Getting into Mozambique

Please check with your nearest Mozambique Consulate for up to date information.
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival. Not all borders and airports issue visas, contact your nearest Mozambican embassy, High Commission or Consulate to ensure that the border you intend to use does, otherwise you should apply for a visa before travelling to Mozambique. Visas on entry can be purchased in Meticais, US dollars or South African Rand.

There is a USD100 per day fine for overstaying a visa. Please contact your local Mozambique Embassy to establish whether a visa is required.

Baggage Restrictions at OR Tambo International Airport

Please take note of the below baggage restrictions at OR Tambo International Airport

• Only regular-shaped bags will be allowed to be checked in. This means that the bags must have at least one flat surface to be accepted
• Round or irregular-shaped bags will not be allowed
• Bags with longs straps will not be allowed

Passengers who try to check in bags that don’t conform to these rules will have the option of having their baggage wrapped with one flat side at airport-approved baggage wrapping stations.

Traveling with children

Regulations aimed at improving the safety of children travelling in and out of Namibia and Botswana have been implemented. All children under the age of 18 will require an unabridged birth certificate together with a valid passport when travelling to or from any of the above mentioned countries, as well as travelers in transit with a transit visa. The following documents will be required when travelling:

Child and both parents
• An unabridged birth certificate (UBC)
• A valid passport for the child

Child and one parent
Parent must produce
• An unabridged birth certificate (UBC)
• A valid passport for the child
• A court order (where applicable) / death certificate (of any deceased parent reflected on the UBC) / affidavit confirming the absent parent has given permission for the child to travel
• Certified copies of both parents’ ID / passport.

Child and guardian
Guardian must produce
• An unabridged birth certificate (UBC)
• A valid passport for the child
• A court order (where applicable) / death certificate (of deceased parent/s reflected on the UBC) / affidavit confirming the parents have given permission for the child to travel.
• Copies of parents / guardian ID / passport.
• Contact details of parents / guardian

Child unaccompanied
• An unabridged birth certificate
• A valid passport
• A court order (where applicable) / death certificate (of deceased parent/s reflected on the UBC) / affidavit from both parents or legal guardian confirming permission to travel.
• A letter from the person who will receive the child including their full contact details and residential address and a certified copy of their ID / passport.
• Contact details of parents / guardian.

Time Zone

Mozambique follows Central Africa Time, or CAT, the time zone used in central and southern Africa. Central Africa Time is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time, which is the same as the adjacent South Africa.

Health

It is important that you check with a qualified health professional for the most current information concerning your travel itinerary and personal health history.

It is imperative that you obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Mozambique. When purchasing these, please tell your doctor or pharmacist that you intend to visit Mozambique. Whatever prophylactics you use, remember to complete the course as directed after leaving the malaria area. Take precautionary measures to prevent contact with mosquitoes, like: sleeping under a bed net or in a room/tent with mosquito proofing (remember to keep the flaps zipped at all times); spraying your accommodation with insecticide; making use of a mosquito repelling lotion or stick; and wearing long sleeved clothing, trousers and socks when outside at night.

The sun in the southern hemisphere is extremely strong so you should wear an effective sunscreen and hat. It is advisable to avoid the noonday sun. Recommended SPF is 30.

Throughout Southern Africa it is safe to eat all foods and drink tap water in cities and towns. Purified water in flasks or bottled water is provided at game lodges throughout the region. You should include an adequate supply (in your hand luggage) of any prescribed medication you may require while traveling.

Travelers with physical disabilities and those who require frequent or on-going medical attention should advise us of their health situation at the time of booking (or at the time such a situation occurs should this be after the reservation is made).

Currency

The unit of currency is the meticais (M) which is divided into 100 centavos. If you are travelling in the southern parts of the country, South African Rand, US dollars and GBP are also accepted and can be used to pay for accommodation. North of Beira - US dollars and GBP are widely accepted.

Money Matters

Credit Cards: Most hotels and resorts accept credit cards as a payment. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Please note certain lodges do not accept payment by Diners or American Express.

Weather

Best time to go to Mozambique

The May to November winter season is when to go to Mozambique for cooler temperatures and the least chance of rain; December to April is the wet summer season although it generally rains in brief but vigorous downpours after which the sun comes out again. Note that January and February is cyclone season in southern Mozambique and there's every chance of a great deal of torrential rain - we'd advise avoiding the Bazaruto Archipelago at this time.

If the main focus of your Mozambique holiday is game viewing then the best time to visit Mozambique is during the dry months of August and September when the bush has thinned out and wildlife is concentrated around rivers and waterholes.

Summer
October - March

Winter
April – September

The average temperature for Mozambique is around 28ºC (82.4ºF) all year round. The climate varies slightly according to the regions of the country. The coast experiences a sub-tropical climate while the northern parts of the county are tropical. April to September offers a sub-tropical climate and is the best time to visit. May to November is winter with cool temperatures and the least chance of rain. December to April is the wet summer season with brief downpours followed by sunshine. January and February is cyclone season in Southern Mozambique. We advise avoiding the Bazaruto Archipelago during this time.

Clothing

Casual and comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year. Jackets and ties are required in city hotel restaurants and golf clubs. All hotels offer extremely quick laundry turnaround, usually within a couple of hours. It is certainly not necessary to bring a separate change of clothing for each day and evening, and it is recommended that you keep luggage to a minimum for your own comfort and ease of transport, especially if you are using light aircraft transfers. The most practical items to pack for safari are:

• Blouses with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect you from the sun and the mosquitos)
• Cotton t-shirts and tops
• Shorts for the day. Jeans or chinos for evenings and cooler days
• Fleece, sweater or warm jacket for game drives
• Comfortable walking shoes (hiking boots are not necessary)
• Sun block, sunglasses and hat
• Sandals, especially to protect feet against razor clams on Bazaruto Archipelago
• Camera, binoculars
• Swimwear, snorkel, mask, fins
• A small alarm clock

It is advisable that your clothing be as neutral as possible in the bush (beige and khaki is ideal). If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, we recommend that you bring an extra pair of glasses or a copy of the prescription.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory. You are travelling on an independent itinerary and the cost of your program does not include gratuities. Tipping is a very personal matter and should only be considered when the staff have gone above and beyond for you. Should you feel you would like to acknowledge their service, please consider the following as a rough guide, per day.

Tour Director - 15
Driver / Guide (Half day) - 8
Driver / Guide (Full day) - 12
Hotel Porters - 5
Professional Guide -  15
Ranger - 15
Tracker - 8
Lodge staff - 12

Please note: Currency is in USD

The above tipping guidelines are recommendations only and are not compulsory. Please use your own discretion in tipping, based on quality of service.

Restaurants 
It is customary to add 10% to the bill in restaurants, if the service has been satisfactory.

Taxis
Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped but they appreciate the fare being rounded up.

Porterage 
If you are being transferred by our representative from the airport to a hotel, then porterage and tipping of porters is already included. You are not expected to tip our representative. Porterage and tipping of porters for transfers from one hotel to another is as above.