Maputo Special Reserve, Protected coastal area in Maputo Province, Mozambique
Maputo Special Reserve is a protected coastal area in the southern Maputo Province of Mozambique, covering lakes, wetlands, swamp forests, grasslands, and mangrove forests. It borders Maputo Bay and brings together a wide range of habitats within a single protected zone.
The area was set up in 1932 as an elephant reserve to protect local wildlife from hunting. The civil war that ended in 1992 left animal populations severely reduced, which led to major restocking efforts in the years that followed.
The reserve sits at the border with South Africa and Eswatini, giving it a cross-border character that shapes how it is managed today. Visitors can see how local communities take part in guiding tours and running camps within the protected area.
The tracks inside the reserve are sandy and soft, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle is needed to get around safely. Staying at least one night inside or near the reserve makes it much easier to explore the different habitats at a comfortable pace.
The waters along the reserve's coastline are one of the few places in the region where dugongs can still be spotted feeding on seagrass beds. These sea mammals are rarely seen elsewhere along the East African coast.
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