Overview
Mozambique is a country in Africa according to estatelearning. Mozambique has not had it easy in recent decades: Portuguese colonial rule was replaced by years of civil war, terrible famine and natural disasters. Since the signing of the 1992 peace treaty, Mozambique has been busy with its reconstruction and is also opening its doors to tourists again. Mozambique has a lot to offer as a travel destination. There are endless beaches where palm trees sway in the wind and the water is warm, safe and teeming with interesting sea creatures. You can also fish here. The wildlife of Mozambique is very diverse and can be observed in several first-class game parks and reserves. Even historical monuments can be discovered on the islands off the coast. There are good hiking trails in the seldom-visited forests, but extreme caution is still required of the numerous remaining landmines.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Mozambique’s national airline is called LAM – Linhas Aereas de Moçambique (TM). There are no non-stop flights to Mozambique from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Ethiopian (ET) connects Frankfurt/M. and Vienna via Addis Ababa with Maputo (ticket from Frankfurt/M. is also offered by Lufthansa (LH)); South African Airways (SA) flies from Frankfurt/M. via Johannesburg to Maputo. Feeder flights to Frankfurt/M. with Lufthansa (LH) or Swiss (LX) are possible from Zurich. Tap Air Portugal (TP) offers flights to Maputo, among others, from Frankfurt/M., Vienna and Zurich via Lisbon.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Maputo: 14 hours; Vienna – Maputo: 14 hours 35 minutes; Zurich – Maputo: 17 hours 25 minutes
Departure fee
None.
Arrival by car
Good connecting roads lead to Mozambique from all neighboring countries. Long-distance buses: There are daily buses from Johannesburg and Pretoria to Maputo (journey time from Johannesburg: approx. 7 hours), and there are also good connections with other cities in South Africa. Minibuses operate between Maputo and Swaziland via the border crossing at Namaacha. Tolls: The N4 motorway from Maputo to the South African border at Komatipoort and some bridges, such as the Maputo-Katembe Bridge, are subject to tolls. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Arrival by train
From South Africa to Maputo there are rail connections from Johannesburg and Pretoria (South Africa) via the Ressano Garcia border crossing and from Durban via Swaziland. From Zimbabwe, trains run from Somabhula via Harare to the Mutare-Manica border crossing with connecting trains to Beira or via Chókwé to Maputo across the Sango-Chicualacuala border. From Malawi, trains connect the towns of Blantyre and Lilongwe to the Nayuchi-Entre border crossing, from where trains run via Nacala to Cuamba in Mozambique. However, the train service here is very irregular.
Arrival by ship
Some cargo ships call at Maputo and Beira, passenger ships rarely dock. Ships also connect Durban (South Africa) with Maputo, Beira, Nacala and Pemba.
Cruise ships
Hapag Lloyd Cruises have Maputo and the Ilha dos Portugueses in the program for their world cruise in Mozambique, which starts in Hamburg. Phoenix offers cruises from Genoa with a stopover in Mozambique. Oceania Cruises cruise ships coming from the USA also dock in Mozambique.
Transportation
Traveling by plane
The national airline LAM – Linhas Aereas de Moçambique (TM) connects Maputo with Beira, Inhambane, Chimoio, Quelimane, Tete, Nampula, Lichinga and Pemba and partly between the cities. Air taxi services are also available.
Traveling by car/bus
The road network has a total length of approx. 31,000 km. The transport infrastructure is therefore underdeveloped for the size of the country.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Left
Condition of the roads
Approximately 5,700 km of the entire road network is paved. Road conditions are generally better in the south of the country than in the north. Maputo and Beira as well as Beira and Tete are connected by well-developed roads. During the rainy season (December to April), many roads are impassable or impassable. Night driving should generally be avoided. It is strongly advised not to leave the main roads if possible because of the still existing danger of mines.
Road classification
The road network in Mozambique is divided into first, second and third tier national roads and regional roads. The different types of roads are marked as follows: – National roads of the first order with the letter N (especially well developed roads with EN) and a number between 1 and 199; – National roads of the second order with N and a number between 200 and 399; – Third-order national roads with the letter R and a number between 400 and 799; – Regional roads with R and a number from 800 or with N/C for unclassified roads.
Car rental
Rental cars can be booked at the airports and in larger cities. Drivers must be at least 21 years old. Some providers charge a young driver fee for drivers under the age of 23.
Taxi
Taxis are only available in larger cities. In Maputo, taxis are metered; for longer journeys, the fare should be agreed in advance. Taxi drivers expect a tip of around 10%.
Bicycle
Bicycles can be rented in Maputo from various providers, such as Civitatis.
Coach
Inexpensive bus connections can be found almost anywhere in the country. Minibuses start early in the morning between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. on long-distance routes. Buses also run between nearby towns during the day. At the border to Zimbabwe and in the north of the country, frequent road and ID checks are to be expected.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Alcohol limit: 0.6 ‰; – seatbelt obligation; – 2 warning triangles and a warning vest must be carried. Speed limits: – urban: 60 km/h; – extra-urban: 120 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of damage to the vehicle: Tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. In the event of breakdowns or accidents with the rental car, the car rental company should be contacted first.
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Traveling in the city
Maputo has an extensive bus network; tickets are available from the conductor. Clearly understandable timetables do not exist. Taxis can be found in front of larger hotels, at the airport and in front of the Central Market (Avenida 25 de Setembro). Inexpensive shared taxis, so-called chapas, are also used. Tuk tuks are also a widespread and cheap means of transport in the city.
Locally on the way by train
The Mozambican railway company, Caminhos de Ferro de Mocambique, regularly serves the following routes, among others: – Maputo-Chicualacuala (Zimbabwe border) and Maputo-Chókwe (each once a week); – Maputo-Ressano Garcia and Maputo-Marracuene (every day); – Beira-Marromeu and Beira-Moatize (each once a week); – Nampula-Cuamba (twice a week); – Cuamba-Lichinga. The trains have three classes. Sleepers are rare. Seats and sleepers must be booked in advance. Delays are common. The panoramic route from Cuamba to Nampula, which is served several times a week, is often used by tourists.
Traveling by ship
Speedboats and ferries connect Maputo to Inhaca Island (ferry time: approximately 2 hours).
