Overview
Mozambique has more than 2,000 km of Indian Ocean coastline: Tofo and Barra near Inhambane, the Bazaruto archipelago, Ponta do Ouro and Maputo's Portuguese-era architecture. It is a favourite for South African road trips and diving holidays.
It also needs more preparation than most beach destinations: a pre-approved travel authorisation for many passports, strict advice on the far north, and long, sometimes slow border crossings.
Entry requirements
UK government guidance says passports must be valid for at least six months after arrival and carry at least two blank pages. British tourists can visit without a visa for up to 30 days, but the Mozambican authorities ask them to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on the official eVisa portal (evisa.gov.mz) at least 48 hours before departure. Check the official portal for the current fee, and carry a printed copy. At the border you may be asked for a host's invitation or confirmed accommodation, and a return or onward ticket. Keep the receipt you are given on arrival, as you may need it when you leave. The eVisa portal lists South African, Zimbabwean, Zambian and Ghanaian passport holders as exempt for 30 days and Kenyans for 90 days, while Nigerian citizens must apply at a Mozambican embassy.
Other nationalities have different rules, and some regional passport holders are exempt, so South African, Zimbabwean and other travellers should confirm their own position with the portal or a Mozambican mission. Yellow fever proof is needed if you arrive from a risk country, and polio vaccination may be required in some cases. Children need an unabridged birth certificate naming both parents, and a notarised consent affidavit less than three months old if travelling with one parent.
Declare cash of 10,000 meticais or more, or USD 5,000 or more in foreign currency.
Best time to visit
May to October is dry and sunny, with the best diving visibility and whale shark and humpback seasons on the southern coast. November to April is hot and wet, with cyclone and flood risk that can close roads.
Money
The currency is the Mozambican metical (MZN). Cards are accepted in Maputo and larger lodges, but cash is needed across much of the coast and in markets. Rand and US dollars are often taken in tourist areas, though rates are poor. Avoid using ATMs after dark.
For everyday spending, compare the best ways to pay while travelling and always choose the local currency when a terminal offers to convert (why).
Mobile data and eSIMs
Coverage is decent in Maputo, Beira and larger coastal towns, and weak in remote areas and some islands. A local SIM or travel eSIM avoids roaming bills; check that your phone supports it before you leave. Use our eSIM Finder to estimate how much data you need.
Getting around
Mozambique drives on the left. Land borders can be restricted or closed at short notice, and UK government guidance notes that the Lebombo-Ressano Garcia crossing from South Africa can be slow, especially in holiday periods, with armed robberies reported in the border queue, mainly after dark. Keep car doors locked, avoid driving alone at night, do not stop for strangers, and carry reflective equipment and vehicle documents. Traffic accidents are frequent and some public transport vehicles are unsafe. Some officers demand bribes: ask for a written receipt and pay at a station. Always carry your passport; photocopies are not accepted.
Safety and health
The UK government advises against all travel to most of Cabo Delgado province and to some districts of Nampula and Niassa, and against all but essential travel to Palma, Pemba and the Afungi area. Travel insurance can be invalidated if you travel against advice. Street crime is common in Maputo and increasing in other cities and tourist spots, so avoid walking alone at night and displaying valuables. Beaches and offshore islands are not policed.
Cyclones and floods from November to April can cut roads. Take medical advice on malaria and vaccinations.
Things to do
- Diving and snorkelling at Tofo and Barra
- Bazaruto archipelago by boat
- Maputo's markets, seafood and architecture
- Ponta do Ouro dolphin and marine reserve
- Gorongosa National Park
Airports
Maputo (MPM) is the main gateway with links to Johannesburg. Vilankulo (VNX) serves Bazaruto, and Beira (BEW) serves the centre. Many South Africans arrive by road via Ressano Garcia (Lebombo).
Local customs
Portuguese is the working language, so a few phrases go a long way. Greet people politely and ask before taking photographs. Dress modestly away from the beach, and bargain gently in markets.
Emergency numbers
Call 112 for ambulance, fire and police. If it does not connect, try 119 for police or 198 for fire. For British nationals, the British High Commission in Maputo can help with lost passports.
