- Bazaruto and Vilanculos are best for island-hopping and luxury lodges
- Tofo is famous for whale sharks and manta rays
- FCDO advises against travel to parts of the far north, including much of Cabo Delgado
- Fly via Johannesburg; Portuguese is the main language
- Airports
- Maputo (MPM), Vilanculos (VNX), Inhambane (INH)
- Flight time
- about 13h from London to Maputo, usually with one stop in Johannesburg
- Best time to go
- May-November for dry, sunny weather; October-March for whale sharks at Tofo
- Currency
- Mozambican metical (MZN)
Mozambique has nearly 2,500 kilometres of Indian Ocean coastline, much of it lined with palm trees, coral reefs and barely any development. Island lodges in the Bazaruto Archipelago rival the Maldives, Tofo is one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks, and the capital, Maputo, has a lively café culture with Portuguese influences.
For UK travellers, Mozambique is two hours ahead of the UK in winter and one hour in summer. Cars drive on the left; sockets vary, so bring adaptors for South African type M and European type C. It pairs naturally with a safari in South Africa, Malawi or Eswatini. This guide sits within our Africa section.
Entry requirements
Since 2023 British passport holders have been able to visit Mozambique visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days, but you may be asked to register online before travel and pay an entry fee. Your passport should be valid for at least six months with blank pages. Yellow fever certificates are required if you arrive from a risk country.
The FCDO advises against all travel to several districts of Cabo Delgado province because of an insurgency, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Cabo Delgado and to parts of Niassa and Nampula provinces; this includes the Quirimbas Archipelago. Most tourist areas in the south and centre are not affected, but check the latest maps. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Mozambique
Vilanculos and the Bazaruto Archipelago
The islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra and Magaruque sit within a marine national park with dugongs, turtles and reefs. Stay in a luxury island lodge or base yourself in Vilanculos and take dhow day trips for snorkelling and beach picnics.
Tofo and Inhambane
Tofo is a laid-back beach town with world-class diving and snorkelling with whale sharks and manta rays. Nearby Barra has beach lodges, and the colonial town of Inhambane is a short ride away.
Maputo
The capital has Portuguese-era architecture, the iron house supposedly designed by Gustave Eiffel's firm, the bustling central market and excellent seafood, especially prawns. It makes a good stop for a night or two.
Ponta do Ouro and the Maputo National Park
Near the South African border, Ponta do Ouro has dolphins, diving and surfing, while the Maputo National Park (formerly Maputo Special Reserve) combines elephants with empty beaches.
Ilha de Moçambique
This small UNESCO-listed island in Nampula province was the colonial capital, with an old Stone Town, a fortress and Swahili culture. Check FCDO advice for the latest on travel to Nampula.
Gorongosa National Park
Once devastated by war, Gorongosa is now a celebrated conservation success, with lions, elephants and huge birdlife on floodplains below Mount Gorongosa.
Best time to visit Mozambique
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| May-August | Dry, sunny and comfortably warm; whales pass along the coast |
| September-November | Warmer and still dry, great diving and beach weather |
| December-March | Hot, humid and rainy, with a risk of cyclones; whale shark season peaks |
| April | Rains easing, landscapes green, fewer visitors |
If you plan a beach holiday in January to March, choose lodges with flexible cancellation in case of cyclones.
Getting to Mozambique from the UK
There are no direct flights. Most people fly overnight to Johannesburg, then connect with Airlink or LAM to Maputo, Vilanculos or Inhambane. Total journey time is usually around 13 to 15 hours. Some travellers combine a Kruger safari with a drive to Maputo, which takes about four to five hours from the park.
Getting around
Distances are long and roads vary in quality, so domestic flights are useful for moving between regions. Transfers to the Bazaruto islands are by boat or helicopter. Self-drive is possible in the south with a 4x4, but police checkpoints and sandy roads make it challenging. Chapas (minibuses) are cheap but crowded and not recommended for long distances.
Money and costs
The metical is the local currency. US dollars and South African rand are accepted in some tourist areas, but carry meticais for local spending, markets and transport. Cards work in larger hotels and Maputo restaurants, though power cuts and network issues are common. Mid-range beach travel costs about £80-150 per person per day, while luxury island lodges can cost US$700-1,500 or more per person per night.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mozambique safe to visit?
Most tourist areas in the south and centre, such as Maputo, Tofo, Vilanculos and Bazaruto, are generally visited without problems. The far north has an ongoing insurgency, so follow FCDO advice and avoid restricted areas.
When can you see whale sharks in Mozambique?
Whale sharks are found off Tofo year-round, but sightings are usually best from about October to March.
Do I need malaria tablets for Mozambique?
Yes, malaria is present throughout the country. Speak to a travel clinic before you go.
Do people speak English in Mozambique?
Portuguese is the official language. English is spoken in tourist lodges and dive centres, but a few Portuguese phrases help elsewhere.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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