Book cheap flights to Mozambique

Like most tropical regions, Mozambique has a wet and dry season. The dry season falls over the winter months in Mozambique (June to August) and for all of the country’s main attractions, this is the best time to visit. The weather is still quite warm and your day time adventures will not be stopped by the constant rain that accompanies the wet season. During summer (December to February), it is hot and humid, with plenty of rain. For the best of both worlds and for cheaper flights and accommodation to Mozambique, consider visiting between March and May (autumn) or September and November (spring).

South Africans do not need a visa to visit Maputo in Mozambique for a holiday or short stay. You will be granted entry into the country at all access points on presentation of your valid passport.

For more information, please contact the Embassy of Mozambique, in Johannesburg:

95 Oxford Road, Saxonwold Johannesburg South Africa Tel: ( 27) 11 327 5704 Fax: ( 27) 11 327 5711

The hospitality of the people of Mozambique is known to be always warm and welcoming. A lot of the country is not accustomed to tourists and don’t speak much English but in major cities such as Maputo and Beira, your few Portuguese phrases should suffice. Across the country, it is recommended to leave all of your expensive items at your hotel and not walk around with large wads of cash. It is also a good idea to call a private taxi if you want to go around the city areas after dark. Though the best way to get around the country is by car, it is not recommended to drive in the evenings as depending where you are, wildlife can sometimes be abundant.

It is always important to go for a general health check-up before a trip overseas. For your trip to Mozambique, it is strongly recommended to get the following vaccinations: hepatitis A, malaria and typhoid.

Accommodation in Mozambique ranges from laid-back backpacker camps and self-catering chalets to boutique beach lodges and some of the most exclusive barefoot-luxury island resorts in the Indian Ocean — and as one of South Africa’s most popular neighbouring beach destinations, Mozambique offers a wonderfully familiar yet authentically African escape just a short flight away.

In Maputo, the capital, accommodation is concentrated in the leafy Polana, Sommerschield and Miramar neighbourhoods — elegant, tree-lined areas that reflect the city’s Portuguese colonial heritage. The iconic Polana Serena Hotel — a grand colonial-era landmark overlooking the Indian Ocean — is Maputo’s most celebrated address and one of the finest hotels in Southern Africa. A good range of mid-range business hotels, boutique guesthouses and serviced apartments are also available throughout the city, catering well to South African leisure and business travellers.

Tofo, near the town of Inhambane, is Mozambique’s most beloved backpacker and dive destination — a laid-back beach village with a legendary surf break, world-class whale shark and manta ray encounters, and a warm, unhurried atmosphere that has made it a firm favourite with South African travellers for decades. Accommodation here ranges from rustic reed chalets and surf camps to comfortable mid-range guesthouses right on the beach. Well-regarded options include Bamboozi Beach Lodge and Casa Barry.

Vilanculos is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago — a necklace of pristine coral islands widely regarded as one of the finest marine ecosystems in the Indian Ocean. The town itself offers a good range of mid-range lodges and guesthouses, while the Bazaruto islands are home to some of Mozambique’s most exclusive and celebrated luxury resorts. Benguerra Island and Bazaruto Island host world-class properties including &Beyond Benguerra Island, Azura Benguerra and Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort — where overwater villas, pristine sandbanks and dugong-filled waters make for an unforgettable Indian Ocean escape.

Further north, Pemba on the Cabo Delgado coast offers a more remote and undiscovered Mozambique experience, with a handful of comfortable beach lodges and dive resorts. The Quirimbas Archipelago — a string of 32 coral islands stretching along the northern coast — is one of Africa’s last great unspoilt marine wildernesses, home to the legendary Ibo Island Lodge and the ultra-exclusive &Beyond Vamizi Island, both offering extraordinary seclusion and world-class diving on pristine, uncrowded reefs.

For South African travellers doing a self-drive trip into Mozambique, a growing number of well-equipped campsites and self-catering chalets are available along the EN1 coastal route — particularly around Xai-Xai, Bilene and Inhambane — making a road trip up the Mozambican coast one of Southern Africa’s great travel adventures.

Ready to book? Search and book accommodation in Mozambique at Travelstart and find the best deals across all budgets.

Getting around Mozambique requires a spirit of adventure and a degree of patience — but for South African travellers, the country’s laid-back rhythm, extraordinary coastline and warm hospitality make every journey worthwhile. Transport options vary significantly between urban centres and the more remote coastal and northern regions.

For most South African travellers, flying is the most practical way to reach Mozambique’s key destinations. LAM Mozambique Airlines and Airlink operate domestic routes connecting Maputo (MPM) with Vilanculos (VNX), Inhambane (INH), Pemba (POL), Beira (BEW), Nampula (APL) and Quelimane (UEL). Airlink in particular operates several routes directly from Johannesburg and other South African cities to regional Mozambican airports — making it possible to fly directly to Vilanculos or Inhambane without routing through Maputo, saving considerable time. Charter flights to the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos are available through operators including Pelican Air Services.

In Maputo, taxis and ride-hailing apps are the most convenient way to navigate the city. Uber operates in Maputo and is widely used by locals and visitors alike — a reliable and affordable option. Traditional metered taxis are available but always confirm the fare before departing. The city is compact enough to walk between many attractions in the Polana and Low City areas, though the heat makes a taxi or Uber preferable during midday hours.

Along the EN1 coastal highway — the main road running north from the South African border through Maputo, Xai-Xai, Inhambane and beyond — chapas (minibus taxis) are the primary form of public transport for locals, connecting towns and villages affordably but with limited comfort and unpredictable timing. For independent South African travellers, a self-drive in a 4×4 vehicle is strongly recommended for exploring beyond Maputo. While the EN1 is tarred for much of its length, road conditions deteriorate significantly north of Inhambane and many routes to beach destinations, dive sites and lodges involve sand tracks and river crossings that require high clearance and four-wheel drive — particularly during and after the wet season.

Between the mainland and the Bazaruto Archipelago, boat transfers are the standard means of reaching the islands — typically a 30–45 minute speedboat ride from Vilanculos. Most island resorts arrange these transfers as part of your stay. Dhow safaris — traditional Mozambican sailing vessels — are a wonderfully romantic way to island-hop around the archipelago at a slower pace.

For the Quirimbas Archipelago in the far north, light aircraft transfers from Pemba to island airstrips are the most practical option — the islands are only accessible by boat or small plane, and the journey by road from Maputo would take several days.

South African travellers planning a self-drive road trip into Mozambique should ensure their vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition, carry sufficient fuel (petrol stations become sparse north of Inhambane), bring a comprehensive first-aid kit and ensure their travel insurance and vehicle hire agreement explicitly covers travel into Mozambique — not all standard South African car hire agreements do.

Planning your Mozambique adventure? Search, compare and book a car hire for your Mozambique trip at Travelstart and find the best rate for your coastal escape.