Mozambique has 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline. It has some of the best diving in the world. Its seafood is extraordinary. And yet, compared to neighboring Tanzania, South Africa, or even Madagascar, almost nobody goes.
That's changing — slowly — but for now, Mozambique remains genuinely off the beaten path. Here's everything you need to know.
Mozambique is a long, thin country on East Africa's coast, stretching from Tanzania in the north to South Africa in the south. A former Portuguese colony (independent since 1975), it endured a devastating civil war that ended in 1992 and has been rebuilding ever since.
The result is a country of contrasts: world-class beach resorts alongside genuine poverty, crumbling colonial architecture next to modern construction, and a culture that blends African, Portuguese, Arab, and Indian influences into something you won't find anywhere else.
May to November (dry season) is ideal. Warm days (25-30°C), minimal rain, and the best diving visibility. This is also peak season for Gorongosa National Park.
October to March is whale shark season off Tofo Beach. The trade-off: it's hotter, more humid, and the rainy season kicks in from December.
Avoid February-March if you can — cyclone season brings heavy rains that can flood roads and disrupt travel, especially in the north.
Fly into Maputo International Airport (MPM). South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, LATAM, and TAP Portugal operate international routes. Johannesburg to Maputo is the most common connection — 90 minutes, often under $200 round trip.
Visa: Most nationalities need an e-Visa. Apply at evisa.gov.mz — single entry, 30 days, ~$50. Processing takes 5 business days. Some nationalities can get visa on arrival at Maputo airport ($50) but the e-visa avoids the queue.
Internal flights: LAM Mozambique Airlines connects Maputo to Vilankulo (~$150-250), Inhambane (for Tofo), and Nampula (for Ilha de Mozambique). Flights are cheap but delays are common. Always have a buffer day.
Overland: The main EN1 highway runs north-south but road quality deteriorates significantly heading north. A journey that looks like 5 hours on a map might take 8-10. Chapas (local minibuses) are cheap but crowded and slow.
For Tofo Beach: Fly to Inhambane, then take a 30-minute chapa or taxi.
For Bazaruto: Fly to Vilankulo, then take a boat transfer to the islands.
Maputo: Hotels range from $40-200/night. The Polana Serena ($150+) is the colonial-era grande dame. Budget options exist in the Baixa.
Tofo Beach: Backpacker lodges from $15/night, mid-range beachfront from $80. The vibe is casual — flip-flops are formal wear here.
Bazaruto Archipelago: Luxury lodges on Benguerra and Bazaruto islands start around $400/night all-inclusive. These are special-occasion places.
Ilha de Mozambique: Restored colonial guesthouses from $10-50/night. Basic but atmospheric.
Vilankulo: Beach hotels from $30/night. Gateway to Bazaruto.
Tofo Beach diving and whale sharks — World-class. Whale sharks (October-March), manta rays (year-round), and healthy coral reefs. Ocean safaris cost $50-80/person for whale shark encounters. Two-tank dives: $70-90.
Bazaruto Archipelago — Five pristine islands with turquoise water, coral reefs, and dugong populations. Snorkeling, fishing, and dhow cruises. Allow 3-5 days. The water clarity is stunning.
Ilha de Mozambique — UNESCO World Heritage island. 16th-century Fortaleza de Sao Sebastiao (200 MZN entry), colonial churches, dhow builders, and the stark contrast between the Stone Town and Macuti Town. Allow 2-3 days.
Maputo City — The Iron House, Maputo Railway Station, Mercado Central, and the seafood. Walk the Baixa and Avenida Marginal. Visit the Natural History Museum for its bizarre but memorable elephant fetus collection.
Gorongosa National Park — A conservation comeback story. Once devastated by civil war, now home to recovering populations of lions, elephants, and buffalo. Entry: $20/person/day. Chitengo Camp: ~$150/night. Best May-October.
Mozambique's food is the best-kept secret in African cuisine. Portuguese, Indian, and East African influences combine into something extraordinary.
Street-side barracas serve meals for 100-300 MZN ($2-5). Restaurant meals in Maputo run 500-1,500 MZN.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $10-25/night | $50-150/night | $400-1,000/night |
| Food | $5-10/day | $15-30/day | $50-100/day |
| Transport | $10-20/day (chapas) | $30-60 (flights, taxis) | $100+ (charter) |
| Activities | $20-40/day | $50-100/day | $150-300/day |
| Daily total | $45-95 | $145-340 | $700-1,500 |
Critical: Carry cash in small bills. ATMs are rare outside Maputo, Inhambane, and Vilankulo. When you find one, withdraw the maximum.
Avoid Cabo Delgado province entirely. An insurgency has been ongoing since 2017. All major governments advise against travel there.
The rest of Mozambique is generally safe. Standard precautions apply in Maputo — don't walk alone at night, don't display valuables. Beach towns like Tofo and Vilankulo are very safe.
Malaria is a serious risk year-round. Consult a travel doctor 4-6 weeks before departure for prophylaxis. Bring DEET repellent. Sleep under treated nets. This is non-negotiable.
Portuguese is the official language and your key to getting around. Even basic phrases — "obrigado" (thank you), "quanto custa" (how much?), "por favor" (please) — open doors.
English is spoken at tourist hotels but rarely by locals outside Maputo. A Portuguese phrasebook or translation app is essential. Seriously — I relied on Google Translate daily.
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| Bom dia / Boa tarde | Good morning / Good afternoon |
| Quanto custa? | How much does it cost? |
| Obrigado(a) | Thank you (m/f) |
| A conta, por favor | The bill, please |
| Onde fica...? | Where is...? |
| Cerveja, por favor | Beer, please |
Mozambique isn't polished. The roads are rough, the flights are unreliable, the ATMs are scarce, and the malaria risk is real. But the coastline is breathtaking, the seafood is the best I've had in Africa, the diving is world-class, and Ilha de Mozambique is one of the most atmospheric places on the continent.
Go before the big hotel chains arrive. Go before Instagram discovers Bazaruto. Go while the lobster is still $8 and the beaches are still empty.
For a personal take, read our week-long Mozambique travel journal. Our 21 practical tips covers the lessons learned the hard way. For another East African coast experience, Lamu in Kenya offers car-free Swahili island charm.
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