Mozambique Travel Advice, Mozambique

Time: Local time is GMT +2.

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. The rounded three-pin plug is common, particularly near the border with South Africa and in Maputo. Two round- and flat-pin plugs are also found.

Money: 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 up market hotels in Maputo, but facilities throughout the rest of the country are limited; it is advisable to carry cash or travelers cheques. ATMs are limited and tend to be unreliable, but local banks have branches in most cities.

Language: Portuguese is the official language, and there are 13 main national languages spoken. English is taught in secondary schools, but is only spoken in the southern tourist regions.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a valid passport, but a visa is not required for a stay of up to 30 days.

Embassy or Consulate in South Africa: Mozambique High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0) 12 401 0300.

South African Embassy or Consulate: South African High Commission, Maputo: +258 21 491 614/0059.

Health: Visitors require a yellow fever certificate if travelling from infected areas. Malaria is a risk throughout the year in the whole country. It is recommended that visitors take precautions against typhoid, bilharzia, hepatitis A, polio and dengue fever in particular. Cholera and other water-borne diseases are prevalent during the rainy season. HIV/AIDS is widespread. Diseases caused by unsanitary conditions are common throughout the country, and untreated water should be considered unsafe to drink. The government has declared tuberculosis (TB) a national emergency and it is expected to be a problem for the next 15 years. Hospital facilities are generally poor and outside the major cities of Maputo and Beira medical facilities are limited. Comprehensive medical insurance is essential and it is recommended that visitors carry personal medical supplies with them.

Tipping: Tipping in Mozambique is not customary; although in tourist areas a tip of 10% is expected.

Safety: Many unexploded landmines lie scattered about the country, and visitors are advised that it is extremely risky to wander off well-travelled paths and roads; local information should be sought before going off-road outside provincial capitals. Violent crime is on the increase, including car hijackings and armed robbery. In the cities, particularly Maputo, muggings, bag snatching and pick-pocketing is common, and visitors are advised to be alert in public places, to keep valuables out of sight, and to avoid walking anywhere at night. Identity documents should be carried at all times. All visitors, especially women, should not walk alone on any beach in Mozambique, as there have been several severe attacks (and rapes) on tourists. Overland travels after dark is not recommended, and travellers should be especially alert when driving near the Mozambique-South African border. Police checkpoints are common and foreigners are at risk of frequent harassment. Many roads can become impassable in the rainy season (November to April); in January 2007 above average rainfall led to severe flooding in many parts of the country. There is also a risk of cyclones during the rainy season.

Customs: law prohibits Taking photographs of public buildings. Identity documents should be carried at all times.

Business: Mozambique has largely been cut off from foreign investment and has only in recent years started opening up to the worldwide business community. Conducting business in Mozambique can be difficult as many people only speak Portuguese, or their own ethnic language. Translators are hard to come by, and most are found in Maputo. Generally business in Mozambique follows the Portuguese model in terms of business etiquette - punctuality is important, dress is usually conservative (though lightweight materials are recommended). Women, in particular, should dress conservatively and modest behaviour is encouraged. Meetings usually start and end with a handshake, and business cards are exchanged. Business hours are usually 7.30am or 8am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

Communications: The international dialling code for Mozambique is +258. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are also in use, e.g. (0) 1 for Maputo, (0) 22 Xai Xai. Outgoing international calls, other than for South Africa, must go through the operator. Two mobile phone GSM 900/1800 networks provide limited coverage in and around Maputo, Beira, some coastal locations and a few other isolated towns. Internet cafes are available in Maputo.

Duty free: Travellers to Mozambique may enter the country with the following items and not incur customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco, perfume for personal use, and 750ml of spirits. Drugs are strictly prohibited and a permit is required for firearms and ammunition.