Frequently Asked Questions about Mozambique (FAQ)
Is Mozambique safe?
What is the safest place in Mozambique?
Mozambique is a very safe and relaxed country, and Mozambicans are quiet and friendly people. You will feel immediately at ease here. Last December and January there were many protests against the current government and lots of road blocks. Right now it is quiet in Mozambique and fortunately most embassies have changed the travel advisory back to yellow. Vilanculos has always been quiet and is with its international airport easily accessible. The province of Cabo Delgado in the far north is still experiencing some sad problems and unrest. The rest of the country is perfectly safe to visit.
Where is Mozambique located?
Mozambique has borders with 6 countries
Mozambique is situated on the southeastern coast of Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean. It has a coastline of over 2500 kms and has borders with South Africa and Eswatini to the south and southwest, Zimbabwe to the West, Malawi and Zambia to the north west and Tanzania in the north.
How do I get to Mozambique? Flights and connections
From any city in the world it’s best to go through Johannesburg International Airport from where there are daily flights with Airlink to Vilanculos (Johannesburg- Vilanculos 1.5 hours).
There are also direct flights with Airlink from Johannesburg to Beira (for Gorongosa National Park) or Nampula (for Mozambique island).
Alternatively, if coming from Europe fly to the capital Maputo directly with TAP Airlines from Lisbon, or with a stopover with Qatar Airways, Emirates, or Ethiopian Airlines.
Ethiopian Airlines also flies to Beira from Europe and vice versa (with stopover), a good connection to Gorongosa National Park.
From London, Ethiopian Airlines has the best connections and fares to Mozambique. KLM partner Kenya Airways flies via Malawi to Nampula in the north, an good connection to combine Mozambique with Malawi.
What is the Mozambican Currency?
Can I use my credit or debit card in Mozambique?
The currency is the Mozambican Metical (MZN). The Metical has been stable against the US dollar in recent years.
You can use most credit cards in Mozambique, especially VISA. Mastercard is not accepted everywhere. Most major towns have working ATM’s and a lot of the restaurants also have card machines.
Cash is king though and it’s always good to have cash to buy local products here in Mozambique. It’s easy to take out money from an ATM or change money once you arrive here.
Do I need a visa for Mozambique?
visa requirements Mozambique
The current visa procedure for travellers and tourists is much easier than before and a lot of nationalities don’t need to apply for a visa in advance – you can get your tourist visa on arrival. For example passport holders from The Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, USA, United Kingdom can get visas on arrival (please check with me for the whole list).
You need to register in advance on the Portal for Evisa. However, as there have been operational issues with the portal it is cuurently (July 2025) still possible to obtain your tourist visa on arrival.
If your first port of call in Mozambique is Vilanculos, obtaining a visa on arrival is usually a very easy and straightforward process. You will need to pay 10 Euro or 11 USD for your visa and your passport needs to be valid for a minimum of 6 months, with a minimum of 2 consecutive white pages, a print out of your accommodation reservation and a return flight ticket if traveling by air. The visa is valid for 30 days.
Mozambique is well known for it’s beautiful unspoiled coastline, pristine beaches, unique ocean safaris, snorkeling and diving, but there is so much more to do than ocean activities.
Did you know Mozambique also has the Big Five?
Read my blogs about the best things to do in Mozambique. From pristine snorkeling and diving, spotting wild dogs in Gorongosa National Park to visiting the local market and a unique mindfulness meditation session on a deserted sandbank in the Indian Ocean.
Mozambique is also the perfect place to be. It’s a peaceful, tranquil and warm place, perfect to relax and sit back.
What language is spoken in Mozambique?
Languages in Mozambique
Portuguese is the country’s official language.
Besides Portuguese, there are at least 40 different local languages spoken in Mozambique, for example Makhuwa, Changana, Nyanja, Ndau, Sena, Chwabo, and Tswa.
What is the best time to visit Mozambique?
Mozambique is nice and warm all year round and can be visited almost in every season. The period between December 15 and January 15 is less recommended due to school vacations in South Africa (high season) and the February/March period is rain and cyclone season. Gorongosa National Park is closed from mid-December to early April and some accommodations close in February for maintenance and upkeeping.
April, May, September, October and November are very beautiful and the winter months of July and August are a lot cooler with pleasant daytime temperatures and much cooler evenings. July until the end of September is the best time to see the humpback whales. If you are tied to school holidays, May is the quietest period and a very nice month. In July/August the whales can be seen but international flights are often a lot more expensive.
Can I self-drive in Mozambique?
Sure, self-drive in Mozambique is possible but with Unique Mozambique I do not offer self-drive holidays. I prefer to create and focus on relaxed and tailor-made experiences and want to work with local reliable transfer companies. Gorongosa National Park also does not allow self-driving in the park. Parts of the National Road (N1) in Mozambique are in a very poor state, with a lot of police checks. I do not want you to stress about your rental car during your holiday.
Is Mozambique a malaria area?
Yes, Mozambique is a malaria-endemic area. It is your personal choice to take malaria prevention or not. The local hospitals are very good in detecting and treating malaria.
Where to go in Mozambique?
Leave that one to me! It all depends on your wishes, needs and budget. Have a look around my website and travel blogs and share your wishes with me. That’s how we can create unique experiences.
Can I visit Mozambique with children?
Mozambique is perfect for children! It is a very safe and relaxed country and Mozambicans love children! The waters are warm and places like Vilanculos, situated around a shallow bay and calm warm waters, are ideal. Your older children will love activities such as kite surfing, coconut cutting, snorkeling, horse riding on the beach or just playing football with the locals.
Does Mozambique have good internet?
Mozambique has very good internet! A lot of places now have Starlink with fast and unlimited Wifi. Where there is no Wifi you can buy a local SIM card and buy data, which is cheap and works very well.
