Explore Ilha de Moçambique's Stone Town
A UNESCO World Heritage island that served as the capital of Portuguese East Africa for nearly 400 years, holding one of the best-preserved colonial old towns on the East African coast.
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Southern Africa
Things to do in Mozambique
An Indian Ocean coastline holding some of the best diving in Africa, a UNESCO-listed island once the center of Portuguese colonial power in East Africa, and an archipelago that remains genuinely uncrowded.
Explore Mozambique on the map →Budget$$
Best for9-11 days
CapitalMaputo
VisaVisa on arrival or e-visa available for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, typically allowing stays up to 30 days.
CurrencyMozambican metical (MZN)
LanguagesPortuguese (official); Indigenous languages including Makhuwa widely spoken
InternetGood in Maputo, more limited on the islands and coast
Typical lodging$30–$85/night
Driving sideLeft
Power & voltage220V / 50Hz (Type C/F/M plug)
Time zoneUTC+2
Emergency number119 (police) / 117 (ambulance)
Dialing code+258
★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Beaches★★★★★ Wildlife
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended outside major cities. 10% at restaurants; guides and drivers appreciate a daily tip.
The Bazaruto and Quirimbas Archipelagos hold some of the richest and least-dived coral reef systems in the Indian Ocean, drawing serious divers specifically for their whale shark and manta ray encounters in waters far less crowded than comparable destinations further north. Ilha de Moçambique, a UNESCO World Heritage island, served as the capital of Portuguese East Africa for nearly 400 years, its Stone Town holding one of the oldest and best-preserved collections of colonial architecture on the entire East African coast.
When to go
Dry, cool seasonMay–September
The most popular and comfortable window nationally, with lower humidity and good diving visibility along the coast.
Hot, dry seasonSeptember–November
Rising temperatures ahead of the rains, still a workable window for the coast and diving.
Wet, hot seasonDecember–April
The heaviest rain and highest cyclone risk of the year, particularly affecting the central and northern coast.
Cyclone risk windowJanuary–March
The highest tropical cyclone risk specifically, monitor forecasts closely if traveling in this window.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
5Explore Maputo's Art Deco and colonial architecture
Mozambique's capital blends Portuguese colonial buildings with a distinctive Art Deco character, including a train station designed with input from Gustave Eiffel's firm.
Visit the Fortress of São Sebastião on Ilha de Moçambique
One of the oldest surviving European forts in the Southern Hemisphere, a 16th-century Portuguese stronghold guarding the historic island capital.
Explore Maputo's Central Market
A lively covered market selling produce, spices, and crafts, reflecting the capital's everyday commerce and coastal culinary traditions.
Explore the historic town of Inhambane
One of the oldest colonial settlements on the East African coast, with a relaxed pace and well-preserved Portuguese architecture near Tofo's beaches.
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Adventure & outdoors
5
Dive with whale sharks and manta rays in the Bazaruto Archipelago$15–20
One of the richest and least-crowded reef systems in the Indian Ocean, drawing serious divers for reliable whale shark and manta ray encounters.
Dive the remote reefs of the Quirimbas Archipelago$15–20
A pristine, less-visited island chain in northern Mozambique offering some of the country's most untouched diving and snorkeling.
Fish for marlin and sailfish off the Mozambique coast
Mozambique's Indian Ocean waters have a strong reputation among serious anglers for big-game fishing, particularly around Bazaruto and the southern coast.
Kitesurf or windsurf near Vilanculos
Consistent Indian Ocean trade winds have made the mainland gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago a growing kitesurfing destination.
Sail a traditional dhow around the Quirimbas Islands
Wooden sailing boats, a centuries-old Indian Ocean trading tradition, still ferry visitors between the Quirimbas' remote and pristine islands.
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Beaches
2Relax on the beaches of Tofo
A laid-back beach town on the southern coast known for whale shark research, diving schools, and a genuine backpacker-friendly atmosphere.
Relax on Benguerra Island in the Bazaruto Archipelago$15–20
A quieter, less-developed island within the Bazaruto chain, offering pristine beaches and a genuine barefoot-luxury pace.
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Food & drink
4
Eat Mozambican peri-peri prawns
Grilled prawns in a spicy peri-peri sauce, a Mozambican culinary export that's influenced coastal cuisine across southern Africa and beyond.
Try Mozambican matapa, a cassava leaf and peanut stew
A coconut milk and peanut-based cassava leaf stew, reflecting Mozambique's coastal Indian Ocean and Portuguese culinary influences.
Try Mozambican piri-piri chicken (frango)
Grilled chicken marinated in the country's signature spicy piri-piri sauce, considered one of Mozambique's most globally recognized culinary exports.
Try Mozambican prawns piri-piri at a beach shack
Fresh-caught prawns grilled with the country's signature spice, best eaten simply at an unpretentious beachside restaurant.
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Wildlife
4Snorkel with dugongs in the Bazaruto Archipelago$15–20
One of the last significant dugong populations in East Africa survives in these protected waters, a genuinely rare wildlife encounter.
Explore Gorongosa National Park's post-war wildlife recovery
A conservation success story, where wildlife populations devastated during the civil war have been significantly restored through an ongoing restoration project.
Explore Niassa Reserve's remote wilderness
One of the largest protected wildlife areas in Africa, holding significant elephant and wild dog populations in Mozambique's remote north.
Visit the Maputo Special Reserve for elephant and wildlife viewing
A coastal reserve combining savanna wildlife with beach access, a rare and convenient combination close to the capital.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Mozambique?
US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can get a visa on arrival or e-visa, typically allowing stays up to 30 days.
▾Bazaruto or Quirimbas, which archipelago should I prioritize?
Bazaruto is more established and accessible from Vilanculos with strong dugong and whale shark encounters; the Quirimbas further north are more remote and pristine, offering a genuinely off-the-beaten-path diving experience.
▾Is Mozambique at risk from cyclones?
Yes, particularly January through March, when the central and northern coast face the highest tropical cyclone risk of the year. Check current forecasts closely if traveling in this window.
▾How many days does Mozambique need?
9-11 days lets you combine Ilha de Moçambique's history with island time in either the Bazaruto or Quirimbas Archipelago, given the country's significant coastal distances.
▾Is Mozambique safe for tourists?
The main southern and central tourist circuits around Maputo, Bazaruto, and Ilha de Moçambique see regular safe tourism; it's worth checking current advisories closely for the northern Cabo Delgado province specifically before finalizing an itinerary.
▾How much does it cost to visit the Bazaruto Archipelago?
A marine park conservation fee, typically around $15-20 USD per person per day, is charged on top of any boat or diving excursion costs. Most visitors reach the islands via a lodge package that bundles this fee into the overall rate.
