Mozambique is a popular holiday destinations among South Africans because of its easy reach from South Africa by road, its relatively affordable prices and its tropical climate. With the current volatility of the Rand, travel to Europe or the United States has become prohibitively expensive for many people, and making Mozambique an even more attractive proposition as a holiday destination. We have compiled this guide on how to make the most of your time (and make your Randelas go further) when travelling to Mozambique on a budget.
Mozambique has a number of popular spots for holiday-makers, and while flights from Johannesburg to Mozambique are available, they are generally relatively expensive, and the journey by car fairly short, making it a more attractive means of travelling to Mozambique on a budget.
The language that is most widely spoken throughout Mozambique, is Portuguese. However, most locals, particularly in the areas listed below which are frequented by tourists, speak sufficient English for a tourist to get by. Some even speak basic Afrikaans due to the large number of South African tourists with whom they interact!
Ponta Do Ouro is located in the extreme south of the country just north of the border with South Africa, and the town is well-known for its beach, for dolphin-watching, for its excellent diving spots and for the excellent deep-sea fishing opportunities.
Further north, one finds the city of Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique which has a port that is widely used for trade and transportation. From a tourist-perspective, one of the main attractions of Maputo is the buzzing fish market (known as the mercado de peixe), where the catch of the day is available for purchase, and many local restaurants are willing to clean, spice and cook the fish for your immediate enjoyment.
Further up north, the beach-side town of Xai-Xai offers largely unspoiled beaches with white sand and blue waters, and there are a number of accommodation options available for tourists including hotels and camp-grounds which are more affordable and better suited to those travelling to Mozambique on a budget.
Beyond Xai-Xai, the town of Tofo is a true backpacker’s paradise – there are beach lodges and backpackers hostels on the beach, bars serving up cheap cocktails and local beers, and a general party vibe. Tofo also offers excellent diving opportunities, and there are a number of companies which offer diving courses and excursions off the coast of Tofo.
Mozambique has a tropical climate, and most areas are warm year-round. December is particularly hot (with the temperature going as high as 40 degrees Celsius), making Mozambique’s beaches an excellent choice for sunbathing and swimming.
