Inhambane
Inhambane (pronounced 'Inyambaan')
The architecture and atmosphere reflect a diverse and exciting past stretching back to the 11th century. Muslim and Persian traders visited here as did Vasco da Gama in the late 1500s. The port of Inhambane also later became a major centre for ivory and slave trade as well as whaling. This area is now one of the few in southern Mozambique where the last remaining Dugong can be seen.
This Mozambique city is about 469km (291 miles) from Maputo and today, visitors will find a busy centre with an airport and harbour as well as banks, petrol stations, shops, markets and sidewalk cafés. Inhambane is situated on a bay and visitors can enjoy a drink at the harbour and watch the dhows (local sailing boats) sail back and forth to Maxixe (pronounced "Masheesh").
It is the main centre for stunning resorts and beaches nearby such as Tofo and Barra. The dry winter months in southern Mozambique, lasting from April to October, are good times to visit when the temperatures are milder.
Fabulous beaches near Inhambane
Tofo in Mozambique has superb diving and surfing available with PADI centres supplying regular dive trips - see Manta Rays regularly and Whale Sharks in season. Fishing is also popular or visitors can just relax on the beaches and at the restaurants or try a variety of exciting watersports.
The Barra Peninsula is great for honeymooners and for a family holiday in Mozambique. It offers wonderful beaches on one side and an estuary on the other. Great diving, snorkelling, watersports and fishing to be found here.
The Linga Linga Peninsula, for a relaxing escape, has an estuary and beaches, watersports and fishing available although it is only accessible by boat or 4x4 transfers. There are many popular watersport, dive and holiday resorts in Mozambique accessible by 4x4 vehicles or transfers.
Day Trips and Excursions
4x4 enthusiasts can head north along the coast over the Tropic of Capricorn to explore beautiful Pomene Bay and its mangroves. It boasts dune forests and marine life. Strikeout west for Banhine National Park in Mozambique (a totally undeveloped area with 2 of the Big Five) and Limpopo National Park (Big Five) near Massingir Dam.
Local Lingo
Bitonga is only spoken around Inhambane area and has about 200 000 speakers. Practice these useful phrases:
- Thank you - Nhibongile (knee-bong-eela)
- Good Morning - Nugodio (hoo-gee-dee)
- Good Afternoon - Mihani (Mee-haani)
- Good Evening - Wadsigo (waad-see-go)
- How are you - Whuhadi ( Hoo-waadi)
- Beach - Phwani (pwa-aani)
- Sell - Rengisi (ren geesa)
- Money - Tsapawu (za-pow-oo)
- How Much ? - Kharini (ca-ree-nee)
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The City Maps
Trip Ideas
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Snorkel at Two Mile Reef
If you are a snorkeling enthusiast, you will adore Two Mile Reef. It’s rated by some as one of East Africa’s best snorkeling areas and, with schools of fish, frolicking humpback whales (usually visible around August) and the occasional hawksbill turtle, it’s not hard to see why it’s so well-loved… So go on, dive on in!
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Travel to Praia do Tofo
The charming town, Tofo, is well worth visiting when you visit Inhambane province and, in that same vein, you should definitely try visit Tofo beach. This vast, beautiful beach offers plenty of fun and hives of activity, thanks to local stalls, amazing nature (including some epic marine life, like sharks, dolphins and humpbacks), surfing and swimming too!
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Take a boat to Maxixe
The largest city in Inhambane province, Maxixe, is a great place to explore. To get to the city, you can easily catch a dhow boat across the bay; locals offer ‘dhow transport services for tourists, making this a relatively accessible and easy travel option. Once across, take time to explore the city, enjoy its beautiful beaches and then, when it’s time to go home, embark on a fun ferry ride back to Inhambane town.
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Check out Vasco da Gama’s statue
Inhambane had a special place in the heart of famed Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, who arrived here in 1498 and now, to this day, his statue proudly watches over the town. The statue is worth a visit, as it’s found quite nearby to the regional museum, and is its own take on ‘art through history’.
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Catch a tan on Barra Beach
This pristine beach is the place to go for some quality relaxation and, above all, to escape from the madding crowd. You can swim in deliciously clear waters, go for a night swim with fluorescent sea critters or simply kick back and relax (preferably with a book), as you soak up the surrounds. Nearby local stalls offer handy drinks and snacks for sale.
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