Most visitors will need a visa to enter Mozambique. Although most nationals will be able to purchase this at the port of entry upon arrival, it is advisable to check with the relevant Mozambique Consulate / Embassy in your region.
If you are visiting Mozambique malaria precautions are strongly advised. Please consult your doctor and also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations. The malaria situation in Mozambique can be problematic and some lodges have regular spraying programmes. Often lodge’s rooms are equipped with mosquito-proof nets. We do, however, still recommend you to take precautionary measures before going into a malaria area. Mozambique DOES require a yellow fever certificate for all travellers over one year of age, if you have been travelling in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda.
Below are the vaccinations or prophylactic precautions you should look consult your doctor or travel clinic about:
Diphtheria
Hepatitis A
Malaria
Rabies
Tetanus
Typhoid
Yellow Fever*
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. Good medical aid & evacuation insurance is very important when travelling to Mozambique.
The weather is tropical to subtropical with the rainy season between November and March. Severe weather conditions include drought and floods. 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.
Most banks are open Monday to Friday 07:30 – 15:30. Credit Cards are increasingly being accepted in Maputo, but not generally beyond the capital.
Travellers cheques are not commonly accepted, and where accepted are slow to process and often attract high rates of commission.
The currency of Mozambique is the 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.
There are bureau de change at the airports. Money can also be changed at banks. It is advisable to take US Dollars or South African Rand. Payment for extras at Indigo Bay can either be made by Credit Card, US$ cash, ZAR cash or Travellers Cheques. The resort accepts payment via MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Cl
Portuguese is the official language although English is widely used in business and the tourism industry. Other languages spoken include Lomwe, Makhuwa, Sena and Tsonga.
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Some milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
All electrical appliances run on 220 volts. Special adapters for video cameras, chargers and hairdryers are needed and can sometimes be supplied by some hotel receptions. Various camps and African safari lodges may not have 220 volts and may operate on solar powered 12-volt electricity. Remember to bring spare batteries to have charged at the lodge while you are out.
It’s sensible to take the same precautions in cities as you would in any of the world’s metropolitan areas.
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. 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 though infrequent, attacks on beaches in Mozambique at any time of day. 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. 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. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the closest embassy for the latest travel advice.