Attractions Nearby Mozambique, Day Trips and Excursions

(Mozambique, MZ, South-East Africa)

Mozambique is located along the south-eastern coast of Africa, with a number of possible excursions available. To the north are the many attractions neighbouring Malawi and Zambia, while to the south, Mozambique borders on South Africa and Swaziland. Westwards lie both Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Visitors with extra time and sufficient funds on their hands often follow itineraries, which take you through all or some of these southern African countries. If you are interested in planning African excursions before you begin your Mozambican adventure, it may prove beneficial to find an experienced and professional tour operator to assist you with your requirements.

Malawi

Visitors to nearby Malawi, to the north-west, will quickly discover that this fascinating country is made up of a rich diversity of landscapes, from the highest peaks to the lush river valleys below. Malawi's most popular attraction is of course Lake Malawi, discovered by Dr. Livingstone some 150 years ago. More of an inland sea than a lake, it's the focus of many visitor attractions and is surrounded by its very own national park. Also in Malawi, look out for the Liwonde National Park and its plentiful hippos, the herds of antelope and zebras within the Nyika National Park, and the eye-catching peak of Mount Mulanje.

Zambia

Nearby Zambia has some great attractions for wildlife lovers. As well as having a host of national parks and wildlife reserves (such as the Lower Zambezi National Park and the South Luangwa National Park), arguably some of the very best that Africa has to offer, Zambia also boasts various other extremely popular tourist destinations. These include the capital city of Lusaka, the Kalambo Falls - the second-highest waterfall in Africa, Lake Kariba and Lake Tanganyika. Travellers who choose to enter Zambia by land from Mozambique usually do so via Malawi, either driving a rented vehicle or by bus.

Swaziland

Between Mozambique and South Africa is the tiny kingdom of Swaziland. Small it might be, but there's still plenty to see and do here, particularly around Mbabane, the capital city. Tourist attractions include Swaziland's five main wildlife reserves (the Hlane Royal National Park, the Malolotja Nature Reserve, the Mkhaya Game Reserve, the Mlawula Nature Reserve and the Mlilwane Game Reserve), the royal valley of Ezulwini (just outside Mbabane) and the Ngwempisi Gorge. Action enthusiasts can have a go at white water rafting on the Usutu River.

South Africa

The eastern border of South Africa lies at the very southerly tip of Mozambique and comes with some of the continent's most popular cities and tourist destinations, such as both Cape Town (the legislative capital) and Johannesburg. Other notable cities here include Durban, Pretoria and Port Elizabeth.

Away from the cities, the scenery of South Africa can be quite breathtaking and includes the Drakensberg Range, the Western Cape valleys and vineyards, and the semi-desert region of Karoo, as well as the subtropical KwaZulu-Natal coastline. Cape Town is where most tourists tend to head first, to admire the giant centrally located Table Mountain and waterfront attractions. A trip to the Kruger National Park is another must-do, with its buffalos, elephants, giraffes, impala, hippos and zebras generally being easy to locate on a guided safari.

Tanzania

The African country of Tanzania is to be found on the northern edge of Mozambique and contains some particularly iconic images, such as the Serengeti Plains, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Mahale Mountains National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Holiday makers will be pleased to find that the main Tanzanian attractions and palm-fringed beach resorts are generally well connected by road, although with the right kind of vehicle, the wilderness is often relatively easy to explore. Located in the heart of Tanzania is the capital city, Dodoma, where the Lion Rock (Mlimwa Hill) offers some of the best views possible. Dar es Salaam is the largest city by far and features an especially attractive seaport and an enormous market (Kariakoo). For the best Tanzanian beaches, take a boat over to the Zanzibar Archipelago, where the scuba diving and snorkelling conditions are nothing short of superb.

Zimbabwe

Like Mozambique, Zimbabwe isn't the most obvious choice for visitors to southern Africa. Even in peak holiday season, there's little sign of overcrowding at the country's busiest tourist destinations. Bordering on western Mozambique, the Zimbabwean capital of Harare is a good place to start exploring. There are also a series of national parks on the border. Many tourists choose to take a domestic flight between Maputo and Harare, rather than opt to cross the land border between the two countries. If you have the time, then be sure to take in the Eastern Highlands, enjoy a walking safari around the Mana Pools, and then perhaps consider a white water rafting expedition past the Victoria Falls.