How to plan a trip to Mozambique

Are you ready to start your trip to this fascinating African country? If so, you’re in the right place because in this post we have help you plan your trip to Mozambique with the best tips. During our stay, we had the opportunity to get to know the country first hand and we want to share with you everything we learned and all those essential details that we believe will be of great help to you.

Throughout the post we will tell you about key aspects such as the necessary documentation to travel to the country, the best way to get there or the most advisable areas to stay. We’ve also prepared a section with the dishes you can’t miss on your visit and the most popular activities, such as safaris in its natural parks or diving on its beaches with crystal-clear waters. Take note, let’s get started!

1. Prepare your travel documents for Mozambique

Depending on where you’re travelling from, you’ll need to apply for one of two travel permits:

Citizens of certain countries mentioned below will be able to enter the country without a visa for tourism or business for 30 days, with the possibility of extending the stay. To do so, you must register on the official website at least 48 hours in advance and pay a fee of 10 euros.

On arrival, you must present your passport, departure tickets, and proof of accommodation or company letter, depending on the purpose of your trip. Regular visa procedures require more documentation and have a processing time of 10 working days, which can be reduced to 5 in urgent cases.

The following countries are exempt from applying for a visa: Canada, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Israel, United States, Russia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Kingdom of Sweden, Netherlands, Great Britain and Ireland, Korea, Ivory Coast, Finland, Indonesia, Ireland, Singapore, Ghana, Senegal, Germany, French, Italian, China, Portuguese and Ukraine.

All other countries must apply for a visa, which costs €90 for 30 days or €105 for 90 days. When applying for a visa you will need to present the following documents:

• Photocopy of your ID card
• Two passport photos
• Photocopy of your return ticket
• Full application form
• Proof of payment of fees.

The visa takes approximately 10 working days to process. It is also possible to process the visa on arrival at the airport, but you can only pay in cash.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Mozambique

Although you can visit Mozambique at any time of year, there are two distinct seasons, the rainy season and the dry season, when it’s best to travel, especially if you want to go on safari and enjoy the beach.

However, this also coincides with the high season, especially between December and January, when South Africans take the opportunity to visit the country. As a result, prices tend to be higher.

3. Find out how to get to Mozambique

There are two main options for getting to Mozambique, either by air or overland from South Africa:

• By air: the most common way to get to Mozambique is by plane to Maputo International Airport. If you’re travelling from Europe, you’ll most likely have to make a stopover in Portugal, from where most flights depart. The journey takes approximately 10 hours.
• By land: Since no South African car rental company allows you to take your car to Mozambique, the only option is to use bus companies such as Greyhound or Intercape, which are the most popular.

From Maputo airport you can get to the city centre by taxi for about 500 meticais (about €7), use a shared shuttle service or a private transfer. The journey takes about 20 minutes depending on traffic.

As for public transport, chapas (local minibuses) are common for short journeys and very cheap, though often overcrowded. For longer journeys, intercity buses are the best option and usually cost between 300 and 1200 meticais, depending on the distance. Hiring a car with a driver can be a safer and more comfortable way to explore the country.

4. Find the accommodation that fits your expectations to enjoy Mozambique

Accommodation in Mozambique reflects the diversity of the country, with options ranging from luxurious resorts to more budget-friendly options. Although tourism is not mass-market, the infrastructure is heavily geared towards luxury tourism, which can drive up prices, especially in high season. Even so, it’s possible to find options for less than €40 a night.

Here are some of the best places to stay in the country:

• Maputo Central: this is the ideal choice for those who want to be close to attractions such as Maputo Fortress and the Cathedral. This area tends to be more expensive due to its central location and the amenities available.
• Tofo: This charming seaside town is perfect for those who love the beach and activities such as scuba diving. It offers both budget and luxury accommodation in a relaxed and accessible environment.
• Vilanculos: is known for its proximity to the stunning Bazaruto Archipelago. Vilanculos offers spectacular beachfront accommodation. Prices are higher here, but the views and access to water activities justify the cost.

5. Where and what to eat in Mozambique

Mozambican cuisine is a delicious fusion of flavours influenced by its Portuguese colonisers and trade with Arabs and Indians. Some of the most common ingredients are cassava, rice, coconut, maize, peanuts, poultry, and especially fish, which are often flavoured with spices such as curcuma, ginger, lime, coriander and piri-piri, a hot chilli that defines many of the local flavours.

Top 5 typical dishes of Mozambique:

• Prego (beef fillet in bread): a very popular spicy and juicy snack.
• Frango à Zambeziana: chicken marinated in coconut and piri-piri sauce.
• Matapa: cassava leaves cooked with coconut milk and shrimp or crab.
• Camarões Grelhados (grilled shrimp): fresh shrimp marinated in piri-piri.
• Peri-peri chicken: grilled chicken with a spicy piri-piri chilli sauce.

As for drinks, beer is a common choice with local brands such as 2M and Laurentina. Tipo Tinto, a local rum, is also famous for making R&R, a cocktail that mixes rum and raspberry soda.

6. Choose the activities you want to do in Mozambique

To explore Mozambique and enjoy its cultural and natural riches, a minimum of two weeks is recommended, although a 10-day trip will give you time to see most of the essentials. During this time you can do all these activities and visit the main points of interest. We tell you about them in more detail in this post: What to see and do in Mozambique?

These are the most popular things to do in Mozambique:

• Tofo diving: explore rich reefs and encounter manta rays and whale sharks. Price: approx. €50 per dive.
• Gorongosa National Park safari: see wildlife recovered from the civil war. Price: from €100 per person.
• Mozambique Island Tour: explore this world heritage site steeped in colonial history.
• Dhow tour of the Bazaruto Archipelago: sail on these traditional boats. From €40 per person.
• Excursion to the Bazaruto Dunes: enjoy the sand and sea in a spectacular landscape. Price: around €55 per person.
• Snorkelling at Ponta do Ouro: discover the vibrant marine life in crystal clear waters. Price: €25 per session.
• Hike in the Chimanimani Mountains: ideal for trekking enthusiasts.
• Visit the Maputo Special Reserve: venture out on a 4WD safari to see elephants and birds. Price: from €30 per person.

7. Organise a trip with friends to Mozambique

Travelling with friends to Mozambique can be an unforgettable experience where you can enjoy safaris and beaches with the best company. In addition, it has many other advantages such as sharing expenses or sharing the impressions of the day with your friends.

However, there can also be disagreements about what activities to do, budget or schedules. The Passporter app offers the perfect solution as it will help you plan and organise your trip to Mozambique as a group, facilitating coordination and ensuring everyone’s participation. In addition, this platform allows you to create a shared memory album by uploading photos, making your experience truly memorable. Find out more about how to get the most out of this tool in our post: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Mozambique

• The currency in Mozambique is the Metical (MZN).
• It is recommended to bring cash, firstly to be able to pay for your visa on arrival and secondly because ATMs are not plentiful.
• Mozambique uses C, F and M type plugs, with a voltage of 220V and a frequency of 50Hz. Don’t forget to bring an adaptor.
• The official language is Portuguese, although you’ll be able to communicate well in English in the more touristy areas.
• We recommend booking flights and accommodation in advance, especially during the high season.
• Always carry your passport with you to avoid being fined in Maputo for not having identification.
• Watch out for the badges, minivans and speeding minivans.
• It is recommended that you take malaria prophylaxis during your stay and use mosquito repellent.
• As in any tourist destination, it is prudent to keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places and on public transport, and avoid carrying visible valuables.
• Mozambique has a tropical climate with a dry season (May to October) and a wet season (November to April).
• Wear light clothing and sun protection for the heat, and waterproof clothing for the rainy season.
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: Travel insured.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Mozambique

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums.
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents.
• Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You will also be able to share your experience on how to plan your trip to Mozambique.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Mozambique