Here is our collection of useful tips for traveling in Mozambique.

Clothing: we recommend that you bring light clothing for during the day, as well as light foot wear, like flip-flops, especially during the summer, if you are thinking of going to the beach or walking through the city. For after the sunset and at nights long sleeve shirts and trousers as well as close shoes should be worn to prevent mosquito bites. The clothing here is casual but you might require a smarter wear in public offices or restaurants at night. Rainwear is advisable all year round, although if the rain falls hard, it’s better if you stay indoors!
Mosquito Repellent: mosquitoes will generally trouble you more at night, so as well as wearing long sleeved clothing after the sunset you should use plenty of mosquito repellent to prevent mosquito bites, not only because they are nasty, but because malaria circulates this way.
Sun Cream: The sun in Africa is very, very strong so you should use a high sun protection factor in order to prevent sunburnt as well as protection for your head (hat or cap) if you are going to be in the sun exposure for long hours.

Vaccinations: You should double check with your local health centre before departure as inoculation requirements could change depending on the season and region you are planning to visit. In general Diphtheria, Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus and Typhoid are the vaccinations you should take in consideration. Also courses of malaria tablets are very important to be taken when you are on holiday in Mozambique, there are several options so ask your medical assistant for a piece of advice.

Health Care: Full health insurance, preferably including Medevac is highly recommended; while there are hospitals in cities, medical facilities are scarce in rural zones and although they can treat infections such as malaria, it’s better to be on the safe side. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies including medications and sterile syringes.

Medicines or Antibiotics: it is handy to carry basic medical supplies or any prescribed drugs should you need them, just in case, even if you can find pharmacies in cities, where you can buy general painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen or other pharmaceutical products etc.

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC 50HZ. You will be able to buy plug adaptors if you are visiting a town or a city, but if not it’s probably best that you bring them from home or enquire in advance with your accommodation if they can provide them.

Head lamps or torches: it is advisable to carry either one as power cuts could occur quite often, depending on the seasons (because of strong winds and rains) and some of the lodges operate on generators for several hours a day only.

Mobile Phone: There are agreements with most of the international mobile phone operators and therefore coverage is available in most provinces and cities; but if you have a free phone and you don’t want to use your mobile phone on roaming, you can buy a pay as you go sim card from either Vodacom or Mcel the two operating companies. You can find top ups with no trouble in markets and in cities and it’s very easy to follow the instructions in order to get credit on your phone.

Food and Drink: Normally water is perfectly drinkable from the tap; however you should double check in advance before drinking it, or otherwise boil to sterilise all water for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice, just to be safe. Cartons of pasteurised milk can be found in local markets and shops, as well as general groceries and condiments such as salt, sugar, vinegar, rice, oil, beverages etc .If you are preparing food yourself you should make sure you cook meat, fish and vegetables properly, and if you are eating out, double check that your food is also well cooked; fruit should be washed and peeled, as normal. Other than that you should taste some of the local dishes such as Piri Piri (spicy chilli pepper sauce), Matapa (ground peanuts and cassava leaves served with rice), Caril (kind of gravy) and Chamusas (samosas) Wusa (stiff maize porridge) plus good seafood along the coast including camaroes (prawns) lagosta (crayfish) and peixe grelhada (catch of the day).

Safety: Although the level of criminality is much lower than its neighbouring countries you should take the same precautions you would do in big cities to avoid thievery, also never leave your belongings unattended on the beach or in public areas, plus stay clear of isolated areas at night.

Diving: If you are diving, especially in the winter when the temperature of the water can drop down to 20 C, it is advisable that you bring a chicken vest or a neoprene hat that protects your ears while diving and also a windbreaker that protects your ears as well as your body from windy boat rides.

Cultural Tips: you will find that Mozambican people are very polite and charming and shaking hands when meeting new people is the general custom; in addition the courtesies and formalities you would find in Portugal and other Latin countries are still observed.

Photography: When taking photographs make sure you don’t take any of governmental or public buildings, airports, bridges or soldiers as this is not allowed.

Tipping: Tipping in cafes or restaurants is not generally expected outside Maputo but if you feel the service was good around 5% of the bill is normal and it will be very welcomed by the member of staff.

Passport: make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months past the date you are planning to depart. This is required by British, Australian, Canadian, USA and other European EU Countries.

Visas: are required by all nationals listed as above if you want to visit Mozambique; you can apply for a tourist visa at the nearest High Commission or Embassy prior your departure, although you can get a one month visa at the airport when you arrive; the approximate cost for a visa at the airport is 31 USD.

Getting Round:  you have to take it easy when it comes to travelling in Mozambique, make sure you  allow plenty of time as getting around could be quite tricky and slow. Bus services are available in some capital of province as well as taxis in large towns, but you can also use the local chapas (converted passenger trucks), though expect them to be overcrowded and very slow on occasions.

Car hire is available in Maputo, Beira and several other touristic destinations but we suggest you find out prior your arrival whether this service will be available. There’s one large tarred motorway that connects Maputo with Beira and Beira with Tete. Driving after dark could be dangerous as illumination is nonexistent in some parts of the road and off road driving is not recommended as there could be some landmines left from war time.

Traffic drives on the left and you will require several documents that you would need to show to the police should you get pulled over:

Vehicle ownership documents if you are travelling with your own car. Letter from the Bank giving permission to cross the border if you travel with an on hire purchase or bank loan vehicle. Letter of authorization from the owner to enter Mozambique if the car is borrowed.

A valid driver’s License; please note that people who are under eighteen years of age or own provisional licenses are not allowed to drive in Mozambique.

Third party Insurance. If the Insurance for your car covers Mozambique you must get an official document  from your insurance company, which clearly states that your car is insured third party in Mozambique (not just covers all SADC) and has the registration number of your car.
Flying is another possibility, LAM (Linhas Aereas de Mozambique) offer domestic flights linking Maputo, with Beira, Chimoio, Inhambane, Lichinga, Nampula, Pemba, Quelimane and Tete.