Know Before You Go

Most nationalities require a visa (obtainable on arrival or in advance at embassy). Passport must be valid for 6 months. Tourist visas are typically 30 days. Extend at the immigration office in Maputo.

ATMs in Maputo dispense Metical from BIM, Standard Bank, and others. Exchange rates favor cash exchanged at banks. Credit cards work at hotels and upscale restaurants but not widely elsewhere. Carry USD or EUR for remote areas.

Vodacom and Movitel are main carriers. Buy SIM at airport or shops. 4G coverage in Maputo and main towns; 3G elsewhere. Data is cheap. Wi-Fi in hotels is common; cafes less so.

Roads are rough and unpaved outside main corridors. Car hire with experienced driver is essential. Chapa (minibus) connections exist but are slow and crowded. Domestic flights (LAM, Precision Air) are expensive and infrequent. Expect very slow travel times.

Malaria is present year-round in most areas. Take prophylaxis. Water is unsafe in most areas; drink bottled water. Medical facilities are limited outside Maputo; serious cases require evacuation. Vaccinate against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever, and polio.

Portuguese is official; few speak English outside capital and resorts. Local Bantu languages vary by region. Greet people respectfully. Dress modestly in villages. Photography of people requires permission. Respect sacred sites and traditional practices.

Best time is April to September (dry, cooler season). October to March is hot, humid, and rainy with cyclone risk. Temperatures 25-35C. Dry season is ideal for travel and wildlife viewing.

Maputo International Airport (MPM) is the primary hub, with connections via TAP Air Portugal, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, and regional carriers. Beira Airport serves the central coast. Overland entry is possible from South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania; the journey through communities tells deeper stories than any guidebook.