This newly updated edition of Mozambique will whet the appetite of independent travelers. After uncertain years of war and natural disaster, this guide encompasses the changes that have taken place. Southern Mozambique is only a days’ drive from Johannesburg, with the capital Maputo lying just over the border, making it an easy extension of a visit to South Africa. The south coast of Mozambique is exceptionally beautiful; beaches lined with palm tree and world-ranking snorkeling, diving, and game-fishing locations are all highlighted, along with listings of exceptional restaurants and resorts. For backpackers exploring off-the-beaten-track Africa, the challenges of getting to and around northern Mozambique are described. Also detailed is Ilha do Moçambique--a small coral island and Cultural Heritage Site boasting a formidable fortress and claiming to be the oldest European settlement in East Africa.