Swaying palms, white sands and sun-dappled turquoise water lure visitors to Mozambique’s long stretch of coast — a relaxing complement to a busy few days on safari in Southern Africa. From here, you can dive and snorkel among fish-riddled reefs and take a traditional dhow out on the pink-tinged ocean at sunset.
You can also discover Mozambique's culture with visits to tiny fishing villages and the Portuguese-influenced port city of Maputo, where you'll find an 18th-century fortress and palm-lined streets alive with street vendors. Our specialists have visited the country many times and can help you decide where to stay and what to do during your trip.
Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Mozambique.
Diving & Snorkeling
The lodge has a fully equipped Dive and Snorkel Centre and the resident dive instructor will be happy to take you out diving or snorkeling among the coral reefs.
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Mozambique, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese, but there are also roughly 60 distinct Bantu languages and dialects spoken in the country. You’ll find English spoken at all hotels and in major visitor hubs.
The currency of Mozambique is the metical (MZN), although hotels accept and prefer payment in US dollars. You’ll find ATMs at the airport and in larger cities or can buy metical on arrival. Credit cards are usually accepted at more upmarket hotels, but on outlying islands cash may still be preferred as connections on card reader machines can be unreliable.
In Mozambique you should try matapa (clam and peanut stew made with pumpkin leaves), mu-kwane (coconut and cassava), and ncima or posho (maize porridge). Along the coast you’ll find dishes are generally seafood based with calamari, crab, lobster, and prawns staples on the menu. Most meat and fish dishes are cooked using a spicy red-pepper piri-piri sauce, and chicken cooked this way is often described as frango a calria (chicken, the African way).
In more upmarket restaurants, dishes often have a Portuguese influence, and in hotels and restaurants that cater to overseas visitors the menu is usually international in style.
A tip of around 10% is appropriate in more upmarket restaurants in Mozambique. Tipping in smaller, local restaurants is at your discretion but always gratefully received. Porters will also appreciate a small tip.
For the latest travel advice for Mozambique, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the State Department website.
In Mozambique you can relax on white-sand beaches, snorkel or dive on coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, explore sleepy fishing villages, or discover the Portuguese heritage of the capital, Maputo.
With a long coastline edged by powdery sands and a scattering of quiet islands where you can kayak, kitesurf, fish or dive, Mozambique is an appealing destination if you’re looking to relax. You could take a trip on a traditional dhow, head into the forested interior to visit traditional villages, go diving and snorkeling on the secluded Bazaruto Archipelago, or combine a visit with a few days on safari in Southern Africa.
Mozambique offers a wide range of accommodation that includes everything from sleek beachfront resorts and villas to remote private islands and locally owned boutique hotels. Our waterfront hotels all sit on quiet beaches where crystal-clear seas lie a stone’s throw from your thatched villa or air-conditioned suite.
You could choose from our collection of intimate resorts that blend the best of traditional design with contemporary comforts, opt for an exclusive private-island getaway, or discover a luxury boutique hotel in the Ponta Mamoli region in the far south of Mozambique. For a better idea of what’s possible, browse our collection of places to stay in Mozambique.
Plan a quick stop in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, to see the 18th-century fortress and explore the bustling city streets before heading to the white sands and turquoise seas of the secluded Bazaruto Archipelago. A string of sandy islands lapped by crystalline seas, the Bazaruto Archipelago is an ideal place to relax by snorkeling and diving, going whale and dolphin watching, and enjoying the slow pace of life.
Alternatively, you can see turtles, dugong, and manta rays at the Vilanculous Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary on the mainland, or venture to Ponta Mamoli, a secluded wilderness area at the southern tip of Mozambique.
It takes between 25 and 34 hours to fly from the East Coast of the US to Mozambique. From the West Coast, it takes between 28 and 30 hours.
The time zone in Mozambique is UTC+2 hours. Daylight Savings Time is not observed.
The best way to get around Mozambique is to combine car journeys with domestic flights, often on light aircraft if flying out to one of the islands. You’ll be able to travel in comfort with a local driver and make the most of your time. If you’re visiting some of the smaller islands, you may also need to take some boat journeys.
Your doctor can provide you with immunization advice for Mozambique, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
The risk of malaria in Mozambique is high and you should speak to your doctor about taking antimalarial medication.
The most effective step you can take to reduce your risk, however, is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Cover up with loose clothing that covers your arms and legs, use a mosquito net if you’re staying in an unscreened room, and use a suitable insect repellent on exposed skin. Repellents with 50% DEET are considered the most effective and stay active for longest. Take repellent with you in case there’s a shortage locally. If you feel unwell and have a high fever or other symptoms either during or after travel, seek prompt medical help and make sure you mention your travel history.
Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Mozambique. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Mozambique. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Mozambique at its best.
Family vacations in Mozambique
If your family enjoys water-based activities, you'll be spoiled for choice in Mozambique. With a wide variety of family-friendly properties right on the beach you can spend your days splashing around in a desert island setting, before heading inland for more family-friendly fun.
Honeymoons in Mozambique
A tailor-made honeymoon in Mozambique not only allows you the chance to relax on white-sand beaches, it also offers you the opportunity to snorkel and dive among kaleidoscopic fish, visit timeless fishing villages, and toast the sunset aboard a traditional dhow.
Cruise destinations in Africa
Africa is blessed with hundreds of miles of wonderful coastline and mighty inland lakes. Enjoy short adventure cruises such as a sunset yacht cruise on Lake Malawi or a dhow cruise off the coast of Mozambique or Zanzibar.
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