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Africa : Southern Africa : Mozambique

Mozambique

Understand
Get in
Get around
See
Do
Buy
Eat
Sleep
Stay safe

Location

Flag

Quick Facts
Capital

Maputo

Government

Republic

Currency

Metical (MZN)

Area

total: 801,590 km
water: 17,500 km
land: 784,090 km

Population

19,406,703 (July 2006 est.)

Language

Portuguese (official), indigenous

dialects

Religion

Indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%,

Muslim 20%

Electricity

220V/50Hz (European plug)

Country
code

258

Internet
TLD

.mz

Time Zone

UTC +2

Mozambique (Portuguese: Moambique) is a country on the Indian Ocean coast of Southern Africa bordered
by South Africa to the south,Tanzania to the north and with inland borders
with Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.
Mozambique's eastern coastline along the Indian Ocean is more than 1,000 km long, a fantastic draw for scuba divers,
fishermen, sailors and beach lovers.

Understand[edit]

From the 2,436 m Monte Binga peak to the stunning beaches along the coast, Mozambique is a country of contrasts.
As well as some of the best colonial era architecture and relics to be found on the continent, Mozambique has also
preserved its African cultural heritage, which can be experienced through art, music and food.

Geography[edit]
Mozambique stretches for 1,535 mi (2,470 km) along Africa's southeast coast. It is nearly twice the size of California.
Tanzania is to the north; Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to the west; and South Africa and Swaziland to the south.
The country is generally a low-lying plateau broken up by 25 sizeable rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean. The
largest is the Zambezi, which provides access to central Africa. In the interior, several chains of mountains form the
backbone of the country.

History[edit]
In 1500, the Portuguese established a string of forts and posts up and down the coast, starting with present day Ilha de
Mozambique (at that time simply known as Mozambique and where the country gets its modern name), where the
Portuguese plied the spice and slave routes from Mozambique up until 1891.
After World War 1, Portuguese investment in commercial, industrial, agricultural, educational, transportation, and
health care infrastructure for the indigenous population started providing for better social and economic possibilities
and these continued to gain pace up until independence in 1975.
In 1962, several anti-colonial political groups formed the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), which
initiated an armed campaign against Portuguese colonial rule. Mozambique became independent after ten years of
sporadic warfare on June 25, 1975. FRELIMO took complete control of the territory after a transition period and
within a year of independence, almost all the Portuguese population had left Mozambique some expelled by the new
government of Mozambique, some fleeing in fear.
Upon independence, Mozambique had less than 5 engineers in the entire country and the previous colonial
infrastructure investments stopped entirely resulting in the rapid disintegration of much of Mozambique's
infrastructure. FRELIMO responded to their lack of resources and the Cold War politics of the mid-1970s by moving
into alignment with the Soviet Union and its allies. FRELIMO established a one-party Socialist state, and quickly
received substantial international aid from Cuba and the Soviet bloc nations.
In 1975, the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO), an anti-communist group sponsored by the Rhodesian
Intelligence Service, the apartheid government in South Africa and the United States after Zimbabwe's independence,
was founded and launched a series of attacks on transport routes, schools and health clinics, and the country
descended into civil war.
In 1990, with apartheid crumbling in South Africa, and support for RENAMO drying up in South Africa and in the
United States, the first direct talks between the FRELIMO government and Renamo were held. In November 1990, a
new constitution was adopted. Mozambique was now a multiparty state, with periodic elections, and guaranteed
democratic rights. With the signing of the Rome General Peace Accords, the civil war ended on October 15, 1992.

Climate[edit]

Climate

Ja
n

Fe
b

Ma
r

Ap
r

Ma
y

Ju
n

Ju
l

Au
g

Se
p

Oc
t

No
v

Dec

Daily highs (C)

30

30

30

29

27

25

25

26

27

28

29

30

Nightly lows (C)

22

22

21

19

16

14

14

15

16

18

20

21

Precipitation (mm
)

130

124

97

64

28

27

13

13

38

46

86

103

Almost all of Mozambique falls within the tropics and as such, Mozambique features a mostly tropical climate.
Along the coast Mozambique has a warm, tropical climate. Evenings are rarely cold, except for a few nights in June
and July and the rainfall isn't too high. In summer, temperatures can soar and the humidity levels rise. Temperatures
are typically higher in the north, around Pemba, and around the Zambezi.
The interior plains generally have a higher temperature than that of the coast and have higher rainfall throughout the
year. The mountainous regions generally remain cool throughout the year. For up-to date weather forecasts and tide
tables visit http://www.climateandweather.com/weather-in-mozambique

Public Holidays[edit]
The public holidays in Mozambique are:

1 January New Year's Day.

3 February Heroes' Day.

7 April Woman's Day.

1 May Workers' Day.

25 June Independence Day.

7 September Lusaka Agreement Day.

25 September Armed Forces Day.

4 October Peace Day.

25 December Family Day.

City Specific Public Holidays are[1]:

21 March Tete

17 Julho Chimoio

12 August Inhambane

20 August Beira

21 August Quelimane

22 August Nampula

23 September Lichinga

7 October Xai Xai

18 October Pemba

10 November Maputo

Smoking[edit]
Smoking in all public places was banned in Mozambique in 2007. However, many restaurants and bars have ignored
this ban as it is almost entirely unenforced.

Regions[edit]
Mozambique has 10 provinces that can be grouped into the following three regions:

Northern Mozambique
Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa provinces.
Central Mozambique
Manica, Sofala, Tete and Zambzia provinces.
Southern Mozambique
Gaza, Inhambane Vilankulo and the Bazaruto National Sea Park, and Maputo provinces.

Cities[edit]

Maputo - the thriving capital in the far south of the country.

Beira - a busy port town and capital of Sofala Province.

Vilanculos Bazaruto Archipelago the largest sea park on the African coast

Inhambane - a pretty historic town on a bay.

Nampula - an industrial city in the north and capital of Nampula Province.

Other destinations[edit]

Bazaruto Archipelago - a beautiful island resort and underwater marine park with great diving, geared to

high-end tourism.

Cahora Bassa dam - Hydro-electric dam on the Zambezi river and the second largest man-made lake in
Africa.

Gorongosa National Park

Quirimbas Archipelago & Quirimbas National Park - at the North of the country, a scenic and secluded
holiday destination off the beaten track with lush African bush on the mainland and white sand beaches/crustal
blue water in the Archipelago and on the coast. Accessible through Pemba.

Ilha de Mozambique - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital under Portuguese rule.

Pemba - in Northern Mozambique, a popular holiday destination for Mozambicans, although its isolation has
kept it off the tourist route for most Western visitors.

Ponta d'Ouro - a great dive spot, more easily accessible from South Africa than from Maputo.

Tofo Beach - a backpacker haven on the coastline east of Inhambane with excellent diving.

Vilanculos - also known as Vilankulo is a popular holiday destination. The gateway to the Bazaruto
Archipelago the largest Sea Park in africa with excellent scuba diving and snorkelling also well known for it's
deep sea fishing.

Get in[edit]
As it is impossible to exchange Meticais outside of Mozambique it is advisable to change a small amount of currency
if arriving at a land border in mid to late afternoon to cover taxis and meals for the first night, currency exchanges
generally close at 6PM and due to sporadic ATM failures access to currency is by no means guaranteed out of hours.
When accepted by merchants foreign currency has an extremely poor exchange rate.

Visas and border fees[edit]

All visitors (except citizens of Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia and
Zimbabwe) need a visa. Until recently they could be obtained on arrival at some airports (Maputo, Vilankulo and
Pemba), at some land borders and at Mozambican (and some British) embassies/high commissions/consulates. In
August 2014 the US Embassy in Maputo has advised all travelers[2] to obtain a visa prior to arrival, because the visas
on arrival will no longer be available. Travelers lacking visas will be deported.
A visa can be picked up at the Mozambique embassy in Pretoria or the consulate in Cape Town, South Africa, costing
R750 for US citizens and issued the same day-often even within minutes. As of February 2014, the Mozambican High
Consulate in Mbabane issues visas painlessly, and in one day for R200.
If you require a Mozambican visa, you might be able to apply for one at a British embassy, high commission or

consulate in the country where you legally reside if there is no Mozambican diplomatic post. For example, the British
embassy and consulates in Jeddah, Riyadh and Al-khobar[3] accept Mozambican visa applications (this list
is not exhaustive). British diplomatic posts charge 50 to process a Mozambican visa application and an extra 70 if
the authorities in Mozambique require the visa application to be referred to them. The authorities in Mozambique can
also decide to charge an additional fee if they correspond with you directly.
Land borders may also charge a stamping fee on entry, which is generally US$2, but is often waived if you buy your
visa at the border. In addition, you must use the visa forms provided at the consulate or border as self-printed versions
will not be accepted; at borders, these are free, but Mozambican embassies/consulates generally charge US$1 for the
form. If applying at a British embassy, high commission or consulate, the application form is available free of charge
from the UK Border Agency website [4].
A tourist visa is valid for 90 days after issue and permits a 30 day stay. This can be extended by a further 30 days at
immigration offices in provincial capitals, but given the risk of passport theft, it is much safer to exit via a land border
and re-enter to obtain a new visa.
There is a USD $100 a day fine for overstaying a visa.
NOTE: As of April 2015 you can still get a visa on arrival at the boarder with Swaziland. It was 80 USD (Rand and
Euro also accepted) and they take your picture on the spot. This was for a Canadian, but Nationality did not seem
important. Process is very quick once the official arrives who handles it. Also note its 3 day processing in the
Mozambique embassy in Mbabane, not 1 day as posted throughout the web.

By plane[edit]
Most international flights arrive from South Africa, although direct international routes also exist between
Mozambique and Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Portugal.
There are several flights daily from Johannesburg to Maputo, operated by South African Airways (SAA) [5] and the
Mozambican flag-carrier Linhas Aereas de Moambique (LAM) [6]. British Airways (operated by Comair) [[7]] also
offers daily flights from Johannesburg to Maputo.Federal Air fly daily direct to Vilanculos International
airport http://www.fedair.com/mozambique-vilanculos-scheduled-flights . These and other airlines such as Kenya
Airways [8], Swazi Express Airways [9], TAP Portugal [10], Qatar Airways [11] also fly from Durban, Swaziland,Dar
es Salaam, Harare, Nairobi and Lisbon and Doha. In addition, local carrier Air Corridor [12] may start operating one
or more international routes soon.
There are also several flights during the week from Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam, and Nairobi to Pemba in the North,
operated by either South African Airlink (SAA) or LAM. If you make a telephone booking with LAM and will not be
paying for your flight until check-in you must reconfirm the flight 72 hours before departure or they are liable to
cancel it.
After checking in you need to get a tax stamp on your boarding card. For internal flights the tax is 200 Mts and for
International flights 500 Mts to be paid in cash.

By train[edit]

From Malawi[edit]
There is only one train line in Mozambique, which connects Nampula with Cuamba (near the Malawi border). The
train carries first, second and third class passengers and is usually packed.
From Nampula, the train leaves around 5-6AM, although you should arrive earlier to buy tickets from the booking
office at the station. The area is packed with people traveling towards Malawi so expect queues. Once on board the
journey is long and slow but fairly efficient and will get to Cuamba mid-afternoon. From here chapas will take you to
the border (Entre Lagos) as only freight trains use this bit of the line. Be warned that even hardened African travelers
will likely find this stretch of road very rough - expect it to take a fair amount of time.
Once at Entre Lagos, the border formalities are located within the station building (easy to find as the town is a typical
small border town). The process can take some time as this is a little used crossing. From here it is about a 1km walk
to the Malawi side of the border. BE WARNED - the Malawi border closes before the Mozambique one, although
there is a guesthouse if you get trapped. The easiest way to get from here to Liwonde is by train - sweet-talk the guards
and they may let you share their compartment.

By car[edit]
In order to enter Mozambique by car you will need the original registration documents and if it is not your vehicle a
letter from the owner granting permission to take the vehicle in to Mozambique. All foreign vehicles are required to
have 3rd party insurance, which is available at many borders for R150, and also to pay road tax which is currently
26.50 Mts.

From South Africa[edit]

Johannesburg (Lebombo/Ressano Garcia), (N4 towards Nelspruit, follow it until you reach the border just
after Komatipoort). Open 6AM to 7PM (Occasionally open 24 hours during busy periods). On the Mozambican
side follow the EN4 for a further 100km to reach Maputo. The stretch of the EN4 after the border leading up to
the border has two toll stations that can be paid in USD, EUR, ZAR or MZN. Change is provided in Mts.

edit

Kruger Park (Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park), (Enter Kruger Park from Phalaborwa Gate and
follow the signs for 95km to the Giriyondo Border Post.). Open 08:00 to 15:00 from April to September and
08:00 to 16:00 from October to March. Caution 4WD only. On entering Mozambique you will be charged a
conservation fee for entering Parque Nacional do Limpopo which is currently 200Mts/R67/USD10 per person
and per vehicle. You do not need 3rd party insurance unless you exit Parque Nacional do Limpopo but this can be
purchased at the park exit gate to Massingir.

edit

Kosi Bay, (Follow the R22 from Kosi Bay to the Mozambique border (signed as Ponta d'Ouro) and then take
the right road as you leave the border then keep left until Ponta d'Ouro). Open 7:30AM to 5:30PM. Caution
4WD only. Due to the use of seasonal dirt roads after the border it is advisable to use a GPS route provided by
someone who has recently completed the journey. Access to Maputo is via a ferry service (R45) in Catembe.

From Swaziland[edit]

edit

Mhlumeni. Open 7AM - 6PM. Easily one the quietest and easiest of all the Mozambique borders to pass
through, it is deserted most of the time. Getting a visa and 3rd party insurance at this border can be problematic
so arrange ahead of time. If coming from Johannesburg and traveling over the weekend or during South African
holidays you can expect to save at least an hour transiting via Swaziland to this border compared to using
Ressano Garcia.

edit

Namaacha. Open 7AM - 8PM. The busier of the two Swaziland/Mozambique border posts and is very busy
over weekend and holiday periods.

edit

By bus[edit]
From Malawi[edit]
There are a number of border crossings to/from Malawi. By far the easiest and most frequently plied is at Zbu. The
road is in good condition. Daily chapas run to/from Tete to the border, where you will have to walk about 300 m to get
to Malawian transport. Daily through buses from Chimoio and Beira also use this crossing.
There is another border crossing to the north, at Dedza, which may be more convienient for Lilongwe but the public
transport on either side can be sporadic.
To leave/enter Malawi to the east, there are two crossings, Milange and Mandimba. Milange is in the south-east of
Malawi, and to get there you need to catch one of the daily vehicles that run between Mocuba and Milange. At
Milange there is a 2 km walk to the border, and then another 1km to where Malawian transport leaves.
Mandimba is further north, used mainly to get to Malawi from Lichinga. Several vehicles run daily between Lichinga
and Mandimba, from where it is another 7km to the border. Hitching is relatively easy, or bicycle-taxis do the trip for
about $1.
It is also possible to cross the Lake - see BY BOAT below.

From South Africa[edit]

You can take the Intercape Mainliner [13], +27 861 287 287, from Johannesburg to Maputo. These buses run in both
directions on a regular basis, one in the morning, and another overnight, and are safe and affordable. Other carriers
include Greyhound [14] and Translux [15]. If you intend on obtaining a visa at the border you should only purchase
a ticket as far as the border, bus companies will not permit you to board with a ticket to Maputo if you are not in
possession of a visa. If you ask the bus conductor they will help you obtain a visa a the border and avoid the usually
extremely long wait at the Mozambique side. Once through immigration either re board the bus and pay the fare to
Maputo on board or pick up a minibus taxi to Maputo from the border.
Three times per week there are bus connections to and from Durban (via Big Bend, Swaziland). There is also a service
from Nelspruit and Komatipoort to Maputo.
There are the "taxis" to and from any destination in South Africa at affordable prices, now from 4AM to 12AM.

From Swaziland[edit]
Chapas leave from both Manzini and Mbabane to Maputo via Goba typically around 11AM. Usefuly they arrive in to

Baixa (and can drop you at 24 de Julho) so you are within walking distance of both Fatima's and Base. The fare is
R80.

From Tanzania[edit]
The border between Mozambique and Tanzania is formed by the River Rovuma. Daily pick-ups connect Moimboa da
Praia with Palma and Namiranga, the border post on the Mozambique side. The main route runs from Moimboa da
Praia (on the Mozambiquan side), via Palma (Mozambique), to Mtwara (on the Tanzanian side) and vica versa. It is
recommended to take 2 days over this trip due to the low quality of the roads on the Mozambique side, and the low
level of traffic. When coming from Tanzania, lifts depart from Mtwara and Kilambo to the Rovuma river. Kilambo is a
small place with one road running through it, so lifts should be easy to find. Mtwara is much larger however, so ask
the locals where and when lifts leave from. When coming from Mozambique, your lift to the river will normally start
from either Palma (more likely), or - if you're lucky - Moimboa da Praia and go to the border post at Namiranga. It
will generally wait for you to have your passport stamped at the border post (a mud hut in Namiranga). During the wet
season, your lift will then probably drive to the banks of the Rovuma. During the dry season it will drive you to the
end of the road, from which there is a walk of between 1 and 2km's (depending on the water level that day) to the
Rovuma river. At the moment there is an unreliable ferry that goes across the river. Typically however, the crossing is
done by dugout canoes or slightly larger wooden motorboats. The trip across the river shouldn't cost more than around
8USD, but can only normally be paid for using Tanzanian shillings, although if you find yourself without these, there
are plenty of locals who will offer you "generous" exchange rates for your hard-earned Dollars and Meticais. If water
levels are low you may have to wade to get to and from your boat on the Tanzanian side, so possessing a heavy-duty
waterproof sack may be a good idea, but it is by no means essential. On the Tanzanian side you will often find yourself
mobbed by people offering you transport. Pick-pocketing is common on both sides of the river, so care must be taken
whilst finding transport to the nearby towns, a good method of reducing your trouble is to befriend a local on the
boatride over, you will find most of your fellow travellers are willing to help you in one way or another. Transport
then carries you on to the Tanzanian border post at Kilambo, and normally, further on to Mtwara, the capital of
Southern Tanzania. For further information and up-to-date news on this crossing, go to "Russell's Place" (also known
as Cashew Camp) in Pemba.
There are other crossings to Tanzania, but these all require long walks. Ask around for local information.

From Zambia[edit]
The main crossing is at Cassacatiza, north-west of Tete. This border is in good condition, but lightly traveled. Daily
chapas run between Tete and Matema, from there the public transport is sporadic. The best way to travel from
Mozambique to Zambia is to go via Malawi.

From Zimbabwe[edit]
There are two crossings - Nyamapanda (south-west of Tete), and Machipanda (west of Chimoio). Both are heavily
traveled, especially Machipanda due to its location at the end of the Beira Corridor.

By boat[edit]
Currently there is no scheduled sea travel to and from Mozambique.

Tanzania[edit]
Outside of monsoon season it may be possible to hire a dhow from Tanzania down to Mozambique but this will
generally be extremely expensive. The Tanzanian ports of Mikindani, Mtwara andMsimbati are all within range of
Mozambique and will be the best places to secure dhow transport. In reverse the ports of Moimboa da
Praia and Palma are the two best ports on the Mozambique side to find a dhow to Tanzania.

Malawi[edit]
The MV Ilala operates across Lake Malawi from Monkey Bay, Chilumba, Nkhata Bay to Likoma Island.
From Likoma Island it is a 3km boat ride to the Mozambique border at Cobue.
It is possible to travel across Lake Malawi, though international travelers must legally enter through a border post and
have the appropriate documentation (visas, etc. depending on nationality). Once on the Mozambique side, local
transport would need to be arranged.
Taking the Ilala ferry is certainly a once in a life time experience. Sleeping on the upper deck of this second world war
ferry and watching the sunrise over far rolling hills along the Mozambican and Malawian coast is breath taking. You
can enter the ferry from any of the harbors where the ferry arrives.
IF you plan to travel on to Malawi, you should get on the ferry at the harbor in Metangula.

Get around[edit]
Road[edit]
The EN1 runs the length of the country generally staying close to the coast from Maputo up. Roads throughout the
country are generally in poor condition, especially when compared to South Africa, although the stretch of the EN1
between Maputo and Inchope is in decent condition with the exception of the 120 km directly north of Vilankulo,
which is still in decrepit condition and poses a serious challenge to any driver in a low clearance vehicle. The EN6
between the Machipanda border crossing with Zimbabwe and Inchope is in good condition, but deteriorates
considerably between Inchope and Beira, becoming almost impassable at points. Note also that north of Vilankulo
service stations are scarce - motorists may go 150 km between service stations so fill up at every opportunity.

Chapas and Buses[edit]

Buses and chapas leave early in Mozambique - 4AM is not unusual, particularly as you go further north. Chapas take
the form of both mini & midi buses but often pick up trucks and cargo trucks will offer a ride for the same fare as a
chapa. Government and privately owned buses ply the same routes as Chapas but typically stop a great deal more
often so are inadvisable for anything other than short journeys.
The chapas themselves, particularly on shorter routes, are generally in shockingly poor condition. Expect seats, doors
and interiors falling apart. Having said that since 2007/2008 the Mozambican government has been regulating prices
on key routes which means chapa travel in Mozambique is extremely good value. In larger cities this translates to
signs with destinations and prices in chapa stations (EG - Junta in Maputo), these prices will not come down no matter
how hard you negotiate but many an enterprising chapa conductor/navigator/bouncer will try to extort you if you are
silly enough to ask what a price is. If in doubt ask at your hotel, a local or as a last resort simply hand them a large

note; often they will asume you know the correct fare and give you the correct change.
Since about the beginning of 2011, there are now government registered chapas and unregistered chapas. While both
are unsafe and are in many accidents each year, always take the governemnt chapas. These can be recognized by being
the large buses. These buses are newer and thus slightly safer. They cost slightly more (at the time this was written
they were 10 mets a journey, and unregistered were 5). Unregsitered chapas though are extremely dangerous and
overcrowded and should never be used if you can help it.

Taxis[edit]
Once only found in Maputo taxis can now be found in many cities throughout the country. They never have meters so
you must negotiate regarding cost before your journey. Taxis are often in as perilous condition as chapas (from balding
tires to someone sitting in the passenger seat holding a plastic gas can with the cars fuel line going in to it) and
breakdowns should be considered likely. Never pay for your journey until you reach your destination. If you are
female, never take a taxi alone, especially not one found on the side of the road. If you must, ask around for the
number of a trusted taxi driver who will come pick you up and can usually be there in under half an hour depending on
how far away they are. Always add ten minutes or more to how long they say they will take to collect you though.
In Maputo there is a flat rate of 200Mts for any journey in the city center. Longer journeys (EG to Junta) cost 400Mts
and up. In the early morning they will often attempt to gouge you, doubling the price to 400Mts, as there are often
very few taxi's about at this time.
Chapas can also be rented as taxis but are typically more expensive and far less comfortable.

Air[edit]
Domestic flights are the fastest and most sane way to get around the country if you can afford it. Linhas Aereas de
Moambique [16] flies between the major cities. A detailed timetable for domestic flights is available as a pdf file
at [17]. The flights themselves are actually on extremely modern, clean and well maintained planes and are a stark
contrast to the other transport options in the country.
LAM operate an old style booking system where you can reserve a flight over the telephone and then pay for it on
check in. If you do use this facility ensure that you confirm your flight 72 hours before departure or your reservation
will likely be canceled.
Alternatively all LAM offices in towns and airports can book and receive payment for flights throughout the country.
It is not advisable to pay using credit card due to the level of corruption present in all state enterprises including LAM.

Rail[edit]
Trains aren't really very useful, considering there's only one and it's in the far north of the country traveling
from Nampula to Cuamba near the Malawian border. See get in above for more details.
Mine clearance from the old coastal railway running the length of the country has been finished in many areas but
with the costs involved and the level of corruption in the country it will be decades before any rail service with
reasonable coverage arrives in the country.

Talk[edit]
The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese, though many people speak English in the capital Maputo and in
touristy areas. The further north you travel the less likely you are to encounter English speakers, and as you enter more
rural areas even Portuguese is limited.
Swahili is useful in the far north of the country as you get close to Tanzania, especially along the coast, and Nyanja is
spoken near the border with Malawi and Zambia. Some native words from the Shona language can be useful if you are
traveling near Cabora Bassa.

See[edit][add listing]
The sights in Mozambique range from historical attractions to natural wonders that will take your breath away. The
beautiful clear blue ocean is the perfect setting for a range of water sports. The coastline stretches for 2500 km,
providing an abundance of unspoiled beaches to explore. Mozambique is a vibrant country from the bustling cities to
the fishing villages. The African wildlife at the reserves is amazing and provides great photographic opportunities.

Gorongosa National Park - At Gorongosa National Park you can see a variety of animal species and
vegetation. Visitors can watch the majestic elephants roam across the landscape and if you are lucky, you can
even see lion. The park is also home to buffalo, zebra and buck. Near water sources there are hippos and
crocodiles. This is a bird watcher's paradise with over 400 species of birds. Visiting this park is a way of traveling
responsibly and giving back to the local community as it aids in conservation programs. Chitengo Safari Camp is
open most of the year and it provides accommodations including swimming pools and a restaurant. Photographic
safaris can also be arranged.

Niassa Reserve - Niassa Reserve is a nature reserve with an area of 42,000 square km. The vegetation
consists of Miombo forest, savannah and wetlands. The reserve is home to the African wild dog which is an
endangered species. Elephant, sable antelope, buffalo, wildebeest and zebra can also be found in the reserve.
There is a variety of species of birds. Located on the reserve is the Meculas Mountain which has a height of
1,441 meters.

Pemba - Pemba is a popular tourist destination. It is a port city founded in 1904. Nestled in the heart of
Pemba is a local market where you can buy handmade crafts and souvenirs. There is also colorful art sold at this
market. Pemba is a good site for water sports and the nearby coral reef means that it is a good diving spot.

Do[edit][add listing]

Dive, see Diving in Mozambique for details.

Tours and Safaris, a number of tour operators can help you reach Mozambique's highlights. Well
recommended travel agents include Tours Maputo [18], Mozaic Travel [19] and Dana Tours in the south, and
Kaskazini in the north.

Dive Bazaruto Vilanculos (Beach Chalets), South Beach Vilanculos (4 kms south of the airport), +27
33330 2792 ([mailto:nfo@beach-chalets.com), [20]. day. PADI scuba academy for diving and snorkeling boat
charter/ deep sea fishing situated in Vilanculos archepelago selfcatering beach resort with full service restaurant
url="http://beach-chalets.com" email for information.

edit

Buy[edit][add listing]

A new Metical 200 note

The currency of Mozambique is the new Metical (Meticais Nova Famlia, MZN), plural meticais (Mts, pronounced
'meta-caysh'), divided into 100 centavos. As of September 2014, one US Dollar is worth about 30.35 meticais, one
Euro is worth about 39.27 meticais, and one GB Pound is worth about 49.62 meticais.
Three zeroes were dropped from the currency in 2006. Old currency can be exchanged at banks up to the end of
December 2012. People will occasionally still refer to the old currency, so if someone asks for "1 million", they
generally mean one thousand new meticais.
Note that many businesses in the tourist centers are run by South Africans and prices are often quoted in Rand (for
which the usual abbreviation is ZAR). In this guide we've also quoted in Rand when applicable.
US$, ZAR, British pounds and Euros are freely convertible at commercial rates at any bank or exchange. Other
currencies such as Canadian or Australian dollars or Japanese Yen, are not accepted anywhere, even at official banks
and exchanges.
There is very little black market currency exchange, since the commercial exchanges offer the best market rate. You
cannot exchange meticais outside Mozambique, but you can convert them back at exchanges prior to leaving the
country. Also you cannot buy meticais outside Moambique.
ATMs are present throughout the country; Standard, Millennium Bim, BCI, ProCredit and Barclays are the brands you
are most likely to run in to. Standard accepts Visa & Mastercard, Millennium accepts all international cards including
Maestro/Cirrus cards while Barclays doesn't seem to accept any cards with great regularity. ATMs have transaction
limits on withdrawals, which vary with the bank. Millennium Bim limits withdrawals to 3,000 Mts, BCI to 5,000 and
Standard Bank to 10,000; you can always insert your card again to withdraw more money.
Everything in Mozambique that does not have a price attached can be bargained down to whatever you consider a
reasonable price to be. Remember that while laughing when they give you an insane price is perfectly OK you should
not get outwardly angry or hostile, you will be unlikely to get a reasonable price if you do. If in doubt about what a
fair price is ask your hotel.
No one in Mozambique, including often backpacker lodges, have change. The 1000Mzn and 500Mzn are almost

impossible to use day to day, so change them down in to more manageable notes in any bank. The one exception to
this rule is chapa drivers, if you find yourself running low on small bills pay for your 15Mzn fare with a 100Mzn note.
Maputo is the metropolitan area in Mozambique and you will find many shops/restaurants open on weekends.
However, outside the capital, most of these will close at noon on Saturday, only to open on Monday at 8 am. It can be
quite inconvenient to shop after business hours as shops remain open only from 0800 to noon and then 1400-1730
hours, closing during lunch hours and afterwards. The exception to this is beer, you can buy beer anywhere and at
anytime. Just listen to loud music blaring and follow it to find Mozambicans enjoying the brew and dancing.
It is very difficult to find 3-pin sockets for electrical appliances (including travel gear, laptops etc). A 2-pin hole-inthe-wall electric connection is the standard around Mozambique. Make sure you carry a 3-pin to a 2-pin converter for
your electronic items. You will find converters of poor quality and high price in some markets, and only in the official
hours. Almost all of the lodges/hotels have no 3-pin appliance support.

Eat[edit][add listing]
As a country the Portuguese occupation has a profound impact on local foods that has produced some of the most
unique and interesting cuisine within Southern Africa. Towards the coast a great deal of seafood is used within even
the most basic of dishes, however, in land the maize based porridges common throughout Africa becomes staple but
with some Portuguese flair.

Piri-Piri, also known as the African bird's-eye chili this extremely strong chili is common is sauce form
throughout the country.

Pozinho , also known as Portuguese rolls or Prego (beef) no po and bifana (pork). A floury and often
semi-sweet bread roll, typically served with meat in the center.

Matapa, a seafood (clam, crab or prawn)stew made with Casave leaves and generally served over rice. This
is one of the Mozambique staples.

Camaro National, are Mozambican prawns marinaded in a Piri-Piri, garlic, onion, lemon and vinegar.

Cray fish and other seafood. These are caught off the beach throughout the country and will generally be
prepared with a piri-piri marinade, served with rice and matapa.

Kakana This is a bitter tasting local vegetable.

Drink[edit][add listing]
The legal drinking/purchasing age of alcoholic beverages is 18.
All tap water in Mozambique should be assumed to be unsafe to drink, even if it is not harmful it usually has some
sediment that your stomach will not be used to. Most western oriented lodgings either provide a fresh water source or
sell bottled water.

Beer[edit]
In Mozambique Cervejas de Mocambique who are owned by SABMiller [21] have a virtual monopoly on beer
brewing. The three most popular brands are 2M (remember to pronounce it doysh-em or you will end up with an extra
beer), Laurentina Clara and Manica. Other local African beers such as Castle and Windhoek are reasonably widely
available but are not as popular as in neighboring countries due to the high quality of the local brews.

Liquors[edit]
Locally produced spirits such as vodka and gin are relatively common throughout the country and are relatively
inexpensive. The local drink is Cashu made of the peel from the cashew nut. According to the locals it's very good for
a man's libido. It has a sour taste.

Sleep[edit][add listing]
Accommodation ranges from inexpensive guesthouses and backpacker orientated accommodation through to some of
the most expensive resort accommodation in the region.

Hotels[edit]
Hotels in Mozambique are generally ungraded and, particularly in the less traveled parts of the country, have not been
updated since independence. In some cases you can pay up to $50USD a night for a hotel room that should be in the
$5 - $10 range based on facilities. On the other end of the scale Mozambique hosts some of the most incredible, and
expensive, hotels and resorts in the world.

Backpacker Lodges[edit]
Maputo, Tofo Beach, Vilanculos and Pemba have several backpacker lodges each and are geared up for the budget
traveler. There are some backpacker options elsewhere in the country but often the only option for a budget traveler
will be transient labor guesthouses or cheap hotels.

Self Catering[edit]
Many self-catering options exist in most major tourist areas.
If you do bring your own gas-based cooking equipment, keep in mind the typical backpacker lindal valve gas canisters
are not available anywhere in the country.

Camping and caravaning[edit]

Dedicated camp sites with security are available in almost all coastal towns and you can often camp in rural areas with
a village chief's blessing (If you do decide to use this option a small offering such as food, liquor or cigarettes can be
very useful).
If taking a caravan keep in mind that a great deal of roads in Mozambique degenerate in to sandy paths that require
4WD, it is advisable to only stick to popular areas along the EN1.
Camping Vilanculos Inhambane (Prov.),main camp sites Blue waters may require 4WD and Chibububo lodge (all year
access)for more information contact url="http://www.beachchalets.co.za" email="mailto:nfo@beachchalets.co.za"

Purchasing land or property[edit]

If someone offers to "sell" you land in Mozambique walk away immediately, it is a scam. Private ownership of land in
Mozambique is impossible, all land is owned by the government and will only be provided for foreign use, under a 99
year lease, under very specific circumstances.

Learn[edit]

Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, [22] is the oldest and largest university in the country.

Work[edit]

You may be able to find work teaching at a school such as The American International School of
Mozambique [23].

If you're a certified divemaster or instructor you could try helping out at one of the dive shops in Tofo
Beach, Vilanculos or Ponta d'Ouro.

Stay safe[edit]
Risks are much the same as many other countries in Africa (and significantly less than some, including parts of South
Africa). Nevertheless muggings, robberies, rape and murder do occur, so the normal precautions should be taken.
Women absolutely should never walk alone on beaches, in recent years, attacks on women have grown in tourist areas.
In particular it's worth checking with local hostels and other travellers as to where dangerous areas are.
But in general the Mozambican people are extremely warm and friendly and you will encounter far less hassle than in
almost all of the countries surrounding it.
Violence between FRELIMO and RENAMO has erupted recently, with many South African tourists having been
attacked. The violence is only evident north of Vilanculos. If you stay south of this, you should be clear of any
violence. Consult your local Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further information and to ensure that travel to
Mozambique is still safe. It is advised that your report your presence to your country's embassy in Maputo or
consulate in another major city upon your arrival in Mozambique.

Police[edit]
The police in Mozambique should be looked at with a wary eye, and placing trust in them should only be done as a
very last resort.
Insisting on being taken to a police station is unlikely to improve your situation, with the exception of Maputo. The
police have been known to rob tourists blind and throw them in a cell. Instead, mention contacting your embassy or
the anti-corruption hot line to verify a fine, and always ask for a receipt.
If you have cause to go to a police station (e.g., filing a police report for insurance purposes after a theft) do not take
any valuables or excessive currency with you, and try to always go with someone else.

Speed limits[edit]

In Mozambique the speed limit in town is 60km/h (unless contrary road signs) and 100km/h or 120km/h elsewhere.
There are numerous mobile speed traps on the EN1, often in areas where you don't imagine the speed limit has
dropped. Be very alert to speed limits on this highway as the police are very effective in stopping motorists who do
not reduce speed quick enough, or who started accelerating too early coming out of a small town before the increased
speed limit. It is a challenge to drive from Maputo to Vilanculos without getting stopped at least once, even if you try
your best to obey the speed limits.

Bribery[edit]
When dealing with the Mozambican police never suggest a bribe; simply listen to whatever lecture they care to give,
and ask "What can we do about this?". Often they will simply let you go. If they do ask for a bribe, the amount is
entirely negotiable and can range from a bottle of cola (for carrying no identification) up to several hundred USD (for
minor drug infractions).

Identification[edit]
By law you must carry a form of identification with you at all times and present it to the police on request. As a result
you should carry a notarized copy of your passport photo page, visa and entry stamp with you at all times. Ask your
hotel where to locate a notary or contact your local embassy as soon as you enter the country. In Maputo, there is one
on Av. Lenine, close to Mimmo's, and another on Av. Armando Tivane (one block west of Av. Nyerere) between Av.
Mao Tse-Tung and Av. 24 de Julho. They are not particularly easy to find; ask around.
If you are asked for identification by the police and you do not have a notarized copy, under no circumstances give
them your passport. If you do, then it will likely cost you a great deal of money to get it back. Often simply talking to
them a while will get them to go away.

Land mines[edit]
While most of the country has been cleared there is still an on-going risk in rural areas away from the EN1 in Sofala,
Tete, Manica, Gaza, Inhambane and Maputo provinces. It should be noted that only 2 or 3 incidents a year occur with
landmines and they are all well outside the tourist trail.

Prostitution[edit]
Prostitution is legal throughout the country, however because of the high rate of HIV/AIDS, it should be in best
interest to avoid it, as it is not regulated well. If you choose to indulge in it, its best to avoid prostitutes that are below
the legal age of consent, as punishments can be severe. Prostitution among children is a major problem in
Mozambique.

Stay healthy[edit]

Malarial prophylaxis is essential in all parts of Mozambique. Chloroquine/Paludrine are now as ineffective
as in other parts of east Africa, and it's worth going to see your doctor to get decent protection. If you are in
country and suspect you have malaria, there are clinics in every town that will administer a test for approximately
50Mts. The treatment also costs 50Mts if the test comes out positive.

Get all your vaccine shots before arriving. Medical facilities in Mozambique are now generally reasonably
stocked, but it is always worth getting a range of vaccinations before you leave; prevention is better than the cure.
It is worth considering carrying some clean needles if you are visiting out-of-the-way areas, as remote medical
facilities may have problems getting hold of them.

Mind what you eat. As is common in most countries, if you are concerned about the standards of hygiene in
a place, don't eat there.

Do not have unprotected sex. As in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, there is a very high HIV incidence,
currently at 12% (preliminary data from National HIV Survey, 2010).

Do not drink tap water or use any ice. South of the Zambezi river that divides the country, Mozambique is
much more developed, especially around Maputo, tourist areas such as Inhambane and the industrial city of
Beira. Here, especially in built-up areas, it is safe to drink the tap water, hence water in this area is marketed as
"mineral water" and not "drinking water" and is sold at an inflated price as a semi-luxury item (sometimes for as
much as 50 or 60 Meticais in backpackers lodges and restaurants). The infrastructure in the north of the country
is much less developed and, as such, caution must be exercised, especially in rural areas and the area near Palma
and bordering Tanzania. The tap water is usually safe to drink in the main cities such as Nampula and Pemba, and
on Mozambique Island. If you are ever unsure about the quality of the tap water, water-purifying liquids
(normally chlorine-based) are widely available and very cheap, costing around 40 cents for a large bottle. The
most popular brand is "Certeza", and it is easy to find. You could also consider bringing puri-tabs if you are
planning on going well off the beaten track.

Private clinics. There are a few private health clinics in Maputo that will also arrange repatriation in
emergencies. Clinica da Sommerschield (tel: 21 493924) Clinica Suedoise (tel: 21 492922).

Electric showers. In any accommodation, check the shower fitting. A rather dangerous type manufactured in
Brazil is popular, which contains an ungrounded 4kW electric heater. DO NOT touch the fitting when in use, they
have been known to give severe electric shocks. Better still, switch the power off (there should be a nearby circuit
breaker) and have a cold shower. Be similarly cautious with any other type of electrical shower heater.

Contact[edit]
Mobile phones[edit]
mCel [24] is the state-owned provider, and there are two other telecom service providers in the country, the SouthAfrican owned Vodacom Mozambique [25] and Movitel. GPRS (data and internet) are available on mCel, with 3G in
Maputo and other main cities. The APN for Internet is isp.mcel.mz and for WAP it is wap.mcel.mz with an IP address
10.1.4.35. Vodacom have 3G in many towns and GPRS Edge elsewhere. The APN is internet. Movitel has the best
network (by far) in the bush and if you are looking to travel off-the-track, then a prepaid Movitel SIM card will
definitely be handy. Check your phone manual for setting instructions. The mCel service is not entirely reliable,

especially outside Maputo. Vodacom is generally very good in most areas except North Mozambique - where it is
present in towns only. While it is OK to buy credit from the hundreds of vendors roaming the streets wearing mCel or
Vodacom shirts you should never buy SIM cards / starter packs, in many cases they sell them at hugely inflated prices
and often they will be from one of the many recalled batches that no longer work. Any mobile phone store can sell you
a working starter pack for around 50Mts. As of August 2013, the prices of SIM Cards had come down to 10 Mzn
retail, and issues with old SIM cards not working had almost entirely vanished. You could buy a few of them as the
companies wait 15-30 days to organize and verify the documentation.

Internet[edit]
Internet is widely available in Maputo, with many internet cafes and all major hotels having internet access. All
service providers mCel, Vodacom and Movitel have introduced internet to cellphone and USB modems. However,
Movitel USB modems are the most widespread and you will find 3G speeds in most areas, however frequent
disconnection is an issue. See above for further information. Outside Maputo internet coverage is sporadic and mostly
available in places frequented by tourists. Local Telecommunication de Mozambique (TDM) offices almost always
have internet although speed and availability can be problematic.

Radio[edit]
There are many FM stations in Maputo, offering a variety of music and speech. Away from the capital, Radio
Mozambique will be heard in many places and BBC World Service have their English/Portuguese service in the main
cities. There are numerous small community radio stations serving smaller towns/villages.
A new radio station called LM Radio (Lifetime Music Radio), broadcasts in English on 87.8 FM in Maputo and
Matola. The radio station offers a wide range of music from the 60s, 70s and 80s together with a blend of modern day
music in the same style and flavor. The radio station also provides regular travel and safety tips for visitors to
Mozambique. Don't expect too much to do with your radio once outside Southern Mozambique's Maputo area.

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