Mozambique Travel Guide — Visas, Climate & Attractions

Mozambique Travel GuideOne of Africa's most beautiful and least visited coastlines — 2,500km of Indian Ocean shoreline from the Quirimbas Archipelago's ancient Swahili coral islands in the north to the Bazaruto Archipelago's dugong-filled lagoons in the south. World-class diving on the Sofala Bank, the extraordinary whale sharks of Tofo Beach, Gorongosa National Park's remarkable wildlife recovery, and a Creole-Portuguese-African culture that expresses itself in the food, the music, and the extraordinary warmth of the Mozambican people.Key Facts

Capital: Maputo

Currency: MZN (Mozambican Metical)

Language: Portuguese, Emakhuwa, Changana, Sena

Time Zone: UTC+2

Top Places to Visit

Tofo Beach and Whale Sharks — A laid-back beach town near Inhambane — Tofo has one of the world's most consistent whale shark populations and extraordinary manta ray aggregations. The dive sites off Tofo are among the finest in the Indian Ocean.

Quirimbas Archipelago — A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of 32 coral islands north of Pemba — Ibo Island's Portuguese fort and silver craftsmen, Quilaléa's pristine reef, and the extraordinary Swahili-Arab-Portuguese cultural layers of a civilisation built on the Indian Ocean trade.

Bazaruto Archipelago — A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve south of Vilanculos — five islands protecting the last significant dugong population in the western Indian Ocean, with pristine sandbanks, extraordinary fishing, and the finest offshore diving in southern Mozambique.

Gorongosa National Park — Once all but destroyed by civil war, Gorongosa is now one of Africa's most extraordinary conservation stories — lion, elephant, wild dog, hippo, and buffalo returned in force, with the Carr Foundation investing in both wildlife and community development.

Ibo Island — The jewel of the Quirimbas — a small coral island with a 16th-century Portuguese fort, ruined palaces slowly reclaimed by the forest, silver craftsmen working in the old Arab tradition, and the extraordinary Ibo Island Lodge in a restored mansion.

Local Food

Maputo Prawns (Camarão Piri Piri) — Giant Mozambican prawns — some of the largest and finest in the world — grilled in a butter and piri piri sauce and served with chips and fresh bread. Costa do Sol in Maputo is the classic venue; every beach restaurant does a version.

Matapa — Cassava leaves ground and slow-cooked with coconut milk, garlic, and dried shrimp — served over xima (maize porridge) as Mozambique's most beloved everyday dish. Found at every local restaurant from Maputo to Pemba.

Caril de Caranguejo — Crab curry — blue swimmer crabs from the mangrove channels cooked in coconut milk with turmeric, ginger, and fresh chilli, served over rice at Inhambane and Tofo beach restaurants. An extraordinary combination of Indian Ocean ingredients.

Grilled Crayfish and Clams — The Quirimbas and Bazaruto lodges serve whole grilled crayfish from the reef and clams from the lagoon floor — extraordinarily fresh, simply prepared with butter and lemon, eaten on the beach as the Indian Ocean does its best at sunset.

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