Guide to Mozambique

Mozambique (Portuguese: Moçambique) is a country on the Indian Ocean coast of Southern Africa. From the Monte Binga peak, 2,436 m high, 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. Its eastern coastline along the Indian Ocean is more than 1,000 km long, a fantastic draw for scuba divers, fishermen, sailors and beach lovers.

Mozambique has 10 provinces that can be grouped into the following three regions:

• Maputo - the thriving capital in the far south of the country.
• Beira - a busy port town and capital of Sofala Province.
• Ilha de Mozambique - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital under Portuguese rule.
• Inhambane - a pretty historic town on a bay.
• Nampula - an industrial city in the north and capital of Nampula Province.
• Pemba - in Northern Mozambique, a popular holiday destination for Mozambicans, although its isolation has kept it off the tourist route for most European visitors.
• Chimoio - in Central Mozambique, capital of Manica Province, point of departure to visit Chimanimani National Park and Mount Binga (tallest peak in Mozambique), transitional point to Zimbabwe and Malawi.

• 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
• Ilha de Mozambique — Former colonial capital with a historical heritage that's among the most well kept in Mozambique, and indeed in all of Africa. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991.
• Ponta d'Ouro — a great dive spot, more easily accessible from South Africa than from Maputo.
• Quirimbas Archipelago and 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/crystal blue water in the Archipelago and on the coast. Accessible through Pemba.
• Tofo Beach — a backpacker haven on the coastline east of Inhambane with excellent diving. And whalesharks!!
• Vilanculos /Vilankulo — a popular holiday destination and gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Geography

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 Eswatini to the south. The country is generally a low-lying plateau broken up by 25 sizable 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

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reached Mozambique in 1498, as a waypoint on the Cape Route to India.

In 1500, the Portuguese established a string of forts and posts up and down the coast, starting with present day Ilha de Moçambique or Mozambique Island (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 I, 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 colonists had left Mozambique – some expelled by the new government of Mozambique, some fleeing in fear.

Upon independence, Mozambique had fewer 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; see also 20th-century South Africa.

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

Almost all of Mozambique is within the tropics, so 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

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.

Smoking

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.

People

The Makua is the largest ethnic group that dominate in the northern part of Mozambique. the Sena and Ndau in the Zambezi valley, and the Shangaan dominate in the southern part of Mozambique.

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 18:00 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

All visitors (except citizens of Angola, Eswatini, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia and Zimbabwe) require a visa, which can now be obtained on arrival at most major entry points including Maputo Airport, the Port of Maputo, Ressano Garcia, Goba, Ponto D'ouro, Giriyondo, Vilanculos Airport, Inhambane Airport, Beira Airport, Pemba Airport, Nampula Airport and Forbes Border (land border close to Mutare).

Since 2023, Mozambique has implemented a visa exemption for 29 nationalities, allowing their citizens to enter without a visa, subject to a simple administrative fee of 650 Meticais (approximately 9€ / USD10) to be paid upon arrival. These nationalities can stay up to 30 days, provided they comply with conditions for tourist or business travel. The list of the 29 countries covered by this visa exemption is: Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States. Travelers from these countries need only to present a passport valid for at least 6 months, and a PRINTED round-trip ticket, and proof of accommodation upon arrival in Mozambique. You do not need to apply online for an ETA. At some border posts, officers are known to wait for bribes. If you do not want to pay, come with your printed copies. If they ask for the ETA, explain that it is not any more mandatory. And last but not least, say that you have all your time. Usually, after an hour, they will let you in.

For the other nationalities, the cost of receiving the tourist visa on arrival is US$95 as of January 2024, with no additional documentation required (at least at Maputo Airport). They ask for printed Hotel booking at Eswatini border posts. South Africa's currency is accepted, the officers will not provide change though.

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.

A tourist visa is valid for 90 days after issue and permits a 30-day stay. It can be extended by a further 30 days at immigration offices in provincial capitals.

There is a US$100 a day fine for overstaying a visa.

By plane

Most international flights arrive from South Africa, although direct international routes also exist between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Portugal, Qatar, Istanbul, and Addis Ababa.

There are several flights daily from Johannesburg to Maputo, operated by South African Airways (SAA) and the Mozambican flag-carrier Linhas Aereas de Moçambique (LAM). Federal Air fly daily direct to Vilanculos International airport. Other airlines that fly to the country include Airlinkk, Qatar airways, Turkish airlines, Ethiopian airlines, Malawi airlines, Kenya Airways, and TAP Portugal.

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 MT and for international flights 500 MT to be paid in cash.

By train

The railways in Mozambique are in poor shape and mainly used for freight; however, there are some opportunities for the intrepid traveller to travel by train. While there are no international connections per se, some border cities have rail connections. There are three train lines: one is in the far north of the country, travelling from Nampula to Cuamba near the Malawian border; another runs from Maputo to Chicualacuala at the border with Zimbabwe; and the last one connects Maputo with the border to South Africa.

From Malawi

This line 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 05:00-06:00, 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. 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 in 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 1-km walk to the Malawi side of the border. 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.

From South Africa

There are daily trains to Maputo from the border town of Ressano Garcia and the Lebombo border crossing. Komatipoort, located just across the border in South Africa sees multiple trains from Johannesburg and Pretoria every week.

From Zimbabwe

A train runs from Bulawayo to the border town of Chicualacuala, where there is a connecting train to Maputo.

By car

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 third party insurance, which is available at many borders for 150 South African rand, and also to pay road tax which of 26.50 MT.

From South Africa

From Eswatini

By bus

From Malawi

There are a number of border crossings to/from Malawi. By far the easiest and most frequently plied is at Zóbuè. 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 convenient 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 7 km to the border. Hitching is relatively easy, or bicycle-taxis do the trip for about US$1.

It is also possible to cross the Lake - see below.

From South Africa

You can take the Intercape Mainliner, +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 and Translux. 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 at 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, Eswatini). There is also a service from Mbombela and Komatipoort to Maputo.

There are the "taxis" to and from any destination in South Africa at affordable prices from 04:00 to 00:00.

From Eswatini

Chapas leave from both Manzini and Mbabane to Maputo via Goba typically around 11:00. Usefully 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 R150 as of January 2024.

From Tanzania

The border between Mozambique and Tanzania is formed by the River Rovuma. Daily pick-ups connect Moçimboa da Praia with Palma and Namiranga, the border post on the Mozambique side. The main route runs from Moçimboa da Praia (on the Mozambiquan side), via Palma (Mozambique), to Mtwara (on the Tanzanian side) and vice 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 - Moçimboa 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 2 km (depending on the water level that day) to the Rovuma river. 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 US$8, 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

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

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

There is no scheduled sea travel to and from Mozambique.

Tanzania

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 and Msimbati are all within range of Mozambique and will be the best places to secure dhow transport. In reverse the ports of Moçimboa da Praia and Palma are the two best ports on the Mozambique side to find a dhow to Tanzania.

Malawi

The MV Ilala operates across Lake Malawi from Monkey Bay, Chilumba, Nkhata Bay to Likoma Island. From Likoma Island it is a 3-km boat ride to the Mozambique border at Cobue.

It is possible to travel across Lake Niassa (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 lifetime 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.

By car

Traffic is left-handed, cars are often in poor condition, and drivers may not know or respect traffic rules. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is common, especially at night and on weekends. Driving after dark outside the city is not recommended. Keep car windows closed and doors locked, especially when stopping at intersections. Driving can lead to being stopped by the police for bribes. There have also been cases of carjacking. It is not a good idea to pick up strangers. 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 and the last 100 km south of Inchope which are still in decrepit condition and pose a serious challenge to any driver in a low clearance vehicle. The EN1 from Mocuba to Nampula and further to Ilha de Moçambique is in good condition. 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. North of Vilankulo service stations are scarce - motorists may go 150 km between service stations so fill up at every opportunity.

South African company Bushlore rents 4x4 vehicles and campers and will facilitate cross-border trips with flexible pick-ups and drop-offs.

Chapas and buses

Buses and chapas leave early in Mozambique: 04:00 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. The Mozambican government regulates 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 assume you know the correct fare and give you the correct change.

There are government registered chapas and unregistered chapas. While both are unsafe and are in many accidents each year, always take the government 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 MT a journey, and unregistered were 5). Unregistered chapas though are extremely dangerous and overcrowded and should never be used if you can help it.

Taxis

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 200 MT for any journey in the city center. Longer journeys (EG to Junta) cost 400 MT and up. In the early morning they will often attempt to gouge you, doubling the price to 400 MT, as there are often very few taxis about at this time.

Chapas can also be rented as taxis but are typically more expensive and far less comfortable.

Air

Domestic flights are the fastest and most sane way to get around the country if you can afford it. Linhas Aereas de Moçambique flies between the major cities. 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. However, be warned that all airlines from the country including LAM are listed on the EU air safety list as of June 2015 and are therefore banned from operating in the European airspace.

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

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.

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. Mozambicans speak standard Portuguese (European Portuguese), and it is spoken as a lingua franca or second language of speakers of various native languages.

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.

• Ilha de Mozambique, i.e. Mozambique Island is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mozambique. The island boasts colonial architecture including probably the oldest European building in the Southern Hemisphere and beaches.
• The historic town of Inhambane.
• Sites from the civil war all over the country and the Museum of Revolution in Maputo to learn more about recent events in the country's history
• Wildlife and nature in Gorongosa National Park.

• Dive, see Diving in Mozambique for details.
• Tours and Safaris, a number of tour operators can help you reach Mozambique's highlights. The most reputable as per guide books Lonely Planet and Bradt are Mozaic Travel http://www.mozaictravel.com and Dana Tours in the south, and Kaskazini in the north.

Money

The currency of Mozambique is the new metical (plural meticais, pronounced 'meta-caysh'), denoted by the symbol "MT" (ISO code: MZN). It may also be called Meticais Nova Família. It is notionally divided into 100 centavos.

Three zeroes were dropped from the currency in 2006. Old currency can no longer be exchanged at banks. People will occasionally still refer to the old currency, so if someone asks for "1 million", they generally mean one thousand new meticais.

Coins of Mozambique are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos, 1, 2, 5 and 10 meticais. Banknotes of Mozambique are issued in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 meticais.

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 prices are also quoted in rand when applicable.

US dollars, rand, 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 Moçambique.

ATMs are present throughout the country; BCI, Standard Bank, Eco Bank, Millennium BIM are the banks you are most likely to run in to. BCI, Standard and Eco Bank accepts Visa & MasterCard, Millennium accepts all international cards including Maestro/Cirrus cards. ATMs have transaction limits on withdrawals, which vary with the bank. Millennium bank limits withdrawals to 3,000 MT, and Standard Bank and Eco Bank to 10,000 MT; you can always insert your card again to withdraw more money. BCI and Ecobank atms have no withdraw fee for overseas cards.

Shopping

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 1000 MT and 500 MT 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 15 MT fare with a 100 MT note.

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 partridges 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 in sauce form throughout the country.
• Pãozinho , also known as Portuguese rolls or Prego (beef) no pão and bifana (fried 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 cassava leaves and generally served over rice. This is one of the Mozambique staples.
• Camarão 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.

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

In Mozambique Cervejas de Mocambique 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

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.

Many chain and local supermarkets do not sell alcohol in Mozambique: you will need to find a specific liquor store close by.

Accommodation ranges from inexpensive guesthouses and backpacker-oriented accommodation through to some of the most expensive resort accommodation in the region.

Hotels

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 US$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

Maputo, Tofo Beach, Vilanculos, Chimoio and Pemba have backpacker lodges 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

In most major tourist areas many self-catering options exist.

If you do bring your own gas based cooking equipment, keep in mind that the typical backpacker Lindal valve gas canisters are not available anywhere in the country.

Camping and caravaning

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.

Purchasing land or property

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.

• Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, http://www.uem.mz is the oldest and largest university in the country.

• You may be able to find work teaching at a school such as The American International School of Mozambique http://www.aism-moz.com/?Page=Employment.
• 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.

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. Attacks on women have grown in tourist areas. In particular it's worth checking with local hostels and other tourists 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.

Police

In Mozambique the police do not exist to help you, only to try to extort money from you. Do not trust them under any circumstances.

Insisting on being taken to a police station is unlikely to improve your situation, with the exception of in 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.

At airports: While airport security personnel typically prioritize ensuring the safety of passengers and aircraft, there have been reported cases of opportunistic individuals taking advantage of their position to pilfer travelers' belongings, including cash, credit cards, and other valuables. To minimize the risk of becoming a victim of such theft, it's crucial to adopt precautionary measures.

1. Travel with a minimum of cash: Only carry the amount of cash you'll need for immediate expenses, such as transportation, meals, and incidentals.
2. Employ travel cards instead of cash: Travel cards, including credit cards and debit cards, offer greater protection than cash. They're linked to your bank account and can be used to make purchases and withdraw cash from ATMs. However, inform your bank of your travel itinerary beforehand to prevent your card from being flagged for suspicious activity.
3. Explore digital payment methods: Mobile wallets and other digital payment methods are becoming increasingly popular and convenient for travelers. These methods allow for contactless payments without the need to carry cash or cards.
4. Stay vigilant: Maintain constant vigilance over your belongings.

Speed limits

In Mozambique, the speed limit in town is 60 km/h (unless there are road signs to the contrary) and 100 km/h elsewhere. There are mobile speed traps on the EN1 which specifically target foreign visitors.

Bribery

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 coke (carrying no identification) through to several hundred US dollars (minor drug infractions).

Identification

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 always 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

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. Only 2 or 3 incidents a year occur with landmines and they are all well outside the tourist trail.

• 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 50 MT, the treatment also costs 50 MT if you have malaria.
• Get all your vaccinations 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 cure. It is worth considering carrying some clean needles/sterile set if you are visiting out of the way areas, purely as remote medical facilities may have problems getting hold of them.

• Mind what you eat. As common in most countries in the world, 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, at 12.5% (National HIV Survey, 2021)
• 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 MT 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: it contains an ungrounded 4 kW electric heater. Do not touch the fitting when in use, as 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.

Mobile phones

Movitel is becoming the most popular carrier in the country. There is also the South-African owned Vodacom MozambiqueVodacom have 4G in many towns and GPRS Edge elsewhere. The APN is internet. Check your phone manual for setting instructions. The mCel service is not entirely reliable, especially outside Maputo. Vodacom is generally very good. Many Mozambicans think Movitel has the fastest internet, especially outside Maputo. 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 and 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 50 MT.

Internet

Internet is widely available in Maputo, with many internet cafes and all major hotels having internet access. The cell phone providers - mCel, Vodacom, and Movitel - have introduced internet to cellphone and USB modems. 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

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 1960s, 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.