The practical pre-trip checklist. Rules change — confirm with us when planning, but this is correct as of June 2026.
Passport and visa
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date, with two blank pages.
- Visa. Currently visa-on-arrival is available for most EU, UK, US, Canadian, Australian, Brazilian and SADC nationalities at Maputo and Vilankulos international airports, valid 30 days, USD 50 fee. Rules shift; check with us when planning.
- E-visa is available in advance via Mozambique's official portal — recommended if you'd rather not queue at arrival.
- Multiple-entry if you're planning to cross to Eswatini, South Africa or Tanzania and come back.
Vaccines and health
- Yellow fever certificate required for entry from yellow-fever endemic countries. Bring proof.
- Malaria prophylaxis recommended for most of the country. Consult your travel doctor for the medication that fits you — there are options.
- Routine vaccines up to date: tetanus, hepatitis A, typhoid. Hepatitis B if longer stay.
- Bring a basic medical kit — antimalarials, anti-diarrheal, antihistamines, sunscreen, insect repellent (DEET 30%+ or picaridin).
- Don't drink tap water. Bottled or filtered. Ice in upmarket establishments is usually safe.
Money
- Mozambican metical (MT or MZN) is the local currency. USD widely accepted in tourism, EUR less so. South African rand accepted near the SA border.
- ATMs in Maputo, Vilankulos, Tofo, major towns. Withdraw in metical. Daily limit around 10,000 MT.
- Credit cards in upscale hotels, lodges and restaurants. Visa accepted more widely than Mastercard. Carry cash for everything else.
- Tip 10% in restaurants if service charge isn't included.
Plugs, phones, internet
- Plug type C (European two-pin) and type M (South African three-pin) are both used. Bring an adapter for both if travelling from outside Africa.
- Voltage 220V, 50 Hz.
- SIM cards at Vodacom or Movitel stores — passport required. Cheap data. We give clients a local SIM on arrival.
- Wi-Fi in most lodges and hotels in cities; patchy or absent in interior parks. Expect to be offline in Niassa, parts of Gorongosa, the Pontas south of Mamoli.
Insurance
Mandatory. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation. Mozambique's hospitals are functional in Maputo and basic-only outside. For anything serious you want to be on a plane to Johannesburg fast. We don't book clients without insurance — and we'll happily share our recommended providers.
What to pack
- Light layers — beach is hot, evenings in the interior winter need a fleece.
- Reef-safe sunscreen — required at Bazaruto Marine NP.
- Quick-dry sandals or trail shoes. No need for proper hikers unless you're climbing Namuli.
- Soft duffel bags, not hard suitcases. Light aircraft luggage limits and 4×4 boots prefer soft.
- A book. You'll have time.
If you have a specific question about a document or a destination, write to us. We've answered most of them before.