To ensure that you have the best possible holiday experience, we ask you to read the following information carefully. If you have any questions, please discuss them with us before you depart.
Hand Luggage – pack essential items for a day or two in your hand luggage, in case your bags go astray and take a few days to catch up with you, especially if you have any tight connecting flights.
Baggage – if you are flying on a light aircraft, your luggage must be packed in soft sports bags, usually restricted to 15 kg. Rigid suitcases will not fit into the luggage pods and will be left behind.
Documents – take a copy of your travel insurance policy with you, and leave a copy of your passport with a reliable contact at home, in case the originals are lost or stolen.
Electronic Devices – ensure these are all fully charge before travel, as you may be required to switch them on at airport security.
Mobile Phones – make sure they are set up for international calls and if you plan to use travel apps such as Google Translate or Google Maps, ensure you check your data package with your provider in advance. Alternatively turn off date roaming to avoid large phone bills. Be aware that some rural areas may not have mobile or WiFi coverage.
Credit Cards – these are accepted at most tourist hotels, but always ensure you have cash when travelling in the countryside.
Clothing – pack light weight clothing according to the season. Take a day pack, T-shirts, shorts, jeans, light fleece, sunhat, insect repellent, swimming costume, sunglasses, biodegradable sunscreen and flip-flops. Avoid dark blue clothing, as this attracts tsetse fly. Waterproof reef walking shoes are essential, as well as snorkel, mask & fins (these can be hired locally, but quite expensive). A head torch is also essential, as power is sometimes interrupted at night for short periods. Rain gear will be required in the wet season. Sanitising hand cleaner and eye drops can be handy, especially if you wear contact lenses & a 'shewee' is invaluable for ladies in the bush.
Medicines - if you travel with prescription drugs, carry an adequate supply in their original bottles/packaging & keep them in your hand luggage, as if lost they may be difficult to replace.
Accessories – pack your phone (with charger and a spare battery pack), camera (with spare memory cards and batteries – a 200 mm zoom lens is good for wildlife photography), torch and binoculars (large 8x40 is best). We suggest one pair per person, as it can be frustrating to share.
Plugs – type C (European 2-prong). Pack a universal adapter as well as a hand basin plug/stopper, as these are not always provided.
Books – pack a good travel guide, with information on the wildlife and birds of the region. Also a good supply of English reading material for quiet evenings and when waiting for flights, as these will be hard to come by.
Water – tap water is safe to brush your teeth, but drink only bottled water.
Food – Mozambique is renowned for Portuguese-influenced cuisine, which includes fiery peri-peri chicken and some of the best prawns and crayfish in the world. Vegetarians and food allergies are well catered for in luxury tourist hotels.
Taxis – in Maputo only use regulated taxis, which are best ordered through your hotel.
Self-Drive – driving is on the left, although we do not recommend self-driving in Mozambique except as a 4x4 adventure. The main challenge is the police asking for bribes. Ensure your vehicle has blue triangle stickers, a red reflective triangle and yellow hi-viz jackets. You also need to obey the speed limits which change frequently, as they are very strict. Be patient and polite and you should be fine. Any valid UK, European or American driving license is accepted as long as it has a photograph and signature. A credit card in the name of the main driver is also essential. Be aware that you are travelling in a country where driving standards are lower than at home and take all sensible precautions against crime - including not leaving any belongings on display. Purchase a good road map and download the Google Maps (offline) app or hire a sat-nav, as signage will be in Portuguese & will be sparse in rural areas. Fill up with petrol whenever you have the opportunity and never run low, as distances between filling stations can be large. On gravel roads take two spare tyres, be careful to avoid stones thrown up by passing vehicles & ensure your tyres are under-inflated when travelling on gravel (ie soft, not hard). Be prepared to pay for cross-border fees and fuel in local currency.
Safety – take all sensible precautions. Leave valuable jewellery/watches at home, wear a money belt and be alert when outside your hotel. In particular avoid taking out large wads of cash in public view and keep your spare cash, passport and a spare credit card in your hotel safe.
Pack for a Purpose - if you have a little space in your suitcase, local schools & communities always appreciate gifts of English reading books, pens & pencils, stationery, deflated footballs etc. Specific requests from communities can be seen on the 'Pack for a Purpose' website.
Tipping – this is not compulsory, but if you want to tip because you have received good service, we suggest the following per adult:
- driver/guide: $10 per day (can be reduced for longer stays).
- ranger: $5 per game drive.
- waiters: 10% (if not already added to your bill).
- porters: $1 per bag.
It is not necessary to tip drivers doing short transfers (eg to the airport).
Displays of affection - Mozambique is one of the most LBGT-friendly African nations, but we advise all our clients, gay and heterosexual, to be sensitive to cultural differences.
FCO Travel Advice - consult the UK Foreign Office website for the latest travel advice www.fco.gov.uk.