Mozambique is one of the most rewarding destinations in Africa. It's also one of the least forgiving if you don't prepare. Here's everything I learned across two trips — most of it through mistakes.
Apply at evisa.gov.mz. It says 5 business days processing, but I've seen it take 8. Don't cut it close. Single entry, 30 days, ~$50. Passport needs 6 months validity and 3 blank pages.
2. Start malaria prophylaxis before you travel. Mozambique is a high-risk malaria zone year-round. See a travel doctor 4-6 weeks before departure. Malarone or doxycycline are the standard options. Bring DEET repellent (at least 30% concentration). Sleep under treated nets. This is not optional — malaria kills people. Symptoms can appear up to 4 weeks after your return, so seek immediate medical attention for any post-trip fever.
3. Learn basic Portuguese. Like, actually learn it. English barely exists outside upscale Maputo hotels. Portuguese is your lifeline. Five phrases to memorize: "Quanto custa?" (How much?), "Obrigado/a" (Thank you), "Por favor" (Please), "Onde fica...?" (Where is...?), "A conta, por favor" (The bill, please). Download Google Translate's Portuguese offline pack.
4. Withdraw maximum cash before leaving Maputo. ATMs are rare outside Maputo, Inhambane, and Vilankulo. When you find one, take out the maximum. Then find another and do it again. I ran out of cash on Ilha de Mozambique and had to borrow from my guesthouse owner. Embarrassing.
5. Carry small bills. Breaking a 1,000 MZN note at a local market is nearly impossible. Get a mix of 50, 100, 200, and 500 MZN notes. USD and South African Rand are accepted at some lodges, but local currency is king for everything else.
6. Internal flights will be delayed. Budget for it. LAM Mozambique Airlines is functional but unreliable. I've had a 2-hour delay, a 4-hour delay, and one outright cancellation. Never plan a tight connection. Always have a buffer day between your internal flight and your international departure.
7. The EN1 highway is not what Google Maps suggests. Google estimates your drive time based on the road being a road. In northern Mozambique, "road" is a concept, not a reality. Add 50-100% to any Google Maps estimate for overland travel north of Vilankulo.
8. Chapas are cheap and chaotic. Local minibuses cost 100-300 MZN for most routes. They leave when full — which means 23 people in a vehicle built for 12. They break down. They stop randomly. They're also the most authentic way to travel and the drivers are impressively skilled. Sit near the front if you can — the back gets the worst of the bumps.
9. Fly between long distances. Maputo to Nampula is 1,800 km. That's 2-3 days overland. Or a 2.5-hour flight. Spend the extra $200 and fly. Your spine will thank you.
10. The seafood is world-class. Eat it constantly. Peri-peri prawns, grilled lobster, matapa, caril de camarao — Mozambique's coastal food is extraordinary. Eat at barracas (street shacks) for 100-300 MZN meals. Don't default to hotel restaurants — the best food is at the simplest places.
11. Peri-peri sauce is hotter than you think. The homemade peri-peri at local restaurants is not the bottled stuff from the supermarket. It's fresh chilies, garlic, and lime, ground by hand. Start small. Respect the heat.
12. Drink 2M or Laurentina. Mozambique's local beers. 2M (pronounced "dos-M") is lighter, Laurentina is a bit fuller. Both are cheap (50-100 MZN) and perfect with seafood. They're served cold, which in the tropical heat is all that matters.
13. Bottled water. Always. Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water costs 30-60 MZN everywhere. Brush your teeth with bottled water too, especially outside Maputo.
14. Tofo Beach dive shops are honest about conditions. If the water is too rough or visibility is poor, they'll tell you and reschedule. Don't pressure them. The ocean along Mozambique's coast can change quickly, and safety matters more than your schedule.
15. Ilha de Mozambique needs at least 2 days. I've met travelers who "did" Ilha in a day trip from Nampula. They saw the Fort and left. They missed the sunset dhow rides, the Macuti Town walking tour, the evening atmosphere in the Stone Town, and the best $8 lobster dinner of their lives. Give it time.
16. Wear reef-safe sunscreen for snorkeling and diving. Mozambique's coral reefs are in good condition. Keep them that way. Chemical sunscreens with oxybenzone damage coral. Use mineral/zinc-based sunscreen or a rash guard.
17. Bring a headlamp. Power cuts are common outside Maputo. Some guesthouses run on solar or generators with limited hours. A headlamp or small flashlight saves you from stumbling around in the dark.
18. Do not travel to Cabo Delgado province. I can't stress this enough. The northernmost province has an active insurgency. All major governments advise against travel there. The rest of Mozambique is fine.
19. Maputo petty crime follows patterns. Don't walk alone after dark in the Baixa. Don't display phones or cameras openly on the street. Don't carry more cash than you need for the day. Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps (Bolt works in Maputo). During the day, Maputo is generally safe and walkable.
20. Get travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation. Mozambique's medical facilities are limited. In a serious emergency, you'll be evacuated to South Africa. Make sure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation — the cost without insurance can exceed $50,000.
21. Go soon. This won't stay quiet forever. Mozambique's coast is comparable to the Maldives in natural beauty, and you can experience it for a fraction of the cost. The Bazaruto Archipelago is objectively one of the most beautiful places in the Indian Ocean. Tofo Beach has whale sharks, manta rays, and clean reefs.
But it won't stay under the radar. International hotel chains are already moving in. Tourism infrastructure is improving. Prices are climbing. The $8 lobster dinner will become a $40 lobster dinner. It's not a matter of if — it's when.
Go now. Be one of the people who says "I went to Mozambique before everyone else discovered it." Because everyone else is about to discover it.
For the emotional side of Mozambique travel, read our week-long travel journal. Our complete guide has the detailed logistics. For another Indian Ocean island experience, Zanzibar or Lamu in Kenya are natural extensions.
