Maputo National Park
Wildlife & Animals
Mozambique Parks
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Mozambique.
Elephants are the only confirmed residents from the Big Five. Predators are scarce but several cheetahs were recently reintroduced. The most common antelope is reedbuck, which likes the open grassland habitat, but also look out for nyala, duiker, greater kudu, waterbuck, bushbuck, impala and steenbok.
Wildlife Highlights
An ocean safari is one of the highlights in Maputo National Park. Dolphins and turtles are seen frequently and lucky visitors might also see whale sharks or manta rays. From July to November, humpback whales can also be spotted during their annual migration. From late October to late March, both loggerhead and leatherback turtles nest on the beaches. The hatchlings emerge from December through to late May.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
July to September (which falls during the Dry season) is the best time for wildlife viewing in Maputo NP. Wildlife is easier to spot at that time because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the lakes and other permanent water sources.
