Travel tips for Mozambique - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. Don’t forget that Mozambique is a country with a tropical climate. A vacation here requires a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. If you plan to try water activities, you will also need durable shoes.

2. The airplane is the most comfortable means of transport for domestic travel.

3. Buses connect only large cities, and they always depart early in the morning. Minibuses and cars transformed into minibuses connect small towns. They do not have a fixed schedule – drivers simply wait until the vehicles are full. Such minibuses are always uncomfortable – it is hot inside, and there are always too many people. In rural areas, trucks are the only transport (there are no passenger seats). They have no fixed schedule and set off approximately one time a day.

4. If you plan to reach another city not by air, you must be prepared for extra charges and a longer journey time than indicated. Bring some extra food and water, more than the amount that would be normally enough for you. There will be no chance to buy food on the way. A 200-kilometer-long ride can last 6 to 10 hours. Local roads are in poor condition, and there might be no quality cafes or shops during the journey.

5. Taxi cars do not have meters. Drivers often increase the price at least twice if they see a foreign customer. To prevent this, call a taxi from the hotel, discuss the price in advance, and do not pay once you reach your destination.

6. Women shouldn’t use the taxi alone.

7. Do not travel in the deserted countryside alone without a guide who knows the area very well. There is a risk of walking on a mined field. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. It is better not to walk in the city at night. After sunset, there is a risk of encountering criminals – swindlers or even the police that want your money, gadgets, etc. Such things can happen even in the country’s capital – Maputo.

9. Withdraw money only in ATMs located inside the banks. When using ATMs on the streets, you draw unnecessary attention, and the risk of robbery increases significantly.

10. Bank cards are not the main payment method in the country. It is possible to pay with them in big cities only. Prepare cash if you plan to travel to smaller towns.

11. Make a vaccine against yellow fever in your home country before the journey to Mozambique. The vaccination is checked upon arrival. Tourists without vaccines are subject to getting them right at the airport. Do not agree because you are about to get an unknown vaccine, and you cannot tell if it is safe. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the tools are sterile. Offer a bribe in this case – 50 or 100 U.S. dollars should help you.

12. Do not take pictures of governmental offices – this is a violation of local laws.

13. It is also prohibited to take pictures of the army and policemen.

14. When buying items of cultural value such as paintings, sculptures, and so on, get a certificate from the seller. This certificate must state that the purchased item has no historic value. Otherwise, you won’t be able to bring it home.