I thought it was time to share a little secret with all of our readers. It is my favorite beach in Africa. It is not overly crowded, but it still has enough people to share the fun with. It’s not great for surfing, but the place is so relaxed that you won’t even feel like surfing in the first place. It is just perfect for what I think a beach in Mozambique should be used for: Forgetting about your regular life and just relax and have fun with friends and other backpackers. The beach is called Tofo, and is located a good day’s drive north of Maputo.
How to get to Tofo, Inhambane, from Maputo
The way we got there (me, Eleyce and two friends), and the way I think most people get there, is by bus from Maputo. There are two ways to find the right bus. One option is to go to Maputo’s central mini bus station and ask around for a bus to Inhambane or Tofo. Eventually you should be able to find the right bus. The other way is to ask your backpackers, hostel or hotel in Maputo to help you get a ride to the bus station and have them show you to the tofo-bus. We stayed at Fatima’s Backpackers in Maputo, an excellent place that I would highly recommend to other travelers (as long as you are fine with dorm bunk beds, shared bathrooms, etc).
Fatima doesn’t only have one backpacker, but two. And the other one is naturally in Tofo! So this is where the advantage comes: They will be very happy to help you get to their other backpackers in Tofo. All you have to do is to tell them what day you wish to go, you pay them in advance at the reception, and they will give you a ride in the early morning to your bus. Everything is taken care of, they pay the drivers and everything. All you have worry about is spending the next eight hours trying to get comfortable in tiny seat in an overstuffed, sweaty and bumpy minibus. This is a great solution, as you get to travel as the locals, with the locals and see the a lot of the countryside without having to drive your own car. But at the same time you won’t have to worry about the hassle with finding the right bus, arguing about the price, etc.
The ride from Maputo to Inhambane
Despite the not low road standards and lack of comforts in the bus, I really enjoyed most of this ride. It’s not like the scenery is that amazing either, but I just really love sitting on a bus and watch the real life of the local people happening right outside. You see how people live, their houses, their social life, the kids playing around, the nature they live in and once in a while you can get a glimpse of the ocean (at least that’s how I remember it). You should also keep some change available, because the bus stops very frequently and people will instantly crowd around the bus to sell you nuts, rolls or whatever they have to offer that day. Even if you’re not that hungry, it’s a part of the experience to try the local food, plus they will greatly appreciate your business!
The total riding time was about eight hours as far as I can remember. And if you ask the driver, he will drop you off at your backpackers. Again I highly recommend Fatima’s!
Tofo, Mozambique – A relaxed and fun backpacker’s beach paradise!
As I already said, Tofo is not a crowded beach at all. It is divided by a hill, and one side is more crowded than the other. Personally I liked the less crowded north side, which is also where Fatima’s is located. It’s hardly more than 10 to 20 tourists on that beach, and if you just walk a bit further up, you will practically be alone. And the people who actually are there, are all really nice and friendly backpacker’s who are there to chill out during day and have some fun at night. But, don’t expect any nightclubs or anything in that genre. Everything that happens, happens in Fatima’s bar. (There are of course similar bars at the other backpackers, but over the two weeks I spent there I never felt the need to explore them).
Fatima’s Nest, Tofo – The place to be!
I have to be honest. I never explored any of the other hotels or backpackers in Tofo. But the reason is clear; I was so happy with Fatima’s that I did not have any desire to see what other options were around. However, we did go out to eat at other restaurants most nights, as the food at Fatima’s was good the first couple of days, but not very satisfactory in the long run.
And you should also be aware that Fatima’s is a budget option. If you need any comforts other than a bed and a roof, this is not really the place for you. But a cool feature is that you can bring your own tents and sleep in them for a reduced rate. You can also choose to sleep in private rooms or dorm room bunk beds. And if you’re hot, you can only dream of air condition. I was continuously sweaty for two weeks straight.
Inhambane – a nice town with good bread
I don’t remember very much from Inhambane. But I remember that I liked it there. You can get there by minibus, the ride takes around 20 minutes. And the only thing to do there is to walk around and eat stuff. I ended up eating bread, mostly. They have a lot of really good Portuguese bread, fresh baked from their bakeries. And there was a nice, surprisingly European looking, urban cafe with awesome burgers and great coffee drinks. Plus a comfortable couch, in which I spent several hours while waiting for the thunderstorm to pass.
Will Return
There is not much more to say; I will return. I had the perfect little travel adventure in Tofo. It was a lot of fun, extremely relaxed, no worries, good company and tons of memories. Will recommend a friend.
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