Location Information

Inhambane, Mozambique
Language: Portuguese, English
Currency: New Metical (MZN)

Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa.

Mozambique's first inhabitants were the San hunters and gatherers, ancestors of the Khoisani peoples. Between the first and fourth centuries AD, waves of Bantu-speaking peoples migrated from the north through the Zambezi River valley and then gradually into the plateau and coastal areas. The Bantu were farmers and ironworkers. When Vasco da Gama, exploring for Portugal, reached the coast of Mozambique in 1498, Arab trading settlements had existed along the coast and outlying islands for several centuries, and political control of the coast was in the hands of a string of local sultans. Muslims had actually lived in the region for quite some time.

Climate varies according to area. Inland is cooler than the coast and rainfall higher as the land rises, with most rain between January and March. Hottest and wettest season is October to March. From April to September the coast has warm, mainly dry weather tempered by sea breezes.

Beira has lovely beaches and is the base for trips to Gorongosa National Park (see below). Amongst the numerous beaches in Mozambique are Ponta do Ouro, Malugane (in the south), Inhaca Island (near Maputo), Inhambane with its beach resort of Tofo (about 400km/250 miles north of the capital), Xai-Xai, Vilankulo, São Martino do Bilene and Chonguene.

The cuisine is mainly Portuguese with Far Eastern influences. Specialties are piri-piri chicken, Zambesi chicken, shellfish, including Delagoa Bay prawns (which are grilled and served with piri-piri sauce), matapa (sauce of ground peanuts and cassava leaves) with rice or wusa (stiff maize porridge). Restaurants are to be found in main towns, as well as hotel dining rooms.

Maputo has a lively nightlife, particularly on weekends. Feira Popular is the main forum of evening activity with various bars and discos, some with live music. The style of music in clubs varies from typical Mozambican rhythms to Western pop music.

Inhambane is a province of Mozambique located on the coast in the southern part of the country. Stretching from Quissico in the South to Nova Mambone in the North, Inhambane has Indian Ocean holiday destinations of all types, to suit every budget.

The town of Inhambane existed in the 10th century, and was the southernmost port used by Arabs for slave trading. The region was visited by Vasco da Gama in 1498, who claimed Inhambane Bay for Portugal. The Portuguese established a trading post at Inhambane in 1534. Inhambane, which is one of the oldest settlements on the East Coast, was an important port. Although large ships seldom call here any longer, it still has the largest fleet of working dhows in the country.

The climate is tropical throughout, more humid along the coast and dryer inland. The coast has a number of mangrove swamps. Scuba diving in Inhambane is amongst the best in the world, with reefs close to every beach, including the world famous Manta Reef and Gallaria. Regular sightings of Giant Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Turtles and other teeming marine life are the norm.

Medical Precautions:

Compuslory Vaccination:
Yellow Fever

Recommended Vaccination:
Typhoid
Bilharzia
Hepatitis A
Polio
Dengue Fever