SAA has upped
frequencies to key
African destinations by
24% as demand for travel
into Africa soars. One of the
key routes is Mozambique,
which has seen a significant
increase in travel from South
Africa as trade relations grow.
In December, SAA increased
frequencies between
Johannesburg and Maputo by
24% from 17 to 21 weekly
frequencies.
“The strengthening of these
routes comes in the wake
of positive load factors and
increased traffic between the
countries,” says SAA acting
ceo, Nico Bezuidenhout.
“Maputo is a star in our
African route network and in
keeping with the strategic
objectives of our Long-Term
Turnaround Strategy, we are
focused on maintaining a
commercially sustainable
African route network and on
further expanding those star
performing African routes.
“South Africa and
Mozambique enjoy strong
trade and social ties,” he
adds. “The two countries
have much in common, with
Mozambique South Africa’s
top trading partner in Africa.”
Mozambique’s GDP has
showed robust growth,
according to statistics from
the African Development
Bank. The progressive
increase in coal production
and the implementation of
large infrastructure projects,
coupled with budgetary
expansion, are expected to
continue to drive growth.
The economy is expected
to grow by 7,5% in 2015.
“The sectors that will benefit
from more favourable
investments are those related
to construction, business and
financial services, transport
and communications, and
mining,” the report said.
SAA, the leading carrier
on the African continent,
introduced flights to Maputo
in 1937 when it began
flying to what was then
Lourenco Marques, with an
experimental flight on July
18, 1937, using an Airspeed
Envoy, which was to connect
with the Imperial Airways
Flying boat en-route from
London to Durban, to pick up
airmail. The service used the
Junkers Ju 86 from May 5,
1938. After the war the De
Havilland Doves were used on
the service.
From humble beginnings the
route has shown considerable
growth, Nico says.
Frequencies were increased
late last year and SAA now
serves Maputo with three
flights a day, on A319 aircraft.
Where to stay
The Polana Serena Hotel is a
five-star hotel in a residential
district of Maputo, 15 minutes
from Mavalane International
Airport.
The five-star hotel, which was
built in 1922, was renovated
in 2010, fusing its old-world
charm with modern amenities.
The hotel features 142
rooms, three restaurants:
the all-day-dining Varanda
Restaurant, the French-style
Delagoa fine-dining experience
accompanied by live music,
and the Aquarius Sushi bar.
There is also the Polana Bar.
The hotel also features the
‘Maisha’ Health Club and Spa,
a swimming pool, extensive
gardens, an exclusive
residents’ lounge, a business
centre, a beauty salon and
three gift shops. The hotel
also offers its own conference
and social events suite, which
features a ballroom.
What to do
It’s not all business when visiting Maputo. Travellers who
want to learn more about the city’s history and culture
can take part in a city tour, which lasts three hours and
includes stops at some of Maputo’s most interesting
heritage sites.
St Anthony's Church
St Anthony’s Church, which is close to the Polana
Serena Hotel, is known for its unique structural design.
Indian pioneers were among the first foreign settlers
in Mozambique, with the Portuguese arriving in 1445.
The architecture of the church reflects both Indian and
Portuguese cultural influences.
Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History features an impressive
array of traditional Mozambican musical instruments
and guests are greeted with a live performance by two
locals. A taxidermy collection of African wildlife, including
a timeline display of elephant foetuses, is also housed at
the museum.
San Sebastian Fortress
The fortress is near a fishing port and was originally
built to protect the bay from invasions from Spanish and
German colonialists. The fortress links Mozambique’s
history with South Africa, as SA helped build the fort and
the railway (Paul Kruger had plans to link Pretoria and
Maputo by train). To arrive at the fortress, the tour group
travels through downtown Maputo, past local shops and
businesses, including the Maputo shopping centre. This
shopping hotspot, in the shape of a ship, is the largest
mall in Maputo.
Railway Station
The station, which is still operational, showcases the first
train that travelled from Maputo to Pretoria. A highlight for
tourists is the train bar in the middle of the station.
Local market
There is a local market near the Polana Hotel, where
travellers can purchase local products, such as jewellery,
wooden sculptures, hand-made bags and clothing, and
local fabrics. There is an option to extend the tour to
include a seafood lunch at the docks, where guests can
select fresh seafood and have it cooked on site.
