Mozambique

The landscape is not very varied. The coast is paradise, standard white beach with palm trees and not too many people. Few mountains. History and people are the most interesting. South is easier, north is more adventurous.

Mozambique has a fascinating (yet bloody) recent history, a little reading gives a lot of insight. The difference between central/north and south is quite large: "North really felt like 'Africa' to us, South is much more Western due to the influence of South Africa." The transition is gradual, it is difficult to indicate exactly where that limit should lie.

The people are generally calmer than in neighboring countries, warm, friendly and interested. People usually react positively but also surprised to cyclists, sometimes they cheer. There is less enthusiasm in South Mozambique: it is assumed that you are a wealthy South African and people are less interested. The country has no religious regulations regarding clothing.

Portuguese is the official language, there are also various indigenous languages, including from the language group Makua-Lomwe, Tsonga and Sena-Nyonja.

Most nationalities need a visa for entering Mozambique.

Visa policy of Mozambique

Mozambique

Visa-free

Visa on arrival

Source: Wikipedia.

There are still landmines in the far north and near the border with Swaziland. In some parts there has been a lot of fighting, and not everything has been cleared up. In the south there are signs here and there that there could be mines, in the poorer north there are no signs, but that is probably because less is done about it. Apart from this, Mozambique is a safe country to travel through. The population appears very friendly and calm, but it is known that the disarmament is not yet completely complete.

It is true throughout the country that the police can become difficult if you cannot show your passport. So always take it with you just to be sure, even if you go for a walk

In the north, in sparsely populated areas, it can be difficult to find good food: there are always biscuits, there is always cola, but not always bread. Not even fruits and vegetables. Often there are onions, sometimes tomatoes, sometimes mangoes. In the south (from Vilankulos) a lot is available, in Maputo everything.

Restaurants

The daily fare in Mozambique is rice with chicken or rice with fish. In the richer south you can get fantastic and tasty sea creatures, fresh herbs, wine and a lot of cashew nuts, guys stand by the road with big bags. A breath of fresh air if you come from the north.

Unlike most African countries, many employees bring their own food to work, and the number of restaurants is limited. In cities you can always find something cheap, but not in the small villages. The quality is variable. In the south there are more luxurious restaurants where you can eat reasonably well for a few euros.

For vegetarians it can be difficult to find something you like.

Drinkable water

Be careful with water, filtering is necessary before drinking it

Robert and Wiesje have always filtered the water, this is also recommended by official bodies.

In the north and center there is very little water in the dry season, we have had the biggest problems of the entire trip with this. There are few pumps in a number of areas, where people get water from holes dug themselves at the bottom of dried-up rivers. You will not die of thirst, however: Beer and cola are always there.

On the coast the chigoe-flea (or sandfly (which is different from sandfly) or jigger-flea) occurs. If you've walked on the paradisiacal beach for a few days, chances are that you'll be able to squeeze a nest full of sickening fly eggs from under your toenail a few days later. Not dangerous (except possible inflammation), quite dirty.

Mandatory vaccinations

• If you come from a yellow fever area, yellow fever vaccination is mandatory.
• A DTP vaccination is recommended
• Protection against Hepatitis A is recommended.
• Sometimes a Cholera statement is needed.
• Malaria occurs all year round. Protective equipment DEET, prophylaxis, etc. are available on site.

Spare parts

26” Mountain bike tires are reasonably good, not super quality, but something to be able to cycle with for a few more weeks. Fake Shimano parts such as brakes and derailleurs are sometimes available in markets. Parts are relatively expensive, eg an inner tube for 4 to 5 euros. We found stickers on the market once, for 75 euro cents each!

There are many bicycle repair shops, as the population also cycles a lot. Of course they do this with a different type of bicycle than the average bicycle traveler. The most commonly used tool is the hammer, you probably prefer to repair it yourself.