Where safari meets shoreline

Pitch your tent just across the Mozambican border and explore the Maputo National Park's lush grasslands, ink-blue lakes and dazzling white beaches in search of elephants, spoonbills.

- EVAN NAUDE

Few protected areas can boast a wildlife list that spans land giants like elephants, buffalo and giraffe, as well as extraordinary marine life including mantas, whale sharks and sea turtles. And that's before we even get to the birds... have you ticked a collared pratincole off your list yet? You'll find all this and more in Maputo National Park, just a stone's throw beyond the Kosi Bay border post.

The park's remarkable mix of species is thanks to its unique position. The southern boundary lies only 40 km from the South African border, while the northern edge reaches right up against Maputo Bay. To the west, the park follows the Futi River, and to the east, it meets the Indian Ocean.

Across its 1 728 km², the landscape shifts from rivers, lakes and floodplains to wetlands, swamp forest, grassy savannah and sweeping white beaches - a tapestry of habitats alive with movement and migration.

The reserve even extends 5 km out to sea to protect its coral reefs and marine life. With a bit of luck you might spot an elephant in the bush, a spoonbill on the lakeshore and a sea turtle on the beach, all in one day.

In recent years, the park has become far more accessible to visitors, and the accommodation has been smartly upgraded. There are now luxury lodges, self-catering stays and both formal and wild camping options. Even so, the park has held onto its raw, untamed atmosphere, and there is not a tar road in sight.

So, pack the family into the car and point your compass to Maputo National Park - an unforgettable camping adventure awaits.