About Mabeco

Mozambique is home to one of Africa's most diverse wildlife landscapes. In Maputo National Park you can encounter elephants, hippos, zebra, wildebeest, a large diversity of antelopes including nyala and eland (the largest African antelope), crocodiles and an extraordinary variety of birds including the rare pel's fishing owl. Kruger National Park in neighbouring South Africa offers full Big Five sightings — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. The Eswatini circuit adds white rhino at Hlane Royal National Park. Marine wildlife is equally remarkable: whale sharks, manta rays, humpback whales (June–November) and pristine coral reefs surround Inhaca Island.

The dry season from May to October is widely considered the best time for safari in Mozambique. Vegetation thins out as waterholes become focal points for wildlife, making animals easier to spot. Temperatures are comfortable (18–28°C) and roads are passable even in remote areas. The wet season (November–April) brings lush green landscapes and excellent birdwatching, but heavy rains can make some bush tracks impassable. Humpback whale season peaks July to October, making this the ideal window to combine a Maputo safari with an Inhaca Island marine trip.

Mozambique itself does not have all Big Five in a single park (Moçambique tem os Big Five no Zinave, e terá também na Gorongosa e Niassa), but Mabeco Tours is uniquely positioned to cover the full list across a multi-country circuit. Maputo National Park (Mozambique) holds elephant, hippo, leopard and buffalo. Kruger National Park (South Africa), reachable in a single day from Maputo, offers lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo in abundance. Hlane Royal National Park in Eswatini adds white rhino and lion. Our bespoke 2–5 day expeditions are specifically designed to maximise Big Five sightings across these three destinations.

Maputo and the surrounding national parks are considered safe for tourism when visited with an experienced, licensed operator. Mabeco Tours operates with a strict 18:00 return curfew, comprehensive third-party insurance, and all vehicles are maintained to international expedition standards with first-aid kits and communication equipment on board. Our guides are licensed by the Mozambican tourism authority and have extensive field experience. We do not operate in areas under any travel advisory and update our route planning continuously based on current park ranger reports.

A specialised 4×4 vehicle is essential for safari travel in Mozambique. Public transport does not serve the national parks and standard saloon cars cannot handle the sandy tracks and river crossings common in Maputo National Park. Mabeco Tours operates a fleet of Land Cruiser 70 Series and 105 Series vehicles — widely regarded as the benchmark 4×4 for African expedition travel. All transfers, pick-ups and park access are handled door-to-door from your Maputo accommodation. No hire car, no logistics stress — just arrive and explore.

Yes — this is one of Mabeco Tours' signature strengths. Maputo sits at the crossroads of southern Africa, with Kruger National Park (South Africa) 3–4 hours by road and Eswatini roughly 4–5 hours away. We handle all border crossings, permits and logistics so you can seamlessly combine a Maputo city tour, a Maputo National Park safari, a Kruger Big Five day, and Eswatini rhino tracking into a single bespoke multi-day expedition. Most guests spend 3–7 days with us and leave having experienced three countries and four ecosystems.

Maputo National Park (commonly referred to as Maputo Special Reserve or Maputo Elephants Reserve) is approximately 100 km south of Maputo city centre — around 1.5 to 2 hours by 4×4 depending on road conditions. The route passes through Ponta do Ouro corridor and crosses into the reserve via the northern gate. Because of early wildlife activity, Mabeco Tours departs Maputo hotels at 05:30 to arrive at the park gates at first light, maximising your time in the bush during peak animal movement hours.

Food is a highlight of every Mabeco expedition. Day safaris include a bush breakfast — freshly prepared in the field with local breads, fruit and hot drinks — and a full picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint inside the Park. Overnight camping trips feature campfire cooking by our trained bush chef: think flame-grilled peri-peri prawns, slow-cooked stews and Mozambican rice dishes. Inhaca Island trips always include a fresh seafood lunch directly from the morning catch. Dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) are accommodated when notified at booking.

Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Maputo International Airport or at land borders for a fee of approximately USD 50–75 (30-day single entry). Voyagers can also obtain a Visa online a few days in advance at https://evisa.gov.mz/. Citizens of several SADC countries enter visa-free. We strongly recommend checking the latest requirements with your country's foreign affairs department before travel, as policies are subject to change. Mabeco Tours provides full pre-departure documentation guidance to all booked guests, including border crossing requirements for South Africa and Eswatini if your itinerary includes those countries.

Pack lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, tan — avoid bright white which can disturb wildlife). Essentials include: a wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, DEET insect repellent, comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots, a light fleece for early morning drives, and binoculars. A good camera with a zoom lens will serve you well. For overnight trips add a sleeping bag rated to 10°C and a headlamp. Mabeco Tours provides bottled water, snacks, all park entry fees and specialist equipment for every expedition — a full packing list is sent to all booked guests.