Songo

S-amer africa default banner.jpg|1280px

Cahorra_bassa - Cahorra Bassa dam

Songo is based in Central Mozambique. The nearby dam, called Cahora Bassa, is a large hydroelectric scheme that supplies electricity to grids as far as South Africa.

Travel to Songo

Get Around

Songo was established in 1969 to house the workers for the construction of the dam. Today, it is still devoted to the Cahorra Bassa dam. It is entirely unlike any other in Mozambique in that there's no formal downtown - it's more a series of loosely connected barrios. Nor are there any chapas running around the town. This may sound like a nightmare, but in actual training it doesn't matter an awful lot - there are only a couple of places you can stay and the best thing about Songo itself is the walking, which is pretty spectacular. Songo is one of the most attractive towns in Mozambique. It does not seem to have been very affected by the war and general decay of time. The stakeholders of the dam have in someway contributed to the upkeep of this town. Well worth a visit.

What to see in Songo

The hills and the dam. The former are easy enough - just look around you. The latter takes a little more effort, but isn't difficult. You can't just turn up - Cahorra Bassa is a secure site and you'll get turned away at the gate even if you do walk the distance between Songo and the dam. Fortunately the owner of the O Sitio restaurant in Songo is head of the public relations so head there and ask him about visiting.

Cahora Bassa dam

To get to the dam from Tete take the road back towards Zimbabwe, turning off at the Songo turnoff. Then just follow your nose - the road is good quality and will take you into Songo itself. If going by chapas and they leave from outside the TDM office on Av de Liberdade. It costs around 80,000 meticais and will take 3-4 hours. The drive up through the mountains is pretty spectacular. An alternative route is to drive north along the Zambezi River bank along a dirt track. This takes you through numerous picturesque villages. The road is in bad condition with many bridges washed out, most probably due to the floods in 2000 / 2001. A four wheel drive vehicle is recommended or a vehicle with high ground clearance. The track joins the main Tete-Songo road roughly 50 kilometers south of Songo. A highlight of the tour is an old monastery, church and school on the way. The church is in bad condition and will, most probably, decline with time. It is used today as a secondary school. Catholic church service is on Sunday mornings which will have to be attended to view the church from the inside.

Best things to do in Songo

Tiger fishing. Also vundo, bream and other species available. Ugezi Tiger Lodge offers boats with experienced skippers for the avid fishermen and sightseeing on the dam. Guided Tours in Songo by ehalal.io (email for prices) can be arranged to visit the dam wall to see the hydro electricity plant in action. Fishermen with own boats please take note. Some of the Lodges are very far from fishing spots, and as there are hundreds of nets belonging to local fishermen about, you sometimes have to travel far in order to get to the spots. From Ugezi Toger Lodge you have to travel 30KM+ to get to the main fishing spots and this makes it difficult if you are wanting to fish early in the morning or later afternoon as this traveling cuts into good fishing times. Moringa Bay Lodge is a much better fishing option and is right on the main dam, you couldn't get closer to the fishing action.They have beautiful new self catering serviced accommodation units and can arrange food if you request, easy access to fuel, bait and ice and they also can arrange fishing boats for you on request. All tar road except last 20km on good dirt road. Better fishing option at Moringa Bay. (Also Moringa Bay does NOT have mosquitoes)

There are also two big house boats based near Songo and these are owned by Emile and his wife and they are also very helpful and a world of knowledge, this is also an excellent option as the house boats go up into the main dam and then you are staying in the main fishing areas, it is not a good idea to stay near the dam wall as there are no fish for nearly 30km and the area is full of local fishing nets that also stop you fishing in this area. You need to get to the main dam area if you want to catch tigers, make sure you do you homework to see where the main fishing happens, best fishing options are house boats which travel up to the main dam and Moringa Bay lodge which is on the main dam.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Songo

There is a reasonably well stocked supermarket and market.

Halal Restaurants in Songo

O Sitio. Restaurant.
Ugezi Tiger Lodge has an A La Carte restaurant and offers the best full bream and bream fillets money can buy.

Ugezi Tiger Lodge has a well stocked bar which is popular amongst the local residents.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Songo

Songo - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Songo, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Songo. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Songo and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Songo. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Songo. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSongo: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Songo.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Songo: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Songo, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Songo.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Songo, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Songo, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Songo and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Songo, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Songo, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Songo without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Songo is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Songo.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Songo is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Songo, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Songo Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Nhenda Camp | A new bush camp on the banks of the Lake Cahora Bassa. Luxury category.

Ugezi Tiger Lodge | Situated near the town of Songo, Ugezi has 15 chalets and 4 self-catering rooms, all air-conditioned and a camp site. The entire lodge is fitted with flood lights and has security at night.

}}Basic/rustic accommodation.

Moringa Bay Lodge | past Songo ☎ +258 827 348369 - Very comfortable and clean new accommodation (Fully Serviced), which is reasonably priced. Right on the main dam and NOT in the gorge near the wall which means you don't have to travel far to fish for Tigers, Fuel, bait and ice all available, You just couldn't be closer to the fishing action, don't waste your time traveling 30km everyday to get to the fishing spots, rather stay where the fish are.

News & References Songo

Go Next

This is trickier. Due to the lack of a centre, chapas heading back to Tete drive round Songo picking people up, so you need to arrange this in advance. It's best to ask the driver who brought you there and he'll let you know the score.