Cuamba

Cuamba Spotlight: Facts & Numbers

Location and Province

Cuamba is a city in Niassa Province, northern Mozambique. It is located northwest of Mount Namuli at coordinates 14°49′S 36°33′E and serves as the administrative seat of Cuamba District.

Key Facts and Numbers

• Population (Town): 79,013 as of the 2007 census, up from 57,205 in 1997. (No separate 2017 census figure for the town is available; the district had 267,928 residents in 2017.)
• Geography: Situated at an elevation of about 586 meters, in a region with varied terrain including hills. The district covers 5,344 km² with a population density of 50.14 people/km² (2017).
• Economy and History: A key transportation hub at the junction of the Nacala railway (connecting to the port of Nacala and a branch to Lichinga/Malawi). Founded as a military outpost by the Niassa Company during Portuguese colonial rule; renamed Nova Freixo in 1952 and back to Cuamba in 1976. Elevated to city status in 1971. Home to the School of Agriculture of the Catholic University of Mozambique.

Distances

Lichinga (Provincial Capital) 216–217 km 299–338 km Estimates vary by source; terrain may extend routes. Travel time ~4–6 hours by car.

Maputo (National Capital) 1,294–1,307 km 1,805–2,027 km Via EN1 and connecting highways; long journey (~24–30 hours driving) due to distance and road quality.

Road Access

Cuamba lies on the EN8 road, linking it eastward to Nampula (and the coast) and westward to the Malawi border via Mandimba. It's part of the Nacala Development Corridor, facilitating trade with Malawi and Zambia. Roads are generally paved on major routes but can be affected by weather; public transport includes buses and trains via the railway network. Driving is on the left, with fuel and basic services available in town.

Nearest Airport

Cuamba Airport (IATA: FXO, ICAO: FQCB) is located in the city itself, handling domestic flights primarily to Maputo and other regional hubs. The next major airport is Lichinga Airport, about 216 km straight-line northwest.

Nearby Attractions

Cuamba is primarily a transit and commercial hub with limited dedicated tourist sites, but offers authentic local experiences and access to natural features:

• Local Markets and Culture: Mercado Municipal de Cuamba for bustling daily life, local crafts, and food. Explore the town's railway heritage with train rides or views of the historic station.
• Surrounding Hills and Nature: Scenic hills around the town for informal hiking (no marked trails; local guides recommended). Nearby landscapes include potential day trips to rural areas or the edges of Niassa Province's wilderness.
• Further Afield: Access to Niassa National Reserve (~200–300 km north, via Lichinga) for wildlife safaris, or east to Nampula Province's inselberg mountains and coastal sites like Ilha de Moçambique (~300 km). The area suits off-the-grid travel focused on community and nature rather than major attractions.