Travel with me to
Maputo.

Tembea Dunia Series Continues.

This is easily one of the simplest destinations to travel to for fellow Kenyans. All you need is a passport, a Yellow Fever Certificate, which is mandatory, and your address in Mozambique. Simple, right?

Now, the real wahala is getting there. The flight connections? They are not smiling at all. You need to connect through either Addis Ababa or South Africa. My journey started at 2:40 a.m. from my palace in Kenya and ended at 4:05 p.m. EAT when I finally landed in Maputo. Long, but worth it.

Now, let me prepare you. Here, there is no English of the nose. The national language is Portuguese. Naona Giza! Kumbe my favourite song, Mungu Nifundishe Kunyamaza, is real. But we will survive. Apps are here for moments like this. Translation pap! Tukisonga.

Follow me as we explore this new destination. As always, #TheGirlFromMbeere is your dedicated travel blogger. Trust me to share my authentic experience. Are you ready?

The first order of business in Maputo was simple: “Girl from Mbeere, you must try Maputo seafood.” Now tell me, who am I to say NO?

But before we even get to the food, we must say, “Present Teacher,” in the Girl From Mbeere way. I beat a few photos because, of course, on this LinkedIn account, we don't play with photos. We take maaaaany photos.

Outside, I spotted not one, not two, but three photo opportunities. I had my moment at the “I Maputo” signage, the Vumba Globe, and that beautiful bridge view. Absolutely stunning.

Fun fact: these photos were taken between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., but they look like they were taken at 11 p.m. Maputo says, “Usiku inaanza mapema.”

Now, back to the real agenda. Another photo first, of course, before saying this: when in Maputo, please dine at this place. The ambience? Mama ooo! Beautiful, warm, inviting, and just vibes.

Now, disclaimer: I am NOT a food blogger. I don't have the vocabulary for fancy food reviews. But allow me to say this: I thoroughly enjoyed my seafood platter. For my first proper meal here? Ehehehe, it delivered.

Kenyan seafood chefs, kuna vile. Because the taste here? There is a difference. And I felt it. Imeweza kabisa.

No, I did not take photos of myself enjoying the food. Please don't ask where the food photo is. You visualize.

Ni hayo tu kwa sasa. More Maputo stories loading.

Yeeeees! Road trip to Ponta do Ouro, Maputo, and crossing Africa's longest suspension bridge!

This Ponta series has made me realize one thing: sometimes retirement is through experience, not only age. Tuendelee.

Life is already moving fast here. From landing to jet lag to seafood, and boom, I am on a road trip. Ilikuwa aje?

Please, I LOVE road trips. If you don't know this by now, welcome to my circle. You will catch up later.

First things first, I crossed the 3-kilometre Maputo-Katembe Bridge. Yeeeees! It is beautiful. Trust me, I will be back there again.

The two-hour drive took us through Maputo National Park, just like our Tsavo. KWS, come benchmark here. See the gate? Hizo elephants namna gani? Zimeweza, right?

Every road trip has lessons to offer, and this one gave me a few apologies to make first. Apologies because I, as a Kenyan, take some things as normal when they are actually not.

Dear Giraffe, I am sorry. You see, we see you, and we keep moving. No excitement. No drama. But today? Waaaiiit! The way other tourists were staring at you, I promise to “aww” and “waoo” you going forward like they did. Please forgive me.

Next, cows. Dear Ng'ombe, I am sorry. I grew up herding you. You were normal. Basic. Everyday life. But today? We saw you on the road, and the excitement was real. People admired you. Ngaes, let's normalize saying, “Aww, beautiful cows.”

Finally, one last apology. Dear Bosco. Yes, Bosco the Kenyan dog. I am sorry. We have normalized saying, “Toka hapa!” instead of “Awwww, beautiful dog.” We need to do better as a country. We are sorry.

Now, let's get to Ponta and explore the extremely beautiful beach. That update sounds like going to space!

As always, Travel Blogger on site is #TheGirlFromMbeere.

The Girl From Mbeere, fully authentic, roaming the streets of Maputo.

This is my street-level VIP ride unveiling. Tuk-tuk imeweza mbaya!

Conda! Kangemi, Uthiru, Kinoo, Kikuyu, 100 bob! Beba beba!

“Mathe, unaenda?” “Kastomaa, beba beba. Kinoo beba. Uthiru beba. Wa haraka, beba beba!”

“Dere, ngoja! Wacha haraka. Mtu mmoja Kikuyu twende!”

“Kinoo, shukisha dere! Shukisha mathe dere.”

“Weee mathe, harakisha kushuka!”

And just like that, I am exploring the streets of Maputo.

Here, the language is still small small. There, here, go, come, English, Kenya, and when words fail, sign language. But honestly? Bora uhai, watu wangu. Fasten your seat belts.

#TheGirlFromMbeere.

From Kenya to the streets of Maputo, this bag by Yvonne Gichuru didn't just travel; it arrived with purpose.

Bold. Unmissable. Carrying more than my many travel essentials. I can't tell my Maputo story without mentioning the mind behind it, Yvonne Gichuru. I am wearing her story. Yes!

Yvonne and I met in the LinkedIn comment section. During the WRC Safari Rally, we linked up, and she wanted to gift me a bag. I asked, “You make bags?” because honestly, her LinkedIn doesn't even show that side of her. She said, “Yes, it's my side hustle.”

I said no to the free bag and bought several instead because my work is to support businesses to grow.

And she has a looooooooot of bags. The best part? She makes them with her mum. Awwww!

This particular one? I thought it was a wallet at first. Look at how it is packed and how practical it is, almost like a wallet. Very nice.

I'm literally walking her hustle through Maputo in real time. You can support her too. Buy one for yourself, buy one for a friend, buy one for a colleague, or buy one for your mpoa. Let's support our own. She delivers countrywide.

With this platform, let me influence you to support Yvonne. I have tested it.

#TheGirlFromMbeere.

If you have limited time in Maputo, make sure you stop by the statue of Samora Machel.

He was the first President of Mozambique and a key figure in the country's independence struggle against Portuguese colonial rule, achieved in 1975.

The statue stands proudly at Praça da Independência, one of Maputo's most important historical squares. It is hard to miss, especially the raised finger, a powerful symbol of leadership, direction, and a nation being called forward.

Samora Machel is remembered as a liberation hero, founding president, and influential African nationalist whose legacy still shapes Mozambique's identity today.

One of his striking quotes continues to echo today: “The rich man's dog gets more in the way of vaccination, medicine, and medical care than do the workers upon whom the rich man's wealth.”

#TheGirlFromMbeere #TembeaDuniaSeries.

Yes, bado tuko kaguu!

The Iron House is located right around the cathedral and the statue area. From outside, it looks really nice. Very unique, actually. It is the kind of building that makes you pause and stare for a moment, and its story is even more interesting.

But first, someone please tell Samidoh I found his guitar here.

Back to the Iron House.

The house was made entirely of iron in 1892. It was prefabricated in Belgium, shipped in pieces, and assembled right here in Maputo. It was originally intended to be the residence of the Governor-General.

But there was just one small problem. Actually, to me, it was a big problem. It became too hot to live in. Too hot, my people!

So instead of becoming a home, it became a historical landmark. Hehehe. A reminder that not every imported idea fits its environment the way it was intended.

Inside, I found some very interesting and slightly complicated artworks by local Mozambican artists. Mimi sikuelewa everything, but I captured photos like a serious tourist.

My favourite? That one in a bottle. I am still trying to understand it, but I respect it.

Halafu tap tap, guys. Tumeni Lion to #TheGirlFromMbeere.

Fort Jesus ya Maputo.

Right in the middle of Maputo, history stands still.

Not loud. Not flashy. But powerful.

A fortress that holds stories of resistance, control, and identity.

Sometimes, you don't need a huge monument to feel the weight of history. You simply stand there, look around, and allow the place to speak for itself.

#TheGirlFromMbeere.

Best swimwear photoshoot destination in Maputo? Ponta do Ouro, I see you!

Instagrammers, this one is for YOU. I think I found the perfect beach for your swimwear shoots.

Please, this post has no humans in it. The reason is that the observed shoots were private, exclusive, and members-only. Data privacy applies.

Me? I was basking in the sun, minding my own business, but my eyes nawa dey see. Please visualize. Sawa?

You see, on this beach, there is a WHOLE system. First of all? Tents. A booming business. People were hiring small tents and a few chairs. They come with coolers, boxes, and Bluetooth speakers, and just like that, Soft Life Headquarters is activated.

Then came the next activity: face beat. Not small small. FULL face beat. Then an outfit change into coordinated swimwear.

Let me not even pretend. Yes, bikinis. Those lovely ones. Glitter? Present. Wigs? Thriving. Confidence? At an all-time high.

And I just stood there like, “This is an African masterclass.” I am learning. My eyes were BUSY. And to be fair? The ladies looked good.

Plus, the weather was perfect. No sweating. Just vibes and glowing skin.

Now, I picked a few things. One, coconut is the main prop. Every shoot had a coconut involved. Two, that background with the beautiful houses? That's the premium location. Three, there were no professional photographers. The ladies ARE the photographers. They rotate, direct, and shoot, sometimes spending up to 30 minutes in one spot. Weuh!

Four, my body, my choice. Niliona mengi. But also, a gentle reminder: appreciate your body. Out here, confidence is the real aesthetic.

And five, the colour orange stole the show.

Ponta do Ouro, Maputo sunsets don't perform. They settle.

The sky turns gold like it remembers its name. The ocean quiets, as if it has said enough for the day.

And you?

You sit there, realizing that not everything needs to be chased.

Some things need to be felt.

And in that moment of stillness, I let myself be.

#TheGirlFromMbeere.

The Maputo you don't see.

The Mafalala Walking Tour is one of Maputo's top cultural experiences, and this one I highly recommend.

Mafalala was created during Portuguese colonial rule as an area for Black and mixed-race communities. The colonial system restricted Africans from living in the city centre, forcing many into bairros such as Mafalala.

Yet, despite the restrictions and challenges, Mafalala became an important centre of culture, politics, and identity. It produced some of Africa's biggest icons, including Samora Machel, Mozambique's first president.

The neighbourhood may be only about one square kilometre, but it is home to around 25,000 residents. It is one of those places that reminds you that a city cannot be understood simply by visiting its modern streets and famous landmarks. Sometimes, you have to walk through the communities that built its story.

#TheGirlFromMbeere.

Hands down, this is one of the most beautiful church buildings I've seen so far.

It is also one of the most iconic architectural landmarks in Maputo.

Designed by Portuguese architect Nuno Craveiro Lopes, the church can accommodate about 600 people. Its unusual shape is often described as resembling an inverted flower or a pyramid. The guides even call it the “lemon squeezer.”

The parish was originally founded in 1940 by Portuguese missionaries, while the current church building was completed in 1962.

Standing there, I couldn't help but admire the architecture. Sometimes travel is not just about where you go, but about stopping long enough to appreciate what people have built and the stories those structures carry.

#TheGirlFromMbeere.

Lastly, before going back home, let's talk about sunsets and what they symbolize.

Maputo has served me sunsets. Not just sunsets. Goaaaaaaaaaals!

Like proper goals, I am even smiling as I write this because yo! I have the BEST sunset clips taken from the ocean. Yeeeeeees!

But how did I even get here?

You see, there was a time when a child of Jezebel consistently called me “mshamba” because I wasn't catching their vibe of chasing sunrises and sunsets. Aki, I was not feeling it. At all.

Like, what's the big deal? You go alone! I am not joining you.

But eish, the “mshamba” part hurt. Because si this same person was once a villager like me?

Anyway, they had evolved faster, courtesy of greener grass.

Fast forward a few years later, and look at me now. I have evolved. Slowly. Kwa speed ya tortoise, but muhimu ni kufika. And here I am.

Admiring the beauty. Capturing moments. Pausing for sunsets.

And let me tell you, I actually love sunsets now. Like Yeeeeeeeeees!

So, of course, I did my small research on what sunsets symbolize, and here is what I found and now deeply feel.

Sunsets remind us that every day—good, messy, or uncertain—comes to an end. They teach us to let go of what didn't work and make peace with it.

Even as the sun sets, we know it will rise again. So every sunset carries a quiet promise: endings are not final; they are transitions.

That pause you take when watching a sunset? That's your mind slowing down, whispering, “We made it through today.”

And the sky? From bright to warm to dark, effortlessly. A gentle reminder that change doesn't always have to be loud or forced. Sometimes, it simply happens.

So yes, call me evolved.

Call me late.

But don't call me mshamba again, please.

Because now?

I chase sunsets.

And I understand them.

🇰🇪🌍✈️ #TheGirlFromMbeere #TembeaDuniaSeries