Maputo Special Reserve
Maputo (Province)
Maputo Special Reserve, located in Mozambique's Maputo Province, is a significant conservation area originally established in 1932 as the Maputo Elephant Reserve to protect coastal elephants. Covering 1,040 square kilometers, it features a diverse mosaic of lakes, wetlands, swamp forests, grasslands, mangroves, and a coastal ecosystem within the Maputaland Centre of Endemism. The reserve supports a rich variety of wildlife including 16 mammal species such as kudu, impala, eland, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, and a notable population of approximately 400 African elephants. Efforts to rehabilitate the reserve after devastation during the Mozambican Civil War began in 2006, with species reintroductions starting in 2010, including recent introductions of spotted hyenas. It forms part of the larger Maputo National Park since 2021 and is integrated into the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area, linking protected areas in Mozambique, South Africa, and Eswatini. The coastal zone hosts marine species like dolphins, whales, whale sharks, rays, coral fish, and sea turtles. Eco-tourism infrastructure includes the Anvil Bay resort, enhancing visitor experience. In 2025, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an extension of South Africa's iSimangaliso Wetland Park, highlighting its global ecological importance.
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Tip: The best time to visit Maputo Special Reserve is during the dry season when wildlife viewing is optimal. Booking eco-tourism accommodations like Anvil Bay resort in advance is recommended. Visitors may benefit from guided tours to fully appreciate the diverse ecosystems and animal species. Check for any conservation-related visitor guidelines and available discounts for early bookings or group tours. The reserve is accessible via Maputo city, and cross-border travel arrangements with South Africa may enhance the experience due to the transfrontier conservation area connections.
Interesting facts
- •The reserve was originally known as the Maputo Elephant Reserve before 1969.
- •It hosts about 5,000 individual animals from 16 mammal species.
- •Spotted hyenas were introduced in 2023 and 2024 as part of a translocation program from South Africa.
- •The resident elephant population has been augmented by herds translocated from Tembe Elephant Park in South Africa since 2014.
- •The reserve is part of the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area, linking parks across three countries.
- •In 2025, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an extension of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
History
The area was originally proclaimed in 1932 as the Maputo Elephant Reserve to protect a small population of coastal elephants.
It suffered severe wildlife population losses during the Mozambican Civil War.
Rehabilitation efforts began in 2006 through a partnership with the Peace Parks Foundation, leading to species reintroductions from 2010 onward.
In 2021, the Maputo Special Reserve merged with the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve to form Maputo National Park.
In 2025, the site gained UNESCO World Heritage status as part of an expansion of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in South Africa.
Place Guide
Elephant Habitat
This area is the core habitat for the reserve's approximately 400 African elephants, including herds translocated from South Africa, providing visitors a chance to observe these majestic animals in a coastal ecosystem.
Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
The reserve's coastline includes diverse marine habitats home to dolphins, whales, whale sharks, rays, coral fish, and sea turtles, making it a unique spot for marine wildlife observation.
Savanna and Grasslands
Expansive grasslands and savanna support species such as kudu, impala, eland, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra, offering diverse wildlife viewing opportunities.
Anvil Bay Eco-tourism Resort2015
Opened in 2015, this resort provides sustainable accommodation and visitor facilities within the reserve, promoting eco-tourism and conservation awareness.
