Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SOFALA
About 40km south of Beira and just south of the Búzi River is the site of the ancient gold-trading port of
Sofala
,
dating from at least the 9th century AD. Sofala's importance lay in its role as the major link between the gold
trade of the interior and the powerful sultanate at Kilwa in present-day Tanzania. By the 15th century it had be-
come one of East Africa's most influential centres, with ties as far away as Madagascar, India and Indonesia. San
Caetano, the first Portuguese fort in Mozambique, was built at Sofala in 1505 with stones shipped from Portugal.
However, soon after the Portuguese arrived, trade routes shifted northwards, Mozambique Island eclipsed Sofala
as the main coastal base and Sofala and its fort rapidly sunk into oblivion. Today nothing remains of Sofala's
former glory and the ruins of the fort have been overtaken by the sea. The area is, however, beautiful and inviting
for exploration by anyone wanting to get off the beaten track.
To get here from Beira by public transport, take any bus heading along the N6 towards Chimoio and get off at
Tica, from where there is sporadic public transport south to Búzi, where there are several
pensões
. If you are ap-
proaching by road from the N1, the turn-off is at Chiboma; ask locally about conditions from Chiboma to the
coast. Alternatively, there's a daily ferry from Beira, which stops at various points along the coast, including Búzi
and the small, modern-day port of Nova Sofala.
Around Beira
GORONGOSA NATIONAL PARK
About 170km northwest of Beira is
Gorongosa National Park
(Parque Nacional de
Gorongosa; 82-308 2252;
www.gorongosa.net
; adult/child/vehicle per day US$20/10/
45; 6am-6pm Apr-Dec)
, which was gazetted in 1960 and soon made headlines as one
of southern Africa's premier wildlife parks. It was renowned for its large prides of lions,
as well as for its elephants, hippos, buffaloes and rhinos. During the 1980s and early
1990s, hungry soldiers and poachers brought an end to this abundance. Because Renamo
headquarters was nearby, the surrounding area was heavily mined and the park's infra-
structure was destroyed. Rehabilitation work began in 1995, and in 1998 Gorongosa re-
opened to visitors. In recent years, the park has received a major boost thanks to assist-
ance from the US-based Carr Foundation, which has joined with the Government of
Mozambique to fund Gorongosa's long-term restoration and ecotourism development.
Animal numbers still pale in comparison with those of earlier times, and can't compare
with those in other southern African safari destinations. However, wildlife is making a
definite comeback and the park is highly recommended on any Mozambique itinerary. It's
likely that you will see impalas, waterbucks, sable antelopes, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles
and perhaps even elephants and lions.
