Beira Mozambique

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Beira Mozambique

Learn more about the historical city of Beira in Mozambique

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Beira is known as the "Ship graveyard" or where “Ships go to dieâ€. Welcome to Mozambique's 2nd largest and most important city, Beira. The city is situated at the mouth of a magnificent estuary midway between the North and South borders and where the Pungoe and Buzi Rivers meet and flow into the Indian Ocean. Established in 1890 Beira boasts some spectacular ruins and is home to some of Africa's oldest architectural landmarks.

Beira Accommodation

This city lies in a very significant region where it serves as a trading port and provides for both the Northern and Southern regions of Mozambique and remains an important hub, facilitating the import and export of cargo to neighbouring landlocked countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.

The Southern coastline is a must for the avid explorer and history boffin, where the old and rusted hulls of ships from a bye gone era litter the shoreline – this is the infamous “Ship Graveyardâ€. A visit to Macuti Beach where its famous lighthouse stands watch over two of shipwrecks is also well worth a visit.

The North East coast of Beira offers many stunning beaches and estuaries where sandbanks and dunes create little islands in the shallow and crystal clear waters. Savane Beach (approximately 30km North East of Beira) is perfect for a day’s outing and well worth the 1 hour journey, but a 4x4 vehicle is a must! Once there a boat will ferry you across the estuary to the beach where you can soak in the breath taking views and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere. Have lunch at the quaint little restaurant and then take a walk along the pristine white beach. Savane has excellent and safe swimming and is perfect for paddle and surf boards.

Fun Fact:

There are a number of interesting landmarks such as the beautiful Cathedral of Beira (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary) which was completed in 1907 using stone from the ruins of the old Sofala Fort (Fort San Gaetano) which was imported from Portugal and completed in the year 1501. At the mouth of the Pungoe River you will find the Grand Hotel which opened in 1954 and once was revered as the most opulent hotel in Africa and dubbed the "Pride of Africa". The hotel with its impressive Art Deco facade sadly never managed to attract enough guests and closed in 1963. Read more about Beira

For bird enthusiasts this is a great opportunity where Wattled Crane and Rufous-bellied Heron can be found in the marshlands, the grasslands support blue quail, the Great Snipe, Locust Finch and Black Rumped Buttonquail with the forest offering sightings of the East Coast Akalat and White Chested Alethe. The mangrove forest which surrounds the beach is home to the Mangrove Kingfisher and Palm Nut Vulture.

This is a wonderful habitat and you would need a couple of days to fully explore the area.

In true Mozambique fashion the local folk can be found selling fresh produce and in this area, if you use your bargaining skills well, you can be sure to bag a bucket of prawns! They will need proper preparation but will be well worth the effort and time.

Beira offers some excellent seafood restaurants and those that serve traditional cuisine. There are also many cafe’s and local markets.

The infrastructure in Beira is pretty decent and services and facilities quite good. However, as in most large cities crime is a problem. It is not advisable to carry a lot of cash, or to wear expensive jewellery. Keep you phones and cameras safe and stay aware and alert.

Beira is a paradise for intrepid photographers and historians, where old buildings and the bustling city life provide endless opportunities for the avid photographer. There are a number of interesting landmarks such as the beautiful Cathedral of Beira (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary) which was completed in 1907 using stone from the ruins of the old Sofala Fort (Fort San Gaetano) which was imported from Portugal and completed in the year 1501. At the mouth of the Pungoe River you will find the Grand Hotel which opened in 1954 and once was revered as the most opulent hotel in Africa and dubbed the "Pride of Africa". The hotel with its impressive Art Deco facade sadly never managed to attract enough guests and closed in 1963. At the outbreak of the civil war the hotel was used as a military base and prison for political prisoners and in the early 1980’s as a refugee camp. During the 1980’s it was abandoned, stripped and looted - it now stands gutted and is home to thousands of squatters.

Leave the hustle and bustle of this eclectic city and travel North of Beira where you will find the Gorongosa National Park which lies at the Southern end of the Great African Rift Valley and spoil yourself to an “Out of Africa†adventure! Its diverse ecosystems once supported some of the densest wildlife populations in Africa but the Civil War took its toll on the wildlife populations and 90% of the population was decimated. The massive 4000km square park is now undergoing rehabilitation and the Carr Foundation’s (Gorongosa Restoration Project) are trans-locating animals back into the park. This is an African Eden and one of the most beautiful geographical areas in the world, boasting massive rain forests, limestone gorges, savannah grasslands, plateaus and of course Lake Urema. Gorongosa National Park will provide you with photographic tourism at its best and is a destination not to be missed.

Beira Accommodation

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Beira Reviews thus far:

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Beira

Beira is known as the "Ship graveyard" or where "Ships go to die". Welcome to Mozambique's 2nd largest and most important city, Beira. The city is situated at the mouth of a magnificent estuary midway between the North and South borders and where ...

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Other Places of Interest:

Bazaruto Islands

Southern Mozambique

Santa Carolina (One of the Bazaruto Islands) hosted the popular and well known TV Show 'Survivor South Africa' in 2010.

Machangulo

Southern Mozambique

Visitors will be pleasantly treated with a game drive through the Maputo Special Reserve before reaching the Machangulo Peninsula. Spot various wildlife from elephants to giraffes, zebra, antelope, flamingos, crocodiles, hippos, birdlife among others ...

Zavora

Southern Mozambique

Zavora is a beautiful beach renowned for its huge protective reef running 2km parallel and close to the shoreline. This reef acts as a natural tidal pool with shallow, calm waters, perfect for activities such as snorkeling, swimming and fishing

Island of Mozambique

Northern Mozambique

The Island of Mozambique has played an important role since the 10th century in intercontinental trade to the East, in the 16th century is was an established and wealthy trading port for ships sailing on monsoon winds and where cargoes of ivory, gold and slaves were traded for fabrics and spices from India and Arabia.

Tofo

Southern Mozambique

Tofo Bay is ideally situated along the well renowned Manta Coast - a popular dive site region for all levels of diving experience with over 30 dive sites to explore.

Santa Maria

Southern Mozambique

Find beautiful pansy shells off the beaches of Santa Maria during a spring low tide, full or new moon.

Pomene

Southern Mozambique

Ponta Falsa (the tip of Pomene beach) has some great rocky cliff features including the "whole in the wall" and a huge blowhole. Explore the ruins of the Old Pomene Hotel which was once the holiday home of Samora Machel where one can admire beautiful bay views

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Quick Tips
Booking early is crucial !!

If you are serious about planning a holiday in Mozambique for Easter, the school holidays or during the Christmas festive season and New Year, then we highly suggest you start placing enquiries a few months in advance to avoid dissapointment. Eg: Start enquiring no later than October for the December holidays.

Believe it or not, people start enquiring as early as January for the December holidays.

Looking for border information?

Need to know what documents are required at Mozambique's border as well as other important information? Click here (opens in new tab) for all the details ...

The "From" (starting) rates ...

Remember, some establishments charge either per unit or per person sharing. If the rate is per unit, then you'll see we have conveniently divided the rate to what-it-would-be per person sharing on their advert under the "Rates" tab.

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Some establishments charge in different currencies such as the US Dollar, South African Rands or Mozambican Meticais (Mt).
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Categories Explained

For better understanding, we have put together a brief summary guide of what each category means and to also give you an idea of what each associated icon refers to when you see them on listings & adverts.

Listed in alphabetical order

Backpackers Lodge:

Those who are on a tight budget should keep a lookout for this category icon. This type of establishment offers dormitory (shared) bedroom accommodation with other "Backpackers" generally using either single beds or bunk beds with a communal kitchen and shared ablutions.

Bar On-Site:

Meaning the venue has its own bar on-site with staff serving alcohol/non-alcohol beverages and perhaps "pub-grub" included. They may offer satellite TV for bar patrons to follow the latest sporting fixtures live and may also host live music on certain days / evenings.

Bed & Breakfast:

If an establishment has this icon, this means they either include breakfast in their rates or offer the opportunity for you to choose to include breakfast during your stay which is usually served to guests in an on-site breakfast room dinette or restaurant. Some B&B's offer basic / light (continental) breakfasts, Full English breakfasts or buffet style breakfast options.

Campsite / Glamping:

Either they offer camping grounds for you to pitch your own tent if on a tight budget and / or they have their own pre-setup tents for you to camp in, some offering private facilities (aka "Glamping") within their tents such as beds, a fridge, sofa and bathroom.

Conference Venue:

This means the establishment has a dedicated hall room specially arranged and equipped with most facilities to host important business meetings, teambuilding events or any other occasion alike.

Disabled Friendly Accommodation:

Goes without saying. Any establishment marked with this icon and listed under this category offers facilities for those who have reduced mobility. They may have basic facilities for these conditions or advanced. Kindly enquire with them directly for more information and/or specific requirements you may need.

Dive Charter:

These are dive centres who are a team of qualified dive instructors (PADI which means Professional Association of Diving Instructors) offering SCUBA diving lessons for clients and excursions to some of the best dive sites in the region for an unforgettable underwater adventure.

Eco Lodges:

Environmentally friendly establishments built by local communities using naturally sourced / non-toxic materials with the objective of protecting the surrounding habitat. These types of lodges range from rustic bush and beach to luxury accommodation. Not only does this movement protect the environment, but it also helps support local families.

Fishing Charter:

This means the associated business offers professional paid-for deep sea fishing charters / outings and excursions for those fishing enthusiasts (and for newbies). They generally have a fully equipped fishing boat and all the fishing gear ready for clients to bait up and cast a line. Their expertize, knowledge and experience will reward you with some of the best fishing spots for an action packed deep sea fishing experience.

For Sale:

If you're looking to invest or buy property in Mozambique, keep an eye out for this category for the latest in the property market.

Full Board Accommodation:

Full Board means breakfast, lunch and dinner (also known as "All Inclusive"). If a venue is listed under this category, then they either offer guests the choice of a full board meal plan during their stay or their rates by default include full board meals. a lot of these establishments will have private personal chefs serving guests top class cuisine.

Group Accommodation:

Because this is a popular search and request amongst many, we have created this specific category for exactly that - group accommodation which is very much the same as our Holiday Homes category. These are establishments that can cater and accommodate for large groups of 8 people and up in the same house / unit offering most self catering facilities as if you are "home away from home".

Guest House:

Similar to a typical B&B, a Guest House is usually a private house offering very few accommodation units all within the main building structure (or some seperately). Some serve home cooked meals within their in-house dining room specially catered to seat all their guests and offer a lounge area where fellow travellers can interact, socialize and share stories.

Holiday Home:

This type of accommodation is usually ideal for large groups of people going on holiday being a "home away from home" with numerous bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen for your self catering needs, lounge, toilets, braai/BBQ area, some with a swimming pool and some offering exclusive privacy.

Honeymoon / Romantic Accommodation:

Very self-explanatory. A venue will be listed under this category if they offer a specific luxury, private honeymoon suite or because our admin has "hand-picked" the establishment to be perfect for such an occasion based on their location and facilities offered. However, you are the best judge when it comes to planning that special getaway with your loved one anyway. Pssst ... and it doesn't have to be expensive either to enjoy, right?!

Hotel:

A hotel is generally a large premises that can accommodate a large amount of guests in many adjacent rooms grading from standard 2 sleeper units to "executive" luxury suites offering more in-room space and facilities. They generally have a restaurant and bar on-site for all day meals and drinks (quite often offered on a buffet dining basis). Other on-site facilities may include a swimming pool, gym, spa, in/outdoor entertainment area for kids, a conference / wedding room for meetings / ceremonies and a small shop.

Restaurant / Personal Chef(s) On-Site:

This indicates that the establishment has a small / large restaurant on-site for their guests (they may also accept walk-ins for non-guests) or they have on-board catering staff serving guests in their own private space or in a designated dining area.

Self Catering:

This type of establishment offers guests facilities required to cater / cook on their own terms whether it be within a holiday home for example or on communal grounds.

Spa:

This means the establishment has spa facilities and services offered to guests who are looking for personal treatments during their vacation.

Tours & Safaris:

These business services can range from swimming with dolphins, horse riding, city tours, boat tours, island tours, dhow tours to game drives and more. You'll have to click on their advert to find out more and what they have to offer.

Wedding Venue:

This means, the venue has all the on-site facilities and catering services to host large or small weddings and ceremonies. Depending on the size of the wedding, some may have enough units to accommodate all wedding guests.