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Mozambique Information about Calanga Beach Resort and Mozambique Border Post information, Mozambique map, Mozambique climate, Mozambique currency

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Ethnicity/race:

indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others),

Europeans 0.06%,

Euro-Africans 0.2%,

Indians 0.08%

Religions:

Mozambique 24%,

Islam 18%,

Zionist Christian 18%,

none 23% (1997)

National Holiday:

Independence Day, June 25

Literacy rate: 48% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $17.02 billion; per capita $800. Real growth rate: 7%. Inflation: 8%. Unemployment: 21% (1997 est.). Arable land: 5%. Agriculture: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry.

Labor force: 9.6 million (2007 est.);

Introducing Mozambique

Mozambique is one of Africa’s up-and-coming hot-spots, with stunning beaches, excellent diving and magical offshore islands.

Go snorkelling around the Bazaruto Archipelago, sail on a dhow through mangrove channels or laze under the palms in the Quirimbas Archipelago, take an off-beat safari in the wilds of Gorongosa National Park, wander along cobbled streets past stately colonial-era buildings on Ilha de Moçambique, sip a café espresso at one of Maputo’s lively sidewalk cafés (or maybe a caipirinha at one of its jazz bars), watch the silversmiths at work on Ibo Island or dance to the country’s trademark marrabenta music.

For almost two decades, many of these attractions were inaccessible due to a protracted guerrilla war. Now dark times are in the past, and Mozambique is one of Africa’s rising stars, with an upbeat atmosphere, overflowing markets and a 2500km coastline waiting to be discovered. If you’re inclined to something tamer, stick to Southern Mozambique, where roads and transport links (especially with neighbouring South Africa) are good and accommodation options abound.

For more adventure, head across the Zambezi into the wilds of Northern Mozambique, one of Africa’s last frontiers. Getting around here takes time, but the paradisiacal coastal panoramas and sense of space, the sheer adventure of travel and – for those with a healthy budget – some of the continent’s most idyllic island lodges make the journey well worthwhile.

Climate & when to go

Sunshine, blue skies and temperatures averaging between 24°C and 27°C along the coast are the norm, except during the rainy summer season from about December / January through to April when everything gets soggy and sticky, and temperatures exceed 30°C in some areas.

The best time to visit is from May / June to November, during the cooler dry season. During the Christmas/New Years holidays, around Easter and in August, the southern resorts fill up with the vacationing South African neighbours

Getting there & away

.All overland travellers must pay an immigration tax of US$2 or the local currency equivalent.

Most borders are open from 6am to 6pm.

By Land

Malawi

There are at least eight border crossings.

To/from Blantyre

For the Zóbuè crossing between Blantyre and Harare (Zimbabwe), vehicles depart Blantyre for the border via Mwanza (US$4), connecting in Mozambique with chapas to Tete.

The Milange crossing is convenient for Quelimane and Ilha de Moçambique, with regular buses from Blantyre via Mulanje to the border. Once across, daily vehicles service Mocuba, then Quelimane and Nampula.

Mandimba is convenient for Cuamba and northern Mozambique. There’s frequent transport on the Malawi side to Mangochi, where you can get minibuses to Namwera and Chiponde. Once in Mozambique, vehicles go daily from Mandimba to Cuamba and Lichinga.

To/from Lilongwe

From the Dedza border post, 85km southeast of Lilongwe, chapas run along the sealed route to Tete via Ulongwé. Otherwise, go in stages via Moatize. Arrange your Mozambique visa in advance.

To/from Johannesburg

Large ‘luxury’ buses go daily between Jo’burg and Maputo (US$30 to US$38, eight to nine hours) via busy Komatipoort/Ressano Garcia (6am-10pm). It is essential to organise your Mozambique visa in advance if you’re travelling by bus.

Companies include the following:

• Greyhound (in South Africa 011-276 8500; www.greyhound.co.za)
• InterCape Mainliner (in South Africa 021-380 4400; www.intercape.co.za)
• Panthera Azul (in South Africa 011-618 8811/3; www.pantherazul.co.za)
• Translux (in South Africa 011-774 3333; www.translux.co.za)

You can travel by train, though it’s much slower.

South Africa’s Komati line (in South Africa 011-774 4555; www.spoornet.co.za) serves Jo’burg and the Komatipoort border post daily (13 hours), from where you can continue to Maputo by rail, but it’s much faster to take a chapa.

Other routes

There are bus connections three times weekly with Panthera Azul (in Durban 031-309 7798) between Durban and Maputo via Namaacha and Big Bend in Swaziland.

The Kosi Bay border post (8am-4pm) is 11km south of Mozambique’s Ponta d’Ouro.

There’s no public transport on the Mozambique side, and you’ll need a 4WD.

Coming from South Africa you can leave your vehicle at the border and arrange a pick up in advance from Ponta d’Ouro hotels.

To / from Maputo there are direct chapas twice weekly between Ponta d’Ouro and Maputo’s Catembe ferry jetty. Swaziland

There are daily minibuses to Maputo (US$5, 3½ hours from Manzini) via Lomahasha/Namaacha (7am-8pm).

Bill’s Bus runs between Manzini, Maputo and Tofo; contact Grifters (www.grifterslodge.com) in Swaziland or Diversity Scuba, Tofo. Sobantu Guest Farm (www.swaziplace.com/sobantu) and Maputo Backpackers run similar services (US$23/55 to Maputo/Tofo).

The quiet border at Goba/Mhlumeni (7am-6pm) is good for drivers.

Tanzania Pickups depart Mtwara (Tanzania) daily at 6.30am to the Kilambo border post, and on to the Rovuma River, crossed – adventurously or dangerously, depending on your perspective and water levels – via dugout canoe.

Once across, two pick-ups daily go to the Mozambique border post (4km further) and on to Moçimboa da Praia (US$10, four hours).

A vehicle ferry (US$50 per vehicle) at Kilambo operates at high tide several times weekly.

Zambia

The main crossing is at Cassacatiza, northwest of Tete. Chapas go daily from Tete to Matema, from where there’s sporadic transport to the border, and then daily vehicles to Katete (Zambia), and on to Lusaka or Chipata. Zimbabwe The main crossings are at Nyamapanda (which lies on the well-travelled route linking Harare with Blantyre via Tete), and at Machipanda on the Harare–Beira route. Chapas go from Tete to Changara (US$3, 1½ hours) and on to Nyamapanda, where there are vehicles to Harare. Through buses between Blantyre (Malawi) and Harare are another option. From Chimoio chapas go to Manica and the border. Take a taxi to Mutare for Zimbabwe transport or the night train to Harare.

Mozambique Information, Calanga Beach Resort, Mozambique Border Post information, Mozambique map, Mozambique climate, Mozambique currency

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