One of the world's most endangered eco-regions, the 24 000 ha Maputo Special Reserve, established in 1960 offers holiday seekers the opportunity to go on an adventurous game drive where elephants, hippos, crocodiles, antelope, zebras, giraffe among others roam in this peaceful reserve of lakes, wetlands, swamp forests, grasslands and mangrove forests flocking with various different bird species, and a stunning coastline of pristine beaches stretching for miles.
Maputo Special Reserve Accommodation
The reserve and wildlife suffered badly during the civil war between 1975 - 1992 when mines and snares injured and killed a large population of wildlife inhabitants. Restoration of the reserve's wildlife and flora has been an ongoing effort via cross-border translocation programmes between South Africa and Mozambique since the end of the war with a latest count report of over 400 elephants that now flourish in this beautiful, tranquil game reserve where sightings of them grazing on open floodplains is literally guaranteed.
These translocation programme operations taken place over the years has proven to be a major success with over 4600 animals brought into the reserve since 2019 and over 25000 animals from all over Southern Africa since translocation operations began! Today, it thrives with wildlife attracting more and more tourists which helps fund the reserve to maintain its biodiversity and continue the restoration process.
The Cheetahs are back
In October 2021, 4 cheetahs were successfully introduced to the reserve to not only improve the wildlife biodiversity within but to also allow nature to balance the reserve's ecosystem spectrum. The Maputo Special Reserve unfortunately suffered a loss of 1 cheetah only a month after after it broke through the border's fence and got caught in a snare trap. These sad occasions are always a reminder how important it is to help support the reserve whether it be from tourists travelling into Mozambique and partaking in a game drive or by simply donating to help improve, maintain and protect the reserve's precious wildlife from future incidents.
Fun Fact:
The Maputo Special Reserve has recently translocated a group of 26 eland, over and above the introduction of 20 eland in 2019 when they were literally non-existent in reserve for over 30 years.
Read more about Maputo Special Reserve
The dangers to wildlife that still pose a threat
The threat of poaching and snare traps being setup is still a high risk even today. So for security measures, the reserve has introduced a dedicated force of well-equipped game rangers all around the reserve to affectively protect, patrol and safeguard wildlife from future poaching and snare traps. A new operations room has been built within the reserve and security rangers are equipped with digital radio cross-communication devices for fast and effecient reactive communication, as well as assisted helicopter support if required.
If you plan to visit the Maputo Special Reserve and happen to see any suspicious activity, then please report to the security rangers as soon as possible. The more eyes on the lookout the better.
Reserve Facilities
There is a small cafe, picnic tables and public restrooms for visitors entering the Maputo Special Reserve at the Western park entrance called Entrada de Futi (Futi Entry) near Bela Vista. Note: You will need a 4x4 to navigate the loose sandy trails of the game reserve to reach your destination within. Before entering the reserve, reduce your tire pressures down to 1.5 or 1.4 bar. There are also tire guage and compressor facilities to check your tire pressures and pump them back up to normal tire pressures upon exiting the reserve back on tar roads. If possible, bring your own compressor incase the reserve's entrance compressor is out of order otherwise you can get your tires pumped up at the Puma Filling Station 24km north in Bela Vista.
Entering the reserve & basic rules
Respect the rules of the reserve and use common sense. Please don't rev your engines, make loud noises, play loud music and hoot within the reserve. Enjoy spotting wildlife, the peace and tranquillity. We strongly advise you keep a safe distance from the elephants. If they approach your vehicle, then kindly back-up slowly keeping that safe distance, and remember, these majestic animals always have right of way.
There is an entrance fee for the vehicle and per visitor but it is well worth it whether you merely want to do an adventurous game drive or a bonus game drive before reaching your holiday destination through the reserve. Timing is crucial because the reserve entrance opening times are from 06h00 - 17h00 in Summer (October to March) and 07h00 - 16h00 in Winter (April to September), so please make sure you arrive there at least 30 minutes before.
More warnings and rules to be aware of
- Do not approach elephants or to get to close to them. Keep a safe distance at all times and they always have right of way
- Do not feed the monkeys or any other animal
- Do not drink and drive in the reserve
- Do not litter or throw cigerette butts out the window and into the park (this is littering and can potentially cause fires)
- Dogs are not allowed in the reserve
- Please keep your vehicle on the beaten track
- Be cautious - there are dangerous animals in the reserve such as elephants, crocodiles and hippos, therefore keep your distance from them if spotted.
- Please remain in your vehicle at all times when game driving through the reserve and do not exit your vehicle
- Drones are not allowed to be flown over the reserve
- Weapons such as firearms and knives are not allowed in the reserve
- Fires, braais / barbeques are not allowed in the reserve
- Camping is only allowed in designated campsite locations within the reserve
- Riding bicycles in the reserve is prohibited
- Fines can and will be issued if you do not abide to the rules above
Distances to / from the Futi Entrance:
As you traverse through the reserve, you will come across helpful sign posts providing colour coded directions to various holidays destinations above. The reserve offers 3 dedicated campsite locations including Ponta Membene and Ponta Mucombo.
Maputo Special Reserve Accommodation
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