Mozambique: Indian Ocean islands, dhows & coral

Most Australians fly via Johannesburg (or sometimes Nairobi or Addis Ababa) into Maputo (MPM), with onward connections to coastal gateways.

• Domestic flights link Maputo with Vilankulo (for Bazaruto), Inhambane (for Tofo) and Pemba (for the far north) — LAM (Mozambique Airlines) and regional carriers fly the main routes, though schedules can change, so build in buffer time around international connections.
• Light-aircraft & boat transfers serve the island lodges — most Bazaruto and Quirimbas lodges arrange a flight plus a boat or helicopter transfer. Soft-sided bags and strict weight limits apply; check with your lodge before you pack.
• Self-drive is possible in the south (many South Africans drive in via the border), but roads vary, fuel and ATMs are sparse, and night driving is best avoided. Most beach-and-island trips don't need a car.
• In towns, use lodge transfers or arranged drivers rather than hailing vehicles on the street.

Driving is on the left.

The currency is the Mozambican Metical (MZN, written MT).

• Mozambique runs largely on cash. Outside Maputo and a handful of resorts, you'll need physical money for most things — bring enough and plan ahead.
• Cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at upmarket hotels, lodges and some restaurants in Maputo and tourist areas, but don't count on them at beach destinations.
• ATMs are found in cities and larger towns and generally accept Visa and Mastercard, but they can be scarce, unreliable or out of cash near the coast — withdraw before you head to remote areas.
• Foreign currency: US dollars are useful in central and northern areas; South African rand is widely accepted in the south near the border. You'll usually get better value paying in metical, so change some on arrival.
• Tell your bank you'll be travelling, and carry some cash in small denominations for tips, markets and park or marine-reserve fees.
• Local Currency Export Restriction Note it is illegal to import or export Mozambican Meticais (MZN) in commercial quantities. Travellers should exchange or spend remaining meticais before departing Mozambique. Smartraveller guidelines and Bank of Mozambique rules, travellers carrying more than 10,000 Meticais (approx. USD 155) in or out of the country must declare it to customs; moving large or un-declared amounts of local physical currency is illegal, and the central bank actively restricts physical cash movements to prevent illicit capital outflow.

See your GP or a travel clinic about 6–8 weeks before you leave — Mozambique needs more health preparation than many beach destinations.

• Malaria — present across the whole country, year-round, and resistant to chloroquine. Antimalarial medication is recommended for all travellers; discuss the right tablets with your doctor and prevent bites with repellent, long sleeves at dusk and a treated net where provided.
• Yellow fever — there's no yellow fever in Mozambique, but you must show a vaccination certificate if you're arriving from (or have transited for more than 12 hours through) a country with yellow-fever risk — relevant on multi-country African trips.
• Routine & recommended vaccines — make sure routine vaccinations are up to date; many travellers also add hepatitis A and typhoid, and your doctor may suggest others. Ask for personalised advice.
• Food & water — drink bottled or filtered water, and be cautious with ice and uncooked food outside good lodges.

Insurance: medical facilities are limited, especially outside Maputo, so comprehensive travel insurance that covers diving (if you'll dive) and medical evacuation is essential.

Security in Mozambique varies sharply by region, so where you go matters as much as how you behave.

• Do not travel to Cabo Delgado province and the Erati and Memba districts of Nampula province in the far north. The Australian Government advises against all travel there due to the extreme threat of terrorism, kidnapping and armed clashes. Attacks on towns and villages are common, and foreigners can be targets. Some northern islands sit near these areas, so check current advice carefully before planning anything in the far north.
• Elsewhere, Smartraveller advises exercise a high degree of caution overall. There is a kidnapping risk across the country, including in Maputo and Beira.
• In towns — keep valuables out of sight, don't walk alone after dark, use lodge transfers or trusted drivers at night, and be discreet with cash and phones.
• On the water and roads — use reputable, well-equipped dive and boat operators, and avoid driving at night.
• Mandatory ID Law & Police Checkpoints By law, foreigners must carry physical photo identification at all times (a notarised/certified passport copy or original passport). Police checkpoints (brigadas) are frequent; failing to produce ID can lead to on-the-spot fines.

Always read the full, current Smartraveller advisory before you book, and keep your lodge's number and the consular contacts below to hand.

The official language is Portuguese, and outside resorts, dive centres and upmarket hotels English is limited — a few Portuguese phrases go a long way and are warmly received. Try olá (hello), bom dia (good morning), por favor (please), obrigado/obrigada (thank you, said by a man/woman) and quanto custa? (how much?).

Mozambicans are friendly and easygoing, and the coast has a relaxed, unhurried rhythm. Dress is casual — swimwear and shorts at the beach, but cover up a little in towns, markets and away from resorts, and dress modestly at religious sites (Islam is widely practised, especially in the north). Always ask before photographing people, and avoid photographing government buildings, ports, military or police. A friendly greeting before getting down to business is the norm.

• Mobile coverage is decent in cities and main towns but patchy or absent on remote islands and stretches of coast — part of the appeal is being off-grid.
• Wi-Fi is available at many lodges and hotels, though it can be slow, limited to common areas, or unavailable on the most remote islands.
• SIMs & eSIMs — local prepaid SIMs (Vodacom, Movitel, Tmcel) are cheap; bring your passport to register one. A travel eSIM bought before you leave is the simplest option for staying reachable.
• Power can be intermittent outside the cities; many island and beach lodges run on generators or solar, sometimes only at set hours, so charge devices and a power bank when you can.

Last verified: 29 June 2026. This guide is researched from official and authoritative sources and reviewed by Explore Africa. Visa, health and safety rules can change — always confirm the current advice before you travel.

Key sources:

• Smartraveller (Australian Government): smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/mozambique
• Australian Consulate, Maputo / DFAT: dfat.gov.au/geo/mozambique
• Australian High Commission, Pretoria: southafrica.embassy.gov.au
• Mozambique e-visa portal (Government of Mozambique): evisa.gov.mz
• US CDC Travelers' Health (Yellow Book): wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
• UK NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro: travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/155/mozambique