Beira Day Trips

Cahora Bassa

Situated in the Tete Province in Mozambique, the Cahora Bassa lake is Africa's second largest artificial lake. The Cahora Bassa Dam system is the largest hydroelectric scheme in southern Africa and it is one of the three major dams on the Zambezi river system, the others being Kariba and Itezhi-Tezhi. The nearest town is called Songo, established in 1969 to house the workers for the construction of the dam. Ugezi Tiger Lodge is quite close to Songo and has an à la carte restaurant, as well as a campsite with floodlights and security. Great fishing and water-skiing are the main attractions to this area.

Admission: Entry to the dam is restricted and visitors should speak to the owner of O Sitio restaurant about admission before leaving Songo.

Gorongosa National Park

Often referred to as 'the place where Noah parked his Ark', Gorongosa National Park was a playground for the rich and famous back in the 1960s, lured by the abundance of wildlife in the area. The subsequent years of war and poaching decimate the wildlife count but programs have since been put in place to restore the park's previous status. There are traversable roads to the park from both Beira and Maputo, and comfortable lodgings are available at Chitengo Safari Camp.

Transport: It is advisable to make this trip in a 4x4 vehicle.

Ilha de Mozambique

Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique Island) is an island in the Nampula Province in Northern Mozambique, up the coast from Beira, with an unparalleled historical heritage; it was the capital of Mozambique for nearly four centuries under Portuguese rule before the move to Lourenco Marques (now Maputo), and was used as a base for the Arab traders long before that. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ilha's an exquisite mix of old Portuguese and Muslim architecture, dividing the old Stone Town in the north and the 'Reed Town' in the south. There is a museum in the Palacio Govierno, a big red building in Stone Town. Also worth seeing is the fort at the northern tip of the island, home to the Church of Nossa Senhora Baluarte, quite possibly the oldest surviving European building in the southern hemisphere, dating back to 1522.

At the northern end of the island there is a dive centre, and visitors can take boat trips or just laze on the beach. For the more adventurous, a dhow can be taken to Chaga or Mossuril on the mainland to explore the coast. Requilias and Escondidino are two restaurants in Stone Town and there are a number of local places serving fish and rice, or chima. The best option for accommodation is the campsite on the mainland, next to the bridge. Self-catering is possible from the nearby shops.

Transport: The tiny island is accessible via a bridge from the mainland. Because of the island's size, visitors won't have any trouble walking around it; it's a 20-minute walk from end to end, and Gabriel's has bicycles for hire.

Tofo Beach

Described as 'the next Goa', Tofo Beach is in the Inhambane Province of Mozambique. It has definitely become a traveller's mecca with beautiful stretches of beach, a friendly laid-back atmosphere, good restaurants, an entertaining nightlife and some great diving and snorkelling sites. Whale sharks and Humpback Whales can be seen in season, as well as reef sharks; don't miss Manta Reef. Tofo is also a fantastic spot for surfing, kitesurfing and bodyboarding. Kayaking trips are also popular in the area. Jellyfish can be a problem so a long sleeved shirt is a good option for swimming.

Transport: Tofo Beach is small and can be easily explored on foot.