Beira

Beira is the second largest city and busiest port in Mozambique. It is a fusion of tropical Africa, continental and oriental life.

The sprawling city is built on swampy ground at the mouth of the Pungwe River and is a hot and humid place, especially in summer - you should take anti-malaria precautions before coming here.

The city owes its existence to the "Beira Corridor" which is a road and railway line constructed from the coast eastwards, providing Zimbabwe with its main outlet to the sea. Badly affected during the war years, the city centre is quickly catching up to its pre-war image and there is a thriving atmosphere of bars and cafés set against a mish-mash of architectural styles.

Beira has the dubious distinction of once being the most unpopular southern African city amongst many travellers. With high crime, mass poverty and still fresh war wounds, Beira was considered a skip by most visitors to Mozambique.

The truth of the matter is, reports are highly exaggerated. Yes the high-rise slums of Beira (only found here and in Maputo) intimidate the senses, but poverty is no greater in Beira than many other African cities and towns - exercise a little street smartness and common sense.

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