Travel Info Mozambique
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MozambiqueWelcome to Mozambique, the land of smiles! There are activities on offer for everyone; scuba dive, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, fly fishing, sunset cruises, sailing, dolphin tours and island trips. The Mozambique Islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra, Inhaca Island and the Quirimbas Archipelago are located off the coast of Mozambique in the warm Indian Ocean. These unspoilt islands are the perfect addition to Maputo when planning your African holiday. GeographyMozambique stretches for 2 470 km along Africa's southeast coast and is nearly twice the size of California. Tanzania is to the north; Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to the west; South Africa and Swaziland to the south. The country is generally a low-lying plateau broken up by 25 sizable rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean. The largest is the Zambezi, which provides access to central Africa. These are some of the areas you should visit:
Brief SummaryArea size: 800 000 sq km ClimateTwo main seasons, one wet and the other dry, divide the climatic year. The wet season, from November to March, has monthly average temperatures of between 26.6°C and 29.4°C. The dry season lasts from April to October and has June and July temperatures averaging 18.4° to 20°C. Entry Requirements & VisasAll visitors (except citizens of Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Zimbabwe & Zambia) need a visa, and while there are rumors that some borders and airports may issue them on arrival, rather obtain a visa before arriving. At the South African land border (Lebombo/Ressano Garcia) you can choose the currency in which you want to pay for your visa, meticais being slightly cheaper than rand. MalariaProtection against mosquito bites will reduce the risk of Malaria, provided that you take the standard precautions aswell.
Look at www.traveldoctor.info for further information. Travel InsuranceIf you need medical care whilst in Mozambique, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company. In these circumstances you will have to pay in full after your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. MoneyOfficial Currency: Metical (MT) = 100 centqavos There are no restrictions on the import of foreign currency but the import and export of local currency is not allowed. Traveler’s cheques are widely accepted and readily exchanged. The South African Rand is widely accepted as a form of currency, with accommodation often being quoted in Rand. Many up-market hotels insist on payment in foreign currency so have a reasonable amount of cash available. Hotels and some banks accept credit card transactions but you will be charged a commission fee. Banking and Business HoursBanking: Monday to Friday: 07h30-11h15 and 15h00-16h30 Local TimeMozambique is two hours ahead of GMT Typical FoodTypical Mozambique cuisine is delicious. It basically consists of some traditional Portuguese dishes added to Arabic influences and Indian spices. Coconut milk, cashew (caju-nut) and peanuts are used on curries and vegetarian dishes. Beans and cassava leaves will never go to waste producing Matapa and Nhangana. There is a very nice cookery book called, 'Receitas de Moçambique' (Mozambique Recipes) that was put together by Brazilian missionaries. It has also been translated into English. Accommodation and ActivitiesThere are activities and accommodation in Mozambique for everyone. From scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, deep-sea fishing, fly fishing, sunset cruises, dolphin tours to tailor made Mozambique holiday packages. Accommodation includes everything from camping, self catering, bed & breakfast, house accommodation, Mozambique hotels to luxury lodges on the Mozambique Islands. Internet & WiFiInternet, cell phone communication (MCel / Vodacom) and telephone lines are available in most large villages and cities. The coverage on most mobile network are improving as more powerful masts are raised, the north has very good coverage up to Pemba Internet is widely available in Maputo, with many internet cafes and all major hotels having internet access. Both MCel and Vodacom have recently introduced internet to cell phone service. Outside Maputo internet coverage is sporadic but mostly available in destinations frequented by tourists - Inhambane, Xai-Xai, and Bazaruto. At major hotels such as the Pemba Beach hotel in Pemba – but connection is slow! Electrical PowerElectric Power is 220V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used: Getting AroundFlights - The most common gateway into Mozambique is through South Africa; there are regular flights into Johannesburg from Europe, North America, South America, Australia, Middle East and Far East. You can fly directly from Johannesburg to Maputo. There are also a few charter companies flying from Johannesburg to Inhambane, Beira, Nampula and Pemba Regional flights to Mozambique are also available from Durban and Mpumalanga in South Africa, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Harare in Zimbabwe. LAM's domestic service connects Maputo with the countries major cities and tourism destinations Domestic air travel within Mozambique is safe. LAM is one of the longest running airlines in the world and has had no major accidents. Unfortunately, the airport system makes the journey twice, because the airlines fly from one city to the next, so if you want to reach Pemba from Maputo then you will have to stop and disembark at Beira, Quelimane and Nampula first. The airports of Maputo, Inhambane, Beira, Nampula and Pemba have international status. There are talks to expand this, allowing Nacala airport to receive domestic and international flights. Visitors coming from Europe will find the most affordable flights are from Lisbon or Paris flying directly into Maputo International Airport. Judging by the fast growth of the country over the last 10 years, the prediction is that flights to Mozambique will become more and more frequent and cheaper. Driving - Visitors from South Africa will find the nearest crossing points are Ressano Garcia (Komatipoort) and Kosi Bay. If you wish to cross through the beautiful Swaziland the best crossing is on the Namaacha boarder post. The EN1 (Estrada Nacional 1) is the main artery through Mozambique. There are a number of car rental companies with offices at the International Airport of Maputo, Beira and Pemba. We also strongly advise you to download all the GPS marks for the sector you will be travelling. Health & SafetyMozambique is generally safe, but there are some areas and situations where you need to be cautious. Thefts and robberies are the main risks: watch your pockets in markets, avoid carrying a bag or otherwise giving a potential thief reason to think you have anything of value, and avoid isolating situations. More likely are simple hassles, such as underpaid authorities in search of bribes. You’re required to carry your passport or (better) a notarized copy at all times. If stopped by the police, remain polite, never surrender your documents – insist on going to the nearest police station (esquadrão) instead. Public Holidays01 January: New Year's Day Submit an enquiry so we can tailor make a package to suit your needs and budget: Fly In Packages, Weekend Getaways, Honeymoons, Beach Weddings, Self Drive, Group Bookings, Conferences, you name it...
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