General Info about Mozambique

ACCOMMODATION

Several lodges, hotels, Guest houses, Camping Parks are available throughout the country and particularly in the South of Mozambique (Ponta do Ouro till Inhassouro). From the basic one star to the luxury five stars, the choice is yours.

ENTERTAINMENT

The excellent natural conditions and the friendly people are an unavoidable invitation to the practice of outdoors activities including swimming, diving, golf, tennis, game hunting, horse back, riding, snorkeling, fishing, nautical sports, birds watching and a lot more…

GASTRONOMY

The food is traditionally based on a Afro-Portuguese style. Sea food is unavoidable. The Mozambican food is since the old days famous worldwide. Among the endless roll of amazing dishes prawns, crabs, lobsters, "Matapa", Clams are probably some of the more popular for the visitors.

The Local beers Laurentina, 2M and Manica add the flavor to those alcoholic drinkers to enjoy and help not to forget the experience.

TIPPING

Tipping is a common practice. 10% of the total invoice is normally more then enough.

HANDICRAFT

Spectacular wood work, lace work, bone , fantastic ivory works and semi precious stones can be bought in any of the several curious markets countrywide at a relatively cheap price for the tourist after bargaining the price with the vendor.

CURRENCY

The official currency in Mozambique is METICAL (MZM or MT) .

Most of the hotels, shops and markets will accept the payment in South African Rands or in US Dollars. Should you require to exchange your money there are plenty exchange bureau in all main towns or you can process it at any Bank.

With very few exceptions, the best rates can normally be negotiated at the Bureau of Exchange.

The Exchange of Travel Cheques is normally very difficult and expensive in Mozambique.

LANGUAGE

The official language is Portuguese. There are at least 11 different local languages such as Xangana/Ronga/Tsonga, Xope, Bitonga, Ndau, Sena, Macua, Maconde, Zulu, Swahili, Etc.

Visitors will find that English is also becoming more largely spoken among the urban centre people in Mozambique.

CLIMATE

The climate is Sub tropical, conditioned by the regime of the monsoons from the Indic Ocean and the hot currents from the equatorial regions. The climate tends to be Tropical humid on the coast and tropical dry towards the continent.

The Raining season coincides with the raining season and starts from November till April. The temperatures in the summer vary from aprox. 25º to 39º particularly in December / January. Between May and October moderate rain and temperatures between 18 and 28º Celsius.

BEST SEASON TO VISIT MOZAMBIQUE

The best season to visit Mozambique is no doughty between May and October. Three basic reasons for this:

1. During this period there is less rain and therefore the roads will be less worse,

2. The temperatures are moderate and not extremely hot as it is in December – January.

3. During the dry season the mosquitoes and Malaria are also less effective then during the summer period.

CREDIT CARDS

In the great generality the shops, lodges, markets etc. do not accept Credit Cards. You may be able to use it on luxury hotels or in some restaurants and very few shops in Maputo and Beira town. Please always make yourself sure in advance that the place where you intend to pay with credit card accept it.

TELEPHONE AND POSTAL SERVICES

Mozambique has benefited of a recent massive investment in the telecommunication sector. All main towns have automatic satellite linked telephone communications centrals and you can communicate easily from most of the towns.

Mobile phones (Cell phones) network is only available at this stage among Namaasha border-Komatiport border, Maputo and Xai Xai. A large number of international telecom companies have already signed contracts of roaming with Mcell in Mozambique and therefore most of the international visitors may be able to use this facility.

Postal services have also been recently restructured and is it is available in all main towns and villages. Please use DHL, EMS (Express Mail Service) or any other courier should any of the correspondence be of urgency or importancy.

Internet and email services are available in all main towns.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Please note that all foreign citizens need a VISA before their departure to Mozambique. Visas can be issued at your nearest Mozambique Embassy or Consulate. The normal visa requires two weeks to be issued and the first application require two photos.

Should you require to know the nearest Embassy or Consulate, please do not hesitate to Contact us with the information of where you intend to submit the application.

ELECTRICITY

220V/230V AC 50 Hz. Should you use a different voltage in your country, please bring your own adapters.

Electricity is only supplied in main towns and villages. There are many lodges and Camps that use generator supplied electricity. In this case restrictions in hours of electricity availability may apply. Always check before your departure if the Lodge or Camp have the electricity facilities you require.

DRINKING WATER

Despite the fact that all towns have the treatment of the drinking water, it is advisable either to drink mineral water largely available or to boil and filter the tap water.

CUSTOMS

Each visitor is only officially allowed to bring the following with him during his visit to Mozambique: 400 cigarettes, 50 Cigars, 250 grs of tobacco, 1 liter of Spirits, 2 Liters of wine, 250 ml of toilet water, 6 cans of beers and any other personal items. Items considered aside of the above can be imported only once within a period of 30 days provided its cost is less then USD 50,00. Otherwise normal duties will apply.

Should you intend to bring more then the above you should contact Mozambique customs before entry the country.

MAIN BORDERS

By Road

Ressano Garcia / Komatiport (South Africa) 06h00 - 20h00 - 120 Kms from Maputo.
Namaasha / Lamaasha (Swaziland ) 07h00 - 20h00 - 80 Kms from Maputo.
Machipanda/Nhyamapanda (Zimbabwe) 07h00 -19h00
Cuchamano (Zimbabwe) 7h00 -19h00

Chanida (Zambia) 7h00 - 19h00
Zóbwe (Malawi) 7h00 - 19h00

By air

There are several international airports and direct flights are regularly done to Maputo, Beira and Pemba. Vilanculos and other small airports also have recently opened customs and immigration offices. Please contact us should you need to ensure that you destination have this facility.

ROADS

In general roads are not good in Mozambique. Particularly outside of the main towns and the more you drive to the North the worse it is. There are some roads not recommended to travel during the raining season even with 4x4 vehicles. In the South region (From Inhassouro to Maputo), depending where you want to go you may be able to negotiate with a 4x2 vehicle. Allays check on road conditions before your departure.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

With democratic elected party governing the country and a stable politic situation, Mozambique have been one of the biggest opportunities in Africa in the last couple of years.

Massive project are un t us with your field interest information, so that our specialized team can provide you the customized information you require.

DRIVING

Driving is done by the left as in major of the Southern Africa countries. It is compulsory to carry with the driver always the driver license and the documentation of the vehicle. If the vehicle is temporarily imported the TIP – Temporary Import Permit is required to be valid and a Third Part Insurance is also required before your entry into Mozambique.

Compulsory Third part Insurance can be obtained at the Ressano Garcia and Namaasha border at the approximate cost of R 85,00 per passenger vehicle. We can also organize this for you on-line if you require this service in advance before your departure from one of the neighbor countries.

A warning triangle is compulsory in every vehicle and if towing a boat or trailer a Blue Background with a Yellow triangle sign is needed in the front of your vehicle.

Speed limits in the villages is unless otherwise indicated 50 Kms/hr. There are several speed traps and you are recommended to strict to the speed limits particularly in the towns and villages.

Robots in the towns are normally only one per traffic way. Please check at your left hand side corner of the street for it and do not stop after the stop line as in this situation you will not be able to read the robot and maybe neither able to locate where the robot is. (This applies mainly to the South African visitors that are used to four robots per traffic way).

MALARIA

Mozambique like most of the African Countries is a high risk Malaria area. If you intend to visit it, particularly during the summer season (December – March) some precautions are recommended.

Prophylaxis treatment for residents in none Malaria risk areas are quite often indicated for those staying no longer than 2-3 months in a high-risk area. If you intend to stay longer this may not be advisable.

Repellents, mosquito nets, mosquito coils, and other prevention’s are strongly advisable. The prevention against mosquito bite is the best.

Mosquito’s are more active in the night, therefore this time of the day needs special attention: use a long sleeve's shirt when outside together, repellents and mosquito nets when inside.

Should you have the symptoms of Malaria you must contact immediately the closest doctor for the necessary treatment. The illness is very well known in Mozambique and all rural medic centers are normally equipped to do the Malaria blood test and to indicate the adequate treatment.

For further generic information about Mozambique visit the following sites: