Nacala is located in the north of Mozambique, 2,700Km north of Johannesburg; 2,700km north of Maputo and 900Km east of Blantyre. The nearest international airport is in Nampula, 200km away. Nampula province is well renowned for its baobab trees or imbondeiro as is called in Mozambique. Nampula is a commercial centre and is bordered on the North by the Provinces of Cabo Delgado and Niassa, by Zambezi in the South and West and by the Indian Ocean on the East.
The Ilha de Mozambique, 175 Km from the capital of the Province, Nampula, was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in recognition of its unique cultural and architectural heritage and can be considered the birthplace of the Mozambique nation. Some say it is Muipiti, others say that the name Mozambique which came into use in the XVI century, originated from Mussa-Bin-Biki, the name of the son of the Sultan Bin-Biki, once lord of the island.
Many different races from distant lands passed through, but in particular the Arabs used it as a commercial settlement to trade with the interior and the entire Mozambique coastline. The province offers spectacular landscapes where miombo forests intermingle with inselbergs. It is in this province that the Nacala Harbour, one the largest natural harbours in the African continent, is situated.
Nampula is a Province rich in landscapes, history and is very well positioned strategically, as can be seen in the cities of Nampula, Ilha de Moçambique, Angoche and Nacala, one of the best natural ports in Africa. The main ethnic group is the Macua.
The main attractions on Ilha de Moçambique are: the old part of the city with its buildings of stone and coral, the arte-sacra museum, the Chopal built in Manuelino style, the Fort of S.Sebastião, the Palace of São Paulo, the monument to Luis de Camões who wrote part of “The Lusiadas” during his two years stay there, the Hindu Temple, and other remains testifying to the peoples and cultures that assed there. Other things in Nampula are: Tours to Mozambique Island (Ilha de Mocambique), Tours to Nacala Bay, Visit the cathedral, Visit the Ethnography Museum.
Nampula is a modern city built along modern architectural lines. On the outskirts of the town the landscape is suddenly and curiously interrupted by a number of granite domes and peaks. The Dam that supplies the city with water is also a point of interest. A visit to the Cathedral is recommended and also the Ethnography Museum on Av.
Eduardo Mondlane where works of art representative of Mozambique culture are on show. The city of Angoche on the coast, once inhabited by Arabs and Swahilis is well known for shrimp fishing. Choose from Chocas beach in Mossuril or in Nacala, Fernão Veloso beach, or Farol Beach on Ilha de Goa, in front of Ilha de Moçambique, where the white sands and transparent waters where dolphins play, are irresistibly inviting. The giant marine turtles lay their eggs here and on clear nights it is possible to witness this fascinating sight.
Nampula Towns and Cities
Nacala Town and Port, Nampula Province
The Port of Nacala is one of the best natural harbors on the eastern coast of Africa. It is today an actively busy port. The port has been recently privatized and many plans for future development are now taking shape. Nacala airport was used as an air base during past conflicts. It is the second best equipped airport in the country, with 2 paved landing strips measuring over 3km.
Fernão Veloso Bay and Quissimajulo Beach are popular spot for bathers. Great places to spend the day.Another interesting place to explore is Ilha Crusse, 14km, south of Nacala. The 'Island' is actually linked to the main land during low tide. There is a small fishing community in the area.
Nacala-a-Velha, The Old Nacala is located over the northwest side of the bay. It has a few shops and market, but little attraction for tourists, beiong there are places of outstanding beauty to be found.
Services: All main banks and ATM machines are widely found in the centre of town. There is a good variety of shops, supermarkets and open street markets. A couple of good restaurants, bars and night entertainment can be found in town, on the way to the Port. Only one or two hotel developments focus on the foreign tourist market, and a few establishments are busy with local businesses and long stay contractors.
Contact: Full cell phone reception. TDM: +258 (0) 6 526918
Internet Café: available at TDM
Memba Bay, Nampula Province
Driving north of Nacala, past Nacala-a-Velha, about 120km away, is Memba Bay. The presence of the Portuguese is very prominent in Memba, where the urbanization and colonial architecture still stand and many are in use. The town and market are busy and you very seldom find tourists wondering about.
The bay is beautiful and there are other small bays and secluded beaches to explore a short drive away. One of those places is Baixo Pinda an extraordinary coral reef plateau that extends out to sea for 5km and is over 10km wide. There is a beautiful light house, positioned high up the hill overlooking the "Baixo" where it is possible to camp (authorization from the Maritime Administrator in Nacala or Memba is adviseble). It is possible to charter diving or fishing boats from Nacala.
Services: No banks or ATM machines found here. Memba has a few very basic shops and a busy market. This is an activity fishing zone. Contact: Full cell phone reception. TDM: +258 (0) 6 550000/1
Mecufi, Cabo Delgado Province
This is a small village located on the southern part of Cabo Delgado and only about 50km from Pemba. There is a nice beach and sand dunes to the north and some mangrove trees. Not an ideal beach for swimmers.
Useful Info:
Hospitals, Police & Fire Brigade
- Hospital Rural, RIBÁUE Tel: 2682 00 13
- Hospital Rural de Angoche, R Parapato-ANGOCHE, Tel: 2672 05 46
- Police: 199
- Fire Brigade: 198
Airline Companies
- LAM - Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, R Aeroporto-NAMPULA, Tel: 2621 33 22
- SAR - Serviço Aereo Regional Lda, 26/A,r/c R Cidade Moçambique-NAMPULA, Tel: 2621 37 68
Telecommunications
- Sungyhama Tecnology Service Lda ISP Co., 842,1º 4 Av 25 Setembro-NAMPULA, Tel: 2621 21 13
- Telecomunicações de Moçambique SARL, MECUBURI, Tel: 2621 84 52
- Telecomunicações de Moçambique SARL, NAMIALO, Tel: 2634 00 33
- Teledata de Moçambique Lda, 18 R Monomotapa-NAMPULA, Tel: 2621 83 72
Hotels
- GIRASSOL NAMPULA HOTEL, 326 Av Eduardo Modlane-Nampula, Tel: 2621 60 00
- HOTEL EXECUTIVO, 370 R Tete Bº Limoeiros-NAMPULA, Tel: 2621 90 04
- HOTEL MILÉNIO, Av 25 Setembro-Nampula, Tel: 2621 89 88
- Hotel TropicalBº, Museu-Nampula, Tel: 2621 22 32
- PENSÃO PARQUE830, Av Paulo S Kankhomba-Nampula, Tel: 2621 47 05
- RESTAURANTE EXPRESSO, Av Independência-Nampula, Tel: 2621 88 08
- Atlas Hotel, Apartamentos Lda, 1/A Av Samora Machel-NAMPULA, Tel: 2621 24 30
- Bamboo Actividades Hoteleiras Lda, 1465 Estr Rapale Bº Natikiri-NAMPULA, Tel: 2621 65 95
- Casa Branca, ILHA DE MOÇAMBIQUE, Tel: 2661 00 66
- Casa Dugong, ILHA DE MOÇAMBIQUE, Tel: 1463 30 86
Restaurants
- BAR E RESTAURANTE CAVE NEGRAAv, Principal-Malema, Tel: 2684 00 24
- BAR RESTAURANTE ALMEIDA GARRETT, 266 Av Francisco Manyanga-Nampula, Tel: 2621 61 93
- BAR RESTAURANTE, JÔCasa 84 Q S Bº Namutequeliua-Nampula, tel: 2621 57 76
- BATIK - EMPREENDIMENTOS, E ACTIVIDADES HOTELEIRAS LDA8/D R Continuadores-Nampula, Tel: 842638836
- PASTELARIA BOM D., +10 Frente Bombas Galpe Av Independência-Nampula, tel: 2621 56 54
- RESTAURANTE DO AEROPORTO, Biswas, Aerogare-Nampula, Tel: 844028273
- Bar Bela Vista, Cidade Alta Bloco 1-NACALA, Tel: 2652 01 11
- Bar Restaurante Relíquias, Bº Museu-ILHA DE MOÇAMBIQUE, Tel: 2661 00 92
- Complexo Montes Nairucu, NAMPULA, Tel: 2621 52 97
- Quinta Nasa, Bº Muatava Rex-NAMPULA, Tel: 2621 57 07
Rent-a-Car
- CAR PREMIUM LDA, Edif Aeroporto-Nampula, tel: 2624 00 68
- IIMPERIAL CAR RENTAL, Aeroporto Internacional-Nampula, tel: 2621 63 12
- Moti Rent A Car, Rua XI Bº Maiaia-NACALA, tel: 2652 60 70
- Moti Rent A Car, R Aeroporto-NAMPULA, tel: 2621 86 87
- Safari Rent A Car, R Aeroporto-NAMPULA, tel: 2621 22 55