Backpacker Hostel Mozambique

In a city with not too many choices for budget travellers, Fatima’s Place is a very good value, calm, little oasis from the hustle and bustle of Maputo. A 15 minute walk from the city centre, this house on the busy Avenida Mao Tse Tung is a guesthouse/bar/restaurant and information centre rolled into one. Entering the gated and security-guarded compound, you’re first struck by the bright colours, funky sculptures and wall decorations that enliven the bar/reception area and the warm welcome. There are single to four-person rooms – all are clean and well kept. The 12-bed dorm is fan-cooled – all beds have mosquito nets and decent mattresses. There are lockers provided for use with your own lock. There is also a small, grassed camping area wackily placed on the roof of the outside chalets.

The hot water showers and common toilets are spick and span. There is also a huge amount of information for onward travel both, at the bar and on the walls. There is a comfy sitting area by the bar/reception, one in the house on the way to the inside rooms as well as a sun terrace with cushions and deck chairs. There is also a large sitting area in and around the dining area and kitchen. The common kitchen is well kept but is very short on pots, pans and utensils. There is a small menu with cheaply priced food and a well-stocked bar too. The free Wi-Fi is only available from 5pm till 7am. Notwithstanding the lack of competition, Fatima’s seems to be constantly improving and is a great choice, though a little pricey in the dorms.

Hot water Free Wi-Fi Secure Near centre

Dorm beds a little overpriced Wi-Fi only in the evenings

	Beds from 800 MTC Book here >

Our Rating:

Fatima’s Place – Maputo

Rated 4.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From MTC 800 per person – dorm (available)

Great choice but a bit pricey.

(Last Reviewed: September 2016)

While Xai-Xai is a little out of favour with international tourists due to the all singing and dancing Tofo further north, this town half way between Maputo and Tofo has its own distinctive Mozambican ambience. Adventurous backpackers or those wanting to break the 8-9 hour bus trip between the two, will find Bamboo Beach Backpackers providing good, cheap lodging right by the beach. Buses and minibuses run throughout the day from Xai-Xai town on the highway to the beach 10kms away and stop just a sign-posted three minute walk away from Bamboo Beach.

This tiny place functions as a bar/restaurant during the day as the beach is very popular with locals. But come evening it’s deserted, giving a peaceful sleep in one of the rooms at the back. There is a 7-bed dorm with aircon, plus two triple rooms (one with a/c) and a double room. Prices are pretty much the same as its Tofo and Vilanculos counterparts, so very good value. The mattresses are thick and comfy in the dorm and the a/c keeps everything cool. There is a wardrobe and plenty of space, but could do with a small table or two for luggage and maybe a splash of colour.

The sitting room – decorated with large flags – has a sofa, wicker chairs and DSTV. There is also a common kitchen for guests’ use with a kettle, microwave and two gas rings. Ask the kitchen for any pots and pans or utensils you need. There are three hot water showers and two toilets that all rooms share and are kept clean. There is no WiFi here though.

The bar/restaurant is open from around 9am till the last customer has gone; any time between 7pm and 9pm. So alert the staff if you want to eat either early or late. This is a great, slightly scruffy little place that gives backpackers what they need for very little money. It is a very different, more local experience to the beaches further north.

Right by the beach Self-catering kitchen DSTV Hot Water

No Wi-Fi Decor a bit bland

	Beds from 500 MTC Book here >

Our Rating:

Bamboo Beach Backpackers – Xai-Xai

Rated 4.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From MTC 500 per person – dorm (available)

Decent place in Xai-Xai.

(Last Reviewed: September 2016)

Mozambeat Motel Inhambane is tucked away in the dunes linking Tofo with Tofinho. The rough dirt road branches right from the main road from Inhambane about 500m before Tofo centre and is signposted. It’s an idyllic little spot which is a lot more luxurious than backpackers usually expect. Pricier than the other options in Tofo, this is a very comfortable place to while away your time. The chalets and dorm are psychedelically designed mosaic-style in bright colors and there is a large swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers. The Motel is quite a long walk from the beach and town centre, so the owners have tried to make it as self-contained as possible. They have a restaurant/bar with a long menu and list of cocktails and they also organise poker, film and music nights which are popular with the local ex-pats. There is also WiFi for a small charge.

The 10-bed dorm is really clean and comfy with thick mattresses, duvets, mosquito nets and fans. It has it’s own alfresco hot water shower and toilet. It is the most expensive of the dorms available in Tofo, but you get quite a bit of luxury for the price. The chalets are really comfy and nicely designed. There is also a small space for camping either with your own tent or one of Mozambeat’s. This is luxury backpacking.

Swimming pool Outrageously comfortable dorms Lots of evening entertainment Wi-Fi available Peaceful, remote location

A little expensive Far from beach & town

	Beds from 10 EUR Book here >

Our Rating:

Mozambeat Motel – Inhambane (Tofino)

Rated 4.5 / 5.0 (1 review)

From EUR 10.00 per person – dorm (available)

Luxury backpacking !

(Last Reviewed: September 2016)

Spread along the dunes of the dazzling sand of Tofo beach, this complex of thatched and wooden buildings is beautifully positioned right on the wide beach with unbroken views of the ocean. The property feels a little overfilled with chalets, huts and dorms, but there is plenty of space to be had around the bar/restaurant area where there are a number of sundecks to relax on. The property is sprinkled with hammocks and deckchairs too.

There are several dorms of between 6 and 14 beds, all with fans and mosquito nets. Sheets and blankets require quite a deposit, but the rooms are fairly clean and the mattresses comfortable. The common hot water showers and toilets are kept very clean and there is a self-caterers’ kitchen and eating area which actually could be cleaner and there’s virtually no equipment. There is free WiFi in the evenings and the bar/restaurant has a lengthy list of dishes and cocktails at par for the course prices, as well as a pool table.

All your water activities can be arranged here; anything from ocean safaris, diving courses, horse riding etc. There is a minibus direct to Maputo run by Fatima’s Nest Backpackers every day at 4am. Of the three backpacker places currently open in Tofo, this one sits squarely in the middle as far as cost, comfort and amenities are concerned and is a very good choice for those looking for a little rusticity but not too much.

Free Wi-Fi Right On the Beach Very Good Restaurant & Bar

Deposit for Bedding Required Not Much Equipment in Kitchen

	Beds from 600 Mtc Book here >

Our Rating:

Fatima’s Nest Backpackers – Inhambane (Praia De Tofo)

Rated 4.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From MZN 600 per person – dorm (available)

Good place to stay.

(Last Reviewed: September 2016)

Wuyani Pariango Beach Motel – Inhambane is a German-owned place right by the wide Tofo beach. It has become the established surfers’ hangout in Tofo. Rustic and occupying a former local government building, it provides cheap digs in dorms, huts and chalets as well as camping space in the back garden. There is one girls’ dorm of 18 beds and 3 boys’ dorms of 8 beds each – all bunks. The dorms are fan cooled – there is a healthy sea breeze passing through anyway. All beds have mosquito nets, but we found the mattresses to be a bit on the thin side for our taste. The doors on the dorms do not secure from the inside, but security doesn’t seem to be a serious concern here.

There is a comfy sitting area by the reception desk with sofas for accessing the free WiFi. A kettle and mugs are provided here as well for tea/coffee. There is also a small basic kitchen in the back garden for guest use and a barbecue pit. There is plenty of parking space and a small camping area. The toilet and shower blocks are clean but the cubicles are very small and the water needs a few minutes of running before it gets hot. This place has a great sociable atmosphere and is very informally run. Though there is no restaurant here, there are plenty of eating choices in this small village. The hostel is not more than 10 minutes walk from the bus stop, market, surf, dive shops etc.

Cheap Sociable atmosphere Free WiFi Right by the beach

Thin mattresses Bit rustic for some

	Beds from 400 Mtc Book here >

Our Rating:

Wuyani Pariango Beach Motel – Inhambane (Tofo Beach)

Rated 4.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From MZN 400 per person – dorm (available)

Good place to stay.

(Last Reviewed: September 2016)