Mozambique Travel Overview
GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of Mozambique.
Capital
Maputo.
Geography
According to a2zgov, Mozambique borders Tanzania in the north, Zambia and Malawi in the northwest, Zimbabwe in the west and South Africa and Swaziland in the south. To the east lies the Indian Ocean; the coast is approximately 2700 km long with beaches, lagoons, coral reefs and island chains. A large plateau runs to the west and north, rising towards the mountains and taking up about 50% of the land area. The plateau consists of dry savannah with some forests and steppe regions. The Zambezi is the largest and most important of the 25 rivers and flows through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean. The majority of the population (98% are Bantus) live on the coast or in the fertile valleys, especially in the Zambezi and Gaza provinces.
Government
Republic since 1990 (in the Commonwealth since 1995). 1990 Constitution. Parliament with 250 members elected every five years. A first peace agreement between the government and the right-wing Renamo rebels was signed in 1992. In 1994 the first free elections took place in which General Chissano was confirmed in office. Independent since 1975 (former Portuguese colony).
Head of state
Filipe Nyussi, since January 2015.
Head of government
Carlos Agostinho do Rosário, since January 2015.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz.
Time zone
Central Africa Time: CET +3
MONEY
Currency
1 Mozambique Metical = 100 Centavos. Currency abbreviations: MTn, MZN (ISO code, new metical). There are banknotes to the value of 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20 MTn, coins to the value of 10, 5, 2 and 1 MTn and in 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 Centavos.
Credit cards
Are mostly accepted in larger cities, in large hotels, e.g. Also in restaurants and supermarkets in Maputo and Beira, US dollars are preferred in the north of the country and South African rand in cash in southern Mozambique. It should be noted that cashless payments do not always work properly, so you should bring enough cash with you.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted in Mozambique in some shops and at ATMs in the larger cities. Further information from banks and credit institutes.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank customer card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the options for using their card from their bank prior to departure.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 7.45-11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of the local currency is limited to a maximum of 10,000 MZN. The import of foreign currencies is unlimited, mandatory declaration. Export in the amount of the declared import, minus the exchanged amounts.
Currency Exchange
You can exchange cash in exchange offices at the airport or in banks. Bringing US dollars or South African rand is recommended. Euros are only accepted as a method of payment in Maputo.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is Portuguese (27%). Kiswahili, Makua, Nyanja, and other Bantu languages are also spoken.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into Mozambique duty-free:
200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco;
0.75 l spirits;
Perfume for personal use (opened).
Valuable electronic devices must be declared.
Prohibited imports
Guns, drugs.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
In the hot season you wear safari or light tropical suits for business meetings, otherwise jackets or summer suits or summer dresses are appropriate. There are hardly any interpreting and translation services in Maputo. January is the main holiday season in Mozambique and business trips are best avoided during this time.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m.-5.30 p.m.
Economy
Câmara de Comércio de Moçambique, CP 1836, Rua Mateus Sansão Mutemba 452, MZ-Maputo. Tel: (01) 49 19 70.
Business contacts
Câmara de Comércio de Moçambique, CP 1836, Rua Mateus Sansão Mutemba 452, MZ-Maputo. Tel: (01) 49 19 70.
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service.
Cellphone
GSM 1800 and GSM 900. The transmission / reception range for mobile communications is limited to the capital Maputo and some cities in the south. The network operator is mCel (Internet: www.mcel.co.mz).
Internet
Internet provider is Teledata (Internet: www.teledata.mz). There are two internet cafes in Maputo (one of which is on Avenida Julius Nyerere).
Post Office
Postal service in the larger cities. Airmail shipments to Europe usually take 5-7 days, sometimes longer.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Basketry, reed mats, wood carvings, printed fabrics and leather items. Shop opening times: Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m.-6.00 p.m., Sat 8.00 a.m.-1.30 p.m.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Maputo has night clubs with dancing and music. Cinemas are available in the larger cities.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Hotels of international standard can be found in Maputo and Beira, while accommodation in smaller towns is rather simple. Further information from Direcçao Nacional do Turismo (see addresses) or from the website of Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique (Internet: www.mozambique.mz)
Camping
There are campsites on the beaches and in Gorongosa National Park. Camping is also possible on the properties of several Christian missions.
CULTURE
Religion
Natural religions (50%), 20% Muslim and 30% Christian minorities
Social rules of conduct
Shake hands to greet you. Portuguese customs and traditions as well as those of other southern European countries are widespread. Casual clothing is accepted everywhere, elegant clothing is rarely required. The shooting of soldiers, airports, bridges and government buildings is prohibited. Tipping is not welcome in hotels, otherwise 10% is usual.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Very hot, tropical-humid climate in coastal regions. It’s cooler inland. Most rain falls between January and March, the amount of precipitation varies depending on the altitude.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +258 Area (sq km) 799 380 Population 25 303 113 Population density (per sq km) 32 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 117