Africa
Mozambique
Indian Ocean paradise, coral reefs, and Portuguese-African fusion
Capital
Maputo
Language
Portuguese
Currency
Mozambican Metical (MZN)
Best Time
The optimal period to visit Mozambique spans from April through November during the dry season, when rainfall is minimal and temperatures remain comfortable, typically ranging from 20-28°C (68-82°F). This period offers the best conditions
Safety
Increased caution
per live govt advisories
Photo by Nathalie Lays on Unsplash
UK FCDO: Avoid all travel to parts
Reviewed August 20, 2026 · Read full advisory on GOV.UK ↗
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
What 3 governments say
- United States
- Level 2 of 4
- United Kingdom
- Regional advisories only (parts at Level 4)
- Canada
- Level 2 of 4
- Australia
- No data
Low divergence — the 3 government sources covering this destination broadly agree.
Sources retrieved September 18, 2026
Compare advisories for all countries
United Kingdom: Contains public sector information from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (gov.uk) licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Canada: Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada, published by Global Affairs Canada.
Australia: Contains material from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website – www.smartraveller.gov.au, provided under the Creative Commons Attribution licence.
Reviewed by Moise Ouoba, Founder
Last reviewed: August 25, 2026
Sources: government travel advisories and health authorities · How we verify
Quick answers about Mozambique
Direct answers to what travelers actually ask, reviewed before publication.
✦ opens the travel assistant, where you can ask a follow-up.
Entry and visas
Your passport
Do I need a visa for Mozambique?
Visa required on a Nigerian passport — apply before travel
Do I need a visa for Mozambique?
Visa required on a Nigerian passport — apply before travel
Do not rely on visa-on-arrival being available for a Nigerian passport — apply for the eVisa online ahead of departure. Use only the official government portal. Confirm current requirements carefully; the eVisa route is the safest path here.
- Apply via official eVisa portal before flying
- Bring $50 USD cash as backup at border
- Confirm eligibility officially — don't assume VOA access
Visa facts reviewed August 2026 · official sources · reconfirm before booking
Do I need a visa for Mozambique?
No visa needed on a US passport — 30 days, small entry fee
Do I need a visa for Mozambique?
No visa needed on a US passport — 30 days, small entry fee
The US is on Mozambique's visa-exemption list for tourism stays up to 30 days, extendable once in-country. You pay a small entry fee of about 650 meticais (~$10) and show a passport valid 6+ months, a return ticket, and proof of accommodation. Before you fly, check on the official evisa.gov.mz portal whether the online pre-registration is currently enforced — the rule has toggled recently.
- Visa-exempt 30 days — ~650 MZN (~$10) entry fee
- Passport 6+ months, return ticket, accommodation proof
- Check if online pre-registration is currently required
Visa facts reviewed August 2026 · official sources · reconfirm before booking
Do I need a visa for Mozambique?
No visa needed on a French passport — 30 days, small entry fee
Do I need a visa for Mozambique?
No visa needed on a French passport — 30 days, small entry fee
France is on Mozambique's visa-exemption list for tourism stays up to 30 days, extendable once in-country. You pay a small entry fee of about 650 meticais (~$10) and show a passport valid 6+ months, a return ticket, and proof of accommodation. Before you fly, check on the official evisa.gov.mz portal whether the online pre-registration is currently enforced — the rule has toggled recently.
- Visa-exempt 30 days — ~650 MZN (~$10) entry fee
- Passport 6+ months, return ticket, accommodation proof
- Check if online pre-registration is currently required
Visa facts reviewed August 2026 · official sources · reconfirm before booking
How do I apply?
Exempt passports pay a small fee — others: eVisa or VOA
How do I apply?
Exempt passports pay a small fee — others: eVisa or VOA
Travelers from the 29 exempt countries — US, UK, France, and Germany among them — just pay the ~650 MZN (~$10) fee at entry with passport, return ticket, and accommodation proof. Everyone else uses the eVisa at the official portal or the $50 VOA at major entry points. Confirm your route on evisa.gov.mz before booking non-refundable flights.
- 29 exempt countries: ~650 MZN fee at entry
- Others: eVisa online or $50 VOA
- Yellow Fever cert required if arriving from endemic country
Reviewed August 2026 · official sources
How long does it take?
Instant on arrival — 5–10 days for eVisa
How long does it take?
Instant on arrival — 5–10 days for eVisa
VOA is issued on the spot at Maputo airport. If you go the eVisa route, allow 5–10 days and apply the day your dates are confirmed — never closer than two weeks to departure.
- VOA: instant at entry point
- eVisa: 5–10 business days
- Apply early — peak seasons can slow processing
Reviewed August 2026 · official sources
How much does it cost?
~$10 entry fee if exempt — $50 visa otherwise
How much does it cost?
~$10 entry fee if exempt — $50 visa otherwise
The 29 visa-exempt nationalities pay about 650 meticais (~$10) at the border. If your passport is not on the exemption list, the visa costs $50 USD on arrival or online. Carry USD or meticais in cash — card terminals at the border are unreliable. Confirm current fees on the official portal.
- Exempt (US, UK, EU among others): ~650 MZN (~$10)
- Not exempt: $50 USD — VOA or eVisa
- Cash recommended — border card terminals unreliable
Reviewed August 2026 · official sources
Safety
Is Mozambique safe right now?
Safe at the resorts — avoid Maputo at night and Cabo Delgado entirely
Is Mozambique safe right now?
Safe at the resorts — avoid Maputo at night and Cabo Delgado entirely
Beach destinations like Tofo, Vilankulo, and Bazaruto are genuinely relaxed and safe. Maputo has real crime — don't walk with valuables at night. Cabo Delgado province in the north has an active armed insurgency: it is not a risk to manage, it is a place to skip.
- Beach resorts: generally safe with normal care
- Maputo: significant crime — stay alert after dark
- Cabo Delgado: active insurgency — do not travel there
US · UK · CA · AU advisories · live feed above
What scams should I watch for?
3 scams that will actually find you
What scams should I watch for?
3 scams that will actually find you
Police roadblock bribes are the most common shake-down for anyone driving — stay calm, ask for an official receipt, and most officers back down. In markets, agree a price before you commit. And check dive operators carefully: fake or underqualified operators exist in resort areas.
- Police roadblock bribe requests — ask for a receipt
- Overcharging at markets — fix the price first
- Unqualified dive operators — verify certifications
Traveler reports + curated intel
Are there any active travel warnings?
Active insurgency in the north — Cabo Delgado is off-limits
Are there any active travel warnings?
Active insurgency in the north — Cabo Delgado is off-limits
This is a genuine, ongoing alert — not a bureaucratic footnote. Cabo Delgado province has seen sustained armed violence. All major government advisories say avoid it. The rest of Mozambique, particularly the southern coast, is a different story entirely.
- Cabo Delgado: do not travel — active insurgency
- Nationwide: poor roads, limited emergency services
- Live advisories — check before and during your trip
Live advisory feed · updated today
Health
What vaccinations do I need?
Malaria prophylaxis is non-negotiable — plus 3 others
What vaccinations do I need?
Malaria prophylaxis is non-negotiable — plus 3 others
Start malaria medication before you leave — this is not optional in Mozambique. Hepatitis A and typhoid are strongly recommended for food and water exposure. Rabies is worth discussing with your clinic if you're heading into remote areas. Book a travel clinic at least four weeks out.
- Malaria prophylaxis: essential, start before departure
- Hep A + typhoid: strongly recommended
- Yellow Fever cert required if arriving from endemic country
CDC health notices · official sources · not medical advice — confirm with a travel clinic
Can I drink the water?
Bottled only — everywhere, no exceptions
Can I drink the water?
Bottled only — everywhere, no exceptions
Do not drink tap water anywhere in Mozambique — this applies in Maputo, resort towns, and remote areas alike. Sealed bottles are available in all tourist areas. Medical facilities outside Maputo are extremely limited, so avoiding waterborne illness is far easier than treating it.
- Tap water unsafe countrywide — sealed bottles only
- Careful with ice and uncooked produce
- Carry a filter bottle in remote or rural areas
Reviewed August 2026
Culture and etiquette
What should I know before I go?
Relaxed coast, respectful north
What should I know before I go?
Relaxed coast, respectful north
The southern beach areas are laid-back and casual. In the Muslim-influenced north, dress more modestly and read the room. Don't flash valuables in cities, and never drive after dark — it's genuinely dangerous on Mozambique's roads, not just a precaution.
- Modest dress in northern Muslim-influenced areas
- Ask before photographing people
- No driving after dark — road conditions are severe
Curated cultural intel · reviewed August 2026
How does tipping work?
10% at restaurants, small tips for lodge staff
How does tipping work?
10% at restaurants, small tips for lodge staff
Tipping is appreciated and genuinely matters to incomes here. A 10% tip at restaurants is the norm. Lodge and safari staff respond warmly to small daily tips — keep a supply of small bills through your whole trip.
- Restaurants: about 10%
- Lodge and dive staff: small daily tip
- Guides: tip based on the day's experience
Reviewed August 2026
Planning your trip
When is the best time to visit?
April–November — May–September for whale sharks
When is the best time to visit?
April–November — May–September for whale sharks
The dry season runs April to November and is the clear winner: lower humidity, better visibility for diving, and the roads are manageable. If whale sharks are the reason you're going — and they should be — aim for May through September off Tofo. Avoid the rainy season if you're driving anywhere.
- Best overall: April–November dry season
- Whale sharks off Tofo: May–September
- Avoid Dec–March — rains make roads treacherous
Reviewed August 2026
What should I see in a week?
Maputo → Tofo → Bazaruto Archipelago
What should I see in a week?
Maputo → Tofo → Bazaruto Archipelago
For a first trip: a night in Maputo to orient yourself, then head straight to Tofo for diving and whale sharks (2–3 nights), then the Bazaruto Archipelago for reef snorkeling and sheer beauty (2–3 nights). Fly between legs where possible — overland transfers are slow and roads are rough.
- Maputo: one night to land and regroup
- Tofo: diving, whale sharks, beach
- Bazaruto: coral reefs and island lodges
Reviewed August 2026
What will Mozambique cost per day?
Wide range — budget $80–150/day mid-range
What will Mozambique cost per day?
Wide range — budget $80–150/day mid-range
Mozambique isn't as cheap as you'd expect for the region. Decent beach lodges and island resorts push costs up. Food and local transport are affordable; diving and island transfers are the big spends. The Bazaruto Archipelago is a genuine splurge — budget accordingly and don't skip it.
- Beach lodges: vary widely — research your specific stop
- Local meals and seafood: affordable
- Diving, whale shark trips, island transfers: plan as splurges
Reviewed August 2026
Money
Ask AI about money in Mozambique
UK FCDO — Mozambique travel adviceGovernment of Canada — Mozambique: Travel advice and advisoriesSection last verified 2026-08-20
How people pay here
Cash
Primary
Cards
Widely accepted
Currency basics
- Credit cards are increasingly accepted in larger cities but most businesses outside major cities only accept local currency, US dollars or South African rand.
- Travellers cheques are not commonly accepted.
- Hotels often only accept foreign currency.
- US dollars and South African rand are the easiest foreign currencies to exchange at banks or exchange bureaus.
- Only use authorized currency exchange bureaus.
- One major card network is not always accepted across the country.
- Local medical facilities may require cash payment upfront.
Scams and safety
Ask AI about scams in Mozambique
UK FCDO — Mozambique travel adviceUS Department of State — Mozambique: Travel AdvisorySection last verified 2026-08-20
Common patterns on the ground
- Street crime is common in the capital and increasing in other cities and tourist destinations, involving knives and firearms.
- Some travelers report being victims of police harassment, intimidation, robbery and requests for bribes.
- Carjacking is a known risk; some perpetrators pose as distressed motorists or pedestrians to stop vehicles.
- Kidnappings for ransom have been reported mainly in the capital, sometimes targeting foreign nationals and business owners.
- Terrorist attacks, including use of explosives and firearms, have occurred in northern provinces with little warning.
- Upscale lodges in remote areas catering to international visitors have been targeted by terrorist groups.
- Unplanned protests can occur throughout the country and can quickly become violent, sometimes blocking major roads and border crossings.
Area awareness
- Cabo Delgado Province carries an against-all-travel advisory except for specified town areas, due to ongoing insurgent attacks.
- The Niassa Special Reserve and certain northern Nampula districts are subject to do-not-travel advisories due to terrorism.
- Beaches and offshore islands are not policed.
- Some areas of cities are more dangerous than others; local advice is recommended.
- Armed robberies have been reported near a major land border crossing, particularly after dark.
- Landmines may still exist in remote areas of several central and southern provinces away from main routes.
- Piracy is a significant risk in the Indian Ocean; sailing vessels are advised not to enter the designated high-risk area.
- Protests make road toll gates and land border crossings particularly vulnerable to disruption.
Culture and etiquette
Ask AI about culture in Mozambique
Government of Canada — Mozambique: Travel advice and advisoriesUK FCDO — Mozambique travel adviceSection last verified 2026-08-20
Daily conduct
- Dressing conservatively and behaving discreetly is advised to respect local sensitivities.
- Drinking alcohol on public beaches is against the law.
- Foreign visitors must carry a valid passport at all times; police checkpoints are common and copies are not accepted.
- Photography of government buildings, military sites, bridges, harbours, airports, police and officials is prohibited without special permission.
- There are no laws against same-sex sexual activity; attitudes in the capital tend to be more liberal than in rural areas.
Visiting religious sites
- Respecting religious and social traditions is advised.
Rules and border
Ask AI about local laws in Mozambique
Government of Canada — Mozambique: Travel advice and advisoriesUK FCDO — Mozambique travel adviceSection last verified 2026-08-20
In-country law
- Drug possession, use or trafficking carries severe penalties including long prison sentences and heavy fines.
- Drink-driving is a serious offence; exceeding the legal blood-alcohol threshold can result in fines and possible imprisonment.
- Drivers must carry an international driving permit, third-party insurance, two reflective triangles and a reflective vest.
- Failure to produce required vehicle documents and equipment can result in an on-the-spot fine.
- Photography of government offices, airports, military establishments, police and officials without special permission is against the law.
- Children under eighteen entering with a parent require an unabridged birth certificate listing both parents.
- A notarised parental consent affidavit is required when a child travels with one parent or without either parent.
- The import or export of local currency is limited to a small amount.
Emergency contacts
Ask AI about emergencies in Mozambique
UK FCDO — Mozambique travel adviceSection last verified 2026-08-20
Dial from any phone
General emergency
112
Ambulance
848888
Ambulance (alternate)
823388
Fire
198
Police
112
Keep your own government's consular number saved separately; it is listed on their travel page for this country.
Do I Need a Visa?
Ask AI about visas for MozambiqueVisa requirements vary by nationality and change frequently. Verify with your country's embassy or the destination's official immigration authority before traveling.
Content on Ouoba is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, visa, insurance, tax, medical, financial, safety, or other professional advice. Users should consult official authorities, qualified professionals, or service providers before making important travel, financial, legal, or health-related decisions.