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Frequently Asked Questions about Mozambique Mozambique

What is the best time to travel?

From April until September, Mozambique has an extremely pleasant climate: warm and mostly dry, gently cooled by sea breezes. During the rainy season (January-March) the humidity level is very high and temperatures reach between 27 and 29 degrees centigrade on the coast. The inland temperatures are a couple of degrees lower than this, and the higher ground receives more rain.

What is the best time to see wildlife?

Late November to February is the best time to see the various bird types. A variety of marine life can also be seen and the best dates for this vary depending on what you what to see. The infamous dugong can be seen all year round.

When does the tour start?

All of our tours start at 12:00 midday at the hotel where we spend our first night .Your room will be available to check-in from this time. If you arrive later, don't worry, your tour leader will meet up with you at a later time to brief you.

Can I pre-book transfers and extra nights?

If you have booked your flight with Shoestring, we can offer the following two services. Firstly the option to pre-book airport transfers and secondly the option to book pre-tour nights, if you have chosen to arrive before the start date of your tour. Prices for these extra services are available on the tour information page.

Can I extend my trip by a few days or longer?

When you book a flight with us, you can extend the return date of the flight for as long as you like at the time of booking. If you want to change it after booking, however, you will have to cancel the flight and book again at heavy cost. If you want to stay longer and need extra travel arrangements just inform your tour leader at the start of your tour and he/she can see if the local agent can organise something for you.

What about my passport?

You need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel.

Do I need a visa?

UK citizens need a visa for Mozambique. However, these things can change so please click here and check out the current situation. You can also check on that website if a visa is required for any other nationality. Make sure you inquire at least a month before departure if you need a visa so you do not run out of time.
If you need a visa, please click here to find details of the embassy you need to contact unless you use a visa service. Shoestring does not organise your visa. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel. You can also obtain the visa through a specialised visa agency like http://www.travcour.com/. It is a good idea to visit this website in any case, as it prov


Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?

Please click here for questions regarding vaccinations or malaria tablets for this country and then contact your GP or a specialised health centre and make an appointment to get your injections and pills. Please make sure that you arrange this at least six weeks before your trip to allow time for a full program. Two weeks should suffice for people who have already had a few injections. You are responsible for having the right protection when going on tour.

What is the recommended currency for Mozambique?

The official currency is the New Metical (MZN), which is divided into 100 centavos. In the southern parts of the country, South African Rand, US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are also accepted to pay for accommodation. Credit cards are accepted in some upmarket hotels in Maputo, but facilities throughout the rest of the country are limited. It is therefore advisable to carry cash or travellers cheques. ATMs are limited and tend to be unreliable, but local banks have branches in most cities.

What kind of clothing and other stuff is practical to take?

Bring thin clothes and a high-necked long-sleeved T-shirt or a thin cotton roll-neck jersey for the nights to protect you against mosquitoes. Additionally, bring a jersey or a sweater and a waterproof jacket. An umbrella is of good use against the rain as well as against the fierce sun. A pair of worn-in walking shoes with a good tread and strong soles is important. Acacia thorns can easily perforate soft soles. Sandals or flip flops are comfortable footwear on days we are not walking. Other important items are: sunglasses, suntan lotion, toiletries, basic medical travelling kit, sun hat or scarf, photo or film equipment and an adequate amount of film, spare batteries, torch, maybe a pocket knife (not in your hand luggage), alarm clock, stationery, books, passport, sufficient travellers cheques and cash, copies of your passport and travel insurance, a list of travellers cheque numbers and their receipts, a diary with important addresses and a good travel guide.

What kind of luggage should I take?

Hard suitcases cannot be taken on the safari truck. Additionally, a small rucksack or shoulder bag is handy for carrying everyday hand luggage. To keep valuable documents safe, you are best off purchasing a slim cotton money belt that you can wear under your clothes. Be sure to have a change of clothes in your hand luggage so you can survive 48 hours without the rest of your luggage in case it is delayed. Keep essentials like malaria pills, essential medicine, cheques, camera and your toothbrush in your hand luggage. Make sure your luggage is not too heavy. You will definitely not need the maximum weight of 20 kg allowed on the aeroplane. During your trip, you are likely to buy souvenirs which will soon fill up your bag and make it heavier. Shoestring advises you to bring a maximum of 12 kg of luggage.

Electricity

Please click here to check what voltage and plugs are in use in Mozambique. You could also consider taking a universal electric plug.

Travel guides and maps

If you want to take a travel guide or map, we suggest you click on Lonely Planet.

What is the accommodation like?

We stay in tents at campsites and in Inhambane we stay in a 6-person dormitory in a comfortable hostel.

How is accommodation arranged if I book alone?

If you book alone you will share your room with a fellow traveller unless you have booked a single room. Sometimes this may mean sharing your room with someone of the opposite sex. If we go camping, you may wish to take a small tent if you would prefer to sleep alone. If this involves extra camping fees (never very much), your tour leader will tell you and collect the extra fees.

Do I need a sleeping mat or sleeping bag?

We recommend that you bring a sleeping bag with you.

What can I expect from camping facilities?

You will stay in two-man tents with shared facilities.

Do they cater for vegetarians in Mozambique?

Plenty of vegetarian dishes are available in Mozambique including wusa (thick corn paste) and matapa (rice or wusa with peanut sauce and cassava leaves).

What kind of transportation is used?

Transportation is in overland trucks (for small groups - car or minivan) and to the island of Benguerra we travel in a dhow-boat.

Can you travel with children?

Yes, children can travel with their families on a Shoestring tour. We recommend the easiest tours which are listed as ‘Category A’ where the distances covered are short and there is a slow traveling speed. But please check with our friendly sales team if you are unsure.
We would define a child as being under the age of 18. They would only be allowed to travel provided they do so with an adult family member or close relative.

Children under the age of 8 we recommend not to travel as they simply would not be old enough to enjoy the experience nor cope with the nature of travel that we provide.

The tour prices are the same for both adults and children however there will be a reduction on the child airfare which will vary depending on the flight selected (Please use the ‘search flights’ facility on the website to check the up-to-date prices).


Is Mozambique dangerous?

Mozambique is not dangerous but it is important to keep your belongings safely locked away or on your person at all times.

Are there opportunities to snorkel or dive?

Mozambique is excellent for diving and snorkelling, especially at Benguerra Island.

Are there opportunities to swim?

Swimming is also possible, again Benguerra is highly recommended.

What other activities and sports could I do?

You can visit the fish markets in Vilanculos or take a boat trip from Inhambane in search of the giant whale shark (from June to October only).

Mobile phone, email and snail mail

Outgoing international calls must go through the operator, although direct dialling is available to South Africa and Swaziland; there may be some delay. Internet cafes are few and far between but there are becoming more and more widespread as Mozambique develops.

Time difference with the UK

Please check the world clock in order to find out the exact time difference between Zambia and the UK.
Please note that the time difference can change depending on whether the UK is on daylight saving time or not.