Quelimane

Mozambique · Africa

About Quelimane

Quelimane is a seaport in Mozambique. It is the administrative capital of the Zambezia Province and the province's largest city, and stands 25 km (16 mi) from the mouth of the Rio dos Bons Sinais (or "River of the Good Signs"). The river was named when Vasco da Gama, on his way to India, reached it and saw "good signs" that he was on the right path. The town was the end point of David Livingstone's west-to-east crossing of south-central Africa in 1856. Portuguese is the official language of Mozambique, and many residents of the areas surrounding Quelimane speak Portuguese. The most common local language is Chuabo. Quelimane, along with much of Zambezia Province, is extremely prone to floods during Mozambique's rainy season.

The town originated as a Swahili trade centre, and then grew as a slave market of the Indian Ocean slave trade. Quelimane was founded by Muslim traders (see Kilwa Sultanate) and was one of the oldest towns in the region.

The origins of the name 'Quelimane' are obscure. One tradition alleges that Vasco da Gama, in 1498, inquired about the name of the place from some inhabitants...

Quelimane travel guide

Getting there

Flights from Maputo and Beira are operated by LAM. The airport is in good condition and quite easy to get through. Car hire is available (Imperial Rentals). Roads are in poor condition in the centre of the city. The main road to Quelimane is in good condition.

1 Quelimane Airport. UEL IATA (updated Dec 2023)

Getting around

Bicycles and even bicycle taxis are very common.

See

The excellent and long beach is a 35km/one hour drive from the city. Bars and restaurants are there, serving very good seafood.

1 Old Cathedral of Quelimane, Avenida Marginal. Built in 1776, this beautiful cathedral is today quite dilapidated. (updated Nov 2020)

Eat

Coquinha, Av Francisco de Mantenga. Try their delicious shrimps in sauce (caril de camarão) or grilled crabs. Refeba. Bar/restaurant at the waterfront. Rei dos frangos. Fast food style chicken. Open late. Qwehli Ristorante Pizzaria. Pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, beef, chicken options. Has free internet, isn't as nice a place as it once was, sometimes they don't have half the ingredients on the pizza menu.

Drink & nightlife

Xeke M@te. This Portuguese style pub/bar is one of the best places in the city to get a nice cold beer, a juice or a soft drink. Do not forget to eat the delicious rissól de galinha (Chicken Fried Pastry), the famous Bacalhau de Dona Eugénia (Mrs. Eugenia Codfish)- you have to order first which kind of preparation you wish. And last, but not least, try the Prego no Prato (Beef with egg and fries) the best in town. Just a tip, if you are also a Portuguese speaker, spend a few minutes talking with the people of the place, it is amazing and you will have a lot of fun. 100% guaranteed. In the Fridays and Saturdays it is open until late.

Sleep

1 Hotel Chuabo, Av Samora Machel, ☏ +258 24213181. Breakfast is served at the top floor restaurant which has a beautiful view to the river and old cathedral. MT2500. 2 Pensao Quelimane, Av Eduardo Mondlane, ☏ +258 24212359. From 450 mt./single 3 Hotel Flamingo, Av. 1 Julho (Centre of town), ☏ +258 24215602. Reasonable hotel with basic air conditioned rooms. Internet is available in reception. Swimming pool and bar/restaurant outside. There is Wireless available at the bar/restaurant. Safe parking. MT1700/1900. 4 Residencial Millenio (Centre of town, close to Águila cinema). Indian style. Rooms with bathroom. Restaurant outside. Safe parking. Breakfast basic. MT1700.

Go next

Visit the town of Mingano. It has almost no services but will give the visitor a glimpse into the lives of rural residents.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.