Mozambique

Recommended Vaccinations For Mozambique

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Polio Vaccine

Travellers who intend to visit this country for 4 weeks or more may be required to show proof of polio vaccination taken 4 weeks to 12 months prior to arrival in the country. Failure to produce this documentation may result in vaccination at the entry ports. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, Mozambique requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. This requirement includes São Tomé and Principe, Somalia, and Tanzania. This requirement excludes Argentina, French Guiana, Paraguay, and South Sudan.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Mozambique

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Anti-malaria medication is recommended for travellers going to Mozambique. Recommended medications are atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Mozambique

For Most Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever occurs in this country.

Cholera

Cholera occurs in this country.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Mozambique.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever occurs in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Mozambique.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in this country.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) may occur in this country. Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Polio

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1, type 2 and wild poliovirus type 1 were detected in this country, with the potential risk of global circulation. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated travellers are at a higher risk if they come in direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas with poor hygiene standards.

Malaria

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in all of Mozambique.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Mozambique, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in this country and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, Mozambique requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. This requirement includes São Tomé and Principe, Somalia, and Tanzania. This requirement excludes Argentina, French Guiana, Paraguay, and South Sudan.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Mozambique

Personal Safety

Mozambique is considered a generally safe country to visit compared to other countries in the region, and most visitors do not experience any trouble. However, certain precautions should be followed to minimize safety risks.

Petty street crime, such as pickpocketing or robbery, does occur, and tourists or those who appear better off could be targeted. The risk is greater after dark. Avoid walking after dark even in tourist areas. Travellers should keep cash and valuables out of sight, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Petty crime is most common in Maputo but is also increasing in tourist areas. There have been reports of restaurants being robbed after dark.

Avoid walking on Maputo’s Avenida Marginal between the Waterfront Restaurant and the Southern Sun Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn) due to an increase in violent crime in this area.

There have been some reports of carjackings, and travel at night can be dangerous. There are reports that car-jackers wear military-style clothing and stop cars in deserts or isolated areas. Travellers should keep doors locked and windows up as a precaution.

Since 2012, the business community has been targeted in a number of kidnappings in the Maputo area.

There is no security on beaches or on offshore islands.

Be cautious at ATMs and avoid withdrawing cash at night.

Do not pick up hitchhikers or pedestrians or other motorists who appear to have trouble. This can be a tactic for robbery. If you believe someone is in trouble, notify the police on their behalf. Outside of Maputo and major cities, only travel by road during daytime hours and if possible, only travel in a convoy and on main roadways.

There have been reports of serious assault and robberies at two coastal resorts in the Inhambane province. Isolated beaches and picnic spots should be avoided.

Extreme Violence

Terrorism is a threat in Mozambique and an extreme threat in Cabo Delgado and in Erati and Memba districts of Nampula province. Government buildings, places of worship, airports and other transportation hubs, public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and resorts, and other sites frequented by foreigners could be targeted.

Political Unrest

Minimize safety risk by avoiding public and political gatherings and demonstrations. Even peaceful protests can quickly and unexpectedly escalate. It is illegal in some countries for foreigners to participate in protests or demonstrations.

Areas To Avoid

In Cabo Delgado, an increasing number of attacks have occurred since January 2019. Violent attacks, with the use of machetes, guns and bombs, have been reported in the districts of Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, Macomia, Nangade, Quissanga, Muidumbe, Meluco, and Ibo. Some of these attacks have occurred near the Quirimbas National Park that is popular with tourists. Frequently, there are clashes between security forces and insurgents and other groups.

Exercise caution if travelling to the Sofala Province. Armed clashes occurred in this province until a peace accord was signed in September 2014. Banditry and political tensions are still a problem in remote areas around the Gorongosa hills, as well as in Muxungue, Chibabava, Meringue, Makossa, and Canxixi.

In the southern and central provinces (Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Tete, Sofala), mines still exist in some areas away from main roads. Stay on well-traveled roads, or always get advice from authorities before travelling in off-road areas. Minefields existed in the northern provinces of Nampula, Zambezia, Niassa, and Cabo Delgado, but all “known” minefields in these areas have been cleared.

Avoid any unnecessary travel on the EN1 between Inchope and the town of Gorongoza and the EN6 between Tica and Inchope in Sofala Province. Since August 2019, a number of armed attacks on vehicles on roads have occurred in Sofala province.