Travel Guide: Mozambique


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Maputo, capital city of Mozambique, is situated on the south coast. It is gradually being rebuilt after years of war. Both it and Beira, Mozambique's second largest town, also located on the coast, are built up and have historic Mediterranean style buildings, forts and shipwrecks that make for interesting exploring. The national parks of Mozambique are Banhine and Zinave in the south, and Gorongosa north of Beira.

Attractions and National Parks

The Bazarruto Archipelago:

The Bazaruto Archipelago is on the spectacular southern coast and also is a national park and number one destination in Moçambique. The main islands making up the archipelago are Santa Carolina, Bazaruto, Benguerra and Magaruque. Accommodation is predominately top end lodges, many offering activities such as diving, surfing, fishing and other watersports in the clear blue waters.

Pemba:

On the north coast, at the mouth of a huge bay, is Pemba - another top destination with a range of watersports on its stunning waters, beautiful beaches and coral reefs. Some say the Pemba coast has the most beautiful beaches in the world. Pemba is in Cabo Delgado the most northerly province of the country and is the home of the Makonde group of people, who are concentrated on the Mueda Plateau. Pemba town sits at the mouth of the world's second largest natural harbour. The view of the bay from Pemba's heights is spectacular and there is hardly a view to compare with this place on the Southern African coast.

Most basic food supplies and alcohol can be bought in Pemba town, there is a good local market selling vegetables, fruits and street food. The reef is within striking distance of the beach and allows for safe, protected swimming, snorkelling and diving. Other places of interest to see are the lighthouse south of Wimbe and Pemba's boat yard. The Makonde craft co-operative has an excellent collection of their unique sculpture work in ebony. The prices are high so be prepared to haggle!


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Inhaca: Inhaca is a small inhabited island on the periphery of a large estuarine bay, on the fringe of the tropics. Four broad shores have a large tidal range, and easily accessible coral reefs, sea meadows and ...

Page: 3 The People
Portuguese is the official language and English is only spoken in the southern tourist regions. The major ethnic groups each have their own languages. The indigenous tribal groups of Moçambique make up about 99% of the population. There are 16 ...

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There is no ruler of all the Makonde peoples, as each village maintains a certain degree of independence. The Makonde have retained their traditional religion despite centuries of influence by Islamic traders. Their practices center ar ...

Page: 5 European Colonisation
In 1498 Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope and stopped in Mozambique en route to becoming the first European to visit India by sea. His arrival initially made little impact on Mozambique, but soon afterwar ...

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Portugal maintained control of the region by ceding prazos (land grants) to European colonists. The prazos made their owners virtual lords of African fiefdoms, with nearly complete control over Mozambican labour and resources. In modified form the praz ...