Zambézia

In Zambezia, home to the reserve with the same name, there is an abundance of wild mammals. One cannot overlook its beautiful beaches especially that at Zaiala a tranquil place surrounded by casuarinas trees.
Its thermal springs known locally as “hot fountains” can be seen at Morumbala, Lugela and Bié.
Zambezia is also known for its famous gastronomy full of spicy flavours. Zambezi style chicken cooked in palm oil is famous throughout the country, despite many poor imitations, and is a typical tourist consumable.
Zambezia is situated in the Centre/North part of the country, bordered on the North by the Provinces of Nampula and Niassa, to the South by Sofala, to the West by Malawi and the Province of Tete and to the East, the Indian Ocean.
Facing the Indian Ocean, the vegetation changes as the land become higher. On the low plains, near the coast, there are vast areas of palm trees. Higher up at Gurué the green tea plantations blend with the cotton plantations and the colourful fruit orchards.
On the flat coastline, next to the river Bons Sinais, so called by Vasco da Gama when he discovered that he was finally on the right route to India, is the town of Quelimane capital of the Province and an important trading port.
A little further south, on the mouth of the river Zambez, is Chinde, once a main sugar producing centre and possibly the oldest settlement in Zambézia.
Zambézia, with its many rivers and green valleys is the natural habitat of a wide variety of large mammals and birds. The main reserves are Gilé, in the district of the same name, the natural reserve of Derre, in the District of Morrumbala, home of the grey palapala and the hunting reserve of Madal Safaris in the District of Chinde, home of a wide variety of birds.
The main ethnic groups are the Chuabo, the Lomwé and the Sena

Points of note about the Province
• It is an area with extensive coconut groves
• Beautiful tea plantations

What to visit
• The Gile National Reserve, well combined with Pebane beaches.
• The Ilhas Primeiras e Segundas.
• Mocuba, Alto Molocue and Gurue distrits.
• The Old Cathedral, a magnificent austere building, the Church Nª Senhora do Livramento, built in 1800, and the Mosque of Quelimane, a modern construction with ornate lattice work at the top of the façade
• The “Fontes quentes” (hot water springs) near the towns of Morrumbala, Lugela and Gilé. The temperature of the water is so high it is possible to cook in it.