Capital: Maputo

Time: GMT + 2 hours 
 
Population: 19.6 million

Area: 801,590 km˛

Currency: Metical (MZM)

Climate:  The country has a hot, tropical climate with summer from about October to April (when temperatures average around 27°C) and winter from roughly May to August (when temperatures average around 21°C). The rainy season is during summer

People: 99% of the population is made up of local tribes like the Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others

Official language:  Portuguese

Geography: Mozambique is mostly covered by coastal lowlands and in the west begins to rise with hills reaching up to a plateau.  In the northwest, lies the western edge of the Great Rift Valley.

Neighbouring countries: Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Economy: The Mozambican economy has experienced much needed economic growth over recent years, to address the enormous poverty, debt and infrastructural problems. The country’s woes stem from a lengthy civil war followed by disastrous floods that set the country back tremendously.  But the country has been rebuilding at a strong pace and prospects for the future look good. The majority of the labour force is engaged in agriculture and its biggest exports are prawns, cashew nuts, cotton, sugar and lobster.  Mozambique has important trade links with Spain, the United States, Japan, South Africa and Portugal.  

When to go: The winter months of June to August are generally the best time to visit as it is not so hot and there is little rain.  In late August and September, game viewing is believed to be at its best. For birdwatching, the rainy season, and in particular November and December, is best.

What to pack:  Bring comfortable, light-weight clothes. If you are coming on safari, try to keep your baggage to 12-15kg, preferably in a soft bag, as space is limited on safari transport.

• Shorts, T-shirts, sun dresses
• Swimming costumes
• Good comfortable walking shoes
• Casual lightweight cotton, khaki or neutral coloured clothes for safaris
• Fleece or sweater and a warm jacket for game drives or cool evenings
• Wide brimmed hat
• Lots of sun tan lotion, sunblock and lip cream – most foreigners tend to underestimate the hot, African sun and end up with uncomfortable sunburn that can tend to dampen the holiday spirit
• Insect repellent creams
• Binoculars, camera (different kinds of film are widely available )
• Sunglasses