Mozambique

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Revision as of 05:32, 16 June 2011

Mozambique Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around Mozambique.

Mozambique
Country - click for larger view
Flag
Capital:	Maputo 25°57′S, 32°35′E
Language:	Portuguese. Also English, Swahili, Makhuwa and Sena
Currency:	Mozembican Metical (MZN)
Timezone:	UTC+2 (No DST)
More notes about the country
Latest News
Content - news items, etc.

Overview

Mozambique's eastern coastline along the Indian Ocean is more than 1,000km long, a fantastic draw for scuba divers, fishermen, sailors and beach lovers. Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique (Portuguese: Moçambique or República de Moçambique), is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest. It was explored by Vasco da Gama in 1498 and colonized by Portugal in 1505. By 1510, the Portuguese had control of all of the former Arab sultanates on the east African coast. From about 1500, Portuguese trading posts and forts became regular ports of call on the new route to the east.

Cruising the region

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Climate & Weather

Mozambique has a tropical climate with two seasons. A wet season from October to March and a dry season from April to September. Climatic conditions, however, vary depending on altitude. Rainfall is heavy along the coast and decreases in the north and south. Annual precipitation varies from 500 to 900 mm (20 to 35 inches) depending on the region with an average of 590 mm (23 inches). Cyclones are also common during the wet season. Average temperature ranges in Maputo are from 13 to 24 degrees Celsius (55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) in July to 22 to 31 degrees Celsius (72 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit) in February.

The prevailing winds are Southeast to Southwest and the coast is influenced by sea breezes with stronger onshore winds in the afternoons. In the northern part the Southeast trade winds blow during February to June and Northeast winds blow from July to January.

Sources of weather forecasting:

Charts

Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.

Special Navigation Notes

It is not wise to consider cruising this region between November and May as this is both the rainy and cyclone season. Towards the southern end of this region, a high incidence of cold fronts and gales can be experienced between July and August. Lighthouse 02:48, 29 October 2007 (MDT)

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Arrival/Departure procedures

Submit any details about advance notification of arrival, etc.

Usual Ports of Entry are Maputo in the south and Nacala in the north.

Immigration

On arrival in Mozambique, immigration will stamp your passport and issue 30 day embarkation cards (in lieu of visas). These cards can be extended if arranged timeously (before expiry).

Customs

• Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared and are normally held in custody till your departure.

Health

• Malarial prophylaxis is essential in all parts of Mozambique. Chloroquine/Paludrine are now as ineffective as in other parts of east Africa, and it's worth going to see your doctor to get decent protection.
• Get all your vaccine shots before arriving. Medical facilities in Mozambique are now generally reasonably stocked, but it is always worth getting a range of vaccinations before you leave. Prevention is better than cure. It is worth considering carrying some clean needles if you are visiting out of the way areas, purely as remote medical facilities may have problems getting hold of them.
• Mind what you eat. As common in most countries in the world, if you are concerned about the standards of hygiene in a place, don't eat there.
• Do not have unprotected sex. As in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a very high HIV incidence.
• Do not drink tap water or use any ice. South of the Zambezi river that divides the country, Mozambique is much more developed, especially around Maputo, tourist areas such as Inhambane and the industrial city of Beira. Here, especially in built-up areas, it is safe to drink the tap water, hence water in this area is marketed as "mineral water" and not "drinking water" and is sold at an inflated price as a semi-luxury item (sometimes for as much as 50 or 60 Meticais in lodges and restaurants). The infrastructure in the north of the country is much less developed and, as such, caution must be exercised, especially in rural areas and the area near Palma and bordering Tanzania. The tap water is usually safe to drink in the main cities such as Nampula and Pemba, and on Mozambique Island. If you are ever unsure about the quality of the tap water, water-purifying liquids (normally chlorine-based) are widely available and very cheap - normally much cheaper than buying bottled water, also consider bringing Puri-tabs if you are planning on going well off the "beaten track".

Security

In general the Mozambican people are extremely warm and friendly and you will encounter far less hassle than in almost all of the countries surrounding it. However, do not leave the yacht unattended as theft of loose items is a problem. Stow your dinghy and outboard aboard at night.

Ports & Popular Stops

• Also see the Mozambique Channel
  • Pemba
  • Nacala
  • Mozambique Island
  • Beira
  • Bazaruto
  • Inhambane
  • Maputo
  • Inhaca Island

Offshore Islands

Cruiser's Friends

Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".

References & Publications

• East Africa Pilot by Delwyn McPhun. (Imray - ISBN 0 85288 251 3). Available new and used from Cruising Connections

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

• Mozambique Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum

External Links

• Yacht Seerose - Cruising the Indian Ocean

Personal Notes

Personal experiences

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