Quelimane

Quelimane sits on the Bons Sinais river a short way inland from the coast, in the middle of what was once the largest coconut plantation region in the world. The city is low and tropical, built around a cathedral and a riverfront where small boats work the channel.

It sees very few foreign visitors, which is part of its appeal. Zalala beach, around 30 km away, is a long, palm-backed stretch of sand that fills with local families on weekends and is close to empty the rest of the time.