Travel Mozambique

Airports
Maputo International (MPM) (Maputo) is 3km (1.8 miles) northwest of the city. Bus and taxi services run to the centre (travel time - 15 minutes). Airport facilities include bank, restaurant, bar, snack bar, car hire (Avis, Hertz and Imperial) and post office.

Beira (BEW) is 13km (8 miles) from the city (travel time - 15 minutes). Beira receives flights from Continental Europe, other African countries and America. Airport facilities include restaurant, shops and a post office.

International Air Travel
Mozambique’s national airline is LAM-Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (TM). Other airlines serving Mozambique include Air France, Air Mauritius, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways and TAP Air Portugal.

Flight Times
Approximate flight times
From Maputo to London is 14 hours, including stopover in Johannesburg.

Domestic Air Travel
There are flights linking Maputo with Beira, Blantyre (Malawi), Inhambane, Lichinga, Nampula, Pemba, Quelimane and Tete. Flights depart from Maputo between 0500 and 0730 and are subject to seasonal alterations. Flights are frequently delayed or cancelled and baggage is often lost or tampered with. Air-taxi services are also available, and are the safest means of transport outside the main cities.

Many of the local charter flight companies now have scheduled flights around the country and to the islands.

Visa Requirements
All visitors must have a valid passport and visa. Tourist Visas are issued on arrival in Pemba or Maputo.

If entering the country with more than $US5000( or equivalent) , a "Declaration of entry of foreign currency" must be completed at the customs desk. The Declaration must be shown if leaving with more than $US( or equivalent).
The gift allowance is $US 100, import duty must be paid on gifts above $US100 in value.

Note: No drugs, firearms, or explosive materials can be brought into Mozambique.

Departure tax
US$20 if destination is outside Africa; US$10 if destination is within Africa. Infants under two years of age and transit passengers are exempt.

Travelling by Rail
A train runs six times a week from Johannesburg to the Mozambique border at Komatipoort where there is a connection to Maputo (travel time – 15 hours). An overnight train runs regularly from Durban to Maputo. There is a service from Harare to Beira. There are connections from Malawi to Beira (although the border still has to be crossed on foot).
Note: Rail services are sometimes sporadic and unreliable.

Travelling by Road
There are good road links with all neighbouring countries except Tanzania. However, road travel can be dangerous and should only be undertaken in daylight. Highjacking and robberies do occur. Bus: There is a daily bus service from Maputo to Johannesburg, and there are good bus links to other South African cities. Minibuses run between Maputo and towns in Swaziland, crossing the border at Namaacha.

Medical Services
Maputo and Beira have medical facilities. Pemba has a private clinic: Clinica de Cabo Delgado. Otherwise, medical facilities are scarce and medicines are not easily available. It is recommended you carry a good supply of medicines you may need, as well as a first aid kit. Doctors expect cash payment, so ensure your medical insurance covers your trip to Moçambique.

Language
Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects

Religion
Indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%

Climate
There are two main seasons - one wet and the other dry. The wet season, from November to March, has a monthly average temperature of between 26.6°C and 29.4°C (80°F and 85°F), with cooler temperatures in the interior uplands. The dry season lasts from April to October and has June and July temperatures averaging 18.4° to 20°C (65° - 68°F). The average annual rainfall is greatest (about 56 inches) over the western hills and the central areas, and lowest in the Zambezi lowlands averaging 16 to 32 inches.

Local Time
Mozambique is two hours ahead of GMT

Electricity
220V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used are :
Round pin attachment plug
"Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts
"South African" Plug (found especially near the border with South Africa, Maputo)

Car Hire
Most major towns have both international and national Car rental companies including: Avis Rent-A-Car, Hertz, Imperial, Interfranca and Ibérica Rent-A-Car. Moti rent a car is the only car rental in Pemba, but many taxis roam the streets. Current driver‘s license or International driver’s license is required. (a Mozambican driver’s license is required if staying for more than 6 months)

Currency
Mozambique´s local currency is the Metical, however US dollars are widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard are accepted throughout Mozambique, but Traveller's Cheques are not accepted. Obtaining a cash advance on a credit card in a bank can be a costly and time consuming process.

Business Hours
Banking: Monday to Friday: 0730-1115 and 1500-1630
Shops: Monday to Friday: 0900-1300 and 1500-1830. Saturday: 0900-1300
Governmental offices: Monday to Friday: 0900-1200 and 1400-1730

Banks
Mozambique´s commercial banks - Bank Standard Totta de Moçambique, Banco de Fomento e Exterior, Banco Popular de Desenvolvimento, Banco Internacional de Moçambique and Banco Comercial de Moçambique - offer exchange services in their main Maputo branches. Banks in Pemba are Banco Austral (linked to ABSA) Standard Bank (Linked Standard in SA) BCI and BIM.

Postal Services
The post offices are open Monday to Friday, 7h45 - 12h00 and 14h00 - 17h00 and Saturday mornings.

Telephones
Most major towns are served by a satellite telephone system. Direct dialling is available to South Africa and Swaziland.

Water
Tap water is usually safe to drink, but bottled water is available should you prefer this. Avoid eating food which has not been cooked or peeled.

Additional Contact Information

Fundo Nacional do Turismo (FUTUR) (National Tourism Fund)
Avenida 25 de Setembro 1203, PO Box 4758, Maputo, Mozambique
Tel: (1) 307 320.
Website: www.futur.org.mz

Mozambique High Commission in the UK
21 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6EL, UK
Tel: (020) 7383 3800.
Website: www.mozambiquehc.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300; 1400-1600 (consular section).

Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique in the USA
1990 M Street, NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 293 7146/9.
Website: www.embamoc-usa.org