Overall country Risk Rating: 

 

CCC -There are consistent hostile acts against foreigners. There is a high corruption risk affecting all personnel. HSE risk is high as there is no regulation or HSE culture in country. The country scored 119/175 on the corruption perception index, with a score of -0.3950 on corruption control.(Point estimates range from -2.5 to 2.5. Higher values correspond to better governance outcomes)

Genvisec advises that busines travellers seek security advice before travelling to Mozambique. Certain areas of the country offer a real risk to life/property.

 

Crime

 

Most visits to Mozambique are trouble-free, but street crime, sometimes involving knives and firearms, is common in Maputo and increasing in other cities and tourist destinations. Bag-snatching and pick-pocketing also occur.

 

Be vigilant at all times. Beaches or offshore islands are not policed. Avoid walking alone at night and don’t display valuables or money. Use a hotel safe if possible. Avoid withdrawing cash from ATMs at night.

 

There has been an increase in reports of carjacking, particularly in Maputo. Keep your car doors locked while driving. Be particularly vigilant when arriving at or leaving residential properties after dark. Avoid driving alone at night.

 

There have been several reported incidents of car-jackings between Boane and the Swaziland border crossing points of Namaacha and Goba. Be extra vigilant if you’re travelling by road to Swaziland.

 

Be extra vigilant and avoid travelling around after dark.

 

Don’t pick up strangers or stop to help distressed motorists or pedestrians. Hijackers sometimes use these techniques to trick motorists into stopping their vehicle. If in doubt, drive directly to a police station.

 

Some visitors to Mozambique report being victims of police harassment, including robbery, or requests for bribes. If a police officer threatens you or asks for a bribe, report the incident to the your embassy so that they can lodge a complaint with the authorities

 

If you are a victim of any form of crime, contact the local police immediately and get a police report. If your passport is stolen you should also contact your embassy  and inform the local immigration authorities.

 

Criminal kidnaps

 

There have been kidnappings reported in Mozambique, mainly in Maputo. While most victims have been Mozambican nationals, there has been a significant recent increase in threats, including to foreigners.

 

 

Local travel

 

All known minefields have been cleared in Mozambique’s northern provinces (Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Zambezia, Niassa). In the central and southern provinces (Sofala, Tete, Manica, Gaza, Inhambane, Maputo) mines still exist in remote areas, away from main routes. Seek advice from district authorities if you’re travelling in these areas.

 

Road travel

 

Traffic accidents are common due to the condition of the roads and poor driving and vehicle standards. Always drive carefully and be aware of pedestrians using the roads.

 

Overland travel on public transport can be hazardous due to poor vehicle and road conditions. If you doubt a vehicle’s condition, make alternative arrangements.

 

Low lying areas around major rivers flood regularly during the rainy season (November - April) making many roads impassable. Check local conditions before travelling. Make sure you have emergency supplies, including a first aid kit.

 

Only travel by road outside Maputo and other major cities during daylight. Where possible, keep to major roads and travel in convoy in rural areas. Fuel is often only available in larger towns.

 

EU driving licences are valid for up to 90 days. If you intend to stay longer you should get an International Driving Permit or apply for a Mozambican licence. It is an offence not to carry your driving licence with you when driving. Be ready to present original car documentation when requested by the police.

 

Third party insurance cover is compulsory. You can buy this at most land borders. You should carry two reflective triangles and a reflective vest in your vehicle at all times. You must wear the reflective vest when repairing, loading or unloading a vehicle. Police officers sometimes attempt to extract bribes from tourists. Don’t pay a bribe to anyone. If you are stopped by the police, ask for a clear explanation of the offence and a written fine that can be paid at a police station.

 

Air travel

 

All Mozambican airlines have been refused permission to operate services to the EU. The EU ban was imposed because the Mozambican regulatory authority was unable to verify that these airlines comply with international safety standards.

 

You should avoid flying with Mozambican certified carriers subject to the EU operating ban. 

 

River and Sea travel

 

Piracy is a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean and has occurred as far as 1000 nautical miles from the coast of Somalia.

 

Political situation

 

Monitor local media for latest information and avoid all demonstrations and protests.

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Local laws and customs

You must by law carry original identity documents at all times and present them on request to the authorities. Police patrols and checkpoints are common. Don’t hand over your passport to anyone other than an official. Ask to see their ID if in doubt.

 

Photographing government offices, airports, military establishments, residences and the police or officials is illegal without special permission from the Ministry of Information. If in doubt, don’t take pictures.

 

Drug use, possession and trafficking are serious offences. Punishments can include long jail terms and heavy fines

 

Money

 

Make sure you can access money in a variety of ways. Travellers’ cheques are not commonly accepted. US Dollars and South African Rand are the main exchange currencies. Credit cards are increasingly accepted in the larger cities. You should tell your bank before using your card in Mozambique.

 

Health

Hospital facilities are generally poor in Mozambique, especially in the north of the country. In cases of serious illness or injury, medical evacuation to South Africa or the EU may be necessary.

 

Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 1,200,000 adults aged 15 or over in Mozambique were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 11.5% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. Exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 08911 or 21313103 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Don’t enter or exit the country with more than 500 Meticais.

 

Entry requirements

 

Visas

 

Foreign nationals need a visa to enter Mozambique. Those travelling for work purposes must obtain a work or business visa before travelling.

 

Tourists may be able to get a single-entry visa valid for 30 days on arrival. However, there have been reports of visitors being refused this service and being turned back from border posts and airports. It is therefore much safer to get a visa before you leave your home country.. You must present on entry a return air ticket (for air travellers) and either an invitation from family / friends or a confirmed hotel reservation.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date your visa for Mozambique was issued, and have at least two blank pages.

 

The authorities of Mozambique have confirmed they will accept British passports extended by 12 months by British Embassies and Consulates under additional measures put in place in mid-2014.

 

Emergency Travel Documents

 

 Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are not valid for entry into Mozambique unless the holder is a returning resident. However, ETDs are accepted for exit from Mozambique.

 

Yellow fever Certificate

 

Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. If you can’t present a valid certificate on entry you may need to be vaccinated locally at your expense.

 

Border Formalities

 

It can take a long time to clear border formalities at the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia land crossing with South Africa, especially during holiday periods and if you are travelling on public transport. Allow adequate time to arrive at your destination before nightfall.

 

Natural disasters

 

During the rainy season (November to April) there is widespread flooding around river basins, especially the Zambezi. Monitor local reports and check your routes before travelling.

 

Coastal areas have a risk of cyclones during the rainy season. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation.

 

See our Tropical cyclones page for advice about what to do if you are caught up in a storm.