Dhow-sailed islands, Indian Ocean reefs and Portuguese-African flavour.
Mozambique has a long, warm coastline of reefs, dunes and islands. The Bazaruto Archipelago off Vilanculos is known for sand bars and dugongs, Tofo for diving with manta rays and whale sharks, and Ilha de Moçambique for its fading colonial stone town. Inland, Gorongosa National Park is one of Africa's great conservation comebacks, and Maputo has wide avenues and a lively café culture.
Food mixes Portugal and Africa: peri-peri prawns, matapa and fresh bread rolls. Distances are huge and roads slow, so most visitors pick one or two regions. Parts of the far north are affected by insurgency, so check your government's travel advice. May to November is dry and comfortable; January to March is hot, wet and cyclone-prone.
Best time to visit Mozambique
May, June, July, August, September, October.
Places to visit in Mozambique
Bazaruto Archipelago: A marine national park of sandy islands with coral reefs, giant dunes and one of Africa's last dugong populations.
Maputo: Mozambique's capital, with wide avenues, a Portuguese-era railway station, a lively art scene and fine seafood.
Island of Mozambique: A small coral island and former colonial capital, a UNESCO site of stone mansions, churches and a vast fortress.
Tofo: A beach town near Inhambane known for world-class diving, with manta rays and whale sharks through much of the year.
Essentials
Currency: Mozambican Metical (MZN)
Language: Portuguese; local languages widely spoken
Plugs: Type C / F / M, 220 V
Driving: Left side
Time zone: UTC+2
Tipping: 10% in restaurants is appreciated
Getting around: Domestic flights cover long distances; chapas (minibuses) and transfers locally
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking