From Inhassoro to Beira: General Information
Location: This sector takes most of the Sofala Province and the northern portion
of the Inhambane Province.
Main Localities: Inhasorro & Ponta Bartolomeu Dias and Beira.
Inhasorro and Ponta Bartolomeu Dias (B. D. Point), Inhambane Province
B. D. Point used to extend far into the sea. In 1965 the point was broken by the sea forming a small island. This is a point of outstanding beauty and definitely worth a visit.
4x4 vehicle is required. DO NOT drive on the beach, check tide time before leaving as a small section of this road cuts through mangrove area that becomes flooded during high spring tide.
Inhasorro is a small village 83km driving north of Vilanculos. A 33 km long, beautiful white, soft sand beach links Inhasorro to B. D. Point (the driving route runs parallel to the beach). High dunes fringe the beach and offer shelter to local fisherman. Santa Carolina and Bazaruto Islands can be sighted from the beach and access to the islands can be easily arranged with operators or dhow owners.
Services: The nearest banking facility is Vilanculos.
A couple of upper class hotels with sea view and a hand full of simple
accommodation are available in Inhasorro, There is accommodation available
in B. D. Point and a luxury lodge is under development (see Accommodation for this sector).
Deep sea fishing is the main activity offered in this area.
Communication: Very good cell phone reception TDM office in Inhasorro. No services available in B. D. point. No internet access.
Beira, Capital of Sofala Province
In the 1960s the Gorongosa National Park was famous for lion viewing, today they are a much rarer site. But the park is home to many wild species and is worth a visit. The park is now going through a rehabilitation period. Contact Worldwide Fund for Nature gorongoza@teledata.mz
Beira is the second largest city and the busiest port in Mozambique. This region was a major gold trading port for Southern Africa.
I was built in swampy ground at the mouth of the Pungwe River. Sofala Province is in the centre of the country and therefore an important commercial and economic point linking the southern to the northern part of the country and the interior west to the Indian Ocean, forming the Beira Corridor, an old and very important gateway liking Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) to the sea as well as the interior of the country.
Beira use to be known as the"Zink City" due to the abundance of the mineral and large part of the buildings seen today were built with that material.
Home of the Sena and Ndau ethnic groups.
Here you'll find historical colonial buildings dating from the XVI century.
Take a walk over the old city wall, built to protect the city from the sea. Also worth a visit is the Cathedral built with stones from the old fortress and the Macúti Light House.
Services: Beira has good infrastructure. All main banks and ATM machines are widely available as well as exchange bureaus. A wide range of shops and great open air markets can be found. The old part of the city has some very nice arts and crafts shops. The Central Market (Mercado central) is excellent for fresh fruits and vegetables.
The cit is bubbling with restaurants, cosmopolitan cafés and beautiful beaches.
Communication: Mobile communication is very good, Internet access is available through Worldseye
Emergency Contacts:
- Hospital: +258 (0) 3 312071 /3/4/5/6/7
- Clinic Avicena: +258 (0) 3 327990
- Farmacy: +258 (0) 3 328108
- Red Cross: +258 (0) 3 325030
- Police: 119 / +258 (0) 3 324705
- Fire Brigade: 198
- International Airport: +258 (0) 3 301071/2