The city of Inhmabane



Characteristics of the province

Area: 68,615 sq. km
Borders: Sofala and Manica to the north, Gaza to the west and Indian Ocean to the south and east.
Main products: Cashew, coconut and tangerines
Population density: 19 inhabitants / sq. km
Most represented ethnic group: Tsua (Tsonga) e Chope

The Portuguese established a permanent settlement and trading post at Inhambane in 1534, making it one of the oldest settlements in Southern Africa.

Getting to Inhambane

The easiest way to reach Inhambane is by a good road from Maputo (469 km on EN 1) or it is possible to drive from Beira or Zimbabwe on the EN 6 and EN 1 after Inchope. LAM does not fly to Inhambane, but charter flights can be arranged.

Main places to stay

Hotel Tofo Mar/Marinhos, Hotel Indigo Bay, Bazaruto Lodge, Barra Lodge, Marlin Lodge, Vilankulos Beach Lodge, Guinjata Bay Resort, Pomene Lodge, Vilankulos Campsite, Benguerra Lodge, Archipelago Sun Resort, Casa Lisa, Casa Barry, Coconut Bay, Aguia Negra, Jangamo Beach Lodge, Benguerra Lodge, Archipelago Sun Resort, Casa Lisa, Casa Barry, Coconut Bay, Aguia Negra.

Sightseeing:

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception

This old and imposing church, was built by the Portuguese about 200 years.

Beaches

This province has innumerable famous beaches, amongst which are:

Praia de Zavala (11 km from Quissico), Praia de Zavora (85 km S. of Inhambane), Baia dos Cocos (Coconut Bay) and Tofo Beach (22 km E. of Inhambane), Barra Beach (20 km of Inhambane) and Pomene (174 km N. of Inhambane), Jangamo Beach (28 KM from Inhambane).

Bazaruto Archipelago
This idyllic archipelago consists of four islands (Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque and Sta. Carolina) .They are situated off main land between Vilanculos and Inhassoro (780 km from Maputo). There are high quality hotels on the islands. To reach the islands it is possible to hire a boat locally, or to travel by air from Maputo and Beira or to fly directly from a neighbouring country via Vilanculos where there are immigration and customs services.

Flora and Fauna

Zinave National Park, Bazaruto National Park and the Pomene Reserve were considered as animal conservation areas.

Chope traditions

The ‘Timbila’ is both the name of a percussion instrument and the name of a dance. The instrument, the ‘marimba chope’, is similar to a xylophone, and has keys, ‘muenje’ made of a special wood only found in Inhambane. There are hollow calabashes of varying sizes under the keys which serve as a sound box.