The province of gaza is just southern Mozambique. Gaza province is know as the "granary" of Mozambique due to the fertility of the Limpopo valley where there is extensive cereal and rice cultivation.
Characteristics of the province
Area: 75,450 sq. km
Borders: Manica to the north, Maputo to the south, South Africa to the west and Inhambane and the Indian Ocean to the east.
Main products: Cashew, cotton, rice and maize
Population density: 16 inhabitants / sq. km
Most represented ethnic group: Changana (a sub-division of Tsonga).
Xai-Xai
The provincial capital of Xai-Xai is 224 km from Maputo and the nearby beach (10km) is a popular tourist destination.
The Limpopo River flows to the south of the town in a wide, fertile plain where predominantly rice is cultivated.
Getting to Xai-Xai
There is a good road from Maputo (EN 1) which connects with the roads from the Namaacha and Ressano Garcia borders.
It is also possible to travel to Xai-Xai by charter flight from Maputo.
Main places to stay
Halley Tourist Complex, Xai-Xai Beach Hotel, Zongoene Lodge, Hotel Limpopo,
Xai-Xai Campsite, Praia do Sol, Sao Martinho Resort.
Beaches
Xai Xai beach
The massive reef running parallel to the beach provides natural protection against the strong waves at high tide and forms several small pools at low tide. At low tide, the reefs are invaded by women and children gathering shellfish,
which they sell to appreciative tourists.
Chongoene beach
This beach is similar to that at Xai-Xai in having a protective reef. It is found about 8 km north of Xai-Xai where there is an old, ruined hotel. There are plans to restore this building to its former glory.
Bilene
There is a diversion to Bilene on the EN 1, approximately 145 km north of Maputo in the small town of Macia.
After 30 km of tarmac road, you will find the small tourist resort of Bilene on the banks of an enormous 27 km-long lagoon, containing transparent and slightly salted water and bordered by fine white sand. You can reach the sea by crossing its deep, waters in a boat.
Monte Belo Light House
Located in the province of Gaza, just south of Xai Xai, across the Limpopo river. The light no-longer operates and a radio beacon is used to help ocean going vessels to navigate. Monte Belo is a hill on the south side of the mouth of the Limpopo River in southern Mozambique.
Since a light here is effective both as a coastal light and as the landfall light for the river, the site was one of the five highest priority projects of the 1908 lighthouse plan. The traditional Monte Belo lighthouse with its 14 meter (46 ft) stone tower was completed in 1914 and continues in service today.
Flora and Fauna
Banhina National Park is located between the Limpopo and Changane rivers and has a rich wildlife. Limpopo National Park (Large Cross-border Park with Zimbabwe and South Africa).
Responsible for Tourism
Gaza Province
Direcção Provincial de Turismo
Av.25 de Junho, C.P. 35 - Xai-Xai
Tel: +258 22 23006
Fax: +258 22 22234