The vibrant city of Maputo, once known as Lourenco Marques, is a city steeped in history, both European and African.

The Portuguese started trading here in 1545 and the Dutch East India Company in 1720. Then the British tried to set up a trading post in 1776 but the mosquitoes got the better of them!

Starting at the border post of Ressano Garcia, this is where the “culture” begins! Crossing here can take 30 mins or 2 hours, depending on how busy the border is.

We do not recommend these tours during public or school holidays as the queues can be several kilometres long! From the border to the city, the drive is an easy one that takes about an hour.

On arrival we stop at a sidewalk coffee house for refreshments before commencing our tour which will include downtown Maputo, the Marginal, the Casa de Ferro (house of iron), which was designed by Gustav Eiffel, the Catholic Cathedral, the Mercado Municipal (Municipal Market), the Railway Station and the Fort of Nossa Senhora de Conceicao (our lady of conception), built in 1781.

We then board the ferry to Catembe, another African experience, which is a 10-minute journey. From Catembe, you get a magnificent view of the Maputo skyline. Lunch is taken at the Catembe Gallery Hotel before taking the ferry back to Maputo and then we start our journey home.

Should the ferry not be running, lunch will be taken at the famous Costa do Sol Restaurant at the end of the Marginal. This is a long day but definitely well worth the visit. Visas are required by all passport holders, apart from South Africans, but these can be purchased at the border.