Introducing Mozambique
Mozambique is one of Africa’s up-and-coming hot-spots, with stunning beaches, excellent diving and magical offshore islands. Go snorkelling around the Bazaruto Archipelago, sail on a dhow through mangrove channels or laze under the palms in the Quirimbas Archipelago, take an off-beat safari in the wilds of Gorongosa National Park, wander along cobbled streets past stately colonial-era buildings on Ilha de Moçambique, sip a café espresso at one of Maputo’s lively sidewalk cafés (or maybe a caipirinha at one of its jazz bars), watch the silversmiths at work on Ibo Island or dance to the country’s trademark marrabenta music.
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For almost two decades, many of these attractions were inaccessible due to a protracted guerrilla war. Now dark times are in the past, and Mozambique is one of Africa’s rising stars, with an upbeat atmosphere, overflowing markets and a 2500km coastline waiting to be discovered. If you’re inclined to something tamer, stick to Southern Mozambique, where roads and transport links (especially with neighbouring South Africa) are good and accommodation options abound. For more adventure, head across the Zambezi into the wilds of Northern Mozambique, one of Africa’s last frontiers. Getting around here takes time, but the paradisiacal coastal panoramas and sense of space, the sheer adventure of travel and – for those with a healthy budget – some of the continent’s most idyllic island lodges make the journey well worthwhile.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- See the best of Mozambique in 14 days
- Visit Mozambique on your trip from Vic Falls to Kenya
- Travel through South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique in 9 days
Last updated: Feb 20, 2012
Tips & articles
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Discovering Africa’s hidden treasures: Lonely Planet meets Dr Gus Casely-Hayford
20 March 2012
As anyone lucky enough to have travelled to the most intoxicating of continents will testify, Africa ain’t nothing but a...
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Mozambique: travel books to read before you go
1 October 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s Mozambique guide provides a selection of travel literature to get you in the mood for...
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Best of cosmopolitan Africa
10 June 2010
In this excerpt from Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences, celebrate Africa and submerge yourself in some of the wor...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Cheap accomodation in South Africa and Mozambique
by missmullen09 28 May 2012
I've only been to Durban and Joburg. In Durban I can recommend Happy Hippo http://www.happy-hippo.co.za/). In Joburg you could try Backpacke…
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RE: Cheap accomodation in South Africa and Mozambique
by ohad1011 27 May 2012
Hi there, Lets go straight to my answer Pietermaritzburg http://search.resortsbook.com/Hotel/Orion_Hotel_Wartburg.htm Durban htt…
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Important Ethiopian visa stamp size query
by mrmrr 27 May 2012
Hi, Could anyone please tell me how big the visa stamp is for Ethiopia? I'm travelling in Africa and have just got my visa for Mozambique…
Hotels & Hostels
Top cities in Mozambique
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Hotel Polana
Maputo
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Mozambique
Things to do
- All things to do (166)
- Activities (18)
- Entertainment (18)
- Restaurants (50)
- Shopping (35)
- Sights (27)
- Tours (18)
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Our Top Picks For Mozambique
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1 Maputo
The energetic waterside capital, with flame tree-lined streets, lively sidewalk cafés and pulsating nightlife.
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2 Inhambane
Dhows and flamingos dot the bay in this sleepy, charming town near beautiful beaches
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3 Tofo
White sand dunes, a long arc of beach and diving with the manta rays
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4 Archipélago de Bazaruto
The ultimate tropical paradise, with incomparably turquoise waters and shoals of colourful fish
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5 Montes Chimanimani
Cool, dense forests shelter secluded valleys and rich traditional cultures
Fast Facts about Mozambique
- Time
GMT/UTC+ 2
- Population
19.7 million
- Borders
Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe; all borders open
- Seasons
Dry (May to November), wet (December to April); during the rains some roads are impassable
- Telephone
Country code 258; international access code 00
- ATMs
In all major towns
- Budget
US$25 to US$100 per day
- Capital
- Visa
US$20 to US$70 for 30 days; issued at most border posts
- Area
800, 000 sq km
- Language
Portuguese
- Money
Metical nova família; US$1 = Mtc25
Our favourite Mozambique Blogs (beta)
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Sweet Deliciousness
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 4 May 2012
Compiled by Michael Slattery | KF17 | Togo Despite the often upbeat tone of fellows’ posting on the blog, I’ll be the first to admit that the position entails some universal hardships. There is the occasional social isolation that leaves you Saturday night at home with a book and bottle of the local plonk, despite apparently [...]
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Update from the Field: Non-Financial Services, Employment Discrimination + The Dark Side of Sustainable Tourism
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 2 April 2012
Compiled by Chris Paci | KF16 & KF17 | Ukraine It’s been a busy week here on Kiva Stories from the Field! Most of our KF17 fellows have been in the field for two months by this point, and they’ve been drawing on their wealth of on-the-ground experience to unpack some of the more complex and [...]
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“Sustainable” Tourism in the Quirimbas Archipelago: Sustainable for Whom, Exactly?
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 30 March 2012
Micaela Browning | KF17 | Mozambique The Quirimbas Archipelago in Northern Mozambique is a paradisiacal chain of 24 verdant islets blessed with the tropical vacationer’s holy trinity: ivory sands, ubiquitous royal palms, and resplendent turquoise waters .
