Tunduru Botanical Gardens
Gardens of 1885 in central Maputo, laid out by an English landscape gardener, with old trees and shaded walks.
Updated 2 September 2026
The Tunduru gardens were laid out in 1885 by Thomas Honney, an English landscape gardener, on a block in the centre of what was then Lourenco Marques, and they have kept their shape: winding paths, lawns, ponds and a considerable collection of mature trees, including flamboyants, figs and palms planted well over a century ago. They are the main green space in central Maputo and are used as such, busy with people rather than preserved.
What you'll find
- The mature trees - flamboyants, figs and palms from the original planting.
- The 1885 layout - winding paths and lawns from Honney's design.
- The ponds - water features through the lower part of the garden.
- The city use - a working park in the middle of the capital.
When to go
May to September is the cooler dry season and the most comfortable. Weekends are busiest with families. Flamboyants flower spectacularly around November and December.
Things to know
Maintenance is uneven and some sections are run down. Labelling of species is minimal. It is a city park rather than a botanical collection in the research sense.
Nearby
Casa de Ferro is alongside, and the cathedral is across the square.
What to pack for Tunduru Botanical Gardens
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
