Previously known as Lourenço Marques, Maputo is the largest and capital city of Mozambique. Cotton, sugar and hardwood exports are chief contributors to the economy while the city’s primary yield is cement, furniture and rubber.
Ensure that your flight is one of comfort and convenience by booking your direct flights to Maputo with South African Airways, an award-winning carrier. Generous leg-room, comfortable seating and a world-class menu will guarantee a memorable experience. Choose from an in-flight selection of handpicked wines and a diverse list of beverages.
For your convenience, make use of SAA’s online check-in portal, arrange your transport and organise your accommodation for your stay in Maputo. To simplify your itinerary, South African Airways has joined forces with a selection of top hotels and rental companies that are reliable and guarantee top quality service.
Check-in for flights to Maputo
Check-in times
- Check-in time for all regional flights is 2 hours and 30 minutes prior to departure.
- Online check-in for e-ticket holders opens 24 hours before flight departures and closes 2 hours prior to international flight departures.
Online check-in
SAA offers an internet check-in service. Check-in online
This service enables you to:
- Print your boarding pass up to 24 hours prior to flight departure.
- Select or change your seat.
Mobile check-in
SAA’smobile check-in service allows you to check in from your internet-enabled mobile phone. Go to m.flysaa.com and:
- Submit your e-ticket number or booking reference number on the check-in screen.
- Download your online boarding pass including Apple's Passbook.
- On arrival at the airport show your online boarding pass to security for scanning.
Self check-in kiosks
Our self-service check-in kiosks are available at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and King Shaka International Airport in Durban.
Use these user-friendly touchscreen devices to:
- Print your boarding pass; and
- Select your seat.
Please note that:
- This check-in option is available to all passengers with confirmed flight tickets on South African Airways.
- All self-service check-in kiosks close 90 minutes before departure time.
Bag drop counter
- Bag drop counters are for passengers with checked baggage who have checked in using flysaa.com or a self-service check-in kiosk.
- After you’ve printed your online boarding pass, proceed to the bag drop counter where your baggage will be tagged and sent to the aircraft.
Maputo Car Rental and Airports Transfers
For your pleasant direct flights to Maputo, and your convenient vehicle rental or airport transfers, you can book it all at once with SAA. Follow the link below, select your requirements, and rest easy knowing that your transport requirements will be taken care of by Africa’s number one airline carrier.
Car Rental
Airport Transfers
Maputo Hotels
Let SAA assist in arranging your stay in beautiful Lusaka. Visit Hotels.com® to find the right accommodation for your budget.
Things to do in Maputo
- Museum of Natural History. The Museum of Natural History has a unique display showing the gestation of the elephant, a wonderful insect collection and a wildlife tableau with roaring lions and other sound effects.
- Museum of the Revolution. The Museum of the Revolution tells the story of the struggle against Portuguese colonialism.
- Art Museum. The Art Museum shows exhibitions of the best of Mozambican paintings and sculptures and there is a Money Museum where you can see coins and banknotes from other eras. There is also a Museum of Geology.
- Praca de Independencia. A focal point in the city is the Praca de Independencia. Around it are a statue of the country's first president, Samora Machel, the gleaming white Roman Catholic cathedral, the neo-classical City Hall and the French-Mozambican cultural centre, a splendid old colonial building which has been tastefully restored and now presents art exhibitions.
- Tunduro Gardens. Located off Av. Samora Machel, you can admire the fine cycad collection and other indigenous and exotic plants.
- Railway Station. Built in 1910, this green and white building has a metal dome on the top designed by Mr. Eiffel.
- Fortaleza.Near centre of town is the Fortaleza, a Portuguese fort with cannons pointed out to sea. In the Fortaleza lie the remains of Ngungunyana, ruler of the old Gaza Empire, who tried and failed to defeat the Portuguese at the end of the 19th century.
- Praca dos Herois.The remains of Mondlane, Machel and several other national heroes are enshrined in a star-shaped monument in the Praca dos Herois, which also boasts a large mural recounting the country's centuries of struggle.
- Lhanguene Cemetery. In Maputo's Lhanguene cemetery one can find the gravestones of South African liberation personalities, killed in Maputo by apartheid shock troops, poisoners and senders of letter bombs.
- Marracuene. About 30 km to the north of Maputo is the village of Marracuene, which overlooks the Incomati River. It is possible to catch the ferry across to the other side and then to drive for 8 km along a sandy/muddy road to the beach.
- Maputo Elephant Reserve is situated 79 km south of Maputo on the road to Ponta do Ouro via the ferry to Catembe, or 112 km from Maputo via the Boane road. The Maputo Reserve is famous for its elephant herds. Flamingos can also be seen on the large inland lakes near the sea.
Visit Maputo's gorgeous Beaches!
- Praia da Macaneta is a beach with strong and large waves. To reach Macaneta you can go by boat from Maputo or by road to Marracuene.
- Ponta do Ouro - 117 km from Maputo, but the road requires a 4x4 vehicle. From the South African side, the Ponta do Ouro border post can be reached by taking the road to Kosi Bay and turning left at the fork after the Manguzi Spar.
- Ponta Malongane, 5 km to the north of Ponta do Ouro, is a beautiful beach with white sand and a blue-green sea.
- Inhaca Island - 34 km from Maputo in the bay, the island can be reached by both boat and plane. Organised tours to various parts of the island such as Ponta de Santa Maria or to Portuguese Island are possible.