Pemba is the capital of the Cabo Delgado Province in the north of Mozambique.
Understand
Pemba is a port town located on the south side of the world's third-largest natural bay, with a population of around 100,000. It is the most important center in Northern Mozambique, with banks, patisseries, supermarkets and restaurants, though it retains a rundown feel with its potholed streets. The town was built over rolling hills, and most people live in wooden huts set amongst the numerous thick baobab trees.
The history of the people of the Cabo Delgado province weaves throughout many centuries of African, Arab and Portuguese sailing, trading and settling.
The town was founded by the Niassa Company in 1904 as Porto Amelia, after a queen of Portugal. It was renamed Pemba at the end of Portuguese rule, in 1975.
Pemba is renowned for its Portuguese colonial architecture, and is a prime destination for water sports and diving enthusiasts as a coral reef lies close to the shore. Pemba has increasingly become a tourist destination, particularly for upper-middle class Mozambicans and South Africans, and international flights and new facilities are emerging steadily.
Climate
The climate is tropical humid. Average annual temperature ranges from a minimum of 22 to a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius.
The hot rainy season usually runs from December to April. The rain is irregular, can be very heavy and accompanied by strong monsoon winds.
The dry season is from May to November, with average temperature of 28 degrees in the day.
The temperature of the seawater ranges from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Get in
By air
The airport has international flights to and from Johannesburg (South Africa), Nairobi (Kenya), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Dzaoudzi (Mayotte). Domestic flights from Maputo, Beira and Nampula are operated by the national carrier Linhas Aereas de Mocambique.
Customs facilities are available at the airport, and visas are available on arrival for some nationalities (check with an embassy ahead of time).
By road
Good tarred roads connect Pemba to Nampula (438 km) and Ilha de Mozambique (427 km).
National roads run to the east and south to Central Mozambique.
Northwards, the national road from Pemba to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is partly tarred, and uses a ferry across the Rovuma River at the Quionga border post.
Get around
Do
Scuba diving
Eat
Sleep
Camping
Mid-range
Splurge
Get out
Pemba is a port city in Mozambique. It is the capital of the province of Cabo Delgado and lies on a peninsula in Pemba Bay.
The town was founded by the Niassa Company in 1904 as Porto Amélia, after a queen of Portugal, at the peninsula's south western tip and has grown around a port. The city is renowned for its Portuguese colonial architecture. It was renamed Pemba at the end of Portuguese rule, in 1975.
The city's inhabitants are primarily Makondes, Macuas and Mwanis. The local language predominantly spoken is known as Macua, although Portuguese is widespread.
In the centre of Pemba, there is an authentic local market or Souk, where arts and crafts, as well as traditional silverware can be bought.
Pemba is also renowned as being a prime destination for water sport and diving enthusiasts as a coral reef lies close to the shore. Pemba has increasingly become a tourist destination, particularly for upper-middle class Mozambicans and South Africans. There is now a weekly flight from Johannesburg to Pemba, a five-star hotel, the Pemba Beach Hotel, restaurants, and other forms of entertainment.
External links
