Sub Saharan Africa
Mozambique
|
Still current at: 08 August 2008
|
|
Updated: 01 August 2008
|
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Local Travel, Entry Requirements, General and Contact Details sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Travel Summary
-
Most visits to Mozambique are trouble-free. The main type of incidents for which British nationals required consular assistance in Mozambique in 2007 were for minor crimes and replacing lost or stolen passports. You should be aware of the risks of violent crime, poor road safety standards and minimal health facilities. See the Crime, Road Travel and Health sections of this advice for more details.
-
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
-
The tropical cyclone season in Mozambique normally runs from November to April. Coastal areas of central and northern Mozambique can be at risk. You should monitor local media and see the Natural Disasters section of this advice and
Tropical cyclones
for more details.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
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
Beaches may look isolated and safe, especially on offshore islands, but they are not policed.
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. You should report all incidents to the local police and obtain a police report. Crime increases during holiday periods and you should take extra precautions at these times.
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 hotel safes, where practical. Keep some money, notarised copies of your passport’s biodata pages, 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, as hijackers sometimes use this technique. Be vigilant and keep doors locked when driving.
Avoid isolated picnic spots.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
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.
Few modern amenities are available outside Maputo and major towns.
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. There is more information on the High Commission’s website. It is a custodial 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 receive 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 monies 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 Organisation’s (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 Air Transport Portal of the European Commission website to see whether this will affect your travel.
For more general information see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
UK citizens require a visa for entry to Mozambique. You can normally purchase a single entry tourist visas at major border crossings and international airports ($25, valid for 30 days, none 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 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.
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
Mozambican authorities require all travellers entering Mozambique who have been to any of the countries listed by the World Health Organisation where Yellow Fever is known to exist to 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).
Border Formalities
It can take a long time to clear border formalities at the land crossing with South Africa: Lebombo/Ressano Garcia, especially around holiday periods (in South Africa and Mozambique) 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 Africa authorities state that officially only one blank passport page is required for entry. But there have been reports that some South Africa officials insist on two blank pages. We recommend you have two blank pages.
Health
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. 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 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 1,600,000 adults aged 15 or over in Mozambique were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 16.1% 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.
Natural disasters
During the rainy season (November to April) widespread flooding around river basins, especially the Zambezi, is likely. Monitor local reports and check your routes before travelling.
The coastal areas of central and northern Mozambique have a risk of cyclones during the rainy season, which normally runs from November to April. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see Tropical cyclones.
General
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
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 increasingly accepted in Maputo and the larger cities but you should check with your bank about using your card in Mozambique before depending on it. 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.
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Change country
contacts
Mozambique, Maputo, British High Commission
Address:
British High Commission
Av Vladimir I Lenine, 310
(CP 55) Maputo
Mozambique
Telephone:
+ (258) (21) 356 000
Fax:
+ (258) (21) 356 060
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 0600-1030/1100-1400
Fri: 0600-1100
Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1230/1300-1600,
Fri: 0800-1300
Out of hours:
The High Commission answer machine gives an emergency contact number