Mozambique

Fresh Oysters

Oysters are a salty, ocean shellfish. Most beaches have vendors selling crates full of fresh-caught Oysters at an affordable price. (If you’re lucky you can find hidden pearls in some of them).

Paó Buns

Paó Portuguese white rolls are found at most marketers next to the road, baked in wood fires and sold at an average price MZN 30 for 1.

Peri-Peri Chicken

A staple food of Mozambique, the succulent chicken is marinated in lemon juice, garlic, and peri-peri spice. Usually served with french fries.

Seafood

Prawns, crayfish, crab, and a variety of saltwater fish are cooked to perfection in lemon juice, garlic, and other spices. Freshly caught fish can be bought from the fishermen on the beach and grilled over a fire.

Kapenta

A small fish caught in the Zambezi River and then dried in hot Mozambican sun. Served with rice and a tomato and onion sauce.

Guided Tours

Guided tours can be found to and from all major cities. Usually includes luxury accommodation and unique local experiences – at a costly price, though – but highly recommended for a carefree experience.

Renting a 4×4

It’s advised that you rent a 4×4, especially when you are traveling to a remote beach. Roads are filled with heaps of soft beachy sand and reaching beach lodges are usually a tough task. Some beaches allow 4×4 cars to drive on the beach.

Road and Bus Travel

Mozambique has very strict traffic laws. Because most of the main roads pass by villages the speed limit, in most areas, is 60km/h. Therefore making traveling by tour bus or car very slow and time-consuming.

Budget Traveling

Mozambique is the place for budget travel. Hostels, beach bungalows, and local cuisine are extremely affordable.

Time allocation and itinerary suggestion

• It’s such a mission to reach a remote beach location that you have to try and stay at one specific beach area for longer than 5 nights. You will be most likely to snorkel, scuba dive, deep-sea fish and bathe in the sun at any one of the beaches that Mozambique has to offer.

• Driving the north in a rented 4×4 to the Xai-Xai district. Fishing, snorkeling and eating seafood on the beach. Returning back to Maputo for a 1-night stay in flying to Beira the next morning(Detour to Vilanculos and Bazaruto Archipelago). A recommended stay of 2-3 nights in Beira – book a private tour to take you on a day trip to Gorongosa National Park. Fly from Beira to Pemba. Stay in the Quirimbas National Park for a recommended 3-4 night stay before heading to any of the nearby islands.

Budget

Meal for two at a local village restaurant can cost $8-9.5. Beer – $1 and Milk – $1.2. Local transport like Tuk-Tuk prices at $0.10. Budget accommodation can cost as little as $0.50 per night against luxury all-inclusive stays of $485.

Mozambique offers self-catering wooden bungalows on the beachfront, which has space for the whole family and starts at low prices of $13. Most self-catering bungalows come with one house servant who will clean, bring you firewood and look after your belongings while you’re at sea.