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Polana Serena Hotel
Polana Serena Hotel
Polana Serena Hotel
Polana Serena Hotel
Polana Serena Hotel
Polana Serena Hotel
Polana Serena Hotel
Polana Serena Hotel

About Polana Serena Hotel

Most of our visitors who stop here come for just one night and stay at the best hotel in town: the five-star ...

... Polana Serena Hotel. It's reliably good and one of Africa's classic old colonial hotels. Marble floors and wrought-iron lifts lead to comfortable, well-appointed rooms and there's a huge swimming pool, two restaurants, two bars, a gym, a casino, and a great sea view!

Accommodation

153 rooms

Children

Open

All year

Traveller reviews of Polana Serena Hotel

4 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


90%
4 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
2
Good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mr M & Ms TfromOngar

Arrived 15 Nov 2015, 2 nights

"Polana Serena Hotel review"

"Excellent - very helpful staff …" Read Mr M & Ms T’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

The L familyfromSweden

Arrived 30 Dec 2012, 1 nights

"Polana Serena Hotel review"

"No specific comments …" Read The L family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

hmkfromGermany

Arrived 29 Oct 2011, 1 nights

"Polana Hotel review"

"Classic Hotel …" Read hmk’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Ms N & Mr HfromLondon

Arrived 8 Aug 2007, 3 nights

"Polana Hotel"

"Rather limited choice of restaurants. …" Read Ms N & Mr H’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

See all Polana Serena Hotel reviews

Polana Serena Hotel: Our full report

Most of our visitors who stop here come for just one night and stay at the best hotel in town: the five-star ...

... Polana Serena Hotel. It's reliably good and one of Africa's classic old colonial hotels. Marble floors and wrought-iron lifts lead to comfortable, well-appointed rooms and there's a huge swimming pool, two restaurants, two bars, a gym, a casino, and a great sea view!

Geographics

Location
Maputo, Mozambique
Accessible by

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Bed & Breakfast

Children

Attitude towards children

Health & safety

Dangerous animals
Fire safety

Activities

    Extras

    Disabled access

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    Polana Serena Hotel's location

    Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Polana Serena Hotel.


    When to go to Maputo

    Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo


    Jan

    Feb

    Mar

    Apr

    May

    Jun

    Jul

    Aug

    Sep

    Oct

    Nov

    Dec

    Mozambique in January

    January is one of the wettest, hottest and most humid months in Mozambique, with average daytime temperatures reaching the low 30s °C, dropping only to around 24°C at night. Although the rain falls mostly as tropical downpours in late afternoon/evening, with the rest of the time sunny, there are definitely better times to visit.

    Diving is generally good, but visibility can be limited. Dolphins are abundant, but humpback whales have moved out and this is the last month with a reasonable chance of spotting whale sharks and manta rays. On beaches, turtles lay their eggs and by the end of the month some are beginning to hatch.

    After the busy Christmas/New Year period lodges are almost empty, so it’s a good time to avoid the “crowds”.

    • One of the wettest & hottest months, with high humidity
    • Diving is fair but visibility can be poor
    • Great for dolphin viewing
    • Turtles laying eggs, which begin to hatch by end of month
    • The low season so lodges much quieter, but for a reason

    Our view

    A time to avoid if possible

    Weather in January

    Mozambique in February

    The hot, wet weather continues, with rainfall at its peak in February in the south, and temperatures as high as those experienced in January; this is also the start of the cyclone season. Such storms are relatively rare but when they do occur they bring widespread devastation and disruption. Although the sea is wonderfully warm, beaches can be pretty windy and diving at this time of the year can be more challenging, with choppier waters and sometimes pretty poor visibility.

    As such, lodges tend to have good availability. The chances of seeing manta rays and whale sharks are minimal now, but turtles are still laying eggs followed by hatchlings making a dash for the ocean.

    • Rain & hot weather peaks, as does the humidity
    • Start of the cyclone season
    • Diving conditions can be more challenging
    • Great month for turtle watching
    • Warm seas

    Our view

    A time to avoid if possible

    Weather in February

    Mozambique in March

    Rainfall is still high, peaking in the north – where it continues for longer than in the south – and the threat of tropical cyclones remains (2019 saw Idai wreak havoc). Temperatures fall ever so slightly but it’s still hot, with daily temperatures averaging 30°C and nights around 23°C. It’s still pretty humid but this begins to drop away towards the end of the month when the weather generally starts to improve.

    Diving, as in previous months, can be OK with warm seas, but conditions are unpredictable, and visibility is still only fair. Of the key marine species, only dolphins are now regularly seen and the last of the turtle hatchlings make for the sea. Availability is usually good, but when Easter falls in March, lodges can get booked up early.

    • Rainfall eases but still a chance of significant downpours
    • Cyclones remain a threat
    • Diving is reasonable, but visibility can be hit and miss
    • Turtle spotting excellent
    • Although low season, Easter can get booked up quickly

    Our view

    This is not a great time to visit

    Weather in March

    Mozambique in April

    Although rain still lingers in the north, the rainy season in the south draws to an end. Temperatures are still high but as the rain peters out, humidity drops considerably and so it feels much more comfortable. There is still a small risk of tropical cyclones (as in 2019, when cyclone Kenneth hit), but these are usually extremely rare.

    Diving conditions improve with increased visibility and the sea is still warm, so April can be a lovely month for diving or a beach holiday. It is also excellent for fishing, with most of the game fish species being present. Lodges begin to see more visitors and can get especially busy over Easter.

    • Rainy season comes to an end in the south
    • Good weather for a beach holiday sets in
    • Diving, improves with increased visibility & warm seas
    • Excellent fishing conditions
    • Visitor numbers begin to increase, especially around Easter

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in April

    Mozambique in May

    As the rains cease in the north, May marks the start of the dry season across Mozambique (although the odd freak cyclone has been known to make landfall, this is exceptional). The days are warm and sunny, with low humidity and temperatures around 27°C, while evenings start to cool to around 16°C. It’s a really good month to visit coastal areas and as such the lodges get a bit busier and prices start to rise.

    Diving continues to improve with good visibility and calm waters, and the excellent game fishing conditions continue. Lastly, Mozambique’s biggest international music festival, Azgo, takes place in Maputo during May.

    • Start of the dry season: virtually no rainfall & humidity drops
    • Diving continues to improve with good visibility & calm seas
    • Excellent fishing conditions continue
    • Azgo international music festival in Maputo
    • Lodges get busier & prices increase

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in May

    Mozambique in June

    Good weather continues with pleasantly warm days, clear skies and a bit of a breeze – ideal for a relaxing beach holiday. Diving conditions are near perfect with good visibility, though note that sea temperatures are dropping by a couple of degrees. Southern right whales start appearing along the coastline. The excellent deep-sea fishing continues. On Ibo Island in the Quirimbas Archipelago, 24 June sees the Feast of St John the Baptist – celebrated as Kueto Siriwala (“to not forget your roots”) day. Expect dhow races as well as traditional music and dance.

    Lodges are getting busier and with Mozambique’s month-long summer holiday beginning in late June, it’s advisable to book well in advance. This is one of the best months and prices increase, reflecting the move into this peak season.

    • Weather now very good
    • Southern right whales start appearing along the coast
    • Diving conditions are superb
    • Kueto Siriwala festival on Ibo
    • Lodges getting busier & therefore prices higher

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in June

    Mozambique in July

    The dry season is now in full swing so clear blue skies abound. Warm, sunny days and cool evenings continue, with average temperatures between 25°C during the day and 16°C at night. July is definitely one of the best months to visit the Mozambique coast, though beaches can be a little windy. Humpback whales begin making their long annual migration from Antarctica to the warmer waters off East Africa to calve; if you’re lucky you may get to see them, especially at the end of the month.

    Diving and snorkelling conditions are reaching optimum levels with generally excellent visibility, though the water is now chilly by Mozambique standards. Fishing is still very good for most game species. Lodges are filling up due to northern hemisphere school holidays.

    • Warm sunny days & cool evenings
    • Diving conditions now almost perfect
    • Humpback whales begin arriving
    • Fishing still very good
    • School holiday time, so lodges are filling up

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in July

    Mozambique in August

    As in July, the days are lovely and warm – great for lying on a beach, though there’s a slight chill to the evenings and the sea is at its coolest at around 16°C. This is one of the best times to visit Mozambique, and is a great month for diving as visibility now reaches its peak, but it can be a bit windy. Humpback whale numbers are increasing, and manta rays and whale sharks start to appear, though are not a common sighting.

    Fishing drops off a bit but some species such as sailfish and queen mackerel are still taking bait. August is very popular – probably the busiest month – so lodges can be quite full and family-friendly resorts will have more children around.

    • Days still nice & warm with cooler, but pleasant evenings
    • Optimal diving conditions.
    • Whales numbers increase; the odd manta ray & whale shark may be seen
    • Fishing starts to tail off a little
    • Lodges at high occupancy levels, so can be busy

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in August

    Mozambique in September

    In September, temperatures begin to climb and warm, sunny days continue, although evenings are still cooler (averaging around 28°C in the day and 19°C at night); this is historically the driest month in Mozambique. Whale watching is getting even better as numbers increase and, as in August, diving and snorkelling conditions are excellent with great visibility.

    Sightings of whale sharks and manta rays begin to increase, and while dolphins are seen throughout the year, September is the start of the best dolphin-viewing period. The fishing is good with marlin, sailfish and kingfish all possibilities. Although the school holidays have ended it is still high season and still a popular month – it’s our favourite month here.

    • Arguably our favourite month
    • Temperatures start rising – the weather is beautiful
    • Superb diving & snorkelling conditions continue
    • Sightings of whale sharks & mantas rays pick up
    • Great for dolphin viewing & whales still present in good numbers

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in September

    Mozambique in October

    October is the hottest of the dry months with daytime temperatures peaking at around 30°C and evenings feeling balmy at around 20°C. With the heat building, the rains can begin right at the end of the month. The fishing is very good, especially for the bigger game fish like marlin.

    October is also considered the best month for whale watching, and one of the best for dolphins, which are present in good numbers. The chances of seeing whale sharks and manta rays also increase as the seas warm up; this, and the next two months, are best for sightings. Like August and September, October is also excellent for diving and snorkelling, with superb visibility, thus it’s another popular month, and carries peak season prices.

    • Hottest of the dry months
    • Excellent whale & dolphin watching
    • Chances of seeing whale sharks & mantas increase
    • Diving conditions remain excellent
    • Fishing for certain game fish species is very good

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in October

    Mozambique in November

    As the dry season ends and the wet season starts, the weather becomes a lot more unpredictable. Days are very hot with humidity increasing, though rainfall is still fairly low. November heralds the return of turtles coming ashore to nest and lay their eggs. With visibility still pretty clear, diving and snorkelling conditions remain good. There is still a decent chance of seeing humpback whales before they begin heading off towards the end of the month, whilst sightings of whale sharks and manta rays remain good, and dolphin sightings excellent.

    Fishing for certain species, especially kingfish and marlin, remains excellent. It’s no longer high season so prices of some lodges come down.

    • Days hot but weather becomes a somewhat unpredictable
    • Diving still good
    • Start of the turtle-nesting season; humpback whales begin to leave
    • Good month for dolphins, whale sharks & mantas
    • Lodge prices starting to come down

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in November

    Mozambique in December

    Days are still hot, with rising humidity making it feel a lot stickier. Average daytime temperatures hit 31°C+, with evenings around 23°C. December is one of the rainiest months, but expect short sharp thunderstorms as opposed to lengthy rainfall. The turtle-nesting season is now in full swing, so seeing females laying their eggs becomes a possibility. As humpback whales head back south, sightings become scarce, but dolphins, whale sharks and manta rays are still present in good numbers.

    Fishing for marlin, bonito and kingfish is still excellent. Sea visibility is generally good, but it can become a little hit and miss as the sun and warm seas encourage plankton blooms. Christmas and New Year are very popular periods despite invariably carrying price supplements.

    • Days are hot & a lot more humid
    • Turtles laying their eggs on beaches
    • Whale season is now largely over
    • Dolphins, whale sharks & mantas are still present
    • Christmas & New Year get booked up early, & cost more

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in December

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