Mozambique Introduction

Mozambique is a country in southeastern Africa. The country is divided into ten provinces with Maputo (formerly known as Lourenco Marques) as its capital city. Mozambique is the world’s 35th-largest country at 801 537 km².

Tourism

Mozambique’s official language is Portuguese and about half of the population speak it as their second language and a few as their first language.

Airport

The main international airport in Mozambique is The Maputo International Airport, also known as Lorenco Marques International Airport.

Airlines

Flights from Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town to Maputo are offered by the following airlines:

• 1Time (Johannesburg)
• LAM – Mozambique Airways (Johannesburg & Durban)
• SAA (Johannesburg, Cape Town & Durban)
• British Airwyas (Cape Town)

What to see / do

• Gorongosa National Park - An ecologically diverse park
• String of Pearls – The principle islands
• Maputo Elephant Reserve – With about 100 to 300 elephants that reside in the reserve
• Maputo Central Market - Selling fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables in a lively atmosphere.
• Mozambique Dhow Safaris
  
• Fort Sao Sebastiao – Oldest standing fort in Africa, began in 1558
• The Jardim Tunduru – A small botanical Garden
• The Railway Station – Designed by Gustave Eiffel
• The National Art Museum – Collection of Mozambican art
• Inhambane – A small sleepy historic town about 485km north of Maputo. 


Events

• Maputo International Music Festival – Includes piano, jazz, opera and more.
• Festival of Hope – AIDS Awareness festival filled with bands and music
• Tambo International Art Camp and Festival – Celebrating cultural diversity with dance, drama and live music.
• Kinani International Festival of Contemporary Dance – Showcasing modern dance in all its forms.

General Info

Currency

Mozambique’s currency is the metical, plural is meticais. All of the major town have ATM’s and all accept Visa, but unfortunately not MasterCard.

Weather

Mozambique has two main seasons, a wet season from October to March and a dry season from April to September. With a tropical climate in general, average temperatures range from 13°C to 24°C in winter and 22°C to 31°C in summer.