Mozambique Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Mozambique.
Healthcare System
Mozambique's healthcare system is under-resourced with significant disparities between urban and rural areas. Public hospitals face shortages of staff, equipment, and medications. Private clinics in major cities offer better quality care but are expensive and may still fall short of international standards.
Hospitals
Private clinics in Maputo include Clínica Cruz Azul, Clínica Sommerschield, and Hospital Particular de Maputo. These are the best options for tourists needing medical care. Outside the capital, medical facilities are very limited. Always confirm your insurance coverage before seeking treatment.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (farmácias) are available in cities and towns. Common medications may be available but stock can be unreliable. Bring sufficient supplies of prescription medications in original packaging with a doctor's letter. Counterfeit medications are a concern, so use reputable pharmacies in major cities.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is absolutely essential. Medical evacuation to South Africa can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Ensure your policy covers adventure activities if you plan diving, water sports, or safari activities.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a comprehensive first aid kit and any prescription medications you need for the entire trip plus extra
- Carry contact information for your embassy and insurance provider at all times
- Consider arranging medical evacuation insurance that can transport you to South Africa for serious conditions
- Drink only bottled or purified water to avoid waterborne diseases
- Ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date and consider additional vaccines for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies
- Use insect repellent and sleep under mosquito nets to prevent malaria, which is endemic throughout Mozambique
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and theft from vehicles are common in urban areas, markets, beaches, and tourist sites. Thieves often work in groups and target distracted tourists.
Armed robberies, carjackings, and muggings do occur, particularly in urban areas and at night. Criminals may be armed with knives or firearms.
Road conditions are poor outside major cities with potholes, unmarked hazards, and lack of lighting. Driving standards are unpredictable, and accidents are common. Pedestrians, animals, and broken-down vehicles on roads pose additional risks.
An Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado province has resulted in attacks on civilians, kidnappings, and significant violence since 2017. The situation remains volatile despite military intervention.
Strong currents, rip tides, and lack of lifeguards at most beaches pose drowning risks. Marine life including jellyfish and occasional shark sightings can be hazardous.
While most minefields from the civil war have been cleared, some unexploded ordnance may remain in former conflict zones.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Individuals impersonating police officers stop tourists and demand to see documents, then request 'fines' or bribes for alleged violations. Some may search bags claiming to look for drugs.
Street money changers offer better rates than official exchanges but use sleight of hand, counterfeit notes, or miscounting to short-change tourists.
Confirm prices in writing before checking in; ask for itemized bills; research typical prices beforehand; use reputable booking platforms; clarify what's included in the rate
One person creates a distraction (spilling something on you, asking for directions, showing you something) while an accomplice steals your belongings.
Unlicensed taxi drivers or even some licensed ones quote inflated prices or take unnecessarily long routes, especially from airports.
Someone befriends tourists, offers to show them around, then leads them to shops where they receive commission or to isolated areas for robbery.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Money and Valuables
- Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centers during business hours, never at night or in isolated locations
- Carry only the cash you need for the day; leave excess money and valuables in hotel safes
- Divide money and cards between different locations on your person and in luggage
- Make copies of important documents (passport, visa, insurance) and store separately from originals
- Consider carrying a dummy wallet with small amounts of cash in case of robbery
- Be discreet when handling money; count cash privately, not in public view
Transportation
- Use reputable taxi companies or hotel-arranged transportation; avoid unmarked taxis
- Keep car doors locked and windows up while driving, especially at traffic lights
- Don't pick up hitchhikers or stop for people flagging you down on remote roads
- Carry a charged mobile phone, spare tire, fuel, and water when driving long distances
- Avoid traveling by road after dark due to poor road conditions and increased crime risk
- If renting a vehicle, choose a 4x4 for travel outside major cities
- Be extremely cautious when using chapas (minibus taxis) as they're often overcrowded and poorly maintained
Accommodation
- Choose accommodations with good security features (guards, secure parking, safes)
- Keep windows and doors locked, even when inside your room
- Don't open doors to unexpected visitors; verify identity through hotel staff
- Use hotel safes for passports, excess cash, and valuables
- Be aware of your surroundings when entering and leaving your accommodation
- Read recent reviews about security before booking
Personal Safety
- Avoid walking alone, especially after dark; use transportation even for short distances at night
- Stay in well-lit, populated areas; avoid shortcuts through alleys or isolated areas
- Don't display expensive items like jewelry, watches, cameras, or phones unnecessarily
- Be aware of your surroundings; avoid appearing distracted by phones or maps
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself immediately
- Learn basic Portuguese phrases for emergencies
- Carry a whistle or personal alarm
- If confronted by criminals, don't resist; hand over valuables to avoid violence
Health Precautions
- Begin antimalarial medication before arrival and continue as directed
- Apply insect repellent regularly, especially at dawn and dusk
- Ensure all vaccinations are current, including yellow fever if coming from endemic countries
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating
- Avoid street food unless it's freshly cooked and hot
- Don't swim in freshwater lakes or rivers due to bilharzia (schistosomiasis) risk
- Seek medical attention immediately for fever, as it could indicate malaria
- Bring a comprehensive medical kit with basic medications and supplies
Communication and Connectivity
- Register with your embassy upon arrival for safety updates and emergency assistance
- Purchase a local SIM card for reliable communication
- Share your itinerary with family or friends and check in regularly
- Save emergency numbers in your phone in Portuguese and English
- Download offline maps before traveling to remote areas
- Keep your phone charged and consider carrying a portable charger
- Have a backup communication plan in case of network outages
Cultural Awareness
- Dress modestly, especially outside beach resorts; cover shoulders and knees in towns
- Ask permission before photographing people, military installations, or government buildings
- Be respectful during religious observances and in conservative areas
- Learn basic Portuguese greetings and phrases to show respect
- Avoid discussing politics, especially regarding the civil war or current government
- Be patient; service and processes may be slower than you're accustomed to
- Respect local customs and traditions, particularly in rural areas
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can visit Mozambique safely but should take extra precautions. Solo female travelers may attract unwanted attention, and sexual harassment, while not universal, does occur. Women are generally respected in Mozambican society, but conservative attitudes prevail outside major cities and tourist areas. Traveling with companions, using reputable accommodations and transport, and dressing modestly can significantly reduce risks.
- Avoid walking alone after dark; always use reliable transportation in the evening
- Dress conservatively, especially outside beach resorts; cover shoulders and knees in towns and cities
- Be firm but polite in declining unwanted attention; don't feel obligated to be overly friendly
- Book accommodations with good security and reviews from other female travelers
- Consider joining group tours for activities rather than hiring individual guides
- Keep your room number private; don't share it in public areas
- Trust your instincts; remove yourself from uncomfortable situations immediately
- Carry a whistle or personal alarm
- Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers or leaving drinks unattended
- Consider wearing a fake wedding ring to deter unwanted advances
- Connect with other travelers, especially in hostels or tourist areas
- Have emergency contacts readily available, including your embassy
- Be aware that beaches can be isolated; visit popular beaches with other people present
- If experiencing harassment, seek help from hotel staff, tourist police, or other authorities
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is not illegal in Mozambique, and the constitution prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, there are no specific legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, and same-sex marriage is not recognized.
- Exercise discretion regarding sexual orientation and gender identity; avoid public displays of affection
- Be cautious about discussing LGBTQ+ topics with strangers or in public settings
- Research LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations in advance; some international hotels may be more welcoming
- Consider booking private accommodations rather than shared spaces
- Be aware that showing affection in public may attract unwanted attention or harassment
- Connect with international LGBTQ+ travel communities for current advice and recommendations
- Have a support network and emergency contacts, including your embassy
- Be prepared for questions about marital status or traveling companions; have neutral responses ready
- Urban areas and tourist zones tend to be more tolerant than rural areas
- Understand that local LGBTQ+ individuals may be discreet due to social pressures
- Don't assume staff at hotels or restaurants will be accepting; gauge comfort levels carefully
- Consider travel insurance that doesn't discriminate based on sexual orientation
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is absolutely essential for Mozambique due to limited medical facilities, high evacuation costs, potential security incidents, and natural disaster risks. Medical evacuation to South Africa can cost $50,000-$100,000 or more. The country's developing infrastructure and security challenges make insurance coverage critical for financial protection and access to emergency assistance.
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