Mozambique History | Climate | Tourist Attractions | vilanculos | Tourism Centers | Currency | Transport | Bazaruto Archipelago
INTRODUCTION.
Mozambique is a tropical and subtropical country on the east coast of Africa. It lies between latitudes 11° and 26° south and longitudes 30° and 40° east. Its coast stretches along 2,500 km of warm Indian Ocean, from Ponta do Ouro in the South to Singa in the North.
South Africa shares with Mozambique the southern border and its western border with Zimbabwe and Zambia. Malawi's thick southern half penetrates deeply from the North-West into Mozambique's northern territory, separating the eastern provinces of Niassa Province, Cabo Delgado and Nampula from the western province of Tete. Tanzania is located in the north.
From the war-torn, impoverished country of 15 years ago, Mozambique is rapidly becoming an excellent holiday destination. Not without its challenges, it is wise to do a little background reading on the country and prepare yourself for an exciting holiday far removed from the packaged versions of Africa.
SIZE.
Mozambique is about 800,000 km2 in size, approximately three times the size of Great Britain, or two thirds the size of South Africa. The country is mostly flat, though its north-western parts are mountainous and its inland plateaus feature intermittent granite inselbergs.
Mozambique has got a flat coastal plain, which widens from north to south and accounts for almost half of the country's surface area. The inland rises to plateaus of between 500m and 1000 m in altitude.
With approximately 19 million inhabitants and an average population density of 22 people per square kilometer, Mozambique is very sparsely populated. Urban migration is increasing; 37% of the population lived in urban areas in 1997, a figure expected to reach 52% by 2015.
The capital city of Mozambique is Maputo. A city of one million inhabitants, two million if the surrounding areas are included. The cities of Beira and Nampula are the next largest cities, with populations of around 300,000 and 200,000 respectively.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN MOZAMBIQUE.
Mozambique has a tropical climate and almost every day enjoys sunshine. During the day expect average temperatures of about 30 degrees Celsius in the warmer months, and in the high twenties in the cooler months from May to September. The best time to travel to Mozambique is between May and November because these months experience the least rainfall. The rainy season is from December to April, and usually the rains occur in the form of short brief downpours, after which the sun comes out again.
WATER TEMPERATURE IN MOZAMBIQUE.
On average, the water temperature is between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius.
Mozambique has got a warm and tropical climate. The average temperature in the country is 28° Celsius, and the weather along the coast is sunny and warm even in midwinter. Summer seasons are from October to April, is rainy, humid, and very hot. The cooler and drier winter months, from April to September, provide the most comfortable period for travel.
Temperatures and rainfall patterns vary greatly between the regions of the country. The areas along Mozambique's north-eastern coast are the hottest and most humid in the country, while the high-altitude regions in the Nampula and Niassa provinces are the coolest. Conditions along the coast can be oppressively hot and humid; while inland the cooler nights relieve the heat of the day.
The northern parts of the country receive about twice as much rainfall as the southern provinces, where severe and prolonged droughts have been experienced. The rainy season runs from October to March in the South, but it starts and ends about six weeks later north of the Zambezi.
WHEN TO VISIT.
The best time to go in Mozambique for holidays is during the winter months from April to September. The southern parts of the country are generally drier with less tropical climate than the north.
The best months to go for game viewing in Mozambique national parks are August and September, towards the end of the dry season. The best time for bird watching is usually December to April, which is the hot, rainy season.
A wide variety of fish are attracted to the warm waters of Mozambique, with larger fish populating the waters in summer, and small to medium sized fish in winter, making the coast a good fishing and diving destination.
WHEN IS THE WHIRLWIND SEASON?
January and February.
ACTIVITIES IN MOZAMBIQUE.
Mozambique offers a wealth of tremendous water activities. Among them are sailing, scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling, swimming, canoeing and windsurfing. Certain destinations also offer horse riding and quad biking.
Majority of visitors come to Mozambique for beach holiday. Kayaking, sailing, dhow trips and Snorkelling are available at most beach resorts or islands. Coral reefs extend along most of the Mozambican coast and the tourist industry is firmly established here. The Inhambane region offers particularly good beaches, and the resort areas of Tofo Beach and Barra Beach offer a wide range of activities from sailing to horse riding, snorkelling to diving.
Mozambique holidays are famous for their excellent diving spots - try the Inhambane area or the tropical islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago or Quirimbas Archipelago where some of Africa's most pristine reefs can be found and you may find yourself swimming with whale sharks, dugongs or manta rays.
Deep sea fishing is offered from Inhaca Island, the Bazaruto Archipelago and the Quirimbas Archipelago, although many other beach resorts offer surf fishing.
The big game of Mozambique is staging a recovery but it is still too early to say that this is a country for game viewing. Birding however is excellent with Inhaca Island boasting over 200 species. The bird life on the islands is good but the real birding is in Mozambique's parks and reserves where some of southern Africa's best birding is to be found.
ACCESSIBILITY.
Most areas of Mozambique are relatively easily accessed from the capital (Maputo) and from Johannesburg (in South Africa), though flights to certain areas only depart on certain days of the week so it is important to plan your dates accordingly. Click here for further information.
One great thing about combining a beach / island holiday in Mozambique with a safari in the Greater Kruger region in South Africa is that there are twice weekly direct flights from Kruger Airport to both Inhambane and the Vilanculos Bay area. From the main airports you can either get road transfers to the lodges on the mainland, or light aircraft charter flights (and sometimes boat transfers) to the lodges on the islands.
FLIGHTS.
Mozambique has three international airports: Maputo International Airport, Vilanculos Airport and Pemba Airport.
Domestic air services operate between Beira, Maputo, Nampula, Pemba, Quelimane, Tete and Vilanculos. Many charter airlines have scheduled services and these are usually preferable. We can arrange your flights to Pemba and to Vilanculos on reliable scheduled charter flights.
Flight access to Vilanculos and the Bazaruto Archipelago
There are several routing options between Johannesburg's, Tambo International Airport and Vilanculos Airport, Mozambique, the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago.
1. Johannesburg to Vilanculos (direct flight)
2. Johannesburg to Vilanculos (via Kruger-Mpumalanga)
3. Johannesburg to Vilanculos (via Beira)
4. Johannesburg to Vilanculos (via Maputo)
Pemba and the Quirimbas
Flight accessibility to Pemba and the Quirimbas is available from Johannesburg, Maputo and Dar es Salaam.
Flights from Johannesburg to Pemba leave twice a week. The Wednesday departure is a direct flight and the Friday departure is via Maputo.
Return flights to Johannesburg leave three times a week, and all go via Maputo. Direct flights take around three hours, while flights via Maputo will take between five and six hours.
Flights from Maputo to Pemba depart six times a week, with two departures on Wednesdays both in the morning. Return flights to Maputo leave seven times a week with two afternoon flights on Friday. The flights are direct and take approximately three to four hours.
Flights from Dar es Salaam to Pemba leave four times a week, and there are also four return flights weekly. Flights there are very quick but return flights can take nearly three hours.
SELF DRIVES.
You can self drive, but some tour companies don’t often offer/ sell self drive packages or camping trips to Mozambique because the roads are in a poor condition with many potholes and are not well signposted. Many car rental companies also do not allow their cars to be driven over the border into Mozambique. Usually they specialize in fly-in holidays to Mozambique.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Mozambique does not have very good public transport network. There are limited train services within Mozambique, which link its neighboring countries to the Indian Ocean. A service operates from Johannesburg to Maputo via Komatipoort, Nelspruit and Pretoria three times a week. Another line links Nacala with Liwonde in Malawi, via Nampula and Cuamba.
Buses only operate between major towns where roads are in good condition. In rural areas you may catch a ride in converted passenger trucks, chapa-cems or normal trucks (camions). Along the coast there are some ferry services which are more frequent along the northern coast with regular services operating between Quelimane and Beira, and Quelimane, Nacala and Pemba.
ROADS
Driving in Mozambique is not always as easy as it could be. The combination of the civil war and the floods has had a severe impact on the condition of the roads and in many parts of the country a 4x4 is essential. Roads are gradually being improved, however, and the roads south of Beira tend to be in good condition.
Potholes are actually the biggest road hazard in Mozambique. Other hazards to be aware of are roadblocks (make sure you have your driving license, vehicle registration, temporary import papers and traffic triangles, and that you are wearing your seatbelt), vehicles without lights at night and livestock on the roads.
Car hire is possible in most major towns, but should be booked in advance. There is a good network of petrol stations, though not in game reserves. For ecological reasons, we urge you not to drive on dunes and beaches. Driving in Mozambique is on the left side of the road.
BORDER POSTS
Malawi: Mandimba/Chipode, Milange/Mulanje, Uongwe/Dedza, Zobue/Mwaza
South Africa: Pafuri Ponta do Ouro/Kosi Bay Ressano, Garcia/Lebombo
Swaziland: Namaacha/Lomahasha
Zambia: Cassacatiza/Chanida (open 24hrs), Zumbo/Luangwa
Zimbabwe: Cochemane/Nyama-Panda Espungabera/Mt Selinda Mecumbura/Mukumbura Zumbo/Kanyemba, Machipanda/Forbes-Mutare
WATER SAFETY.
Tap water is usually safe to drink, but bottled water is available should you prefer it. It is recommended that you stick to bottled water: it's widely available in the lodges and resorts. Avoid eating food which has not been cooked or peeled.
ELECTRICITY CHARGES AND PLUG TYPES.
Mozambique plugs have a voltage of 220V and a frequency of 50 Hertz. There are various different plug types required depending on where you stay. Some plugs require two round prongs while others require 3 round prongs like those in South Africa.
LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS.
The normal luggage restriction is 20kg which is standard in Africa, but certain charter flights will allow 20kg while others will only allow 15kg. It is imperative that all travelers going on charter flights out to the islands have soft bags. Hard, shell-type cases are not permitted on the planes under any circumstances.
ACCOMMODATION CHARGES.
This depends entirely on where you want to stay and on the level of accommodation you are looking for. Cheaper accommodation on the mainland starts from about ZAR 700 per person per night sharing. On the islands at the luxury lodges you can pay as much as USD 700 per person per night sharing.
Prices do vary tremendously between lodges. Some lodges on the mainland only include breakfast, while others include dinner and breakfast. On the islands most lodges include all meals, snacks, teas, coffees and all non-motorized water sports and equipment. Certain lodges also include local alcoholic beverages on top of all meals and non-motorized water activities.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are often considered motorized water activities simply because in most destinations in Mozambique, you need to take a motor boat out to the coral reefs and areas where you will go diving and snorkeling.
SAFETY AND SECURITY.
Most hotels and lodges have safes for your valuables either in your room or at reception.
LOCAL CURRENCY.
The unit of currency in Mozambique is the Meticais (M) which is divided into 100 centavos. If you are traveling in the southern parts of the country, South African Rand and US dollar cash are widely accepted.
When traveling to North of Vilanculos, it is best to have US dollars with you. Credit cards are widely accepted in restaurants and at most hotels and lodges in Mozambique. To be on the safe side, it is best to double check the credit card facilities with your consultant before you travel.
MALARIA.
You will need to consult your doctor about anti-malaria medication because malaria is on a high risk on the mainland.
It is important that you obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Mozambique. When purchasing these, please tell your doctor or pharmacist that you intend visiting Mozambique. Whatever prophylactics you use, remember to complete the course as directed after leaving the malaria area. If you suffer from side effects, try taking your malaria prophylactics at night after dinner.
Resistance to prophylactics is widespread so the best way to avoid getting malaria is to avoid being bitten. Take precautionary measures to prevent contact with mosquitoes: sleep under a bed net or in a room/tent with mosquito proofing (remember to keep the flaps zipped at all times); spray your accommodation with insecticide; make use of a mosquito-repelling lotion or stick; and wear long sleeved clothing, trousers and socks when outside at night.
Other precautions
No inoculations for smallpox, cholera or yellow fever are required unless you are coming from an infected area. This could change and you should check with the Mozambique Embassy when you obtain your visa. However, travel clinics generally recommend that visitors should take precautions against yellow fever, cholera, tetanus, diptheria, polio, typhoid, smallpox, malaria and hepatitis A, particularly if you will be in the country for more than three weeks. If you are staying in lodges which have a good supply of water you should not encounter these problems.
Medical Services
There are private clinics, hospitals and pharmacies in most large towns, but you may need the help of someone who speaks Portuguese to communicate your needs. It is recommended you carry a good supply of medicines you may need, as well as a first aid kit. Doctors expect cash payment, so ensure your medical insurance covers your trip to Mozambique.
TIPPING.
10% is customary in restaurants. Tipping at the lodges and elsewhere in Mozambique is entirely at your discretion depending on the level of service that you feel you received.
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