalo, and with around 200 animals, is one of the last refuges of the highly threatened wild dog (lycaon pictus). Lago Niassa has wild beaches such as Chuanga near Metangula and Nkwichi which is adjacent to a fledgling reserve near Cobúè called Manda Wilderness. Access (LAM flights) is via Lichinga, which has a the suprisingly large and comfortable Hotel Girassol Lichinga.
The Winds of Niassa
For the marinheiros (sailors) of Lago Niassa (Lake Malawi), a thorough understanding of the language of the lake winds can mean the difference between calm and calamity: the ‘Vuma’ comes from the north at storm strength, ripping off the roofs of houses on its way. ‘Muela’ winds from the south capsize dhows and bring malaria, while ‘Lichinga’ can come from either the north or the south, bringing heavy rains in its wake. And that large undulating cloud? This is the ‘Vumi’, a plague of flying insects, collected and cooked by the lake people.
Historic City Sites
Historic City Sites On the bay of Maputo, which is in fact drained mangrove swampland, many colonial buildings still stand along the Rua do Bagamoio. There is the Hotel Central and...
Read More..>Cima Walk (uptown): 7km; 4 miles
Cima Walk (uptown): 7km; 4 miles This walk, starting and ending at the Hotel Polana (designed by renowned British architect Sir Herbert Baker), explores the newer part of Maputo. Built on a hill overlooking...
Read More..>Around Maputo
Around Maputo Mercado Xipamanine The history of the Xipamanine market goes back to the days of Lourenço Marques and before, when black traders throughout Mozambique were restricted to the outskirts of cities. Tourists did, however...
Read More..>Baixa Walk (lower city): 8km; 5 miles
Baixa Walk (lower city): 8km; 5 miles Starting and finishing on the Rua da Sé at the Hotel Rovuma (which has been completely renovated), this route takes in historic old Maputo, and includes a very cheap (if on foot)...
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