About Mabeco
Born from the Wilderness
Mabeco Tours was founded with a single belief: that Mozambique's extraordinary wilderness deserves to be experienced on its own terms — slowly, deeply, and with someone who truly knows the land.
Our founder, Simão Langa, grew up alongside the coastal forests and game corridors of southern Mozambique. After years as a professional field guide and safari driver, he established Mabeco Tours to share what most travellers never get to see — the hidden valleys, the remote waterholes, the places where Africa's wildness is still entirely intact.
Today, Mabeco Tours operates a specialised private Land Cruiser fleet across Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini, with a team of professional guides who share Simão's deep respect for the land and its communities.
View Our Trips
Our Core Values
Safety First
Every expedition is designed around a strict 18:00 curfew, comprehensive insurance and fleet maintained to the highest expedition standard.
Community at Heart
Mozambicans are the heart of our journey. We employ local guides, partner with community operators and reinvest in the places we explore.
Genuine Local Knowledge
Our guides don't follow a script — they know the terrain, the wildlife corridors, the seasons and the communities that make each region unique.
Transparent Pricing
Fixed daily rates with no hidden fees, no surprises. You know exactly what you're paying for before the engine starts.
Bespoke by Design
Every trip is built around your group size, timeline and travel style. No cookie-cutter itineraries — ever.
World-Class Fleet
Land Cruiser 70 Series and 105 Series vehicles — maintained to international expedition standards with full off-road capability.
Ready to Explore
Mozambique?
Tell us your group size, timeframe and dream destination — we'll design a bespoke trip with transparent, fixed-rate pricing. No hidden fees, just pure adventure.
★★★★★ Trusted by 500+ explorers — TripAdvisor & Viator verified
"Simão Langa did a great job with a demanding group of seven photographers. He was never impatient, always prompt, and deeply knowledgeable about the wildlife and terrain."
"Everything was top notch from our transfer across the border for our 2-day tour of Kruger. Seamless, professional and genuinely unforgettable."
"Superb guide. Simão was relatable and knowledgeable of Maputo and its surroundings. It felt like visiting the city with a friend rather than a tourist guide."
"Travelling with two young children, Simão was brilliant — patient, informative and made the whole experience magical for the kids. The elephant sighting was once-in-a-lifetime."
"The Eswatini trip was absolutely brilliant. Rhino tracking at Hlane, an authentic village lunch and Simão's incredible knowledge of the local culture. Worth every cent and more."
"We did the Inhaca Island day trip and it was simply stunning. The logistics were flawless, the seafood lunch incredible and the snorkelling like nothing we had seen before."
"The overnight camping was an experience I'll talk about for years. Remote, raw and perfectly organised. The bush chef's food was outstanding — proper campfire cooking under the stars."
"Mabeco Tours is the best decision you'll make in Mozambique. We saw elephants, hippos, zebra, crocodiles and an extraordinary array of birds — all in one day."
"We used Mabeco for a cross-border transfer and then booked a Kruger safari on the spot. Simão's knowledge of the park is genuinely impressive. No other operator compares."
"Simão Langa did a great job with a demanding group of seven photographers. He was never impatient, always prompt, and deeply knowledgeable about the wildlife and terrain."
"Everything was top notch from our transfer across the border for our 2-day tour of Kruger. Seamless, professional and genuinely unforgettable."
"Superb guide. Simão was relatable and knowledgeable of Maputo and its surroundings. It felt like visiting the city with a friend rather than a tourist guide."
"Travelling with two young children, Simão was brilliant — patient, informative and made the whole experience magical for the kids. The elephant sighting was once-in-a-lifetime."
"The Eswatini trip was absolutely brilliant. Rhino tracking at Hlane, an authentic village lunch and Simão's incredible knowledge of the local culture. Worth every cent and more."
"We did the Inhaca Island day trip and it was simply stunning. The logistics were flawless, the seafood lunch incredible and the snorkelling like nothing we had seen before."
"The overnight camping was an experience I'll talk about for years. Remote, raw and perfectly organised. The bush chef's food was outstanding — proper campfire cooking under the stars."
"Mabeco Tours is the best decision you'll make in Mozambique. We saw elephants, hippos, zebra, crocodiles and an extraordinary array of birds — all in one day."
"We used Mabeco for a cross-border transfer and then booked a Kruger safari on the spot. Simão's knowledge of the park is genuinely impressive. No other operator compares."
Mozambique Safari
FAQs
Mozambique is home to one of Africa's most diverse wildlife landscapes. In Maputo Special Reserve you can encounter elephants, hippos, zebra, wildebeest, nyala, crocodiles and an extraordinary variety of birds including the rare pel's fishing owl. Kruger National Park in neighbouring South Africa offers full Big Five sightings — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. The Eswatini circuit adds white rhino at Hlane Royal National Park. Marine wildlife is equally remarkable: whale sharks, manta rays, humpback whales (June–November) and pristine coral reefs surround Inhaca Island.
The dry season from May to October is widely considered the best time for safari in Mozambique. Vegetation thins out as waterholes become focal points for wildlife, making animals easier to spot. Temperatures are comfortable (18–28°C) and roads are passable even in remote areas. The wet season (November–April) brings lush green landscapes and excellent birdwatching, but heavy rains can make some bush tracks impassable. Humpback whale season peaks July to October, making this the ideal window to combine a Maputo safari with an Inhaca Island marine trip.
Mozambique itself does not have all Big Five in a single park, but Mabeco Tours is uniquely positioned to cover the full list across a multi-country circuit. Maputo Special Reserve (Mozambique) holds elephant, hippo, leopard and buffalo. Kruger National Park (South Africa), reachable in a single day from Maputo, offers lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo in abundance. Hlane Royal National Park in Eswatini adds white rhino and lion. Our bespoke 2–5 day expeditions are specifically designed to maximise Big Five sightings across these three destinations.
Maputo and the surrounding national parks are considered safe for tourism when visited with an experienced, licensed operator. Mabeco Tours operates with a strict 18:00 return curfew, comprehensive third-party insurance, and all vehicles are maintained to international expedition standards with first-aid kits and communication equipment on board. Our guides are licensed by the Mozambican tourism authority and have extensive field experience. We do not operate in areas under any travel advisory and update our route planning continuously based on current park ranger reports.
A specialised 4×4 vehicle is essential for safari travel in Mozambique. Public transport does not serve the national parks and standard saloon cars cannot handle the sandy tracks and river crossings common in Maputo Special Reserve. Mabeco Tours operates a fleet of Land Cruiser 70 Series and 105 Series vehicles — widely regarded as the benchmark 4×4 for African expedition travel. All transfers, pick-ups and park access are handled door-to-door from your Maputo accommodation. No hire car, no logistics stress — just arrive and explore.
Yes — this is one of Mabeco Tours' signature strengths. Maputo sits at the crossroads of southern Africa, with Kruger National Park (South Africa) 3–4 hours by road and Eswatini roughly 4–5 hours away. We handle all border crossings, permits and logistics so you can seamlessly combine a Maputo city tour, a Maputo National Park safari, a Kruger Big Five day, and Eswatini rhino tracking into a single bespoke multi-day expedition. Most guests spend 3–7 days with us and leave having experienced three countries and four ecosystems.
Maputo Special Reserve (commonly referred to as Maputo National Park) is approximately 100 km south of Maputo city centre — around 1.5 to 2 hours by 4×4 depending on road conditions. The route passes through Ponta do Ouro corridor and crosses into the reserve via the northern gate. Because of early wildlife activity, Mabeco Tours departs Maputo hotels at 05:30 to arrive at the park gates at first light, maximising your time in the bush during peak animal movement hours.
Food is a highlight of every Mabeco expedition. Day safaris include a bush breakfast — freshly prepared in the field with local breads, fruit and hot drinks — and a full picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint inside the reserve. Overnight camping trips feature campfire cooking by our trained bush chef: think flame-grilled peri-peri prawns, slow-cooked stews and Mozambican rice dishes. Inhaca Island trips always include a fresh seafood lunch directly from the morning catch. Dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) are accommodated when notified at booking.
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Maputo International Airport or at land borders for a fee of approximately USD 50–75 (30-day single entry). Citizens of several SADC countries enter visa-free. We strongly recommend checking the latest requirements with your country's foreign affairs department before travel, as policies are subject to change. Mabeco Tours provides full pre-departure documentation guidance to all booked guests, including border crossing requirements for South Africa and Eswatini if your itinerary includes those countries.
Pack lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, tan — avoid bright white which can disturb wildlife). Essentials include: a wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, DEET insect repellent, comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots, a light fleece for early morning drives, and binoculars. A good camera with a zoom lens will serve you well. For overnight trips add a sleeping bag rated to 10°C and a headlamp. Mabeco Tours provides bottled water, snacks, all park entry fees and specialist equipment for every expedition — a full packing list is sent to all booked guests.