Budget holiday in Mozambique

For a budget-conscious holiday it’s best to head for one of the main southern beach towns – specifically, Ponta do Ouro, Tofo Beach or Vilankulo. Your principal expenses will likely be diving and boating activities, closely followed by accommodation, meals and local transportation. Internal flights in Mozambique are relatively expensive, as are private vehicle transfers between the more upmarket hotels. A flight from Maputo to Tofo (Inhambane), for example, will cost around $160 one way, while a bus or shared tourist shuttle is about $16 and a local shared taxi (chapa) even less.

Credit: Ibo Island Lodge

Highlights

Diving is one of Mozambique’s major highlights, but prices vary widely depending on where you go. Ponta do Ouro tends to be the most affordable at around $40 per dive, including gear. Tofo Beach is slightly more at about $50 (also with rented gear), while in Vilankulo it can be over $100 a dive, with the added boat transfer/fuel costs to reach the outer reefs. If you’re travelling alone, it’s worth making friends as many dive centres offer discounts for groups. And if you’re looking to learn, Mozambique’s warm waters are ideal. You can get your PADI Open Water certification from around $350.

Credit: Vamizi Island

Travel tips

Mozambique has an extensive ATM network so it’s really not necessary to arrive with huge amounts of cash. Take at least two bank cards – Visa is preferred – and hide away some backup currency in case of any emergencies. Camping is by far the most affordable option and there are places to pitch a tent in all the main beach towns. The food is excellent and very well priced and you can feast on local dishes and street fare for less than $10 a day.

Inhambane and Tofo

The sleepy town of Inhambane was once a key trading centre in southern Mozambique. But the days are long gone since Portuguese galleons plied these shores for ivory and slaves. A neat, attractive town it’s now best known for its handful of good restaurants, Art Deco cinema and 19th century Catholic church. Most visitors stop only briefly, however, on their way to the popular beach…

Budget holiday in Mozambique

Mozambique in September

September in Mozambique sees steadily warming days and nights. The northern coastline, always slightly hotter, consistently averages over 30°C (86°F). The south and interior are generally cooler, but there’s far more daily variation and the highs and lows are more extreme. Hot days can reach well over 35°C (95°F) inland, while the nights cool rapidly, averaging around 16°C (61°F).…

Maputo

Maputo is Mozambique’s fun, chaotic capital, fanning back from the northern shores of the sparkling Maputo Bay. On its downtown grid of jacaranda and acacia-lined avenues you’ll find Art Deco architecture alongside colonial-era Portuguese homes. Not all are well-maintained and there are certainly potholes here and there, but on the whole the impression is of a city on the rise.…

Ibo Island and the Quirimbas Archipelago

The Quirimbas Archipelago lies like a forgotten string of pearls, carelessly flung out along the far northern coast of Mozambique. 12 main islands and 20 smaller make up the chain, scattered along with shell-strewn sandbars and gleaming white tidal spits. The 11 most southerly isles are protected within the Quirimbas National Park, including Ibo Island, which is also the most accessible.…

Mozambique in May

May is an excellent month to visit Mozambique. It’s not yet peak season, but the weather is generally fine and warm. In the south of the country, daily highs average below 30°C (86°F) and the nights are cooler and less humid, sometimes dropping below 15°C (59°F). The north stays hotter longer, with average highs of roughly 31°C (88°F). The nights are also much warmer and more…

Popular Mozambique Safaris

These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates