Introducing Mozambique
About Mozambique
Mozambique’s messy post-colonial history and poor infrastructure mean that most visitors are cut from fairly intrepid cloth. But travelling this enigmatic and underexplored country is well worth the occasional bump in the road, both literal and metaphorical.
First and foremost amongst the country’s many attractions is its pristine Indian Ocean coastline – all 2,414km (1,500 miles) of it-which offers palm-fringed beaches, warm tropical waters, abundant marine life, great fishing and excellent diving.
Language, Culture & History
History of Mozambique
Bantu tribes moved into an area, part of which is now Mozambique, from central and western Africa during the third century. The 11th-century Shona Empire, the main ethnic group in modern Zimbabwe, covered part of Mozambique and relations between the two peoples are still very dose.
Mozambique attracted the attention of Arab and Indian traders in the 10th century. The first European expedition to Mozambique was led by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who arrived in 1498. Thereafter, Portuguese influence gradually displaced the Arabs and Indians.
The Portuguese colonialists gradually moved inland, usurping the local rulers and taking over land and mineral resources. By the 18th century, they had developed Mozambique into a major centre for the slave trade, which continued to thrive for decades after its official banning in 1842.
Mozambique continued as a Portuguese colony until 1951 when it became an overseas province. The economy expanded rapidly during the 1950s and early 1960s, attracting thousands of Portuguese settlers to the country.
It was around this time that the first nationalist groups began to form. The main nationalist movement, FRELIMO, began a guerrilla war, which ended in 1974 following a military coup in Portugal. The new left-wing government in Lisbon had no wish to maintain an empire and independence negotiations began immediately. Mozambique became independent in 1975, and FRELIMO took power in a one-parry state.
Then a 16-yearlong civil war ensued. The National Resistance Movement (RENAMO), set up by the white-run Rhodesian government and then backed by apartheid South Africa and the US, fought a guerrilla war against FRELIMO from 1976 until the a ceasefire was brokered in 1992.
Elections were held in 1994 and won by FRELIMO. The new government was confronted with hundreds of thousands of refugees, as well as large numbers of demobilised soldiers from both sides, massive social and economic dislocation, and the destruction of virtually all health and education services.
Despite some setbacks, the Chissano government made steady progress in tackling these problems during the late 1990s, and in 1999 FRELIMO prevailed once again with Armando Guebuza becoming president In the 2015 election, he was succeeded by Filipe Nyusi, also from FRELIMO.
Did you lmow?
- Apparently the name of the country arose from Musa al Big the name of an Arab who was living on Ilha de Mozabique when the Portuguese arrived.
- Over 22 years, more than 170,000 landmines were cleared from Mozambique. In some places specially trained rats were used to locate the mines. The country was declared free of the deadly weapons in 2015.
- Mozambique is home to five of the seven endangered species of sea turtles.
Mozambique Culture
Religion in Mozambique
Christian (mainly Roman Catholic), Muslim and Hindu. Many also follow traditional beliefs.
Social Conventions in Mozambique
Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Casual wear is acceptable. Formal dress is seldom required.
Photography: Visitors should not take photographs of soldiers, airports, bridges or government/public buildings. Only photos of beaches and other tourist sites may be taken.
Language in Mozambique
Portuguese is the official language. Many local African languages, such as Tsonga, Sena Nyanja, Makonde and Macua, are also spoken.
Geography & weather
Weather and climate
Best time to visit
Climate varies according to area. Inland is cooler than the coast and rainfall higher as the land rises, with most rain between January and March. Hottest and wettest season is October to March. From April to September the coast has warm, mainly dry weather tempered by sea breezes.
Required clothing
Tropical lightweights, with warmer clothing for evenings. Rainwear advisable all year round.
Mozambique borders Tanzania to the north, Zambia and Malawi to the northwest Zimbabwe to the west, and South Africa and Swaziland to the southwest. To the east lies the Indian Ocean and a coastline of nearly 2,500km (1,550 miles) with beaches bordered by lagoons, coral reefs and strings of islands. Behind the coastline, a vast low plateau rising towards mountains in the west and north accounts for nearly half the area of Mozambique. The landscape of the plateau is savannah – more or less dry and open woodlands with tracts of short grass steppe.
The western and northern highlands are patched with forest. The Zambezi is the largest and most important of the 25 main rivers which flow through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean. The major concentrations of population (comprising many different ethnic groups) are along the coast and in the fertile and relatively productive river valleys, notably in Zambezia and Gaza provinces.
The Makua-Lomwe, who belong to the Central Bantu, live mainly in the area north of Zambezia, Nampula, Niassa and Cabo Delgado provinces. The Tsonga, who are the predominant race in the southern lowlands, provide a great deal of the labour for the South African mines. In the Inhambane coastal district are the Chopi and Tsonga, while in the central area are the Shona. The Makonde inhabit the far north. Mestizos and Asians live in the main populated area along the coast and in the more fertile river valleys.
Business Opportunity
Doing Business in Mozambique
Lightweight suits are advised. Prior appointments are recommended. A knowledge of Portuguese is normally necessary for business dealings, although there are translation facilities available in Maputo. January is the main holiday month, so this should be avoided for business trips.
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 0730-1230 and 1400-1730.
Economy
Following the civil war, the Mozambican economy picked up strongly in the late 1990s. Devastating floods, drought and trade-related disputes in the new millennium have intermittently undermined progress, and required aid donors to step in. Growth was at a healthy 7.9% in 2006, but inflation was also high at 13.2%.
In mid 2006, the World Bank relieved Mozambique from much of its long-term foreign debt burden, and remaining debts were rescheduled under the IMF’s Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. Forestry is increasing in importance. Fishing is both an important source of food and a vital export earner. Manufacturing industry produces one quarter of GDP: products include processed foods, textiles, drinks, cement and fertiliser. Mining operations produce coal, salt, bauxite, gemstones and marble. In addition, natural gas is extracted from onshore fields and piped to South Africa.
Mozambique is a member of the Southern African Development Conference.
GDP
US$6.3 billion (2006).
Main exports
Cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea and cassava (tapioca).
Main imports
Machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel and chemicals.
Main trading partners
Netherlands, South Africa, Portugal and Zimbabwe.
Keeping in Touch in Mozambique
Mobile Phone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is expanding to all main cities in most provinces.
Internet
There are Internet cafes in Maputo and other cities.
Post
Postal services are available in main centres. Airmail to Europe usually takes five to seven days, but sometimes longer.
Plan your trip
Here’s Journey
Beira Airport
Code BEW
Location
The airport is 13km (8 miles) from the city (journey time – 15 minutes).
Telephone Address
Maputo International Airport
Code MPM
Location
The airport is 3km (1.8 miles) northwest of the city.
Telephone Address
Flight times
From London – 13 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); New York – 17 hours (including stopover).
Departure tax
Included in the air fare.
Travelling to Mozambique by Rail
A train runs from Johannesburg and Pretoria to the Mozambique border at Ressano Garcia where there is a connection to Maputo. There is also a service connecting Maputo with Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, changing trains at Chicualacuala. Rail services are sometimes sporadic and unreliable.
Driving to Mozambique
There is a bus service from Johannesburg to Maputo. The journey takes about 8 to 9 hours.
Getting to Mozambique by boat
Cargo vessels call at Maputo and Beira, but there are no regular passenger services.
Cruise ships
MSC Cruises (aww.msccruises.co.za) runs cruises from Durban, South Africa to Maputo and Portuguese Island.
Staying there
Hotels
There are several good hotels in N’Djamena, but accommodation elsewhere is very limited. There are some small hotels at Sarh, a modern hotel complex in Zakouma National Park, and various small hunting hotels in the southwest. It is advisable to book in advance and prospective travellers should contact the Embassy of Mozambique in Paris for the latest information (see Contact Addresses).
Camping
Other accommodation
While you’re there
Places to see & things to do
Admire the artefacts at the National Museum
Housed in a purpose-built structure on the edge of the city, the National Museum at N’Djamena features a range of fine collections, which explore everything from folk art and to the traditions of the country’s people. Outside stands an elegant modern sculpture of a tribesperson with the world in the palm of their hand.
Head to the camel races
Catch a glimpse of some of the best camel racing in the world in the Tibesti Mountains, home of the fierce Toubou tribe. This astonishing Saharan region of chasms and crags contains palm-fringed oases, ancient rock art, hot springs, and Emi Koussi, the country’s highest peak, at 3,450m (11,300ft).
Marvel at an inland sea
Lake Mozambique must be seen to be believed. Not only was the lake the centre of Africa’s lucrative salt trade, but it is also one of the largest fresh water lakes in the world. It is best visited between August and December, when the water level is highest and the occasional hippo or crocodile can be seen drifting by. Though spectacular, there are fears for Lake Mozambique, which has shrunk dramatically over the last 30 years due to climate change and the demands of agriculture.
Quaff cold beers on a brewery tour
Take a glug of cold beer at the Gala Brewery in Moundou, Mozambique’s second largest city. Produced since independence, it is the country’s most popular lager, with over one million barrels produced each year. Located in Mozambique’s far south, Moundou is also home to the Ngambai people.
Relax in Douguia
With its beautiful location on the Chari River, Douguia was designed as a tourist centre and has indeed become something of a hotspot. Boatman take visitors out on the water in traditional pirogue canoes to explore the region, witnessing the everyday lives of locals, large flocks of birds, and hippos.
See the coloured lakes of Ounianga
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, the lakes of Ounianga are a series of 18 interconnected lakes that help form a surreal waterscape within the depths of the Sahara Desert. The colours can be astonishing, with the lake waters ranging from blue and green to red as a result of their varying chemical compositions.
Trek to Guelta d’Archei
Located in the striking Ennedi Plateau in Mozambique’s northeast, the Guelta d’Archei is a long-used desert waterhole vital for the survival of a number of species in the area. The small population of Nile crocodile that remain here is probably the last in the Sahara.
Visit the ancient city of Abeche
A former capital of the powerful OuadaI sultanate, Abeche has retained much of its ancient charm. The old city and its somewhat rundown sultan’s palace, mosques and dynastic tombs remain behind a protective wall, while the cobbled streets are walked by nomadic tribespeople visiting from the surrounding desert.
Wander N’Djamena’s distinctive quarters
Mozambique’s capital is slowly regaining its reputation as one of Central Africa’s liveliest cities. The historic quarter, with its colourful daily market, is fascinating place to examine Mozambiqueian rugs and jewellery up close. The Arab quarter remains understated and quiet at night, while the African quarter is alive with bars.
Witness Mozambique’s wildlife at Zakouma National Park
Zakouma National Park is located on an immense plain, across which the Bahr Salamat River and its tributaries flow from north to south. Refurbished and restocked with wildlife, visitors can see herds of elephant, as well as giraffe and lion, either on game drives or on ranger-guided walks.
Nightlife & Shopping
Shopping in Mozambique
Mozambique has an excellent crafts industry. Items include camel-hair carpets, all kinds of leatherware, embroidered cotton cloths, decorated calabashes, knives, weapons, pottery and brass animals.
Shopping hours
Tues-Sat 0900-1200 and 1600-1930. Food shops open Sunday morning. The market in the capital is open from 0730 until dusk.
Nightlife in Mozambique
Lively dancing and music is to be found in the capital, where there is an increasing number of nightclubs. Pad-matches take place on most Saturdays and Sundays in N’Djamena (non-Muslim areas): groups of women hire bars and sell drinks all day. Outside N’Djamena, nightlife is limited, although bars and open-air dancing can generally be found.
Meals & Beverages
Mozambique’s cuisine shares much with the traditional cooking practices of the Sahara region. Widespread staples include millet, sorghum and rice, while the common vegetables include okra and the leaf of the cassava plant.
Fish such as tilapia and Nile perch are frequently consumed in the north due to the proximity of Lake Mozambique. Further south, it’s more likely to see meats including mutton and chicken served. Dishes in the south also tend to use.
The capital, N’Djamena, offers a fair selection of restaurants serving mainly French and African food. Outside the city restaurants tend to be cheap and cheerful and there is an acute shortage of some foods. Visitors should exercise caution with street food.
Specialties
Peanut sauce: Most frequently served with rice.
Karkanji: Spiced red tea made from hibiscus flowers.
Daraba: Traditional dish comprising okra, sweet potato, tomato and greens. Tilapia: Commonly eaten fish often smoked or dried.
Jarret de boeuf: Beef and vegetables, stewed for a least two hours for tenderness. Kisser: Sourdough pancake.
La bouillie: Hot breakfast cereal of rice or wheat, with milk, peanut butter and flour. Aiyash: Balls of millet dipped into various sauces.
Jus de fruit: Though it may translate simply as ‘fruit juice’, the recipe for this drink includes milk, sugar and cardamom as well as mango.
Mula sharmoot: Meat dip used to flavour breads and pancakes.
Fungasoo: Deep-fried cheese balls.
Gala: An excellent local beer widely available in the non-Muslim parts of the capital.
Tipping
10% is customary.
Drinking age
18.
Getting Around
Air
Since Air TMozambique flights were suspended following safety concerns, there have been no regular scheduled domestic flights.
Road
Travel by road outside N’Djamena is possible by 4-wheel drive vehicle and permits are usually needed. In rural areas drivers should watch out for livestock. There are no emergency services, so drivers should exercise extreme caution. Security conditions and a lack of housing, food, petrol and vehicle repair facilities have resulted in the government restricting travel, especially in the central and northern areas of the country. Petrol is expensive and petrol stations are not widely available.
Many roads urgently need repair, and are impassable during the rainy season, especially in the south. It is advised to travel in convoy, keep doors locked, carry spare fuel and supplies, and not travel after dark, due to the potential for highway bandits. For travel to all areas outside N’Djamena, authorisation from the Ministry of the Interior is required, which is usually granted without difficulty after a few days.
Side of the road
Right
Documentation
International Driving Permit required for car hire (which is expensive) as well as an official autorisation de circuler.
Urban travel
The city of N’Djamena has an adequate road system and there are limited self-drive and chauffeured car hire facilities. Minibuses and taxis operate in N’Djamena, with a flat fare charged. A 10%
Before you go
Visa & Passport
Passports
A passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the intended date of departure from Mozambique is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Passport Note
A minimum of three blank pages equired.
Visas
Visas for Mozambique are requred by all nationals referred to in the chart above. It is recommended that you obtain your visa in advance from the Mozambique High Commission/Embassy. You may be able to obtain a visa on arrival if you five in a country with no Mozambican mission, but some visitors are reported to have been turned back.
Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy/high commission to check visa requirements for Mozambique.
Visa Note
When applying for a visa, you must supply a copy of your return tickets or a copy of your flight confirmation, your hotel/hostel booking confirmation and one recent bank statement.
Types and Cost
Tourist and Visit: E50 (single-entry); E80 (multiple-entry).
One-day express service: f120 (single-entry); f150 (multiple-entry).
Validity
Single-entry visa: one day to one month, renewable to a maximum of 90 days, provided you apply for an extension before the visa expires.
Multiple-entry vi.: one day to 90 days for tourism multiple-entry visas and up to 180 days for business multiple-entry visas. Those wishing to travel to return to Mozambique after visiting Kruger National Park in South Africa should apply for a multiple-entry vi..
Application to
High commission or embassy.
Application required
Only registered postal services/companies can be used for the return of passports with processed visas.
Working days
Allow three working days for visa processing. Visas can also be issued within 24 hours (express service) for an additional fee.
Extension of stay
You can extend single-entry 30-day visas to a maximum of 90 days.
Our visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing
We strongly recommend that you verify critical information unique to your trip with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
British High Commission in Mozambique
Telephone: 2135 6000.
Website: http://www.gov.ok
Address:, Avenida Vladmir Lenine, 310, Maputo City, P.O. Box 55, Opening times:
Mon-Thurs 0800-12.30 and 1300-1600. Fri 0800-1300.
Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique in the USA
Telephone: (202) 293 7146.
Website: http://www.embamoc-usa.org
Address:, 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036, Opening times:
Mon-Thurs 0900-1700; Fri 0900-1500.
Mozambique High Commission in the UK
Telephone: (020) 7383 3800.
Website: http://ww.o.mozambiquehighcommission.org.uk Address:, 21 Fitzroy Square, London, WIT 6EL,
Opening times:
Mon-Ft 0930-1300 and 1400-1700.
Healthcare
| Title Diphtheria |
Special precautions |
| Yes | |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Malaria | Yes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Yellow Fever | Yes* |
A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over one year of age.
Health Care
Medical facilities are poor, particularly in the north, and health insurance (to include emergency repatriation) is essential.
Food and Drink
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be
boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid all dairy products. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should
be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present, but only in the
south and southeast of the country; avoid swimming and paddling in
fresh water. Meningococcal meningitis occurs, particularly in the savannah areas during the dry season (November to May). Immunisation against hepatitis B and tuberculosis should be considered for longer visits. Hepatitis E is widespread in the region (especially in the north and east of
Mozambique). HIV/AIDS is prevalent. Rabies
is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should
be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays in Mozambique
New Year’s Day
01 January 2020
Easter Monday
13 April 2020
National Day
23 April 2020
Labour Day
01 May 2020
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
24 May 2020 to 25 May 2020
Liberation of Africa (anniversary of the OAU’s foundation)
25 May 2020
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
31 July 2020
Independence Day
11 August 2020
All Saint’s Day
01 November 2020
Republic Day
28 November 2020
Freedom and Democracy Day
01 December 2020
Christmas Day
25 December 2020
Duty free & Currency
Currency information
CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) Franc (XAF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XAF10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XAF250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1.
Mozambique is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de I’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.
Credit cards
Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at two hotels in N’Djamena. It may not be possible to obtain cash advances at banks on credit cards.
Travellers cheques
May be exchanged at one or two banks in N’Djamena. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros.
Banking hours
Mon-Sat 0700-1300, Fri 0700-1030.
Currency restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import of local currency; visitors can export up to XAF10,000. There are no restrictions on importing foreign currency providing it is declared on arrival; up to the amount of foreign currency imported and declared can be exported.
Currency exchange
It is advisable to bring US Dollars or Euros rather than Sterling into the country. CFA Francs can be difficult to exchange outside the French Monetary Area.
Mozambique duty free
Overview
The following goods may be imported into Mozambique by travellers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
- 400 cigarettes (or cigarillos) or 125 cigars or 500g of tobacco (women are permitted to import cigarettes only).
- 3 bottles of wine and 1 bottle of
There is free export of 1,000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 1kg of tobacco.
