Good to Know
Travel Information
Everything you need to plan your Mozambique trip with confidence, weather, currency, health and safety, and how to get here.
January – March
25–35°C / 77–95°F
Peak of the hot and rainy season, occasionally with gusty winds. Ideal for relaxing beach days, though it’s worth protecting against high UV levels.
April – June
17–31°C / 63–88°F
As the rains subside, temperatures begin to moderate, an excellent window for island adventures and leisurely ocean cruises.
July – September
17–29°C / 63–84°F
The coolest months of the year, still with comfortable daytime temperatures. This is also when humpback whales migrate along the coast.
October – December
21–33°C / 70–91°F
Clear skies and calm waters make this the ideal window for snorkelling and diving in the crystal-clear waters.
Welcome
Overview
Situated on the southeastern coast of Africa, Mozambique is a vibrant and diverse country known for its stunning coastline, rich cultural heritage and abundant natural beauty. From pristine beaches and tropical islands to bustling cities and wildlife reserves, Mozambique offers travellers a genuinely varied experience within one country.
The lay of the land
Geography
Mozambique shares borders with Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and South Africa and Eswatini to the southwest. The country’s landscape ranges from lush forests and rolling hills to vast savannas and rugged mountains, alongside the long Indian Ocean coastline most visitors come to see.
People & traditions
Culture & Heritage
Mozambique’s cultural heritage draws on African, Portuguese and Arab influences, a genuine melting pot of traditions and ethnicities. Traditional markets, local cuisine, and vibrant music and dance performances all reflect the country’s distinctive cultural identity, worth building into any itinerary alongside the beach and island time.
The coastline
Beaches & Islands
Mozambique’s beaches and islands are the country’s defining draw, from the Bazaruto Archipelago’s white sand and coral reefs to the remote, far less visited Quirimbas Islands further north. Endless stretches of coastline, crystal-clear water and vibrant marine life make this one of the Indian Ocean’s most rewarding destinations for sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts alike.
Beyond the beach
Adventure & Activities
Diving and snorkelling in some of the world’s most pristine marine environments sits alongside inland safari, wildlife reserves and cultural excursions, Mozambique rewards both the traveller who wants to spend a week on the sand and the one who wants to fill every day with something new.
Practical logistics
Currency & Payments
Currency
The Mozambican currency is the metical (meticais, plural), relatively stable and linked to the USD. Mozambican law requires that a meticais payment option be offered for every transaction, though in areas with strong South African visitor numbers, ZAR is also widely accepted, and USD is accepted virtually everywhere. Malawian kwacha is occasionally accepted near the Zimbabwe and Malawi borders.
The import and export of meticais is restricted to 500 MZN. There’s no restriction on other currencies, but amounts over USD 5,000 must be declared on entry. Traveller’s cheques are not accepted, and exchanging them at banks is costly.
Exchanging Currency
USD, Euros and ZAR can be exchanged at airports, banks and cambios. Banking hours typically run 08:30 to 15:30, with lunchtime closures common in smaller towns. Exchanging currency on the street or with individuals at border posts is illegal and generally poor value. Foreign notes should have no markings, and only USD notes printed in 2013 or later are accepted.
ATMs & Banks
Banks accept international credit and debit cards, and ATMs are available in larger cities, though they dispense meticais only. Worth confirming with your own bank before travelling to ensure smooth access to funds, and worth being cautious of card fraud, particularly at ATMs outside enclosed, secure areas or after dark. Major banks include Barclays, Standard, and BIM (Millennium BIM).
Credit Cards Accepted
Major restaurants and hotels in larger cities accept MasterCard and Visa. Credit cards may not be accepted in more remote lodges, worth checking with the specific property directly. American Express and Diners Club are generally not accepted.
Before you go
What to Pack
Light, casual beachwear suits Mozambique’s year-round sunny climate, with a sweater for occasional cool or rainy evenings and a shawl or cover-up worth having for cooler nights. Long trousers are worth packing for evenings, both for comfort and as a simple extra layer of protection against mosquito bites.
Good to know
Health & Safety
Carry your passport, or a certified copy, at all times. Drink bottled water, and pack essential medication including rehydration salts and antimalarial tablets. Use sunscreen, wear a hat, and apply insect repellent, most of Mozambique’s coastal and inland regions fall within a malaria area.
Stay informed on current local conditions and avoid high-crime areas. Clarify exactly what’s included and excluded with your hotel or travel agent before booking, particularly for activities and transfers, where inclusions can vary significantly between properties.
Airlines
Getting to Mozambique
International: Airlink
Direct flights connect Mozambique’s major cities, including Maputo, Beira and Nampula, from international gateways such as Johannesburg, making Airlink the most common way to reach the country for leisure and business travellers alike
Domestic: LAM
Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, the national carrier, connects destinations within the country, including the historic Ilha de Moçambique, Tete, and the Quirimbas Archipelago, well suited to a quick weekend escape or a multi-region itinerary.
What’s in the water
Marine Life You Might See
Sightings vary by region and season. The chart below reflects general likelihood along Mozambique’s southern coast, worth checking the relevant destination page for area-specific detail.
| Species | High | Medium | Low | Not Present |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback Whales | ✓ | |||
| Dolphins | ✓ | |||
| Sharks (Reef) | ✓ | |||
| Whale Sharks | ✓ | |||
| Manta Rays | ✓ | |||
| Orcas / Killer Whales | ✗ | |||
| Turtles — Green | ✓ | |||
| Turtles — Hawksbill | ✓ | |||
| Turtles — Leatherback | ✓ | |||
| Turtles — Loggerhead | ✓ | |||
| Dugong | ✓ | |||
| Bonefish | ✗ | |||
| Giant Trevally | ✓ | |||
| Barracuda | ✓ | |||
| Sailfish | ✓ |
Special sighting for this region: During humpback whale migration season, roughly July to October, there’s a heightened chance of also encountering dugong. (Adjusted from the original “July–September” to match the July–October range used consistently across property and destination pages already built for this site, worth confirming which is correct before publishing.)