The Portuguese completed an unopposed landing, without loss, and advanced along the coastal track towards the northern port town of Mwenye (I used a random name generator which is found here).  Since the inland natives’ relations with the coastal Zanj are bad, the Portuguese inland flank is secure.

A Zanj force moved to block the advance, with the two sides meeting at the forest/oasis of Ejiro.  This would be  a set piece battle with the Zanj occupying a fairly strong defensive position.  However, some Zanj units were effected by an cholera epidemic.  As a result, their resolve was lowered, while skilled medical care kept the Portuguese healthy.

Here’s a pictorial overview of the initial stages of the battle.