C8K Team will be active from Mozambique during 18 January - 1 February 2025.
Team - Petr OK1BOA, Petr OK1FCJ, Palo OK1CRM, Pavel OK1GK , Ruda OK2ZA, Ludek OK2ZC, Karel OK2ZI, David OK6DJ.
They will operate on 160 - 6m, including 60m Band, SSB, CW, RTTY, FT8, FT4, PSK.
QSL via OK6DJ direct, ClubLog OQRS, LOTW.
Ads for direct QSL:
David Beran, Dolni Kamenice 55, Holysov, 34562, Czech Republic.
More information later.
Mozambique
Mozambique is a state located in the south-eastern part of Africa in the Indian Ocean (the coastline is 2,500 kilometres long). Its nearest neighbours are South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Historically, Mozambique was a Portuguese colony for several hundred years until it became an independent republic in 1975. Half of the population speaks Portuguese as the official language, while the rest speaks mainly Bantu and Swahili. At the same time, almost 50 per cent of the region's inhabitants cannot read or write.
Maputo, the capital, is an important port city. Exports from here include coal, cotton, sugar and chrome, among others. The city began to develop dynamically only after the railway connection with Pretoria was established in 1895.
Forests cover 20% of the area of Mozambique. They are mainly tropical, gallery forests and mangroves on the ocean shore. Savannahs cover most of the country. Animal life is abundant, although deforestation is a major threat to it. Because of its location, Mozambique is often ‘visited’ by tropical cyclones.
There is no doubt that Mozambique is one of the poorest African countries, but tourists from all over the world come here with pleasure. A very long coastline, beautiful islands and clean beaches make it an ideal holiday destination.
In the central part of Mozambique's coastline is the town of Vilanculo, and a little further away is the Bazaruto Archipelago. There are six islands, Shell, Bazaruto, Benguerra, Banguete, Santa Carolina and Magaruge, which every tourist should visit.
In the southern region of Mozambique, Inhambane, you can find members of the Chopi community, which is primarily known for its orchestral music. The ensemble consists of five to thirty xylophones known as timbila, varying in size and scale of sound. Timbila are handmade wooden instruments made from mwenge (yarrow) wood with a high level of sound insulation.
The orchestra is open to musicians of all ages, from xylophone virtuosos to students. Every year, the musicians try to compose some new songs to add splendour to wedding ceremonies or other celebrations of the Chopi community. The timbila dances performed in front of the orchestra are closely related to the music. Each timbila performance includes a solemn m'zeno song performed by the dancers to a gentle, slow orchestral accompaniment. Full of humour and sarcasm, the local musicians' lyrics address contemporary social issues and also chronicle events in the Chopi community.
Mozambique's most interesting attractions
Undoubtedly, the biggest attraction of the area are the coral reefs, as well as the warm blue water, heated to almost 30 degrees Celsius, and exotic species of fish that we won't see anywhere else. Therefore, the central coast of Mozambique is an ideal place for diving, and the best time to see the underwater world is from April to December.
Of the activities on the sandy beaches you can go horse riding, walk on land and even admire flocks of pelicans and flamingos from the dunes. Elsewhere in Mozambique, tourists will also find unique attractions such as the Ethnographic Museum in Namula, the bridge over the Licungo River in Mocuba, the beautiful coastline and coral reefs in Pombe or the small fishing village of Pakitekete with its palm grove. Mozambique is undoubtedly famous for the adjacent islands in the Indian Ocean. These places are most attractive to the many tourists visiting the African country.
Historic railway station in Maputo, Mozambique
Maputo is not only the capital of Mozambique, located in its southern part on the shores of the Indian Ocean, but also the commercial and cultural centre of the country. Among the interesting places to visit here are the Natural History Museum, built of sandstone in the Portuguese Gothic style, the fortress, which is the oldest tourist attraction in the city and dates back to the XIX century, the National Art Museum, a beautiful botanical garden, as well as buildings designed by Eiffel himself: the railway station, the iron house and the town hall. The city market attracts visitors with its rich offer, including exotic vegetables and nuts. There are also fairs of local arts and crafts.
Ponta do Oro is located in the south of the country, 15 kilometres from the border with South Africa and about 130 kilometres south of Maputo. The name means ‘golden peak’ and refers to a promontory at the southern end of the coast. It is a tourist centre with well-maintained beaches and offers the opportunity to swim with dolphins.
Panorama of Mozambique Island in Mozambique
The island of Mozambique lies in the Strait of Mozambique, and its entire surface is occupied by the city of the same name. It was here that the Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama built a fortress. The island is separated from the mainland by a strait, over which a bridge has been built. Mozambique is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The reason is the richness of monuments from colonial times. Until today, the best preserved on the island are the Governor's Palace and Fort St Sebastian with the Chapel of Our Lady of Bastion.
Tofo is a small town and at the same time a tourist centre, located in the south-eastern part of the country, on the Ponta da Barra peninsula. It is famous for its beautiful wide white sand beaches. It is a good place for diving. Here you can see manta rays, sea turtles and whale sharks. One of the most popular activities for tourists visiting Tofo is horse riding. Those who want to enjoy the sound of palm trees and the beautiful view should definitely rent a cottage here.
Wild beaches of the Bazaruto Archipelago
Vilanculos is located about 750 kilometres north of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. It is the most popular tourist area, known for its exotic manicured beaches and very good accommodation base. The area is home to about 500 species of birds. There are excellent opportunities for activities ranging from diving, fishing to horse riding.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of six islands 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 over 2,000 species of fish and 5 species of sea turtles. It has the largest concentration of dugongs, formerly considered water nymphs. If you dream of a paradisiacal holiday destination, this is a great choice. The archipelago offers unspoilt beaches with soft sand, surrounded by the warm waters of the ocean. One of the attractions is a water safari. Fans of diving, surfing and fishing will also have a lot of fun.
Maputo Elephant Sanctuary
Maputo Elephant Reserve is located in Maputo Bay, about 100 kilometres south of Maputo city. This pristine and vast area is part of the Lubombo Transboundary Game Reserve. It includes several hundred African elephants. There are many species of birds, zebras, antelopes and hippos among others.
Lake Malawi is shared between three countries, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique, where it is also known as Lago Nyasa and is protected as a nature reserve. The natural body of water belongs to the Great African Lakes group. It is the third largest lake in Africa. It is home to more than 800 species of fish. Near the lake you can meet crocodiles, hippos and monkeys.
Gorongosa National Park - in the heart of the country is the largest National Park with a diverse landscape. Here holidaymakers can see wonderful jungles, savannahs, Lake Urema, a waterfall, but above all Mount Gorongosa, which rises almost 2000 metres above sea level. The park is home to many animals and plants. Elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, buffaloes, antelopes and warthogs as well as various species of birds can be seen here. Since 2004, the park has been working to restore the infrastructure, but above all the wild fauna and flora.
Mozambique's colourful attractions have a unique charm with well-preserved colonial architecture where tourists can learn about local culture and art. The cuisine is delicious and the people are kind. Although it is not a very popular holiday destination, it is definitely worth exploring.