- Maputo
A peri-peri mix of Africa by the sea seasoned with take-away Portuguese traditions.
- Zavora
Great beaches and great diving.
- Inhambane and Tofo
Beaches, diving and surf.
- Maxixe Mozambique
Maxixe in Mozambique is a busy harbour across the bay from Inhambane.
- Vilanculos
An airstrip for frequent flyers and a laid back spot for the rest of the world.
- Pemba Mozambique
The commercial centre of Northern Mozambique and a beautiful sea side town.
- Mozamique
If you are looking for paradise with super cheap prices, yummy food and torquoise water. Stick on your backpack and go and explore the wonders that Mozambique have to offer.
- Ponta D ouro
On the border of South Africa and Mozambique Ponta is a great place to start your backpacking adventure of Mozambique.
The coastline of Mozambique is one of the most beautiful in all of Africa and boasts some of the finest deep-sea game fishing that can be found. It is now the haunt of big game fishermen from all over the world and sport fishing is big business.
Tricky stuff.
If you’re driving, check the rules and regs before you get to the border and have a fat wad of metacais ’cos they won’t take any other currency at the border post.
Hired cars must have a letter of authorisation and pay a fee of R2000.
If it’s your own or a friend’s car, you need the registration papers and/or a letter of authority from the owner.
All cars pay a compulsory insurance fee of R120, a toll fee of R50, must have an 80km/h sticker and a ZAR sticker and blah blah blah.
You can get a visa at the border for R185.
Independence from Portugal was granted in 1976. Since then the country has experienced a turbulent transformation with faction fighting accompanied by a long drawn out bush war. Fortunately this is now history and thanks to substantial international finance, infrastructural redevelopment is forging ahead.
Mozambique is the yammy-jammy jewel of Southern Africa where every passing tribe from Arab slave traders to Portuguese explorers has left its mark.
Today, after 25 years of civil war and massive floods, it’s still relatively untouched by tourism and well on the road to recovery.
The country is perhaps best known for its magnificent beaches, abundant seafood and spectacular diving. The dugong (once known as a mermaid) lives in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and whale sharks, manta rays and dolphins are just some of the other marine life encountered.
Psst. Watch out for strong currents where there are no reefs.
Commission on travellers’ cheques in Mozambique is way high, so cash them in before arriving. Credit cards are accepted in cities and can be used to withdraw cash at ATM’s*. Amex works in cities only, Visa is universal (BIM Bank) and MasterCard’s work at any Austral Bank.
There’s only one rule. Protect yourself. Cover up, use repellent and sleep under a net. Local hospitals are experts on this tropical disease, so if you do start wobbling, don’t wait to go and see a doctor.
Daily buses run along the coast in both directions. They are cheap and get you to your destination. Minibus taxis are best used for short hops. Car rental is very expensive.
People are poor and so petty theft is regular. Be sensible, take care in crowded places and don’t leave valuables in your car.
Places to Stay
- Bamboozi Backpackers
Bamboozi Backpackers are hidden in the heart of coconut groves next to the beach. Pitch a tent or enjoy their eco-friendly dorms or chalets.
- Catembe Packer's Lodge
Catembe sits by the lapping waters of Holy Spirit Bay and is one of the best kept secrets of Maputo.
- Fatima's Place Maputo
Centrally located in Maputo, Fatima's Place Backpackers is Mozambique's longest running backpackers offering easy access to markets, shops, bars and restaurants.
- Fatima’s Nest Tofo
This Tofo backpackers is on a tropical beach framed by sea and endless coconut palms swaying in the breeze. A great place from which to enjoy Tofo Beach and Inhambane in Mozambique.
- Kaya Kweru Backpackers
This Mozambique backpackers is located in Ponta D'ouro only 40m from the beach and a great place for diving, surfing and swimming with the dolphins.
- LaGoa Eco Lodge and Backpackers
This Mozambiquan backpackers is set upon a magnificent lagoon.
- Maputo Backpackers
Maputo Backpackers are only 50m from the Beach. They offer home-cooked seafood or traditional meals and day/night trips into Maputo.
- Marimba Secret Gardens
This Mozambican backpackers is situated on the beach and offers a chance to enjoy the traditional Mozambican way of life and the colourful Bazaruto Archipelago.
- Mozambeat Motel
Mozambeat Motel is a great place to enjoy the aquamarine bliss of Inhambane, dive with manta rays or whale sharks, surf great breaks or just relax among the palm trees.
- MozVolunteers
MozVolunteers is a small volunteer organisation based in Xisondwe, Zavora.
- Neptune Lodge and Beach Bar
This beachfront backpackers lodge in Inhambane is ideally located to enjoy Barra's pristine beach and clear waters, local cuisine, reef diving, snorkelling and trips to Pansy Island.
- Pemba Dive and Bush Camp
Chill out in your beachfront chalet or sea-view room in this eco-friendly estate in Pemba. A great place to explore the best of Mozambique's coral-rich waters.
What to do
- Mozdivers Zavora
Dedicated to getting the best out of the sea.
- MozVolunteers
MozVolunteers is a small volunteer organisation based in Xisondwe, Zavora.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Minutes away from the Orpen Gate.
(Hoedspruit,Limpopo)
This Coffee Bay backpackers is perfectly set for any mood!
(Coffee Bay,Wild Coast)
Live with the locals and get to understand their culture
(Grahamstown,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
Adventure and cultural tours in Mozambique, Kruger and Botswana.
(Malkerns,Swaziland)
A warm backpackers on the south coast which welcomes with a beautiful view, and great home cooking.
(Leisure Bay,South Coast)
Wet, wild and wickedly gorgeous – that’s a 5-day Wild Coast hike with Wild Side Hiking.
(Port St Johns,Wild Coast)
A laid-back backpackers located 100-metres from the beach a haven for the perfect Jbay experience.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
At African Array you’ll experience all the beauty, wildlife, culture and all the adventure that you came to find in South Africa.
(Plettenberg Bay,Garden Route)
A soul calming view of azure seas.
(Vilanculos,Mozambique)
Get over your tent blues here.
(MaunBotswana,Botswana)
