Despite the horrific 17-year civil war that scarred the country, including its wildlife and infrastructure, Mozambique has been undergoing a transformation at a remarkable pace. Visitors can enjoy relatively safe travel within this country, discovering world-renowned beaches, colonial architecture and local customs of the natives. Cities like Maputo, Beira and the Mozambique Island provide travelers access to historic sites, Mediterranean-style buildings, and game reserves.
Located in southeast Africa along the Indian Ocean and bordered primarily by Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the country boasts a plethora of geographic attributes, including two of southern Africa's longest rivers, the Zambezi and Limpopo, palm-lined beaches and forested mountains in the western regions. Most visitors flock to beaches in Pemba, a coastal city with an expanding tourist industry and a lively atmosphere. Mozambique has a dry season from April to September, with a rainy season during the rest of the year.
The international airport located in the capital, Maputo, is served by European and African airlines and is the main entry point into Mozambique. Linhas Aereas de Mozambique airline serves regional and domestic destinations.
Bus networks, the most convenient way to travel in Mozambique, provide services between major towns at least once a day. Express bus lines offer services in some cities, while the converted passenger trucks, "chapa-cems" run in rural areas, especially in places where roads are in poor condition. If renting a vehicle, keep all vehicle papers in order and obey all road rules to reduce the chances of being hassled. Car rental offices are located in major cities, including Maputo and Beira.
The communications infrastructure is limited to large cities, including Maputo. International direct dialing is available; however, delays are frequent as outgoing calls must go through the operator. Internet services are available in Maputo, which has at least two cyber cafes. Postal service to Europe takes close to a week; letters to North America can take longer than two weeks.
More than 15 major ethnic groups live in Mozambique, the largest group being the Makua, located primarily in the northern provinces. A small percentage of Portuguese and other Europeans reside in Mozambique in addition to some Asian residents. Although each ethnic group speaks its own language, Portuguese is the official and most commonly spoken language. English is not often spoken outside of the tourist areas in the south.
The civil war left Mozambique with more than one million unexploded land mines. Some minefields are unmarked. Do not wander off or outside of tourist areas, particularly without seeking local advice. When driving, stay on roads and well-worn tracks. Crime is also a significant threat, as armed robberies, carjackings and assault have become common in some areas. Avoid walking alone, particularly in Maputo or other large urban areas.
For a free map of Mozambique and more detailed information, be sure to click on the Destination Brief above.
Please note: the situation in Mozambique can be volatile and dynamic. You are encouraged to purchase an Intelligence Brief ($7.50) or Destination Tracker ($25) for complete, up-to-the-minute information on the Country, Security and Health, Local Travel Alerts, Entry/exit requirements, Transportation, Communications/Technology, Legal and Financial situation, Environmental concerns and Language in Mozambique.