Central Mozambique

Beira, Gorongosa National Park and the highlands of central Mozambique.

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Hero image: Mount Gorongosa — Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Central Mozambique runs inland from the port city of Beira through Sofala and Manica provinces towards the Zimbabwe border, and north into Zambézia.

Gorongosa National Park is the region’s headline wildlife destination, while Chimoio is the gateway to the Chimanimani mountains. Quelimane and Gurúè, in Zambézia, suit travellers with more time.

Main towns and places

Beira

Beira is a major port city on the coast of Sofala province and the main gateway to central Mozambique. Travellers most often use it as a base for reaching Gorongosa National Park and the central highlands. Read the Beira guide.

Gorongosa National Park

Gorongosa National Park lies at the southern end of the Great Rift Valley in Sofala province. Its wildlife has been the focus of a long-running restoration project, and Chitengo is the park’s main camp. Read the Gorongosa National Park guide.

Chimoio

Chimoio is the capital of Manica province, on the main road between Beira and the Zimbabwe border. It is the usual gateway to the Chimanimani mountains. Read the Chimoio guide.

Chimanimani National Park

Chimanimani National Park protects the Mozambican side of the Chimanimani mountains on the border with Zimbabwe. It includes Monte Binga, Mozambique’s highest peak, and is best suited to hikers. Read the Chimanimani National Park guide.

Quelimane

Quelimane is the capital of Zambézia province, near the coast on the Bons Sinais River. It is a working provincial city and a stepping stone to the tea-growing highlands around Gurúè. Read the Quelimane guide.

Gurúè

Gurúè is a highland town in Zambézia province surrounded by tea estates. It is the gateway to Mount Namuli, one of Mozambique’s highest mountains. Read the Gurúè guide.

Destination guides in Central Mozambique

• Beira — city and port
• Gorongosa National Park — national park
• Chimoio — city
• Chimanimani National Park — national park
• Quelimane — city
• Gurúè — town

Nearby regions