Villa do Songo

Songo: A Town Linked to a Hydroelectric Giant 

Villa do Songo is a town located in Tete province, Mozambique, in the Cahora Bassa district. It is known for being the headquarters of the Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa company, which operates the giant Cahora Bassa Dam. The dam, with its power station and five super turbines, is approximately 6.2 miles from the village. The town's history and development are inextricably linked to the dam.

Cahora Bassa district is bordered by Marávia district to the north, Magoe district to the west, Zimbabwe to the south, Changara district to the east, and Chiuta district to the northeast. According to the 2007 census, the district has a population of 89,956 and covers an area of 10,598 square kilometers.

Songo is a beautiful town nestled on a plateau. To get to Songo from Tete, you can take a scenic but challenging drive through the mountains. The distance is about 132 kilometers (82 miles) by road. The drive offers stunning views, but it's important to be cautious due to the narrow and winding roads.

As you approach Songo, you'll pass through Maroera, a small village located about 5 kilometers from Songo. After Maroera, you'll begin your ascent to Villa do Songo. The first village you'll encounter after climbing the mountains is Panganani, which consists of just a few huts. Continuing on, you'll reach Planalto, which means "plateau" in Portuguese. This village marks the arrival in Songo town itself.