The Port of Beira is the second largest port in Mozambique. It is situated on the Pungwe River. The city is built on swampy ground at the mouth of the Pungwe River. It is a hot and humid place, especially in summer - you should take anti-malaria precautions before coming here.
It is a transit port, handling import and export cargoes from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and other countries in the region. There is the Beira Corridor that has a road and railway connection to Zimbabwe.
Getting Around Beira
Between Maputo and Beira there is no rail connection. A link between Beira and Tete is going reopen to passengers after a long closure due to landmines.
Tarred roads connect Maputo with Beira and Beira with Tete. It is possible to travel there by road though flood damage can cause serious delays. Road travel is best done by daylight as many pedestrians and animals are hard to see after dusk.
There are regular services covering most of the country. In more rural areas, road passage can only be undertaken by converted passenger trucks known as chapas. Beira International Airport (BEW) is about 10km out of the town, and can be easily reached by bus and taxi. The airport has a shop, bar, restaurant and post office.
A departure tax of U$10 (U$20 if traveling out of Africa), payable after check-in.
Activities in Beira
One of the landmarks in Beira is the Cathedral of Beira. It was built using stone from the historic sixteenth-century fort of Sofala province. The fort was on the southern side of the Pungwe River and has now been flooded by water.
Macuti Beach is famous for its famous lighthouse.
Savanna Beach 20-30km out of town can be reached by taking a chapa heading in the direction - a little boat across to the beach, worth the effort. The beach has good fishing.
Gorongosa a well known park (200-300km) in Sofala Province has chalets and food.
Rio Maria (10-15km) from Beira there is a nice river. On the sandy road be careful not to get the car stuck in the mud. There are no facilities there.
Biques is a camping and bar/restaurant about two km out of the centre of Beira. The place is not easy to find. Terrace overlooking the sea, excellent food and drink and has a pool table.
Papas best food in town, also expensive. Close to Hotel Tivoli. Nautico has good simple food, normally quick, nice views of the sea, swimming pool. Good food, can take a while if the restaurant is full. Air-con inside and nice seating area outside. Chicken with cashew and pineapple or the Bife Cremoso is nice.
Beira Accommodation
Hotel Savoy centrally located is the cheapest accommodation in Beira.
Pensao moderna, has better rooms.
Hotel Tivoli has clean small rooms. There is a restaurant and bar in the hotel but expensive. A few meters from the hotel there is a food market.
Advice
Visitors must not walk in the night alone and during the day do not walk around with valuable stuff. When driving on the roads one has to be careful of kids that just run across the roads and avoid traveling at night.
