Sub Saharan Africa

Mozambique

Still current at: 04 July 2009

Updated: 11 June 2009

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Robbery, often using knives and firearms, is prevalent on the streets of Maputo and increasing in other towns.  Be vigilant, especially when near entertainment centres. Avoid using ATM machines on the street.  Use well-lit, populated streets, and avoid walking anywhere at night alone.  If attacked, remain calm, offer no resistance and hand over possessions without question.  Avoid eye contact.

There have been several incidents of bag snatching from tourists and thefts of unattended bags.  Safeguard and avoid displaying valuables and cash.  Deposit them in a hotel safe where possible.  Keep some money, notarised copies of your passport, valid visas and other important documents in a separate place to the originals.

Vehicle theft, occasionally at gunpoint, can occur anywhere.  Do not pick up strangers or stop to assist (apparently) distressed motorists or pedestrians.  Hijackers sometimes use these techniques to trick motorists into stopping their vehicles.  Be vigilant and keep doors locked when driving.

Remain vigilant on beaches, especially on offshore islands.  They may appear isolated and safe but they are not policed.  Avoid isolated picnic spots.

Crime increases during holiday periods and you should take extra precautions at these times.

You should report all incidents to the local police and obtain a police report.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Mozambique Country Profile

Local Travel

Low lying areas around major rivers flood regularly during the rainy season (November - April) making many roads impassable. Check local conditions before travelling. Vehicles should be stocked with emergency supplies, including a comprehensive first aid kit, and be properly prepared for difficult conditions at all times.  

Only travel by road outside Maputo and other major cities during daylight. Where possible, keep to major metalled roads in reasonable states of repair and travel with other cars in rural areas.  Fuel (petrol and diesel) is often only available in major towns.

All known minefields have been cleared in Mozambique’s northern provinces (Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Zambezia, Niassa) substantially reducing the threat.  In the central and southern provinces (Sofala, Tete, Manica, Gaza, Inhambane, Maputo) you should be aware that mines and unexploded ordnance do still exist in remote, rural areas, away from main routes.  Mine clearance programmes are underway.  Seek advice from district authorities if travelling in these areas.

Zimbabwe

We advise against all travel to high density, low-income suburban areas at any time; and all but essential travel to rural Mashonaland, rural Manicaland and farming areas.  There have been a number of serious incidents in rural areas and it is dangerous for farmers or agricultural workers to visit former properties or other agricultural areas.

Road Travel

UK driving licences are valid for up to 90 days. If you intend to stay longer you should hold a valid international driving licence or apply for a Mozambican licence, for which you must normally sit a test.  It is an offence not to carry your valid driving licence with you when driving.  You should be ready to present original car documentation when requested by the police.

Third party insurance cover is compulsory in Mozambique. You can purchase this at most land border crossings where there are insurance company offices.

Traffic accidents are common.  Drive carefully and be aware of pedestrians also using the roads.  Driving and vehicle standards are extremely poor.

We have received reports of police trying to solicit bribes from tourists, especially when driving.  We strongly recommend that you do not pay a bribe to anyone.  If stopped by the police, you should ask for a clear explanation of what a fine is for.  If you are concerned, you can insist on paying a fine at a police station.  You should receive a receipt for all fines paid to an official.

Overland travel on public transport can be hazardous due to poor vehicle and road conditions.  If you doubt a vehicle’s condition, make alternative arrangements.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

Before using internal or regional flights that are not with major international carriers, you should check the airline’s accreditation and see whether the airline operates in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisations' (ICAO) safety standards.

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

For more general information see Airline Security.

River and Sea Travel

Mariners should be aware that there is the possibility of attacks against ships and yachts in the Indian Ocean off the East African coast.  Piracy remains a problem.  The latest example is the hijacking of the Sirius Star supertanker approximately 450 nautical miles (800 km) east of Mombasa, Kenya.

It is a legal requirement to carry original identity documents at all times and present them, upon request, to the authorities.  Police patrols and checkpoints are common.  Do not hand over your passport to anyone other than an official for inspection.  Ask to see an official’s ID if in doubt.  Ensure your documents are returned to you.

Drug taking and smuggling are offences.  Punishments can be severe.

Photography of government offices, airports, military establishments, residences and the police or officials is illegal without special permission from the Ministry of Information. If in doubt, do not take pictures. Laws are enforced.

Mozambique recognises dual nationality for its citizens in certain circumstances; you should get clear legal advice if you need to clarify your circumstances.

Some UK criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to British nationals overseas.  British nationals who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in the UK.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Visas

UK citizens require a visa for entry to Mozambique.  You can purchase a single entry tourist visas at major border crossings and international airports (valid for 30 days, non-renewable).  Some travellers have reported problems with this service (none availability of visas, length of time to issue) and it is subject to change, often with no notice.  Travellers have also faced problems in purchasing consecutive tourist visas at the border where they have not spent at least 4 days out of the country.   If in doubt, you should contact the Mozambican immigration authorities.
 

We recommend that you apply for a visa at your nearest Mozambican Embassy or High Commission, where all types of visa are available, prior to your journey and well in advance of your planned visit. You should ensure that you have the correct visa for the purpose and length of your visit and obtain a clear explanation of the visa's validity and what it allows you to do.  (High Commission of the Republic of Mozambique, 21 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 6EL; tel:  + 44 (0)20 7383 3800; fax:  + 44 (0)20 7383 3801; e-mail: mozalon@compuserve.com).

You will receive a heavy fine if you overstay your visa or have the wrong type of visa for your time in Mozambique.

You must go through immigration procedures on entry.  You will face a heavy fine if you enter the country without doing so.

Yellow Fever Certificate

All travellers entering Mozambique who have been to any country where Yellow Fever is known to exist (as listed by the World Health Organisation) must present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on arrival. If you cannot present a valid certificate on entry you may be vaccinated at your expense (approximately US$55).

If you cannot present a valid certificate on entry you may be vaccinated at your expense (approximately US$55).

Border Formalities

It can take a long time to clear border formalities at the Lebombo/Ressan Garcia land crossing with South Africa, especially during holiday periods and if you are travelling on public transport.  You should allow adequate time to arrive at your destination before nightfall.

South Africa & Passport Validity

If you are planning to visit South Africa before or after Mozambique your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months.  The South African authorities state that officially only one blank page in your passport is required for entry.  But there have been reports that some South African officials insist on two blank pages.  We recommend you have two blank pages.

Hospital facilities are generally poor in Mozambique, especially in the north of the country.  In cases of serious illness or injury, medical evacuation to South Africa or the UK may be necessary.

Water-borne diseases caused by unsanitary conditions are common throughout Mozambique. Cholera and other diseases are also common in Mozambique particularly during the rainy season.  There have recently been several outbreaks of cholera in some of the provinces bordering Zimbabwe.  Zimbabwe, on Mozambique's western border, is also currently experiencing outbreaks of cholera.  You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Mozambique you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 1,400,000 adults aged 15 or over in Mozambique were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 12.5% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Mozambique and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, including provision for medical evacuation by air ambulance.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Replacement passports

The British High Commission in Maputo does not issue full passports.  However, we accept completed applications and send them to the British High Commission in Pretoria, where passports for British nationals resident in or visiting Mozambique are issued.  It can take up to four weeks for standard applications to be processed. Full details of passport services for British nationals resident in or visiting Mozambique are available on the High Commission's website ukinmozambique.fco.gov.uk (see the Contact Details section of this advice).

Registration

If you are resident in or visiting Mozambique you should make your whereabouts known to the British High Commission by registering with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Money

Credit cards are also increasingly accepted in the larger cities. You should tell your bank before using your card in Mozambique. Ensure you can access money in a variety of ways.  Travellers' cheques are not commonly accepted and are often difficult and expensive to change.  US Dollars and South African Rand are the main exchange currencies.