General Information

Birdlife

Of southern Africa's 900 or so bird species, around 740 have been recorded in Mozambique. It is a great country to spot some of southern Africa's rarest birds and any bird watcher’s dream. The extremely - and increasingly rare - olive-headed weaver, which lives in the canopies of deciduous brachystegia trees near the town of Panda in the Inhambane Province, is a prized tick for bird-watchers

  
 
Vegetation

Most of Mozambique's vegetation is brachystegia woodland, a type of savannah that covers approximately 70% of the country. Brachystegia is named after the brachystegia genus, a native to tropical Africa known locally as Miombo. Brachystegia appears in many southern African countries, but Mozambique's brachystegia woodlands are much denser and the trees taller than those of its neighbors.

Mozambique's beach vegetation consists of dense scrub-brush and impressive palm groves.
 
 

Climate

Mozambique has a tropical climate with year-round sunny skies, so whenever you choose to travel you can look forward to lots of sunshine.

Most of Mozambique falls within the tropics, so it rarely gets cold. The rainy season is from October to April and the temperatures can get very hot and humid, particularly December, January and February. The winter months are ideal, with mild temperatures and it is generally dry.

The best time to travel to Mozambique is during the winter months from May to October, as these experience the least rainfall.

If the main focus of your holiday is game viewing, then the best time to visit Mozambique is in the months of August and September, towards the end of the dry season. The best time for bird watching is usually December to April, which is the hot, rainy season.

A wide variety of fish are attracted to the warm waters of Mozambique, with larger fish populating the waters in summer, and small to medium sized fish in winter, making the coast a good year-round fishing and diving destination
The best time to go fishing for Marlin is from September to January, while Sailfish season runs from May to September

  
 

Fuel

Both leaded and *unleaded fuel and diesel is available in most towns you will pass on your way through Mozambique to Manta da Barra Lodge. It is best to keep your tank filled as the distances between filling stations can be great and fuel is not always available.

Petrol costs around R 13.00 / litre, buts like all over the world, this changes from time to time. It is advisable to fill up at the garage just before the border. There are filling stations in Maputo, Macia, Xai-Xai, Quissico, Inhambane, Maxixe, Tofu, Massinga, Vilanculos and Inhassoro. For those coming from the south of Maputo, fill up at Kosi Bay, as there is not always petrol at Ponta Do Ouro. Diesel is about the same price in Mozambique as it is in SA (sometimes even cheaper).

We suggest you fill up at the BP in Xai-Xai as the filling station at Quissico is not always reliable. Do not get stuck without petrol!!

* Unleaded petrol in Maputo, Xai-Xai, Maxixe and Tofu.
  
 
Vehicles and Boats
  

• It is illegal to drive on the beaches and this may only be done when launching a boat. Many resort owners allow driving on the beaches, but besides being illegal (your vehicle may be impounded if you’re caught), it is not very friendly to the environment – A lot of your reason for visiting Mozambique is probably because of its pristine nature, and we would like to preserve this for generations to come.
Drive Safely

• Give way to the right. At traffic circles or roundabouts, cars in the circle have priority.
• The transit laws in Mozambique require that seat belts are worn at all the times and all vehicles must have two emergency triangles (fines are currently under review).
• The speed limit is 120Km/h on open roads and 60Km/h in cities and towns.
• Traffic laws should be followed at all times and please request a receipt if a fine is levied for any transgression.
• All documents and luggage can be inspected at checkpoints.
• When dealing with officials, be friendly and patient and treat them with respect. They are likely to reciprocate.
• Prepare yourself a picnic hamper, as there aren’t too many restaurants on the way.
• Don’t drive in areas where there are no demarcated roads – there are still land mines in Mozambique.
• Don’t travel after dark. It is NOT advisable, as there are no streetlights and sometimes the other vehicles on the road have inadequate lighting. There are a lot of unroadworthy vehicles driving around without lights or reflectors. They also tend to stop on / in the road. Pedestrians can also be a problem as most of the people live on the side of the road. Set off as early as possible when there is less chance of accidents, and you have as much time as possible to deal with delays. If you have to drive at night, please do so with caution.
• Speed limits are enforced in the numerous towns and speed traps by radar are frequent and immediately payable in cash.
Allowances
   

Individual duty free fiscal allowances are granted monthly in respect of goods imported by travelers which are intended for personal or family use:

• TOBACCO PRODUCTS; 200 Cigarettes OR 100 Cigarillos OR 50 Cigars OR 250 grams of smoking tobacco
• * ALCOHOLIC DRINKS; 1 Liter of spirits AND 2.25 Liters of wine
• PERFUMES; 50ml of Perfume OR 250 ml of Eau de Toilet
• PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS ; Quantity considered reasonable for personal consumption
• OTHER GOODS; Up to the value of 50USD (or equivalent)
• If entering the country with more than $US5000 (or equivalent) ,a “Declaration of entry of foreign currency” must be completed at the customs desk.

*The allowances marked do not apply to persons under 18 years of age
Note: No drugs, firearms, or explosive materials can be brought into Mozambique.

The Law
• It is not uncommon to be stopped at one of the police checkpoints. Follow these basic guidelines to avoid any problems.
• Wear seat belts all the time
• Stick to the speed limit – This is usually 40 / 50 km/ph in towns and 120 km/ph on the open road
• Display your emergency triangles in a visible place.
• Red triangles are required if you are towing and need to be displayed on the front of the vehicle and back of trailer
• If you get stopped, and you are in the wrong, pay the fine but insist on a receipt. If you are sure you are not guilty ask to go with them to their office and speak with their commander. Remember only the police in the white uniforms are allowed to stop and fine you for traffic violations.
• If you do get stopped, be patient and polite. They will normally want to see your driver’s license, 3rd party insurance and road tax (purchased at the border). If you can, avoid handing these documents over to the officials. Instead, start a conversation and be friendly and humorous. Don’t be nervous and flustered – there is nothing to be afraid of! (Unless you’ve broken the law!)
• No firearms are to be brought into Mozambique – Besides the fact that you will not need a gun, if the authorities find you with one, expect to be in deep trouble.
• Fires, littering, the use of fire works, and the processing of fish are prohibited on all the beaches in Mozambique.
• Mozambique is a relatively low-risk country as far as crime is concerned and the vast majority of visits to Mozambique are trouble-free. Even so, keep a close watch on your possessions in busy places and keep all your valuables in a hidden money belt.
 

When flying
Flight tickets can be booked at

• www.travelstart.co.za
• www.flylam.co.za

Private planes welcome!
Please check with Inhambane Airport
www.flightstats.com

Transport will be available on to and from the airstrip at Inhambane.
Please arrange with Manta da Barra Lodge Management.
 
 
 
 
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