Mozambique - Info & Facts

Suggested length of stay

If you want a good overview of the Mozambique, experiencing the cultural and natural wonders of the country a good line, length of stay is between 7-12 days. If you want to rethe lax and enjoy the beaches, then your stay is as long as you can spare.

Modes of transport

Road

Though not always recommended, Self-driving holidays in Mozambique are popular, there are many rules and regulations regarding the roads in Mozambique and if planning on driving in Mozambique to discuss it with Oasis travel or Mozambique Consulate.

Air

Domestic flights are the fastest and most sane way to get around the country. Linhas Aereas de Moçambique flies between the major cities. The flights themselves are on extremely modern, clean and well-maintained aircraft and are a stark contrast to the other transport options in the country.

Climate

Almost all of Mozambique is within the tropics, so Mozambique features a mostly tropical climate.

Along the coast, Mozambique has a warm, tropical climate. Evenings are rarely cold, except for a few nights in June and July and the rainfall isn’t too high. In summer, temperatures can soar, and the humidity levels rise. Temperatures are typically higher in the north, Pemba, and Zambezi.

The interior plains generally have a higher temperature than the coast and have higher rainfall throughout the year. The mountainous regions remain typically cool throughout the year.

Health Precautions

The risk of malaria is high in some areas of the country, and anti-malaria medication is advisable, Tap water is safe to drink within the larger cities, but in rural areas, bottled water is recommended.

Food

Mozambique gastronomy benefits both African and Portuguese influences. Specialities include Piri-Piri chicken (chicken with spicy chilli sauce), shellfish, calamari, lobsters and Delagoa prawns with Piri-Piri sauce, rice with matapa (ground peanut and cassava leave sauce), and wuza (maize porridge). The favourite national dish is chicken with French fries (batatas fritas). Portuguese desserts are delicious and rich. Tropical fruits are widely available.

Mozambican beers and South African wines, beers and ciders are popular. Mozambique also counts with renowned breweries.

Mozambique’s seafood is always fresh and superb for a fantastic culinary voyage. The local cuisine is mainly Portuguese-influenced.

Money

The official currency of Mozambique is the Metical.

There is no restriction on the import of foreign currency, but the import and export of local currency are not allowed. Traveller’s check is accepted and readily exchanged but to avoid commission they are best taken in US Dollars.

Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard only) are only accepted in upmarket establishments and big cities. Sometimes, transactions can’t be completed due to telecommunication connections.

ATM is widely available all over the country.

Time Zone

Mozambique observes Central African Time (CAT) (GMT+2) and 8 hours behind AEST. Mozambique does not follow daylight saving.

Visas

You’ll need a visa to enter Mozambique.

Visas-on-arrival is available if certain conditions are met, but some travellers have faced difficulties getting a visa-on-arrival. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) can change at short notice. Contact a High Commission of Mozambique to apply for a visa before you travel or for up-to-date information on entry and exit conditions.

Australian Embassy & Consulate contacts for Mozambique

The Australian High Commission in South Africa is responsible for Mozambique

292 Orient Street

Arcadia

Pretoria 0083

South Africa

Phone: +27 12 423 6000

Mozambique Embassy contacts in Australia

Consulate of the Republic of Mozambique

Resources Law International

Level 10, 30 Collins Street,

Melbourne, VIC 3000

Email: mozambiqueconsulate.au@gmail.com

Phone: +61 03 9652 9000

Electricity

In Mozambique, the power sockets are of type C, F and M. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Getting there (stopovers)

There are no direct flights from Australia to Mozambique; the best way is through Johannesburg from Perth or Sydney.

A brief history

Vasco de Gama, reached the coast of Mozambique in 1498 marking the Portuguese entry to trade and they achieved control of the country at the beginning of 16thcentury. However, it’s only after the division of Africa by the leading European states that Mozambique becomes a colonial administration.

During the 19th century, British companies became increasingly involved in the trade as well as the politics. By the 20thcentury there were large private companies: the Mozambique Company, Zambezia Company and Niassa Company, which were controlled and financed by Britain. They were in charge of setting railroads to neighbouring countries. In September 1964, The Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) began a guerrilla war against the Portuguese rule. This conflict became part of the Portuguese Colonial War (1961 – 1974).

After over ten years of warfare for the right to self-determination, FRELIMO gained control of the country. Mozambique became independent on June 25th 1975, and Samora Machel is elected president. The new Popular Republic of Mozambique is socialist until 1987.

From 1976 to 1992 Mozambique endured a civil war between the RENAMO rebels’ armed force and the FRELIMO government that devastated the country.

In 1994, the presidents of Frelimo and Renamo (the two main political parties) signed a General Peace Agreement. A multi-party system is then adopted, with the first multi-party elections occurring the same year.

Nowadays, Mozambique enjoys political and social stability with strong economic development. Mozambique is also becoming a leading luxury tourist destination.

Tipping

Tipping for service is standard practice in Mozambique and is usually 10% in restaurants and about US$1 per item for hotel porters; cleaners and maids in hotels and Lodges usually get between US$1 and US$2 per day. During your trip, it is likely that you will meet tour guides. Tipping in this instance ranges between US$4 and US$5 per person per day. Tipping is only recommended if you are satisfied with the service you have received and is entirely at your own discretion.