The Messalo () is a major river of northeastern Mozambique. It flows through Niassa Province and Cabo Delgado Province, passes near Chai, and flows into the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean at Quiterajo beach at . The Messalo River is in length while the Messalo River Basin is in size. The river flooded its banks in March 2000 during the 2000 Mozambique flood. The 247 highway crosses the Messalo River. The major settlements on the river include Natulo and Marere (on the coast). Geography The Messalo River drains a catchment area of . It is the 8th largest river among the 18 major river basins that drain Mozambique. Mesalo River, the second largest river in the Cabo Delgado Province in northern Mozambique, delimits on its south the coastal area, along the Indian Ocean coastal belt, in the Macomia District; other coastal area boundary limits are set by the Diquide to the south and the coast line on the east. The estuary encompasses of pristine mangrove forests unaffected by anthropogenic interference. Agriculture Agriculture, which is mostly at the subsistence level, practiced along rivers, swamps and lakes near the villages, covers cultivation of rice, cassava, millet, maize, sweet potatoes, beans and coconuts. Along the Messalo River, alluvial grasslands offer fertile soils that have moisture retaining potential in the dry season. These lands are used for the cultivation of rice and other crops. There are possibilities of rising two crops of rice. Rice plantation is done in Nov/Dec and harvested around May/June. However, there are complaints of crops getting destroyed due to wild life depredations. Fauna and flora The Messalo Wildlife Area, named after the river, is a inland safari area. It is characterized by acacia and palm savannah, coastal forest, and miombo woodland. The river delta of the Messalo and the Zambezi are home to some of the most dense mangrove forests in the region. Lion, leopard and elephant inhabit the area. The Nothobranchius sp. Messalo river MZHL 05-12 MZHL 05-12, a species of killifish endemic to the Messalo River is also an aquarium display species, which spawns on peat or similar spawn substrata and fully adopts to neutral water conditions with water temperature in the range of . In the coastal estuary of the river, its wetlands are a breeding ground for birds, several fish and crustacean species. Alluvial silt is deposited in the estuary. In general, the coastal belt,