Nacala

Introduction

Nacala sits on Mozambique's northern coast, tucked into the southwestern indentation of inner Fernao Veloso Bay. Its harbour is the deepest natural port on the east coast of Africa, and the city serves as the terminal for the Nacala railway, which runs inland to landlocked Malawi.

South of the city lies Mozambique Island, once the capital of Mozambique and now a World Heritage Site — an easy extension to any stay in Nacala.

Three days in Nacala

Day one: Start in Nacala, on the coast of Mozambique, and get your bearings along the shore of Fernao Veloso Bay. The bay is the reason the city exists, and its calm water is the place to begin. Take your time over a meal of the fresh seafood the coast is known for, then watch the light change over the bay as the day cools.

Day two: Head for Mozambique Island, the old island town to the south that is a World Heritage Site. Its streets reward a slow walk, and the island's history as a port on the routes between Africa, the wider Indian Ocean and the interior is written into its buildings. Return to Nacala in the evening.

Day three: Use your last day to travel south along the coast, the direction of the road that eventually reaches Malawi, and see more of the shoreline and the villages that live off it. Keep the pace easy, and leave time to sit by Fernao Veloso Bay once more before you go.