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Basic Facts
Full Name : Republic of Moçambique (also Mozambique / Mocambique)Capital : Maputo (previously Lourenço Marques)
Time : GMT +2 hours
Currency : Meticais (Mt)
Language : Portuguese, English
Getting Around
Rail & BusMozambique does not have a very good network of public transport. There are limited train services within Mozambique, which link its neighbouring countries to the Indian Ocean. A service operates from Johannesburg to Maputo via Komatipoort, Nelspruit and Pretoria three times a week. Another line links Nacala with Liwonde in Malawi, via Nampula and Cuamba. Buses only operate between major towns where roads are in good condition. In rural areas you may catch a ride in converted passenger trucks, chapa-cems (or just chapas) or normal trucks (camions). Along the coast there are some ferry services. These are more frequent along the northern coast with regular services operating between Quelimane and Beira, and Quelimane, Nacala and Pemba.
Airports
Domestic air services operate between the major airports:
Maputo (MPM)
Beira (BEW)
There are a total of 174 runways in Mozambique, of which only 22 are paved. Local carriers are not very reliable, with flights often being delayed, and baggage sometimes being tampered with. Many charter airlines have scheduled services between minor airports and these may be preferable. It is recommended you book these in advance through a tour operator. A tax of US$7 is payable on departure for international flights.
Roads
There are 30,400km of highways in Mozambique, of which only 5,685km are tarred. Roads tend to be in poor condition, with gravel roads usually only being passable with four-wheel drive vehicles. Roads are gradually being improved and the roads south of Beira tend to be in good condition. Many vehicles do not have lights, making travel at night extremely dangerous. Beware of livestock on all roads. Car hire is possible in most major towns, and should be booked in advance. Driving is on the left side of the road. There is a good network of petrol stations, though not in game reserves.
Passports and Visas
Entry Requirements(as at June 2000)
This is a guide only - please check with your nearest Moçambican consulate, embassy or Moçambican diplomatic mission for up to date information. All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. All nationalities, apart from Malawians, require a visa to enter Mozambique. A single entry visa is valid for 30 days, a multiple entry visa is valid for six months, though each entry is only valid for a ten day stay. Requirements for a visa are: two passport photographs, a visa application form, itinerary stating intended destination and in the case of a business visa, a business letter. The cost of the visa will depend on how urgently it is required. Visas usually take six days to process. It is advised that you carry certified copies your passport and all travel documents, and always have either your passport or these copies with you.
General Accommodation Info
Mozambique's best hotels, including major international hotels, are found in the cities and along the coasts, particularly on the islands. The tourist industry is growing in Mozambique and more private lodges of high standards are to be found in tourist areas. Very basic, cheap hotels, pensãos, or slightly better pousados are found in the cities and bigger towns. A range of campsites are found along the coast too.When To Go
The best time to visit Moçambique is during the winter months from April to September. The southern parts of the country are generally dryer and less tropical than the north. The best months for game viewing are August and September, towards the end of the dry season. The best time for bird-watching is usually November and December, which is the hot, rainy season. A wide variety of fish are attracted to the warm waters of Moçambique, with larger fish populating the waters in summer, and small to medium sized fish in winter, making the coast a good fishing and diving destination.Currency
The unit of currency is the meticais (M), which is divided into 100 centavos. If you are travelling in the southern parts of the country, South African rands, US dollars and pounds sterling are also accepted and can be used to pay for accommodation. North of Beira US dollars and sterling are widely accepted.
Exchange Rate
The exchange rate is in your favour. Generally you will find that fine cuisine, wine and entertainment cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world. Private exchange bureaus in Maputo usually offer better exchange rates than banks. Changing money on the black market is strongly discouraged.
Banks
Local banks have branches in most cities, which are open from Monday to Friday from 07:45 to 11:00 or 12:00. The main banks include Banco Commercial de Moçambique (BCM) and Banco Popular de Desenvolvimento (BPD), which both have branches throughout the country, as well as Banco Standard Totta.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are usually accepted at more upmarket hotels, but apart from this your credit card will be of little use.
