Mozambique in southeast Africa is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country borders with Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Swaziland. Despite beautiful nature and some really beautiful nature parks and reserves, Mozambique is one of the more challenging travel destinations due to its poor tourist infrastructure. See andyeducation for education in Mozambique.
| Capital City | Maputo |
| Size | 801,590 km² |
| Resident | 28,861,863 |
| Official Language | Portuguese |
| Currency | New metical |
| Time Zone | UTC+2 |
| Telephone Area Code | +258 |
Fast facts to know
- Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world.
- Flag was derived from the old flag of the freedom movement FRELIMO. Green symbolizes agriculture, black stands for the continent, yellow for mineral resources, white for peace, red for the fight against the colonial states. There is also a rifle, a pick and a book.
- About 40% of the inhabitants are illiterate.
- The average life expectancy is around 55 years.
- The death rate, especially among babies and small children, is quite high.
- A passport valid for six months and a visa are required for entry. When entering the country from a yellow fever infection area, valid proof of vaccination must be available.
- Increased risk of various types of infectious diseases, including malaria, cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis A and B, plague, typhoid. Appropriate vaccinations are recommended.
- In Mozambique, traffic drives on the left.
- The international driver’s license is required.
- The import and export of local currency is not permitted.
- High levels of violent crime, especially in cities.
- Information & warnings from the Federal Foreign Office
- It is advisable to take an adapter for English sockets (three-pin) with you.
- Vegetation largely determined by dry savanna and dry forest. Tropical rainforest in retreat.
- Travel to the provinces of Sofala, Manica and Tete affected by Cyclone Idai is currently discouraged.
Exciting cities in Mozambique
- Maputo
- Ilha de Mozambique
- Beira
- pemba
- Inhambane
- Vilanculo
- Inhambane
History of Mozambique
- The original inhabitants of Mozambique are the hunter-gatherers of the San.
- Coastal region is used for many centuries by the Arab-African Swahili culture. especially the empire of Munhumatapa.
- At the end of the 15th century, the Portuguese loaded in Mozambique.
- Portugal seizes the trading centers and rules Mozambique until the 20th century.
- The Portuguese primarily trade in slaves.
- In 1890 Portugal gave in to British pressure and renounced the connection of Angola and Mozambique to form a closed South African colonial empire.
- 1898 Angola Treaty.
- 1913 new treaty between Great Britain and the German Reich with the goal of partitioning Mozambique.
- After World War I, which prevented this division, Angola and Mozambique initially remain in Portuguese possession.
- 1917 German colonial troops from German East Africa occupy parts of the northern half of Mozambique until 1918.
- 1962 Foundation of the freedom movement FRELIMO.
- 1975 declaration of independence as the People’s Republic of Mozambique.
- Mozambique is developing into a Marxist-oriented state.
- 1976 Beginning of a 16-year civil war between FRELIMO and RENAMO, in which more than 900,000 people die due to war and famine.
- 1995 Member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
- Since 2000 increasing democratization.
- 2000 & 2019 severe flood disasters shake the country.
Climate & travel weather in Mozambique
- Alternately humid tropics with a rainy season (Oct to March) and a dry season (April to Sep).
- Domestic hottest.
- North coast: smaller temperature fluctuations.
- Southern coast: more moderate temperatures, more pronounced rainy season, greater temperature fluctuations.
- Recommended travel time:
- April-September.
- Better to avoid the rainy season.
Ideas for trips in Mozambique
- Maputo:
- Revolution Museum.
- local museum.
- 18th century Portuguese fortress.
- Train station designed by Gustave Eiffel.
- Santa Maria Peninsula.
- Maputo Elephant Reserve.
- Cahora Bassa Dam.
- Diving and snorkeling at Pemba Bay and Memba Bay.
- Picturesque islands of the Quirimbas archipelago.
- Enjoy beautiful beaches in Nacala Bay.
- Diving near the fishing village of Tofo.
Eating & drinking in Mozambique
- Cuisine heavily influenced by the Portuguese.
- The staple food is corn.
- Millet, sorghum, cassava roots are often processed.
- Occasionally rice as a side dish.
- Fish and seafood are an integral part of Mozambique cuisine.
- Rooibos tea popular.
- Domestic beer type: 2M
- Water is usually drunk with meals.
- Typical dishes:
- Various curry dishes.
- Galinha a Cafreal (Marinated Grilled Chicken).
- Caril de caranguejo (crab curry).
- Piri-Piri (spicy sauce made from hot chili peppers, oil, spices).
- Matapa (sauce made from peanuts, cassava leaves, coconut milk with king prawns).
- Piri Piri Chicken (Fried Chicken in Spicy Chilli Sauce).
Particularly scenic
- Bazaruto National Park.
- Quirimba National Park.
- Limpopo National Park.
- Niassa Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Gorongosa National Park
- Banhine National Park.
- Lugenda Wildlife Reserve.
- Ponta d’Ouro.
- Tofo Beach and Praia de Jangamo.