Mozambique is a popular destination for budget travelers from South Africa and beyond, thanks to its good weather, excellent surfing and diving opportunities it offers, and relatively inexpensive accommodation and transportation costs. Travelers generally begin their trip in Maputo and spend a few days exploring the city before venturing into the more rural parts of the country.
Maputo is the capital of Mozambique, and it’s worth spending a couple of days in Maputo before traveling north along the coast. Maputo has a number of cheap accommodation options, and there are a number of affordable self-catering hostels and guesthouses that have opened up in different parts of the city due to the increased demand for budget accommodation. The most popular tourist attraction in Maputo is the bustling fish market north of the city on the Costa do Sol, where one can buy every type of seafood imaginable.
After spending some time in Maputo, budget travelers usually make their way to Xai-xai or Tofo. Xai-xai is a small town along the coast. There are mini-taxi buses from Maputo to Xai-xai, and the drive takes about 5 hours on cobblestone roads. Xai-xai beach area attracts tourists looking for a relaxing and stress-free beach holiday. It is a less commercialized area, and does not have any actual hostels providing accommodation for backpackers. However, it does have camping grounds for travelers with tents, and there are also a number of affordable guesthouses in the area. Xai-xai Beach is clean and pristine due to the relatively low number of tourists visiting the area.
Farther north than Xai-xai, Tofo is another popular destination for budget travelers. Tofo is about an 8-hour drive from Maputo and a 30-minute drive from the bustling city of Inhambane. It has a number of lodges and budget accommodation options, the most popular of which are Fatima’s Nest and Bamboozi Beach Lodge. Tofo travelers can sign up for one of the many diving courses offered by PADI, and snorkeling takes place along the coast of Tofo, which is rich in marine life including whale sharks, manta rays and many species of fish. Tofo Beach is also a popular surfing spot due to its cylindrical waves that provide excellent surfing conditions. Tofo is very busy during peak times, and is especially busy in December and January.
Mozambique has a lot to offer to budget-conscious travelers looking for a true African experience. It offers unique and exciting activities that cannot be enjoyed anywhere else in South Africa, and it is still inexpensive because it is a relatively obscure destination that is not yet highly commercialized.
