Mozambique Travel Guide


The latest travel Information on Mozambique, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Mozambique Information

Overview

Mozambique has had a rough ride over the past few decades: colonial rule was followed by many years of civil war, devastating famine and natural disasters. However, since peace was agreed in 1992, the country has been piecing itself together once again and opening its doors to tourism.

It certainly has much to offer the visitor. There are vast expanses of palm-fringed beach and lagoons with safe bathing, warm waters and good fishing. The country is rich in wildlife with several excellent parks and reserves to glimpse rare birds, big game and abundant marine life. It also claims islands that are dotted with historical monuments. 

There is also good hiking with little-visited mountains but advice and extreme caution should be taken due to the large amount of leftover landmines in the country.


Top Things To See

Don’t head straight out of Maputo: it’s one of Africa’s more appealing capitals, with wide avenues, relaxed street cafes and a lively cultural scene. The city museum and market are worth a look, as are the Central Railway Station and curious ‘Iron House’, both designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Hop across to tiny Ilha de Moçambique (Mozambique Island), near Nampula in the north. It is a fascinating place, dotted with 17th- and 18th-century buildings and mosques, many of them from the colonial Portuguese period. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Don’t miss the stunning Bazaruto Archipelago, which comprises five tropical islands plus surrounding islets and coral reefs, 20km (12 miles) from coast of Vilanculos and Inhassoro. This beautiful area features white sandy beaches, clear waters and rich marine life including the dugong (manatee).

Explore the jewel in Mozambique’s protected parks, the Gorongosa National Park (website: www.gorongosa.net), 80km (50 miles) northwest of Beira and open from April to October. Access is provided by an airstrip at Chitengo. Expect superb birdwatching, and glimpses of buffalo, elephant, hippos, zebra and more.

Take a trip to the Maputo National Reserve, also known as Maputo Elephant Park, which is on the Maputo River, 79km (49 miles) south of the city. It’s also home to leopard, antelope, crocodiles, hippos, flamingoes and jackals.

Hop on a boat over to Inhaca Island (near Maputo), which has 40km (25 miles) of beaches and reefs, a historic lighthouse and a museum of marine biology.

Bask in the sun and balmy sea waters of Quirimbas National Park (website: www.wwf.org.mz). Dive and snorkel off its shores to appreciate the park’s abundant marine life and coral reefs. Quirimbas is also home to a variety of land-bound wildlife.

Visit Pemba, a vibrant coastal town in a huge bay. It has some wonderful beaches and coral reefs. The most popular beach is Wimbe, just outside town. The town also claims an interesting old town, some lively bars and good restaurants. 

Venture out to the little-visited Marromeu National Park, at the mouth of the Zambesi River in Sofala Province to see buffalo and birds galore.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Top Things To Do

Laze on white-sand beaches and swim in warm waters and lagoons on Mozambique’s long coastline.

Popular beaches include Ponta do Ouro, Malugane (in the south), Inhambane with its beach resort of Tofo (400km/250 miles north of Maputo), Xai-Xai, Vilankulo and Chonguene.

Go diving and snorkelling with dolphins, rays and dugong (manatee) in the country’s crystal-clear Indian Ocean waters. Mozambique has a growing number of resorts well-equipped for subaquatic activities, and several excellent locations. Try the reefs of Inhambane, the Bazaruto Archipelago or Quirimbas National Park.

Enjoy good fishing for marlin, barracuda, sailfish and swordfish. The Bazaruto Archipelago is one of several popular spots for game fishing.

Come equipped for some excellent birdwatching; there are many brightly coloured species along the coastline and the national parks of Gorongosa National Park and Marromeu National Park attract twitchers from the world over.

Take a safari through some of the country’s 12 different national parks and reserves. The big five (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino) can all be found here, and plenty more besides.

Bring your walking boots. The cool mountains of the north and several national parks offer good hiking but advice and extreme caution should be taken due to the large amount of leftover landmines in the country.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Going Out

Food and Drink

The cuisine is mainly Portuguese with Far Eastern influences. Restaurants are found in main towns and hotels.

National specialities:
• Piri-piri chicken (brushed with a spicy chile sauce) and Zambesi chicken.
• Shellfish, including Delagoa Bay prawns grilled with piri-piri sauce.
• Matapa (sauce of ground peanuts and cassava leaves) with rice.
• Wusa (stiff maize porridge).

Tipping: Not generally expected outside Maputo. In Maputo and other tourist-exposed areas, around 5% of the bill is normal (depending on standards of service and the place itself).

Nightlife

Maputo has a lively nightlife, particularly on weekends. Feira Popular is the main forum of evening activity with various bars and discos, some with live music. The style of music in clubs varies from typical Mozambican rhythms to Western pop music. Most major towns have cinemas.

Shopping

Special purchases include basketwork, reed mats, woodcarvings, masks, printed cloth and leather articles.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1230 and 1400-1730, Sat 0800-1800.


Climate

Climate varies according to area. Inland is cooler than the coast and rainfall higher as the land rises, with most rain between January and March. Hottest and wettest season is October to March. From April to September the coast has warm, mainly dry weather tempered by sea breezes.

Required Clothing

Tropical lightweights, with warmer clothing for evenings. Rainwear advisable all year round.


Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

 2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
3 Feb Heroes’ Day.
7 Apr Women’s Day.
1 May Workers’ Day.
25 Jun Independence Day. 
7 Sep Lusaka Agreement Day.
25 Sep Armed Forces Day.
4 Oct Peace Day.
25 Dec Family Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
3 Feb Heroes’ Day.
7 Apr Women’s Day.
1 May Workers’ Day.
25 Jun Independence Day. 
7 Sep Lusaka Agreement Day.
25 Sep Armed Forces Day.
4 Oct Peace Day.
25 Dec Family Day.


Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Yes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: Yes

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Yes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No*

Health Care

Full health insurance, preferably including Medevac, is essential. Medical facilities are scarce. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies including medications and sterile syringes.

Note

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from an infected area.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Mozambique Metical (MZN; symbol MT) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of MT1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of MT10, 5, 2 and 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 centavos.

Note: The new Metical replaced the old Metical (MZM) on 1 July 2006. 1 MZN = 1,000 MZM. The old notes ceased being legal tender on 31 December 2006.

Currency Exchange

There are bureaux de change at the airports. Money can also be changed at banks. It is advisable to take US Dollars or South African Rand.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

These are increasingly accepted in Maputo, but not generally beyond the capital.

Traveller's Cheques

Not commonly accepted, and where accepted are slow to process and often attract high rates of commission.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0730-1530.


Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes/1
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Passports

Passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond intended date of departure required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. nationals of Portugal.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

A visa can sometimes be obtained through a contact living in Mozambique or at the airport, although processing is often subject to delay. Apply to nearest high commission for more information.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist and Business: £40 (single-entry); £70 (multiple-entry). Express service: £50 (single-entry); £100 (multiple-entry). Same-day express service: £60 (single-entry); £110 (multiple-entry). Transit: £40.

Validity

Visitor and Business: Single-entry: valid for two months, stay of 30 days from date of entry, renewable to a maximum of 90 days. Multiple-entry: valid for three months (can be extended up to six months – with the Consul’s approval), stay from 10 to 15 days per entry. Transit, single- and double-entry: two months, maximum seven days’ stay.

Applications to:

High commission or embassy; see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Three. Visas can be processed within 24 hours (express service) or within 90 minutes (same-day express service) for an additional fee.


Contact Addresses

Fundo Nacional do Turismo (FUTUR) (National Tourism Fund)

Avenida 25 de Setembro 1203, PO Box 4758, Maputo, Mozambique
Tel: (21) 307 320/3.
Website: www.futur.org.mz or www.mocambiqueturismo.co.mz

Mozambique High Commission in the UK

21 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6EL, UK
Tel: (020) 7383 3800.
Website: www.mozambiquehc.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300; 1400-1700 (consular section).

Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique in the USA

1990 M Street, NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 293 7146/9.
Website: www.embamoc-usa.org


Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits to Mozambique are trouble-free but you should be aware of the risks of violent crime, poor road safety standards and minimal health facilities. 

Since 5 February 2008, there have been demonstrations against rises in transport and food prices in several parts of Mozambique. Some demonstrations have been violent and led to fatalities or injuries. Demonstrations may reoccur. Travellers should avoid all crowds and gatherings and follow advice from local authorities.

Travellers should also be aware of the occurrence of street robberies and violent attacks on beaches in Mozambique at any time of day. Though infrequent, there have been several serious attacks, including rape, against British nationals and other westerners walking on beaches at Maputo, Beira, Vilanculos, Inhambane and other tourist centres. Beaches may look isolated and safe, especially on offshore islands, but they are not policed.

It is a legal requirement to carry identity documents at all times and present them when requested by the authorities. Police patrols and checkpoints are common. Travellers should not hand over their passports to anyone other than officials or police for inspection.

Mozambique shares with other countries in Africa a threat from terrorism to visibly Western interests. Travellers should also be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

The tropical cyclone season in Mozambique normally runs from November to April. Coastal areas of central and northern Mozambique can be at risk.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel




Disclaimer
We've tried to make the information on this page as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.