Travel information and tips on Mozambique including passport information, accommodations, transportation to and in Mozambique, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more. "Getting Away With Jim Bruner" - your first stop for travel information on Mozambique!

Here is a quick overview on Mozambique
Situated on the South-east African coast, the country boasts long stretches of palm-fringed, sandy beaches. The country is famous for the splendid Bazaruto Archipelago: a beautiful string of islands dotted with lovely resorts. You can get information at the Embassy of Mozambique, 1990 M St NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: +1 202-293-7146. They can also let you know about passports and visas.

Passports and Visas
When to Visit
Money Matters
Language
Health Information
Time and Climate
Electricity and Weights and Measures

Travel Warnings

Passports and Visas
All visitors need visas, which are good for up to three months, and proof of onward travel. Visas are valid for one month can be obtained at the border of Ressano Garcia (on the N4 between Pretoria/Witbank and Maputo) and at the airport . I have also heard of others who have obtained a visa quite easily on the same day from the consulate in Nelspruit, South Africa. Go there early in the morning (about 8.30)  with your passport. You will have to pay R85 cash beforehand. The consulate is at Bester Street, next to the Vision 2000 electrical appliances store.

If entering Mozambique from Zimbabwe, make sure you have US dollars in cash or some other internationally recognized currency with you. Travelers checks are charged a huge commission, and credit card withdrawals are only possible in big towns like Maputo, Beira and Mixixe. Credit cards also take anything from two hours to a day to come through.

Currency and Money Matters
Mozambique is an inexpensive destination, probably due to the widespread destrictuon of the infrastructure of the place. Comfortable travel is available for US$100 a day or less, though luxury hotels will cost you quite a bit more. If you're travelling on a moderate budget you should expect to spend around US$50 a day or more, depending on your taste for restaurant meals the type of safari you plan to take. If you do a lot of self-catering, take the train or bus and, like me, don't buy a lot of souveniers, you should keep your costs to about US$20 a day. Here are a few examplse for meals and accommodations:
Meals -- Budget: US$1-5, Mid-range, US$5-10, Top-end: US$10 and upwards Lodging -- Budget: US$5-30, Mid-range: US$30-50, Top-end: US$50 and upwards

American currency is the most readily accepted currenciy along with South African rands. In the south you can pay for most of what you need, including accommodations, with rands. The best places to change money are the private bureaux in Maputo, which give better rates than the banks. However, there are normally local bank branches in most cities. Changing money on the street is not safe anywhere.

Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare.  Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate

Tipping isn't normally expected. In Maputo, where prolonged exposure to foreign tourists and expats has given the locals a taste for tips, you may find this not to be the case. Plan on leaving between 5% and 15% of your bill, depending on the kind of place you're in and the quality of service. In general, the more upscale the place the higher the rate.

Bargaining, especially in the open air markets, is commonplace and can be a lot of fun.

Health Risks
Bilharzias, hepatitis A & B, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus, meninogococcal meningitis, polio, malaria.

If you need medical care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit the Getting Away Health and Safety Tips for Travelers page for additional information about insurance.

When to Visit
The best time to visit is the months of June to August. This is when both rainfall and temperatures are at their lowest. In late August and September (the dry season), the temperatures start to climb. However, this is one of the best times to see big game. The best time for bird watching, on the other hand, is during the middle of the rainy season of November and December.

Time and Climate
The time is GMT/UTC plus 2 hours. And as for climate, there are many regional variations in Mozambique, but generally the dry season runs from April to September, when the average daily high tops out at 27°C (80°F) on the coast, cooler inland. The rainy season lasts most of the rest of the year, when the average daily high hits 31°C (88°F).

Electricity and Weights and Measures
The electricity is 220/240V, 50Hz. Be sure to take your adaptor and converter kit. Find the converter you will need in the Getting Away Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you need in the Getting Away Travel Store!

They on the metric system.

Language
I have found that it helps to know at least a little bit of the language as I travel in other countries. You do not have to be able to be a fluent speaker, but knowing a few key words and phrases will really help. I have found that, although almost everywhere I go I can find someone who speaks English, knowing just a few words of the local language can really be a help. And, it lets others know I am at least interested in their language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators, software and more

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

Travel Warnings
Travel Warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable.  A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.  The countries listed below meet those criteria.  Additionally, the State Department issues Country Specific Information  for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. Check with the U.S. State Department for Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public Announcements.

Getting To and Around in Mozambique
Getting There
The best air connections to Mozambique, outside of Africa, can be found from Portugal and France. Both Air France and Air Portugal have flights in and out of Maputo, though it's cheaper to fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, and travel overland to Mozambique. From within Africa, travelers can fly between Maputo and Lilongwe, Malawi, or Johannesburg.

By rail, there are three trains a week between Johannesburg and Maputo, taking about 15 hours each way. 

You can also arrive by bus as there are minibuses running between Maputo and various South African towns. Minibuses also run between Maputo and towns in Swaziland, crossing the border at Namaacha, Mozambique. There is also a daily direct luxury bus connecting Maputo and Johannesburg. 

NOTE: I would not recommend other land options even though there are other border crossings.  You can cross between Palma and Mwambo, Tanzania, but there's very little transport south of Palma and the roads are really pretty bad. Perhaps "terrible" would be a better word. Additionally, land mines and bandits make crossing between Mozambique and Zambia a very dangerous proposition. There are two main crossings between Mozambique and Zimbabwe: Nyamapanda on the Tete Corridor, and Machipanda on the Beira-Harare Road. Again, take the train or fly.

For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals, Click on Global Travel International. If the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser.  

Getting Around
The bus is probably the best means of getting around within Mozambique as buses run between major towns usually once a day. There are also some private companies which offer express lines. However, these are not normally very quick, just not quite as slow as the others. 

Where the roads are not as well maintained, most of the rural areas, you'll probably have to use converted passenger trucks called chapa-cems  to get around.

You can fly as LAM has flights inside Mozambique connecting Maputo, Beira, Tete and other cities. Flights are frequently delayed or cancelled. Also, as baggage is frequently lost or tampered with, keep it with you. There are also flights about twice a week between the capital and the Bazaruto Archipelago. Sabin Air, a private charter airline, can fly you just about anywhere you like, though it's more expensive than LAM.

If you're thinking of driving your own vehicle in Mozambique -- don't. The police have a reputation for finding " problems" with the vehicles of foreigners and then charging them with large "fines." If you're polite and have all of your vehicle and papers in order and obey all the road rules, you may stand less chance of being hassled. But, why risk it. Cars can be hired in Maputo and Beira, where several major and a few local agencies have depots. Let their drivers have the problems!

Lago de Cahora Bassa
About 300 miles north-west of the coast the Zambezi River is dammed by the Barragem de Cahora Bassa. It was built in the 1970s and was one of the largest civil engineering projects in Africa. The scenery here is stunning as it sets at the head of a magnificent gorge. The dam holds Lago de Cahora Bassa, a vast lake that is well over 150 miles long and stretches back to the confluence of the Zambezi and the Luangwa Rivers on the border with Zambia. Amenities here are minimal, and about the only thing you can do here is tour the dam and the turbine room. Of course, it is worth the trip for the magnificent views. You can get there by car if you like, but there is also a bus that runs between Songo and Tete. Be sure you have received permission to visit before setting off. Permission to visit, obtainable in Tete. You can find overnight accommodations in Songo.

Maputo
Located near the southern tip of the country, Maputo was once as well known as Cape Town and Rio. But today, after almost 20 years of war and deprivation, Maputo is quite rundown with crumbling buildings and dirty streets. Still, it is an interesting place to visit with an interesting, and lively atmosphere. The oldest historic site is the old fort where you can walk along the ramparts. You should also take a look at the train station which was designed and built in the early 1900s by Eiffel, as in Eiffel Tower. Recently renovated, with polished wood and marble decorations and a gigantic copper dome, it almost looks more like a palace or a museum than a train station. Other areas of interest would include the Botanical Gardens and the National Art Museum. A visit to the Municipal Market, where fruit, vegetables, spices and basketwork are sold, makes another interesting stop.

Morrungulo
This area has a great stretch of pristine coastlines that is bordered by lovely palms.

Mozambique Island
Mozambique Island (commonly called 'Ilha') is a small island about 2 miles off the mainland. The island is linked by bridge. It was once the capital of Portugal's East African colony. Today the island is now known for its mosques and churches and the Hindu temple. Perhaps the biggest attraction is the Palace and Chapel of São Paulo which is a former governor's residence that dates from the 1700s. The palace overlooks a nice square inlaid with patterned stones and contains a museum with furniture and ornaments from Portugal, Arabia, India and China. The nearby Museum of Sacred Art contains religious ornaments, paintings and carvings. At the northern end of the island is the Fort of São Sebastião and the nearby Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, reported to be the oldest building in the southern hemisphere. Ilha can be reached by direct bus from Nampula on the mainland, by hired car, and by boat.

Pemba
Pemba is a coastal town located near the mouth of a huge bay. The Old Town (Baixa) has some interesting buildings and an interestingly lively atmosphere. Wimbi Beach (and the coral reefs), which are about 3 miles  east of town is the main reason most visit Pemba. The reef is so close you can swim out to it. You will find a few shops, bars, and restaurants along with shops where you can get equipment for diving, snorkeling, boating, and  fishing. The Makonde workshop on the road between town and the beach has some interesting carvings for sale. Bus or hired car is the way to get there, though you can get a dhow by asking around the port.

Praia do Tofo 
Praia do Tofo is one of the best of the more developed resorts with a beach that has a broad expanse of sand. The beach is quite safe for swimming.

Praia do Xai Xai 
Located near the provincial capital of Gaza, Xai Xai has a great reef running parallel to the beach. This reef provides a natural protection against strong waves and forms several small pools at low tide. This is a great place to search for shellfish at low tide. tourists.

Things to See and Do in Mozambique
Mozambique is a great place for anyone who enjoys nature, wild animals or hiking. However, a word of warning, because of the numerous fighting that has taken place here, there are estimated to be nearly a million land mines in national parks and in the mountain areas making many of these areas unusable to tourists.

Most visitors opt to enjoy diving or snorkeling with the best places being the beaches at Wimbi, in the north, or Tofu and Barra or the Bazaruto Archipelago, which has great reefs. Bird watching is  also quite popular in Mozambique, especially in the southern part of the country. The Maputo Elephant reserve, located on the ocean, is a good spot for bird watchers.

If you have a guide, or want to take a guided tour, there are three great national parks in Mozambique you might like to visit, Gorongosa National Park, Maputo Elephant Park, and Marromeu National Park. Gorongosa Park, one of several game reserves set aside by the Portuguese, is one of the most popular attractions in Mozambique.

Bazaruto Archipelago (Marine National Park)
Located about six miles off the coast, this Archipelago is absolutely one of the most beautiful places you will ever see with wonderfully blue waters, sandy beaches, palm trees, and pristine coral reefs. The area is filled with tropical fish as well as big game fish to catch. The area between the mainland and the 150 fathom mark is protected as a conservation area. If you stay at one of the luxury places or lodges, transfer by speedboat is available for around US$100 return. A lot less expensive would be the dhows, which can be found at Vilankulo on the mainland.

Jenman African Safaris has one primary focus -- Safari Tours! They offer smaller, more personal and highly interactive safaris and have built a solid reputation for safe, comfortable, reliable and fun-filled tours to Southern Africa’s most spectacular destinations. Selected destinations in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nambia, Zambia, South Africa and Swaziland.

Lago de Cahora Bassa
About 300 miles north-west of the coast the Zambezi River is dammed by the Barragem de Cahora Bassa. It was built in the 1970s and was one of the largest civil engineering projects in Africa. The scenery here is stunning as it sets at the head of a magnificent gorge. The dam holds Lago de Cahora Bassa, a vast lake that is well over 150 miles long and stretches back to the confluence of the Zambezi and the Luangwa Rivers on the border with Zambia. Amenities here are minimal, and about the only thing you can do here is tour the dam and the turbine room. Of course, it is worth the trip for the magnificent views. You can get there by car if you like, but there is also a bus that runs between Songo and Tete. Be sure you have received permission to visit before setting off. Permission to visit, obtainable in Tete. You can find overnight accommodations in Songo.

Tofu & Barra Beaches
The long, beautiful beaches of Tofu and Barra make a great afternoon getaway. Tofu is the more developed and accessible area with a hotel and holiday cottages for overnights. Barra is harder to reach but quieter with nice, clean sand dunes. Here you will find the surf on one side and mangroves and palm groves on the other. In the trees can be found parrots and monkeys. The beaches are accessible by car (though a 4WD really does come in handy for the last few miles. Chapas, which go all the way to Tofu but stop about 2 miles short at Barra village school, are also available and you can normally find a guide to show you the way to Barra Beach.

Suggestions for Dining in Mozambique
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Some Favorites in Mozambique
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

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Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

Links for Mozambique
Jenman African Safaris has one primary focus -- Safari Tours! They offer smaller, more personal and highly interactive safaris and have built a solid reputation for safe, comfortable, reliable and fun-filled tours to Southern Africa’s most spectacular destinations. Selected destinations in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nambia, Zambia, South Africa and Swaziland.