MozGuide

Northern Mozambique is naturally divided by Malawi into two distinct regions: the north-east and the north-west. The north-eastern region consists of the provinces of Zambezia, Nampula, Cabo Delgado and Niassa. Extending from Chinde on the Zambezi delta in the south to Namoto village at the mouth of the Rovuma, and from Cóbuè near Lake Malawi's Likoma Islands in the west to Mozambique Island in the east, this is a vast area of mysterious mountains (Namúli and Unango), historic settlements (Angoche, Mozambique and Ibo islands), idyllic islands (lihas das Quirimbas) and wildlife (Niassa Reserve).

The coastline is over 1 000 kilometres long. Tiny coral creatures that thrive in the warm tropical water have produced about one hundred coral isles and islets. The main island grouping off Zambezia is the Moebase Archipelago. The Angoche Archipelago lies adjacent to Nampula Province, while the remote llhas das Quirimbas lie between Pemba and the Rovuma. Deep, vast inland bays are also a notable feature of this seaboard, with Nacala harbour among the world's deepest and Pemba Bay one of the world's largest natural ports.

Mozambique borders on South Africa and Swaziland to the south, Zimbabwe to the west and Zambia and Malawi in the northwest. The Rovuma River forms the remote boundary with Tanzania. The Indian Ocean’s Mozambique Channel flanks a splendid coastline which is over 2500km (1554 miles) long. The south of the country is characterized by the extensive, well-treed savanna of the Mozambican Plain, where altitudes rarely range above 200m (656ft). The Mozambican Plateau dominates the central and northern regions, where rugged highlands are deeply incised by river valleys, and peaks such as Binga and Gorongosa in Manica, Chiperone in Zambezia, Namuli in Nampula and Unango in Niassa are located.

Most of Mozambique’s tourist destinations are located along the southern coastline, or tucked away on islands such as Inhaca and the unique Bazaruto Archipelago, yet the interior, from the hot springs of Zambezia province and the granite domes of Nampula to the Gorongosa forests and Quissico lakes, is not without its attractions.