| location | |
 | |
| flag | |
 | |
| Short dates | |
| Capital | Maputo |
|---|---|
| Form of government | Presidential Republic |
| currency | 1 metical (MT) = 100 centavos |
| surface | 801,590 km² |
| population | 18.8 million |
| languages | Portuguese, Bantu, Swahili, numerous other regional languages |
| Religions | Popular religions 50%, Christians 30%, Muslims 20% |
| power grid | 220 V / 50 Hz |
| Phone code | 258 |
| Internet TLD | .mz |
| Time zone | CET 1h (all year round) |
Mozambique is lying in east of Africa. It borders on South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.
Regions
Cities
Other goals
background
Entry requirements
Almost all foreigners who do not come from the neighboring countries need a valid visa to enter Mozambique. If you arrive by plane, this is also available after landing for nationals of numerous countries. These visa on arrival however, are not available at all land border crossings. When applying at Maputo Airport, you do not need to take a photo with you; when entering at smaller airports, a photo may be required. In Central Europe, the following representations issue visas, which usually entitle the holder to stay for 30 days 60 days after issuance:
- Germany
- Consular section of the embassy, Stromstrasse 47, 10551 Berlin. Tel.: (0)30 398 765 00, Email: [email protected]. Responsible for all of Germany and Austria (see below).Open: Mon.-Fri. 9.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. (closed on June 25th).
- Honorary Consulate, Große Elbstraße 138, 22767 Hamburg. Tel.: (0)40 376 734 00, Email: [email protected]. Responsibility: State of Hamburg.Open: Mon.-Fri. 09.00-12.30, 13.30-16.30.
- Honorary Consulate, Bayerstraße 33, 80335 Munich (directly at the main station). Tel.: (0)89 599 981 16. Responsibility: Bavaria, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.Open: Mon.-Fri. 09.00-14.00.Price: Tourists: € 45, one-way, € 75 multiple times (if necessary express surcharges).
- Honorary Consulate, Koenigstrasse 41, Stuttgart. Tel.: (0)711 870 309 22, Email: [email protected]. Responsibility: Baden-Württemberg.Open: Mon.-Fri. 09.00-12.00.
- Switzerland
- Section consulaire de l'Ambassade, 13, rue. J. A Gautier, 1201 Geneva. Tel.: (0)22 901 17 83. Price: tourist / business visa 90 sfr.
- Austria
- Honorary Consulate General Area of application Austria, Schottenring 12/16, 1010 Vienna (Stock Exchange District). Tel.: 43 664 8110 880, Email: [email protected]. Open: Tuesday to Thursday 9.30am-1.30pm.
Stay extensions up to a total of 90 days in each provincial capital at the Migração be requested.
- Yellow fever vaccination
Theoretically, Mozambique requires the submission of a vaccination pass for travelers from risk areas, including in 2014 Angola and Zambia were calculated[1] it is not clear how strictly this is controlled. At least when traveling on to South Africa, proof is essential for travelers who have visited the aforementioned countries.
getting there
Direct flights from Central Europe (cheap 2015 with Ethiopian, Ethiad, Air France, TAP, etc.) to Maputo (MPM) are almost twice as expensive as flights to South Africa Johannesburg. The connection with one of the relatively comfortable buses from various companies to Maputo is completely uncomplicated and takes about seven hours with a border stop.
Smaller land border crossings in particular are only open during the day - to Malawi usually between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., to Eswatini between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
By plane
With effect from April 21, 2011, the European Commission announced an operating ban against all airlines registered in Mozambique.[2]
The Portuguese TAP offers direct flights to Maputo from Lisbon. The national airline LAM Mozambique Airlines also flies to Johannesburg, Durban, Nairobi, Harare and Dar es Salaam. We recommend a flight with from Central Europe Lufthansa or South African Airways over Johannesburg. Operates between Maputo and Durban Swazi Express Airways (via Manzini) and Kenya Airways (from Nairobi) and Air Tanzania (from Dar-es-Salaam) also fly to Maputo.
The airport tax, which used to be due in cash on departure, is now included in the ticket price.
By train
The trains operates Caminhos de Ferro do Mozambique (CFM). In 2015 there are these passenger lines, separated by region:
- North: from the port Nacala connects a comparatively new route of the partially privatized CDN with the Central East African Railway (CEAR) by Malawi. On the Sena- Passenger service was discontinued on the route.
- Central region: Beira to Moatize and Beira to the border town Machipanda. Contrary to other descriptions, the train connection to Zimbabwe, Mutare-Beira, does not carry passengers.
- South: daily connections from the capital on the lines to Goba (Border to Eswatini), Limpopo (Towards Zimbabwe) and the border crossing to South Africa Ressano Garcia. One comes across from Johannesburg, 530 distant Komatipoort by night train (2015: seat 170 Rand, couchette car 250 R.) The trains end at the border in Ressano Garcia. Minibuses continue from the train station to the border post about 5 km away. There you cross the border on foot. On the Mozambican side it is difficult not to get a minibus (Chappa) to Maputo (88 km).[3]
The Maputo – Durban line runs through Eswatini. The Maputo–NelspruitConnection has a port after Barbertonwhich is close to the border with Eswatini.
From Somabhula in Zimbabwe (near Gweru) you can drive north via Harare and then via the Mutare-Manica border crossing, (Machipanda) to Mozambique. Of Bulawayo (Departure on Wednesdays at noon) to the border at Chicualacuala 500 km from there to Maputo (arrival on Friday morning) another 534 km. Trains also depart from Maputo with connections on Wednesdays around noon. Alternatively, you can go to the southeast Chókwé drive from Maputo.
By bus
From Malawi: All border crossings between Malawi and Mozambique can be reached by bus or minibus; However, Dedza can be a little more difficult. From Blantyre you can take a minibus to the Mwanza - Zóbuè border crossing and then continue to Tete; or you drive via Nsanje to the border at Vila Nova da Fronteira and then take a bus to Vila de Sena and finally Caia. From Blantyre you can also drive to Mocuba via the Mulanje - Milange border crossing, from where you can continue to either Nampula or Quelimane. From Liwonde you can get to Cuamba by bus via the Nayuchi - Entre Lagos border crossing. The route Mangochi via Namwera to the border at Chiponde - Mandimba and then to Cuamba can also be done by bus.
From South Africa: Johannesburg and Pretoria via Nelspruit daily to Maputo. The journey from Johannesburg takes about seven hours and is completely uncomplicated or can be done with several minibuses (with a change at the border at Ressano Garcia). Buses in Johannesburg leave early, no later than 9 a.m. Buses run from Durban through Eswatini to Maputo.
From Eswatini: Minibuses run from both Maputo and from Mbabane from the Lomahasha - Namaacha border crossing, from where you have a connection to Maputo.
From Tanzania: The border crossing at Moçimboa do Rovuma can be reached from Newala by minibus. From there minibuses drive to Mueda.
From Zambia: Driving from Zambia to Mozambique by bus or minibus is rather difficult due to the irregular connections.
From Zimbabwe: From Harare minibuses drive to the Nyamapanda border crossing, from where you can come to Changara and finally Tete. If you want to go to Beira, you can take a minibus from Harare to the Mutare - Manica border crossing (Machipanda Borderpost) and from there to Chimoio. The Espungabera border crossing is rather difficult to reach without your own vehicle.
Maputo - Beira: With Pantera Azul. Drives via Maxixe (Tofo) and Vilanculos. Buying partial routes is possible. Be sure to book in advance. The South African Intercape (RSA) the route.
In the street
There is left-hand traffic in Mozambique. Foreigners need one international driving license. (In Germany, this can only be issued if you already have an EU driving license.) A Carnet de passages is not necessary, but is required by most of the neighboring countries.
If you want to drive to Mozambique with a vehicle registered abroad, you have to pay for a temporary import permit (TIP) and partial comprehensive insurance at the border. Many South African car rental companies exclude trips to Mozambique; best to clarify with the respective landlord before signing the contract. You should never park your car unguarded.
By boat
Some cruise lines call at Maputo.
A wonderful boat trip with the Ilala to Mozambique is over the Lake Malawi from Nkhata Bay via Likoma Island to Cobué, although it is not guaranteed that there will be transport in Cobué for onward travel. The crossing is possible once a week and leaves Nkhata Bay every Monday. We recommend spending a couple of nights in Likoma and then taking a local fishing boat to Cobué. In Cobué itself there are few places to stay, but there is the Nkwichi Lodge in the immediate vicinity. After Cobué, the Ilala still berths in Metangula, also in Mozambique, and from there there are possibilities to get to Lichinga by minibus. There is also a lodge very close to Metangula: Mbuna Bay.
mobility
bus: Traveling by public transport is still relatively arduous. The minibuses leave every destination between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. So you have to get up early to get to the next town. Short distances are still served by buses during the day. As is common in Africa, you pay for a seat, but then only receive 1/3 of it - Mozambique is no exception. But the journey remains exciting down to the last meter.
plane: Within Mozambique offers the LAM a good network, mainly from Maputo. Air Corridor above all connects Nampula, Quelmane and Maputo with other destinations in Germany. STA is a smaller company operating from Maputo to Nampula, Bazaruto, Chimoio and Inhaca flies.
language
Portuguese.
shop
National currency is the new Mozambique metical (pl. Meticais) to 100 centavos. The exchange rate at the beginning of March 2021 was € 1 = 88 MT (bank code: MZN; continuous devaluation 2020 -20%). All banknotes show the portrait of the founder of the state on the front Samora Moisés Machel in the oval and on the back big game.
ATMs for foreign cards almost only accept Visa. The exchange rates are released so that a profitable black market no longer exists. South African rand and US dollars can be exchanged anywhere without any problems.
In Maputo there are stalls by North Mozambican wood carvers who offer wood carvings of selected quality far beyond the so-called "Airport Art".
kitchen
Maputo Fish Market: a Got to for every fish and seafood lover. It's a lot of fun when several people go together. Buy fish, hand it in and have it prepared in the restaurant around the corner. The whole thing is dirt cheap.
On many beaches you can buy fish and seafood directly from the fishermen (or their middlemen) in the mornings. A limited selection of vegetables (mostly potatoes, white cabbage, tomatoes, eggplant and lettuce) and fruit can be found in the markets. Only the markets in Maputo and the provincial capitals offer a larger selection.
nightlife
accommodation
In addition to hotels, there are simple, sometimes very rudimentary ones Pensões. There are numerous campsites, especially along the southern coast, wild camping is forbidden and not recommended due to the generally poor security situation (or occasional landmines still lying around).
- Nacala: Fim do Mundo Safaris, Bay Diving. Farther outside. Very nice owner. Padi and Naui courses on offer.
- Cobué: Nkwichi Lodge - worth seeing and very individual.
- Nkholongue (Lake Malawi): Mbuna Bay Colongue Retreat - www.mbunabay.ch.
- Tofo: Bamboozi Backpackers. Too expensive and too unfriendly. Is far outside the village.
- Tofo: Fatima's Backpackers. A bit outside, next to Bamboozi, very friendly and inexpensive.
- Tofo: Turtle Cove. Also a bit out of the way, but very friendly and inexpensive.
- Vilanculo: Baobab Beach. Very friendly and good value for money.
- Nampula: Hotel Lúrio. Slightly neglected hotel in the center of town. Very friendly. Double about 25 U $
- Cuamba: Pensão São Miguel. Very friendly hotel / restaurant. Room about 16 U $
- Chimoio: Pink Papaya Backpacker Hostel. Family atmosphere, central, with lots of information about travel options to Zimbabwe, Malawi, northern Mozambique.
public holidays
| meeting | Surname | importance |
| January 1st | New Years Day | |
| 3 February | Day of heroes | |
| March April | Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday | |
| 7th of April | women's Day | |
| 1st of May | International Labor Day | |
| 25th June | Independence day | |
| 7th of September | Day of the Lusaka Agreement / Victory Day | |
| 25th of September | Armed Forces Day / Revolution Day | |
| 25 December | Christmas Day / Family Day |
security
 | The Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany has a special one about this country Travel and safety advice released (Web link). Travel between the Rio Save and Caia on the EN1 and in and around Gorongosa National Park is not recommended. (current safety information). Date of the last notification: May 6, 2014. |
Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, and European travelers should always be aware of this. Pickpocketing is the order of the day - no different than at any European train station. However, overt violence is very rare. Those who adhere to the basic rules of conduct, do not show large sums of money openly, carry valuables on their body in locked pockets, are less likely to have problems.
Driving after dark should definitely be avoided. Cars should not be parked unguarded.
When planning hikes and mountain tours in the national parks, one should bear in mind that the nearest infirmary or hospital is usually many hours, if not days, away. In fact, there is no ambulance service in Mozambique.
Snakes: Black mamba
health
Before traveling to Mozambique, you should check your vaccination protection. Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended, but not mandatory. Malaria prophylaxis is still recommended, whereby the risk of infection can be significantly minimized through consistent use of mosquito repellants and mosquito nets.
In many regions of Mozambique, up to 20% of the population are HIV positive.
Uncooked food should be consumed with caution in all tropical countries, as should unfiltered or not boiled water. Ice cream and ice cubes are a potential health hazard because the food cannot be assumed to have been continuously refrigerated. On the other hand, it is unnecessary to only eat canned food while traveling through Mozambique, as recommended by many travel guides and family doctors. Grilled and deep-fried dishes are generally harmless even in the tropics.
climate
Mozambique is characterized by a subtropical climate with a pronounced rainy season from November to February. During this time the sun is at its zenith and temperatures are well above 30 degrees. Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall must be expected every day. Nevertheless, this time is the main season in many resorts in Inhambane, which is partly due to the willingness of South Africans to travel. During the summer / Christmas holiday season there, from the beginning of December to mid-January, they are not only “on tour” in their own country. In March, the temperatures are slowly falling.
The dry season lasts from May to October. During this time there are moderate temperatures comparable to the southern European summer time. Many smaller roads are only passable in the dry season.
Post and Telecommunications
The postal company is called Correios de Moçambique. Shipping abroad is reliable, domestic deliveries are less reliable.
The international code to Mozambique is 258, long-distance calls in the country do not use a 0 in the area code. From South Africa you select 09.
Landline phones operates the Telecommunication de Mozambique (TDM). Are mobile radio service providers MTN Group (earlier mCell) and the South African Vodacom.
literature
- Horn, Ilona; Vachal, Manfred; Travel to Mozambique;92015, ISBN 9783932084652
- Travel Know-How Map Mozambique, Malawi; (1:1.200.000); ²2008, ISBN 9783831771387
