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| Maputo is a magnet for South African tourists, particularly people from areas like Gauteng who never see the sea. Hotels in the city like the Polana and the Cardoso offer serene views of Maputo Bay. Beaches in the city area are not the best in Africa. But Macaneta beach, less than an hour's drive away, is popular with city residents and visitors alike. The Maputo Elephant Reserve, south of the city, is another traditional tourist attraction. In Maputo city the shops and the central market, Bazar Central, are full of consumer goods. Visitors in the 1990s also noticed a proliferation of street traders selling everything from beer to refrigerators. This was relatively new, a result of the influx of destitute rural families who fled war and drought in the 1980s. In the 1990s, when the destabilising effects of apartheid in neighbouring South Africa vanished into the past, Mozambique became a nation at peace. People no longer needed to fear the countryside and began returning to farming in their home areas. But this will take time. Towards the end of the 20th century the informal city markets were still a mechanism for survival and, although most were ugly blemishes, beautiful woodcarvings and paintings markets were a credit to the artistic creativity of the Mozambican people. The Incomati is the most important river in Maputo province. Others are the Umbeluzi, Tembe, Matola, Maputo and Futi. In the rainy season, between November and March, temperatures in Maputo can rise to 40C degrees. They drop to below 20C in July and August. Places of interestThe Museum of Natural History has a unique display showing the gestation of the elephant, a wonderful insect collection and a wildlife tableau with roaring lions and other sound effects. The Museum of the Revolution tells the story of the struggle against Portuguese colonialism. The Art Museum shows exhibitions of the best of Mozambican paintings and sculptures and there is a Money Museum where you can see coins and banknotes from other eras. There is also a Museum of Geology.A focal point in the city is the Praca de Independencia. Around it are a statue of the country's first president, Samora Machel, the gleaming white Roman Catholic cathedral, the neo-classical City Hall and the French-Mozambican cultural centre, a splendid old colonial building which has been tastefully restored and now presents art exhibitions. Round the corner is another architectural treasure; an iron building designed by Monsieur Eiffel, more famous for his tower in Paris, and nearby are the botanical gardens, the Jardim Tunduru. Across the road is Radio Mozambique, not very pleasing to the modern eye but a functional example of the Estado Novo monumentalist tradition in Portuguese public architecture of the 1940s and 50s. The building, incorporating a rising central tower and bunker-style windows, achieves a certain grandeur and the bas-relief statuary flanking the central entrance is a classic of the genre. Nearby is the British High Commission, which is stylish and full of history. Here worked Sir Roger Casement, the only British diplomat to be executed for treason, and here a British journalist on the run from South Africa where he had been covering the Boer War took refuge. The journalist, Winston Churchill, is better remembered as his country's prime minister during the Second World War. A few minutes walk down the hill from the high commission is the Fortaleza, a Portuguese fort with cannons pointed out to sea. In the Fortaleza lie the remains of Ngungunyana, ruler of the old Gaza Empire, who tried and failed to defeat the Portuguese at the end of the 19th century. A statue in a street named after him commemorates the man who founded Frelimo, the movement for Mozambican independence, Eduardo Mondlane. Dotted around Maputo, and other Mozambican towns, are streets and schools named after men and women who, like Mondlane, gave their lives in the independence war. The remains of Mondlane, Machel and several other national heroes are enshrined in a star-shaped monument in the Praca dos Herois, which also boasts a large mural recounting the country's centuries of struggle. As in many countries, the main graveyard is also a place to look for memories of a stormy past, which in this case included the Mozambican people's support for South Africa's freedom struggle. In Maputo's Lhanguene cemetery one can find the gravestones of South African liberation personalities, killed in Maputo by apartheid shock troops, poisoners and senders of letter bombs. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison one of his first acts on a visit to Mozambique was to visit these tombs to pay homage to the men and women who kept the dream of freedom alive during his 27 years of incarceration. Health Issues:Malaria: Is prevalent in Mozambique and it is recommended that visitors to the country take anti-malarial prophylactics, especially those travelling outside Maputo. The best precaution is to avoid being bitten by using Mosquito nets and repellent spray and wearing protective clothing, especially in the evenings.Landmines:The main roads and coastal areas have been cleared of mines. Mined areas may be marked with a red and white sign, which sometimes features a 'Skull and Crossbones' or may be cordoned off with red tape. It is always advisable to consult local people before venturing into unfamiliar areas.Water:Bottled drinking water may be purchased anywhere in Maputo and the larger cities. In rural areas it may be more difficult to obtain supplies of safe drinking water and we recommend that you boil and filter all water or carry a supply of water purification tablets.Visa Requirements:All visitors must have a valid passport and visa. Visas can be obtained from Mozambican embassies and consulates worldwide. To find the Mozambican embassy or consulate nearest you, in South Africa telephone: (012) 3430957. You will need your passport and two passport photos. Allow six working days for the processing of your visa.Currency:Mozambique's local currency is the Metical, however US dollars and SA Rand are widely accepted. It is advisable to carry cash or traveller cheques as credit cards are not widely accepted and obtaining a cash advance on a credit card in a bank can be a costly and time consuming process. | ||
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