C8K – Mozambique

The C8K team will be operating in Mozambique in January 2025.
Team – Petr OK1BOA, Petr OK1FCJ, Palo OK1CRM, Pavel OK1GK, Ruda OK2ZA, Ludek OK2ZC, Karel OK2ZI, David OK6DJ.
Nearest DX Point C8K
C8K Log Searchsearch They will operate in the 160 – 6m range, including 60m band, SSB, CW, RTTY, FT8, FT4, PSK.
QSL via OK6DJ Direct, ClubLog OQRS, LOTW.
Direct QSL advertising:
David Beran, Dolni Kamenice 55, Holysov, 34562, Czech Republic.
More information will be provided later.

Mozambique

Mozambique is located on the Indian Ocean coast in southeastern Africa (with a coastline of 2,500 kilometers), bordering South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Historically, Mozambique was a Portuguese colony until 1975 when it became an independent republic. Half of the population speaks Portuguese as the official language, while the rest mainly speak Bantu and Swahili. At the same time, nearly 50% of the region’s residents are illiterate.

The capital, Maputo, is an important port city. Exports include coal, cotton, sugar and chrome. The city did not start to flourish until the railway with Pretoria was built in 1895.

Forests cover 20% of Mozambique. They are mainly tropical, corridor forests and coastal mangroves. Savanna covers most of the country. Animal resources are abundant, but deforestation is its main threat. Due to its special geographical location, Mozambique is often hit by tropical cyclones.

Mozambique is undoubtedly one of the poorest countries in Africa, but tourists from all over the world never tire of visiting it. Its long coastline, beautiful islands and clean beaches make it an ideal holiday destination.

In the middle of the Mozambique coastline is the town of Vilankulo and a little further away is the Bazaruto Archipelago. This archipelago consists of six islands: Sierre, Bazaruto, Benguela, Banguete, Santa Carolina and Magalugue, and every tourist should visit it.

In Inhambane, in southern Mozambique, you can find members of the Chopi ethnic group, who are famous for their orchestral music. The ensemble consists of between five and thirty xylophones (called timbila), which vary in size and scale. Timbila are wooden instruments handmade from mwenge (yarrow) wood, which are highly soundproof.

The orchestra welcomes musicians of all ages, from xylophone players to students. Every year, the musicians try to compose some new songs to add luster to weddings or other celebrations in the Chopi community. The timbila dance performed before the orchestra is closely related to the music. Each timbila performance includes a solemn m’zeno song performed by the dancers to a soft, slow orchestral accompaniment. The lyrics of the local musicians are full of humor and satire, touching on contemporary social issues and also documenting events in the Chopi community.

Mozambique. Author – Theseus.

The most interesting attractions in Mozambique

Without a doubt, the biggest attraction of this area is the coral reefs, as well as the warm blue waters (temperatures approach 30 degrees Celsius) and exotic fish that we don’t see anywhere else. The central coast of Mozambique is therefore an ideal place for diving, and the best time to see the underwater world is from April to December.

On the beach, you can go horseback riding, land walks, and even admire flocks of pelicans and flamingos on the dunes. Elsewhere in Mozambique, visitors can also find unique attractions such as the Ethnographic Museum in Namula, the Liquongo River Bridge in Mocuba, the beautiful coastline and coral reefs of Pompeii, or the small fishing village of Paquiteket with its palm groves. Mozambique is undoubtedly famous for its neighboring islands in the Indian Ocean. These places are the most attractive for many tourists visiting the African country.

Historic railway station in Maputo, Mozambique

Maputo is not only the capital of Mozambique, located in the south of the country on the Indian Ocean coast, but also the country’s commercial and cultural center. Interesting places to visit here include the Natural History Museum (built in sandstone in Portuguese Gothic style), the Fortress (the city’s oldest tourist attraction, dating from the 19th century), the National Art Museum, the beautiful Botanical Gardens, and buildings designed by Eiffel himself: the Railway Station, the Iron House, and the City Hall. The city market attracts tourists with its rich goods, including exotic vegetables and nuts. There is also a local art and handicraft market here.

Ponta do Oro is located in the south of the country, 15 km from the South African border and about 130 km south of Maputo. The name means “Golden Peak” and refers to the cape at the southern end of the coast. It is a tourist center with well-maintained beaches and the opportunity to swim with dolphins.

C8K Mozambique. DX Expedition.

Panoramic view of Mozambique Island, Mozambique

The island of Mozambique is located in the Mozambique Channel. The island is full of cities with the same name. The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama built a fort here. The island is separated from the mainland by a channel with a bridge across it. Mozambique is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The reason for this is that it has a large number of colonial monuments. To date, the best preserved buildings on the island are the Governor’s Palace and Fort San Sebastian, as well as the Church of Our Lady of Sebastian.

Tofo is a small town and tourist center located in the southeast of the country, on the Ponta da Barra Peninsula. It is famous for its beautiful wide white sandy beaches. It is a great place for diving. Here you can see manta rays, turtles and whale sharks. Horseback riding is one of the most popular activities for tourists to Tofo. Those who want to enjoy the sounds of palm trees and beautiful views should definitely rent a cottage here.

Wild beaches in the Bazaruto Archipelago

Vilanculos is located approximately 750 km north of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. It is a popular tourist area, known for its exotic, manicured beaches and very good accommodation. The area is home to approximately 500 bird species. There are a wealth of activity opportunities here, including diving, fishing and horse riding.

The Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of six islands located near the mainland town of Vilankulo. The archipelago has been a national park since 1971. It is the largest park in the Indian Ocean and is home to more than 2,000 species of fish and five species of turtles. It is home to the largest concentration of dugongs (formerly considered water nymphs). If you dream of a paradise holiday, this is the perfect place. The archipelago has unspoiled beaches with soft sand and is surrounded by warm waters. Water adventures are one of the attractions. Scuba divers, surfers and fishing enthusiasts will also have a great time.

Mozambique. Author – Rckr88.

Maputo Elephant Sanctuary

The Maputo Elephant Reserve is located in Maputo Bay, about 100 km south of Maputo city. This vast and pristine area is part of the Lubombo Transfrontier Game Reserve. There are hundreds of African elephants in the reserve. There are also many birds, zebras, antelopes and hippos.

Lake Malawi is shared by Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique. In Mozambique, it is also known as Lake Nyasa and is listed as a nature reserve. This natural body of water belongs to the African Great Lakes. It is the third largest lake in Africa. There are more than 800 species of fish here. On the lakeside, you can see crocodiles, hippos and monkeys.

Gorongosa National Park – Located in the heart of the country, it is the largest national park with a diverse landscape. Here holidaymakers can see beautiful jungles, savannahs, Lake Urema, waterfalls, but most importantly, Mount Gorongosa, which rises to nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. The park is home to many animals and plants. Elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, buffaloes, antelopes and warthogs, as well as various bird species, can be seen here. Since 2004, the park has been working on the restoration of infrastructure and, most importantly, wildlife and flora.

Mozambique’s colorful attractions have a unique charm, and well-preserved colonial buildings allow visitors to learn about local culture and art. The food is delicious and the people are friendly. Although it is not a very popular holiday destination, it is definitely worth exploring.

C8K. Where is Mozambique located. Map.