Mozambique: Travelling

Entry Requirements

Passport and Visa Service: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
Mozambique's diplomatic representations

For Further Information

Check IATA Travel Website for visa requirements and health advices.

Organising Your Trip

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Maputo International Airport (MPM)	6 km/20 min	USD 18/20 min	n/a	n/a	Available

Major airlines

Name	Type	Domestic Flights	International Flights
LAM	Major	Yes	Yes

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Visiting

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical: The Mozambique Island, with its African, Portuguese, Swahili and French influences, represents one of the country's historical highlights.
Pemba, a port city founded in 1904, is also a popular tourist destination.
Cultural: There are several museums to be visited in major cities, like the Natural History Museum and the National Art Museum in Maputo, the Mozambique National Ethnographic Museum in Nampula, and the Machilla Magic in Vilankulo (a fair trade tourism certified community project that works with over 60 artists and their families).
Nature: The most famous touristic spots for activities related to nature are the Gorongosa National Park, the Naissa Reserve, and the Tunduru Botanical Gardens in Maputo.
Religious: Among the most characteristic religious sites there are the Igreja de Santo Antonio da Polana, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Fortaleza da Nossa Senhora da Conceicao in Maputo.
Thermal: Some hotels in Mozambique offer SPA services, like Polana Serena Hotel, Diamonds Mequfi Beach Resort and Hotel Avenida.
Beach: Among the most famous beaches in the country, there are: the Bazaruto Archipelago, Ponta Mamoli, Wimbi Beach, Tofo Beach and the Quirimbas Archipelago.
Winter Sports: Being a tropical country, Mozambique does not offer winter sports activities.
Outdoor Activities: Several tour agencies organize safaris in the main national parks, as well as other outdoor activities (like diving).
Shopping: Several shopping malls can be found in Mozambique, including: Polana Shopping Centre, Maputo Shopping Centre and Baia Mall in Maputo; Matola Mall in Novare; Centro Comercial in Nampula.
In every major city and touristic areas, it is possible to find traditional handcrafts.

Tourism Organisations: Ministry for Culture and Tourism
Visit Mozambique

Living Conditions

Health and Safety

Health Precautions: Hospital facilities are generally poor in Mozambique, especially in the north of the country.
Recommended vaccines include diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus; vaccines against hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid can be considered helpful. Individuals at highest risk may consider getting a vaccination against cholera.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, as well as for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions: List of medical facilities by the UK Government
For Further Information on Safety Conditions: Visit the website of the UK Government on safety and security in Mozambique
Contact Your Embassy: Mauritian Embassy in Mozambique
42, Nwamatibyane Street Sommerschield, Maputo
Tel: 020 258 2149 4196 (High Commissioner)
Fax: 020 258 2101 7189

Emergency Numbers

Police	112, 119 or + 258 21 325031.
Fire Services	198 or +258 21 322222
Fire Brigade	998/999

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference: It is %T:%M %A In Maputo (Central Africa Time (CAT) - UTC +2)
Summer Time Period: December to February.

Map of the Time Zone

Time zone

Type of Climate: Mozambique is located in south-east Africa and has a tropical climate, characterized by a hot and rainy season from November to March, and a dry season from May to October. From mid-May to mid-August the temperature are a slightly cooler. In inland areas, especially in the north-central, there are highlands and mountain ranges, where the altitude tempers the climate, but in the lowlands the heat can be intense both during the summer and in the period before the start of the rainy season (September to November). Mozambique has reversed seasons compared with Europe or North America, as the country is located in the Southern hemisphere.
Hotel reservation websites: National Institute of Meteorology (Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia de Moçambique)

Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall

Climate

Eating

Food Specialties: The Mozambican cuisine is predominantly African, though it has been widely influenced by the Portuguese one. The most common food for many Mozambicans is ncima, a thick porridge made from maize/corn flour. Grilled-food and seafood are popular and the rich spices are used to add flavor to the dishes. Cuisines of Mozambique also include cassava, rice and coconut. The country has a vast variety of fruits, like avocados, papayas, bananas, oranges, and grapefruits. Other specialties include piri-pirichicken, matapa, wusa and pao.
Drinks: The most common drinks in Mozambique include tea, known as "cha", coffee and a locally brewed beer made from maize, often drunk from a common pot. The most common local brews are called Nipa and are made from the fruit of the cashew as well as cassava, mango and sugar cane.
Dietary Restrictions: Around 18% of the population in Mozambique are Muslim, thus normally do not eat pork and meat (unless it is “halal”, which means it is permissible or lawful in traditional Islamic religion), nor drink alcohol.

Paying

Domestic Currency: Mozambique Metical
ISO Code: MZN
To Obtain Domestic Currency: It is possible to withdraw the local currency directly from banks’ ATMs (fees apply). There is a wide array of forex businesses.
Possible Means of Payment: Payments are generally in cash but hotels and bigger establishments may accept credit cards.

Speaking

Official Language: Portuguese
Other Languages Spoken: Swahili, Makhuwa, Sena, Ndau, and Shangaan (Tsonga).
Business Language: Portuguese or English

Useful Resources

To Find a Job: Careers in Africa
Glassdoor

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