Do I need a visa to travel to Mozambique?
There is visa-free entry into Mozambique for citizens of the following countries:

• Angola
• Botswana
• Eswatini
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Visa-free entry into Mozambique for citizens of the following new countries added to the nation’s visa waiver list officially came into effect on 1 May 2023, after the recent signing of a Ministerial decree approving the additions:

• Belgium
• Canada
• China
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Ghana
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Ivory Coast
• Japan
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

The exemption allows citizens of the included countries to enter the country for a period of 30 days, eligible for an extension of another 30 days. Citizens covered by the exemption are still required to register on the country’s eVisa site at least 48 hours prior to departure at a cost of MZN650 (US$10).

Citizens of all other countries, please visit the following page https://evisa.gov.mz/ to apply for your visa before travel (advised).

Alternatively, visas can be purchased on arrival at customs (Quelimane, Beira, Vilanculos, Pemba or Maputo)

Visas cost US$50 per person (please note that cash is preferred as card facilities are not always working)

How long are tourist visas valid for?
The tourist visa is valid for 30 days. Border visas allow dual entry within a 30-day period. For instance, visitors who have travelled to Eswatini and South Africa have found that the visa was valid for two entries if still within its 30-day validity.

What documents do I need to travel to Mozambique?
All visitors are required to hold a valid passport for entry into Mozambique, and visitors from some countries require a visa (see above).

Your current passport must be valid for 6 months minimum, from your date of entry into Mozambique. Your current passport must also contain a minimum of 3 blank pages (or more). These blank pages are to allow space for the visa as well as the stamps to the passport pages to allow you to travel cross border, in and out of Mozambique.

Travel time
By car
From Maputo – approximately 70 km to the Maputo Special Reserve gate, then around 70 km to the villa.
From Ponta Do Oura – approximately 40 km to the Maputo Special Reserve gate, then around 70 km to the villa. The drive takes about 4 hours from the reserve gate to the villa.
Please note: A 4×4 vehicle is essential for this journey. Pack snacks and refreshments.

By boat – from Maputo to Santa Maria: maximum of 90 minutes. Times are tide dependent. We collect guests in Santa Maria and transport them to the villa, approximately a 15-minute drive.

By plane – from Maputo – a 15-minute flight, followed by a 15-minute drive to the villa.

Are pets allowed?
Unfortunately, the reserve does not allow pets.

WiFi
Limited WiFi is available.

Local attractions
Please refer to our Explore page for a list of things to do in the area

Malaria
We are in a low-risk area, however, we recommend you speak to your GP to organise a malaria prescription before you leave, and bring enough of the medication with you for the length of your trip. Note: local clinics have testing facilities and medication, should you contract malaria.

What to pack
Reef-friendly sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, swimwear, sunglasses, and a camera. You will need a water bottle, should you wish to take a long walk on the beach or through the dune forest. Reef-friendly sunscreen is available to purchase at all our villas. Biodegradable and high-quality bathroom amenities are available for your use and we encourage guests to use these if your own products are not eco-friendly.

Travel Insurance
Recommended

Drinking water
There is safe water to drink in the rooms and we have additional water filters in the kitchens.

How safe is Mozambique for tourists?
The South of Mozambique, where our villa is located, is close enough to civilization, but remote enough to enjoy true tranquillity and peace. Machangulo Peninsula is very safe and has a small local community with a very low crime rate. Like most places, we do encourage guests not to leave valuables lying around.

Health care facilities
There are very basic clinics in the area. Severe cases would likely seek medical attention in Maputo. There is an airstrip for a helicopter to land, should there be such an emergency.

Child-friendly
Children over the age of 12 are welcome. Younger children find the expansive villa and many stairs quite tiresome, and there are no railings on some of the deck areas, posing a safety risk for small children. There are no cots or extra beds available for the rooms.

What is the best time of the year to visit Mozambique?
With its tropical climate, Mozambique is the perfect all-year destination. April to December is our dry season, with tropical weather, clear skies, lots of sun, and rarely any rain. The rainy season is from January to the end of March, though these months are best for observing turtle hatching. June to October are ideal months for whale watching with the migrating humpback and southern right whales passing by, yet it is still mild in temperature. October overlaps with turtle nesting season, which spans through to December.

How many hours from South Africa to Mozambique?
This will depend on where you are travelling from. The drive to Mozambique from Durban is around eight hours, and the drive to Mozambique from Johannesburg is around 11 hours. A flight from Johannesburg to Maputo is around an hour, or a little longer via a scenic private charter flight.
Direct flights from Cape Town to Maputo – approximately 3 hours
Direct flights from Kruger – approximately 30 minutes
Direct flights from Johannesburg – approximately 2 hours

Is your accommodation wheelchair accessible?
Kilima was built in such a way that each room and area is substantial and there is a distance to travel between the rooms. The dozens of stairs throughout the villa mean that it is not possible to get around in a wheelchair or if any guests have mobility issues.