Highlights
The southern coast is the easy-access playground: Tofo and Barra near Inhambane are legendary for year-round whale sharks, manta rays and diving, with a relaxed backpacker-to-boutique scene. Offshore, the Bazaruto Archipelago — with its towering dunes, turquoise flats and rare dugongs — is a barefoot-luxury island paradise, matched further north by the even more remote and exclusive Quirimbas Archipelago.
Ilha de Moçambique, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a tiny, atmospheric island of crumbling coral-stone mansions, a great fort and centuries of Swahili, Arab, Indian and Portuguese trading history — one of the most evocative places on the coast.
Maputo, the vibrant capital, charms with Portuguese-era architecture, a buzzing café and seafood scene, jacaranda-lined avenues and lively markets. Inland, Gorongosa National Park is one of Africa's great conservation comeback stories, its wildlife restored after years of civil war — a rewarding, less-visited safari.
When to go
May to November (the dry season) is the best time — sunny, warm and ideal for the beaches, diving and marine wildlife, with calm seas and good visibility.
The wet season (December to April) is hot and humid with heavy rain and a cyclone risk on the coast, though the bush greens and diving can still be excellent between storms. Whale sharks and manta rays are seen year-round off the south, with peak sightings varying by area. For the classic Mozambique of islands and reefs, aim for the dry months.
Visa & entry
Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or an e-visa for short tourist stays, while others need a visa in advance; Mozambique has been expanding visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to boost tourism. A passport valid six months with blank pages, proof of onward travel and often a yellow-fever certificate are required.
Confirm the current visa options, the e-visa system and any fees on Mozambique's official immigration site before you travel, and check requirements for overland entry.
Health & safety
Mozambique is generally welcoming, and the main tourist areas (southern beaches, Bazaruto) are safe with normal precautions. Petty crime and police roadblocks/bribery requests occur, so carry copies of documents and keep valuables discreet. The critical caveat is the far north: Cabo Delgado province (which includes the Quirimbas gateway of Pemba) has experienced a serious insurgency — heed advisories and avoid affected areas.
Malaria is present throughout (take prophylaxis), cyclones hit the coast in the wet season, and roads are variable, so avoid night driving. Always check your government's current travel advisory, especially for the north, before departure.
Getting around
Domestic flights connect Maputo to Vilanculos (for Bazaruto), Inhambane (for Tofo), Pemba and Nampula (for Ilha de Moçambique) — the practical way to cover the long, thin country. The main north-south road (EN1) is largely tarmac but tiring over huge distances, with rough patches.
Self-driving is popular for the southern beaches (a 4x4 helps for sandy coastal tracks), and 'chapa' minibuses are the cheap local transport. Dhows and speedboats reach the archipelagos. Given the distances and variable roads, combining a couple of flights with focused regional exploration works best; avoid night driving.
Money
The Mozambican Metical is the local currency; carry cash for markets, chapas, tips and rural areas, as card acceptance is limited outside cities and upmarket resorts. ATMs are available in towns and accept international cards, though with limits, and can be scarce in remote coastal spots — withdraw before heading to the islands.
South African Rand and US dollars are useful and sometimes accepted near borders and at resorts (bring clean notes). Budget for domestic flights and island transfers. Tipping is customary — a little for guides, dive staff, drivers and good service.
Mozambique