Ilha de Mozambique (Island of Mozambique) is a small, beautiful, coral island on the Indian Ocean north of Mozambique. It is in the Nampula province of Mozambique with a historical heritage. A long time ago the island was used by Arab merchants as a maritime trade centre. The small island has been the capital for Mozambique for nearly four centuries under Portuguese colonization before Maputo. The small island floats like a ship in the Indian Ocean.
The 1km square island is connected by a bridge to the mainland. The island is 2500m long with its widest point 600m. The tiny island is inhabited by 16000 people living in shacks which do not even have proper sanitary facilities. It has a variation in culture, languages, religions and historical influences. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama once landed on the island.
Getting to Ilha de Mozambique
You can get to Ilha by a two hour trip by car. You travel east on a road that is not maintained you pass vast plantations of cashew and banana trees. The winding road passes through past huge rock monoliths that reflect past history. Coconut and baobab trees become plenty as you approach the coast.
Ilha can also easily be reached by road from Nampula following the road towards Nacala, and turn off at the signpost for Ilha de Mozambique (which is in Monapo). It'll take around 2 hours and the road is good. When you get there you'll need to cross the bridge which costs about Mts 5,000.
You can take a chapa/bus they leave from Ave de Trabhadores in Nampula near the railway station and cost Mts 80,000.
Ilha's is a small island and that you can take 20 minutes to go round it. There are bikes you can hire for the day at Gabriels.
Activities on Ilha de Mozambique
On the southern side of the island there is a small town called Mecuti (palm leaf that is used for the roofs of the simple mud huts). The narrow shady streets of the small town are full of people selling clothes, oranges, peanuts and other things.
Decaying buildings are found along the streets of the town. The mixture of Portuguese, Arabic and Asian architecture is fascinating: Old doorways hanging upon their hinges; the weathered windows with wrinkled cracked wood. Very few buildings have been fixed and repaired and some have been left untouched.
On the northern tip of the island there is an Old Portuguese fort. It has rooms, passages, cannons and cannonballs on the perimeter of the walls. Bird droppings have seeded casuarinas trees and have taken root in the walls thus giving it an ancient look.
Accommodation on Ilha de Mozambique
An overnight place can be found from people who are on the streets at the markets as this will be their little extra cash. A room per night might cost roughly $10. Groceries add a bit of variety to meals, and everyone benefits. Fresh fish is in abundance which comes fro fishers in the daily catch.
Not many restaurants are on the island, with Requilias and Escondidino in Stone Town. Local places serve fish and rice or chima.
Casa Luis, Traversa dos Formos is a popular place that is individualy owned. It has a few rooms in a private home with camping facilities in the courtyard. It us hard to fid but many locals can direct you to this place.
Casa Branca, Rua dos combatantes, Stone Town, (on the East side of the island near the Luis de Camoes statue) 300 year old house with a marvellous view.
Hotel Omuhipiti is the only hotel on the island is close to the fort in the north of Stone Town, it's currently closed for renovations.
The cheapest accomodation is the campsite that is foundon the mainland next to the bridge. Self catering is possible from the nearby shops. It is $ per person.
Activities on Ilha de Mozambique
Ilha is a magical mix of Old Portuguese and old Muslim architecture. In the north the old Stone Town and the "Reed Town" in the south.
There is a museum up in Stone Town. In the same building is a tourist information office.
The fort at the north tip of the island contains the Church of Nossa Senhora Baluarte. This is the oldest surviving European building in the southern hemisphere, dating back to 1522. An entrance fee is paid and be careful to pay the right attendant.
Ilha de Mozambique is a coral island. It is a home for the best swimming and diving spots on the north of Mozambique. The island is beautiful with green vegetation and wonderful waters.
There are many old forts, ancient canons and cathedrals. This island is an area that leaves unforgettable memories.
A marimba orchestra is in the south, the Chope musicians play the marimba, a form of xylophone.
