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General
Information
Mozambique has a coastline
of more than 2500km and is located
on the southeastern coast of Africa
and is bordered by Tanzania to
the North, South Africa and Swaziland
to the South, Zimbabwe to the
West and Zambia and Malawi to
the northwest.
Diving is good all year in Mozambique,
in the clear, warm waters of the
Indian 
Ocean.
Both land based and liveaboard
adventures are possible.
The reefs are varied with a profusion
of colorful soft corals which
are host to some of the most amazing
marine life the world has to offer.
Colorful tropical fish such as
angel, butterfly, surgeonfish
and graceful Moorish Idols are
found in abundance. Large yellow
trumpet fish and trigger fish
are found in many sites.
Excellent dive sites are within
short range of most dive operators.
You can spend the extra time lounging
on the beautiful beaches or if
your in for some excitement, head
inland and discover the above
water big animals Mozambique has.
For the non-diver or when you
are above water, there are many
other excellent 
activities
to occupy your time. Above water
sports, beautiful beaches, hiking,
cultural and historical sights.
Safaris are available inland where
you can experience the real wilds
of the african continent.
The tourist industry is still
very small, therefore the infrastructure
is not that of many, more popular
destinations. But if you prefer
smaller crowds and pristine diving,
Mozambique has much to offer.
Average Climate (Maputo): 55 to
75 F (13 to 24 C) in July 72 to
88 F (22 to 31C) in February.
Water Temp: October to April (Summer)
81F (27C) May to September (Winter)
71F (22 C)
Visibility: 16 - 100ft (5 - 31m)
Getting
There
Airports
Maputo International (MPM) (Maputo)
is 3km (1.8 miles) northwest of
the city. Bus and taxi services
run to the centre (travel time -
15 minutes). Airport facilities
include bank, restaurant, bar, snack
bar, car hire (Avis, Hertz and Imperial)
and post office.
Beira (BEW) is 13km (8 miles) from
the city (travel time - 15 minutes).
Beira receives flights from Continental
Europe, other African countries
and America. Airport facilities
include restaurant, shops and a
post office.
International Air Travel
Mozambique’s national airline
is LAM-Linhas
Aéreas de Moçambique
(TM). Other airlines serving Mozambique
include Air
France, Air Mauritius, Ethiopian
Airlines, South African Airways
and TAP
Air Portugal.
Flight Times
Approximate flight times
From Maputo to London is 14 hours,
including stopover in Johannesburg.
Domestic Air Travel
There are flights linking Maputo
with Beira, Blantyre (Malawi), Inhambane,
Lichinga, Nampula, Pemba, Quelimane
and Tete. Flights depart from Maputo
between 0500 and 0730 and are subject
to seasonal alterations. Flights
are frequently delayed or cancelled
and baggage is often lost or tampered
with. Air-taxi services are also
available, and are the safest means
of transport outside the main cities.
Many of the local charter flight
companies now have scheduled flights
around the country and to the islands.
Visa Requirements
All visitors must have a valid passport
and visa. Tourist Visas are issued
on arrival in Pemba or Maputo.
If entering the country with more
than $US5000( or equivalent) , a
"Declaration of entry of foreign
currency" must be completed
at the customs desk. The Declaration
must be shown if leaving with more
than $US( or equivalent).
The gift allowance is $US 100, import
duty must be paid on gifts above
$US100 in value.
Note: No drugs, firearms, or explosive
materials can be brought into Mozambique.
Departure tax
US$20 if destination is outside
Africa; US$10 if destination is
within Africa. Infants under two
years of age and transit passengers
are exempt.
Travel
Tips
Travelling by Rail
A train runs six times a week from
Johannesburg to the Mozambique border
at Komatipoort where there is a
connection to Maputo (travel time
– 15 hours). An overnight train
runs regularly from Durban to Maputo.
There is a service from Harare to
Beira. There are connections from
Malawi to Beira (although the border
still has to be crossed on foot).
Note: Rail services are sometimes
sporadic and unreliable.
Travelling by Road
There are good road links with all
neighbouring countries except Tanzania.
However, road travel can be dangerous
and should only be undertaken in
daylight. Highjacking and robberies
do occur. Bus: There is a
daily bus service from Maputo to
Johannesburg, and there are good
bus links to other South African
cities. Minibuses run between Maputo
and towns in Swaziland, crossing
the border at Namaacha.
Medical Services
Maputo and Beira have medical facilities.
Pemba has a private clinic: Clinica
de Cabo Delgado. Otherwise, medical
facilities are scarce and medicines
are not easily available. It is
recommended you carry a good supply
of medicines you may need, as well
as a first aid kit. Doctors expect
cash payment, so ensure your medical
insurance covers your trip to Moçambique.
Language
Portuguese (official), indigenous
dialects
Religion
Indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian
30%, Muslim 20%
Climate
There are two main seasons - one
wet and the other dry. The wet season,
from November to March, has a monthly
average temperature of between 26.6°C
and 29.4°C (80°F and 85°F),
with cooler temperatures in the
interior uplands. The dry season
lasts from April to October and
has June and July temperatures averaging
18.4° to 20°C (65° -
68°F). The average annual rainfall
is greatest (about 56 inches) over
the western hills and the central
areas, and lowest in the Zambezi
lowlands averaging 16 to 32 inches.
Local Time
Mozambique is two hours ahead of
GMT
Electricity
220V running at 50Hz. The Plug types
used are :
Round pin attachment plug
"Schuko" plug and receptacle
with side grounding contacts
"South African" Plug (found
especially near the border with
South Africa, Maputo)
Car Hire
Most major towns have both international
and national Car rental companies
including: Avis Rent-A-Car, Hertz,
Imperial, Interfranca and Ibérica
Rent-A-Car. Moti rent a car is the
only car rental in Pemba, but many
taxis roam the streets. Current
driver‘s license or International
driver’s license is required. (a
Mozambican driver’s license is required
if staying for more than 6 months)
Currency
Mozambique´s local currency
is the Metical, however US dollars
are widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard
are accepted throughout Mozambique,
but Traveller's Cheques are not
accepted. Obtaining a cash advance
on a credit card in a bank can be
a costly and time consuming process.
Business Hours
Banking: Monday to Friday: 0730-1115
and 1500-1630
Shops: Monday to Friday: 0900-1300
and 1500-1830. Saturday: 0900-1300
Governmental offices: Monday to
Friday: 0900-1200 and 1400-1730
Banks
Mozambique´s commercial banks
- Bank Standard Totta de Moçambique,
Banco de Fomento e Exterior, Banco
Popular de Desenvolvimento, Banco
Internacional de Moçambique
and Banco Comercial de Moçambique
- offer exchange services in their
main Maputo branches. Banks in Pemba
are Banco Austral (linked to ABSA)
Standard Bank (Linked Standard in
SA) BCI and BIM.
Postal Services
The post offices are open Monday
to Friday, 7h45 - 12h00 and 14h00
- 17h00 and Saturday mornings.
Telephones
Most major towns are served by a
satellite telephone system. Direct
dialling is available to South Africa
and Swaziland.
Water
Tap water is usually safe to drink,
but bottled water is available should
you prefer this. Avoid eating food
which has not been cooked or peeled.