Mozambique: what you need to know before you travel

Written by Tiphaine Marfil on 12 November 2026

A trip to Mozambique calls for a little preparation. Entry requirements, health, safety, money, getting around and luggage: a few practical details help you avoid unpleasant surprises and enjoy your stay with greater peace of mind.

Conditions also vary from one region to another. A journey between Maputo and the southern coast is not organised in quite the same way as a stay in Vilanculos or on an island in the Bazaruto Archipelago. Distances, transfers and access to certain services should therefore be planned from the moment the itinerary is designed.

For a general overview of the destination, its regions and the experiences on offer, see also our Mozambique tourism page.

What entry requirements should you plan for before travelling to Mozambique?

Entry requirements for Mozambique depend on your nationality and the length of your stay. For British nationals, the passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the date of arrival and contain at least two blank pages.

For tourist stays of up to 30 days, the UK government (FCDO) currently states that British passport holders must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) through the official Mozambique eVisa portal, at least five working days before travelling. Travellers must also be able to present the supporting documents requested, in particular accommodation bookings and travel documents. As these rules may change, they should be checked shortly before departure. FCDO entry requirements

Do you need a visa to travel to Mozambique?

The procedure depends on the type and length of your stay. For British travellers on a short tourist stay, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) must currently be obtained online before departure.

The official portal of Mozambique’s National Migration Service is where applications for an eVisa or the relevant authorisation are submitted. It is best not to leave this until the last minute, and to keep both a digital and a printed copy of the documents you obtain. evisa.gov.mz

For up-to-date information applicable to British nationals, the UK government’s FCDO travel advice remains the reference to consult before departure.

To choose your dates according to the climate and activities, see our page When to go to Mozambique?

What health precautions should you take before a trip to Mozambique?

Malaria is present in Mozambique and requires appropriate prevention. It is advisable to see a doctor or a travel medicine centre well ahead of departure.

Prevention relies in particular on protection against mosquito bites and, depending on the advice of the healthcare professional, on preventive treatment. Routine vaccinations should also be up to date. The FCDO specifies that yellow fever vaccination is required if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. FCDO health advice

Insurance covering medical costs and repatriation is also essential. Access to healthcare can be more limited outside the main cities, which makes it all the more worthwhile to address health matters before the trip.

Is Mozambique a safe destination?

The security situation varies greatly from region to region. The main tourist areas do not all carry the same level of risk, and official recommendations should be checked before every trip.

At the time this guide was last updated, several areas in the north of Mozambique are subject to significant restrictions. The FCDO advises against all travel to Cabo Delgado province (except Palma town and the area around Pemba and Afungi, where it advises against all but essential travel) and to certain districts of Nampula and Niassa provinces. The situation can change quickly. FCDO travel advice

In the regions open to travellers, the usual precautions still apply: avoid driving at night where possible, follow local guidance and opt for organised transfers when the itinerary crosses unfamiliar areas.

Which currency should you use and how do you pay in Mozambique?

The official currency is the Mozambican metical (MZN). Bank cards are accepted in many tourist establishments, but cash remains useful in small towns and more remote regions.

The official Visit Mozambique portal states that other currencies, notably the South African rand or the US dollar, may be accepted in some establishments. This should not be taken for granted, however: it is best to check directly with the accommodation concerned. visitmozambique.gov.mz

Cash machines are more common in the larger towns. Before heading to an island or a remote lodge, plan ahead for any expenses not included in your stay and find out which payment methods are available on site.

How do you get around Mozambique?

Mozambique is a vast country and travel times can be long. Getting around should therefore be planned when the itinerary is first put together, rather than added once the accommodation has been chosen.

Domestic flights connect certain major towns and coastal destinations. Depending on the stops, they can be combined with a private transfer, a boat or a small aircraft. The road network varies in quality and some roads become more difficult after heavy rain.

Traffic drives on the left, as in several countries in Southern Africa. The FCDO also warns that road accidents are common and advises travelling by road outside major cities only during daylight. FCDO safety advice

For a stay of ten to fifteen days, it is generally better to choose just a few stops and spend enough time in each region. This is often the best way to keep travel from taking over the trip.

See how the stages fit together in our “Mozambique: romance, nature & sublime beaches” itinerary

Phone, internet and electricity: what should you know?

The main tourist areas generally have mobile coverage, but network quality can drop in remote regions and on some islands. It is useful to download in advance any documents you will need offline.

Before departure, also check the roaming terms of your mobile plan. A local SIM card or an eSIM can be worthwhile depending on the length of your trip, but whether it makes sense depends on your itinerary and the areas you visit.

Electricity runs at 220/240 V and 50 Hz, according to official information from Visit Mozambique. In remote accommodation, the power supply may sometimes depend on the lodge’s own installations. visitmozambique.gov.mz

What should you pack for Mozambique?

Luggage for Mozambique should stay light and suited to a generally warm climate. What you pack nonetheless depends on the season, the regions you visit and the activities you have planned.

Light, breathable clothing suits most of the stay. A warmer layer can be useful during the southern hemisphere winter or for some evenings. Sun protection, a hat, sunglasses and insect repellent are essentials for a coastal stay.

If the itinerary includes small aircraft, it is important to check the weight and size limits imposed on luggage. A soft bag may be better suited than a large hard suitcase in this kind of situation.

Which local customs should you know before you go?

Mozambique has great cultural and linguistic diversity. A respectful attitude, particularly in how you dress, photograph people or interact with local communities, remains the best rule.

Portuguese is the official language, alongside many local languages. In tourist areas, some professionals may speak English, but this is not the case everywhere.

It is best to ask permission before photographing people or scenes of daily life. Customs may also be more conservative in some regions: clothing suited to the context is preferable away from beaches and tourist establishments.

How do we select our partners in Mozambique?

In Mozambique, we do not choose accommodation solely for its level of comfort. Its location, its accessibility and the way it fits into the itinerary as a whole matter just as much.

We look in particular at transfer times, the quality of guiding and staff, the activities on offer and the partner’s ability to provide an experience in keeping with the pace of the trip. In remote regions, reliable logistics become especially important.

We also favour partners who care for the ecosystems around them and for the conditions in which wildlife and marine activities are organised.

Discover our Mozambique travel agency page and our tailor-made approach

How was this “Before you travel to Mozambique” guide put together?

This guide combines the experience of our local team in Southern Africa with information from official bodies. Regulatory, health and safety topics are deliberately kept separate from the advice drawn from our experience of designing itineraries.

Entry requirements and safety recommendations were checked in particular with the FCDO travel advice, while the official Visit Mozambique portal adds practical information about the destination. The official portal of Mozambique’s National Migration Service remains the reference for online entry procedures. FCDO entry requirements

These recommendations are enriched by the expertise of South African Travellers, a local agency specialising in tailor-made travel in Southern Africa, and in particular by Tiphaine Marfil, a member of our team.

Why might this information change?

Entry requirements, health recommendations and the security situation are not set in stone. They should therefore always be checked again shortly before departure.

Our experience on the ground works on another level: how the stops are organised, the choice of accommodation, how the transfers fit together and the pace of the itinerary. It is the combination of these two approaches (official sources and practical knowledge of travel) that makes this guide useful without our advice ever replacing that of the competent authorities.

How do you finish preparing your trip to Mozambique?

Once the entry requirements have been checked, a successful trip depends above all on a coherent itinerary. Distances, transfers, season and time spent at each stop should be planned together.

Based in Southern Africa, the South African Travellers team designs tailor-made trips that take these practical constraints into account from the very start.

Is your trip starting to take shape? Talk to our team to build a trip suited to your dates, your pace and the regions you would like to discover.

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Frequently asked questions before travelling to Mozambique

See all our frequently asked questions