Museum of Natural History

Maputo, Mozambique

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The Museum of Natural History in Maputo, Mozambique, is one of the country’s oldest and most important museums.

Founded in 1911 and housed in a striking neo-Manueline building since 1933, it showcases Mozambique’s rich natural heritage, biodiversity, and cultural history. The museum is especially known for its extensive collections of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and marine life, including a rare coelacanth specimen and a unique exhibit of elephant fetuses that illustrates the animal’s development from early pregnancy to birth.

Today, the museum presents exhibits that explore Mozambique’s different ecosystems, from savannahs and wetlands to coastal and marine environments. Managed by Eduardo Mondlane University, it serves as both an educational center and a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors an engaging introduction to the country’s wildlife, science, and cultural heritage.