Mozambique - Facts
- The People’s Republic of Mozambique is located on the southeast coast of Africa. It is bound by Swaziland to the south, South Africa to the southwest, Zimbabwe to the west, Zambia and Malawi to the northwest, Tanzania to the north and the Indian Ocean to the east.
- Mozambique lies between latitudes 10° and 27°S, and longitudes 30° and 41°E.
- The country suffered a direct hit by Cyclone Idai in March 2019. It was regarded as one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere as a whole. The long-lived storm caused catastrophic damage in multiple nations, leaving more than 700 people dead and hundreds more missing. The port of Beira was badly affected with roads to the city cut off by heavy flooding.
- The total population of Mozambique is 29 million composed overwhelmingly of Bantu people. The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese, which is spoken mostly as a second language by about half the population. The other languages spoken are Swahili, Makhuwa, Sena, Ndau, and Tsonga.
- The currency is the Mozambican Metical. For details see General Info.
- Mozambique observes Central Africa Time all year. For specifics see General Info.
- The climate is tropical, with a hot and rainy season from November to March, and a dry season from May to October, during which there is a cooler period from mid-May to mid-August. See Weather section below for more details.
- The long Indian Ocean coastline is dotted with popular beaches, as well as offshore marine parks. and a 250km stretch of coral islands. The main cruising attractions of Mozambique are around Maputo and the island of Bazaruto which is a marine reserve. For full details see the Bazaruto Profile.
- The corruption and mismanagement in Mozambique since independence and freedom from colonial rule has escalated exponentially and unless you experience an emergency, it is recommended to choose carefully where you stop here. Although some places have had favourable reports from cruising boats they are the exception (Ilha de Mozambique being one). Most ports have been privatised giving the locals a license to do as they please more efficiently. For more details on yachting services see Yachting Essentials
- Stopovers without clearing in are generally tolerated by the authorities who accept this as long as you are just sheltering from the weather. However, it’s better to choose an anchorage removed from the authorities such as Bazaruto, Inhambane /Ponta Barra & Inhaca Island. However there are reports of yachts anchored at these locations being boarded and threatened. See Latest Reports for more information.
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To all,
I suggest to see this video from 19 min.: Bazaruto anchorage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_DChPX9OYQ&t=5s
We are at Bazaruto beach ( 7/11/2016) and the fisherman with red shirt is the village boss and the thief.
We were at our anchorage when they indicated us a new position. No problem, we changed our anchorage .
Any way, it was difficult to trust them ( they were well looking at our deck) and, over all, the very unfriendly boss. So when we had, after a while, the visit of a rangers boat ( two uniform of them on board and. we payed a modest Park fee) I asked them if the anchorage was safe. “ No problem, Sir, my family lives here at village on the shore”
We went ashore for a short walk with some gifts (colored pens, books ecc) for children.
Before sunset we hauled out the tender and we fixed it on right side (the outboard with little chain). The day after, at dawn, the outboard was disappeared. We sailed away immediately.
I hope this experience may help…over all, don’t stay alone for more one night anchorage.
Giovanni Testa
Sv EUTIKIA
For our Madagascar, Mahajanga armed robbery look at:
https://www.noonsite.com/report/madagascar-mahajanga-armed-robbery-october-2016/
Reported by Des Cason:
I have been involved in weather f/casting and route planning for yachts coming to SA via Madagascar/Reunion/Mauritius and so far have had 22 either safe in Richards Bay or still en route, in addition, the 15 ARC yachts en route from Reunion.
Having learnt from bitter experience to stay out of Mozambique I have consistently warned yachties about the corruption and crime with the recommendation to stay away. During the past 5-7 years the port operations were privatised which one would assume would be a good thing, but this just brought into play a more efficient ”mafia” to extort exorbitant fees etc. from defenceless yachties. Threats of attaching/impounding yachts and confiscation of passports were favourites.
The bright spot to this is a report received from SV PARMELIA (Italian registry) following a visit to Ilha D’Mozambique (14 59S 40 46E). He was advised that due to the negative effect corruption has had on tourism, the central government has clamped down with draconian measures and all of a sudden it is all happiness. The fees he was charged were reasonable and he had no hassle with officials who could not be more accommodating and helpful.
Whether this is a local anomaly or a sign of what we can expect at other ports (especially needed at Nacala which is a den of iniquity) we don’t know yet, but it is a bit of positive news out of Africa for a change. I will keep you posted on developments.
Regards,
Des