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Horseback riding vacations in
Mozambique
Situated on the east coast of Southern Africa, Mozambique has a vibrant mix
of African, Portuguese and Arab cultures. Its coastline with the Indian Ocean
stretches for nearly 2,000 miles and the country covers an area of approximately
800 000 sq km.
Mozambique is a country of spectacular beauty consisting of wide coastal plains
that rise into mountains and plateaus. For riding enthusiasts in particular the
country is irresistible. You can ride more or less anywhere with few
restrictions. Most of the trails follow natural paths created over hundreds of
years by the local wildlife. As such, a trip to this enchanting country is a
unique experience for adventurous visitors.
The country was named Moçambique by the Portuguese after the Island of
Mozambique, derived from Musa Al Big or Mossa Al Bique or Mussa Ben Mbiki, an
Arab trader who first visited the island and later lived there. Mozambique is
one of Africa’s up-and-coming hot spots, with stunning beaches, excellent diving and magical offshore islands. Mozambique is one of
Africa’s rising stars, with an upbeat atmosphere, overflowing markets and a
2500km coastline waiting to be discovered.
Mozambique is made up mainly of coastal lowlands, rising toward the west to a
plateau ranging from 500 to 2,000 ft above sea level and on the western border
to a higher plateau (6,000 to 8,000 ft), with mountains in the north reaching a
height of over 8,000 ft. The highest mountains are Namuli (7,936 ft), Binga
(7,992 ft) on the Zimbabwean border, and Serra Zuira (7,306 ft) in Sofala
Province.
The most important rivers are the Zambezi flowing southeast across the center of
Mozambique into the Indian Ocean, the Limpopo in the south, the Save in the
middle and the Lugfenda in the north. The most important lake is the navigable
Lake Niassa. In the river valleys and deltas, the soil is rich and fertile, but
southern and central Mozambique have poor and sandy soil, and parts of the
interior are dry.
Explore the magic and beauty of Mozambique, the land of a thousand smiles - on our Mozambique Coastal Paradise Holiday !
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Holidays on horseback in Mozambique
See Mini Country Guide
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Below is a list of our trips in this area with video clips.
 Click on the 'watch video' icon
to view a video clip,
Mozambique
Travel restrictions
A limited number of commercial flights are arriving and departing regularly.
For travelers arriving for tourism purposes only, visas are once again available upon arrival with proof of a return ticket and hotel booking. However, obtaining your visa in advance from the Mozambican Embassy is strongly encouraged.
All passengers and crew arriving in the country must:
- present a certificate proving complete vaccination against SARS COV-2 or
- proof of a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction test (PCR) for SARS COV-2, valid for 72 hours on arrival in the country; or
- perform the Antigen-based Rapid Test upon entry into the country, at their own expense
Children up to 11 years of age are exempt from presenting the COVID-19 test or complete vaccination certificate when entering the national territory.
All passengers and crew with symptoms, regardless of age, arriving in the country must be tested for COVID-19 at the point of entry.
The Government of Mozambique does not require a COVID-19 test to exit the country. However, acting as agents for the airlines, officials at the airport will request a negative COVID-19 PCR test before permitting you through immigration.
Measures taken by the government
The Ministry of Health (MISAU) has implemented screening at airports and other points of entry scanning the temperatures of all travelers.
On September 7th 2020, Mozambique transitioned from a State of Emergency (SOE) to a State of Public Calamity (SOPC). The SOPC will continue indefinitely at the red alert level while the risk of spreading COVID-19 exists in Mozambique and preserves many of the SOE COVID-19 prevention measures with gradual resumption of social and economic activities in coordination with health authorities.
On February 16th 2022, President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi extended the current state of calamity restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Decree 4/2022), while announcing changes to the restrictions. These restrictions apply to all persons residing in Mozambique.
On April 20th 2022, President Nyusi announced a transition from a State of Calamity to a Public Health Emergency in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The new measures are as follows:
- Use of Masks: It is mandatory to wear masks in all closed places, including in collective and semi-collective passenger transport. Children up to 11 years of age are exempt from the use of masks, including indoors and in collective and semi-collective passenger transport. The use of the mask is not mandatory in open spaces, and its use is advisable whenever you are in clusters, where the recommended physical distance is not possible.
- Individuals with SARS COV-2 infection or COVID-19 are subject to the following regime: mandatory home isolation of 7 days, if they do not have medical criteria for admission or institutional isolation or internment in an appropriate health facility for therapeutic purposes, if they have medical criteria for internment defined by the competent authorities.
Testing
COVID-19 tests are available at the following clinics in Maputo, paid for by the patient at the time of testing. Please call ahead to ensure availability of testing.
Hospital Privado
No appointment necessary
Price: 3800 MZN
Time for Results: 48 hours
MEDI-EVAC Medical Assistance
Medical staff will come to your residence to take the sample.
Price: 7000 MZN
Time for Results: 24 hours
Clinicare
No appointment necessary
Price: 5500 MZN
Time for Results: 24 hours if test taken before 11:00, otherwise 48 hours. Friday results are available the following Monday.
Oceanpath
Price: 5000 MZN
Time for Results: 24 Hours
Aeromed (at-home testing)
Price: 7600 MZN
Turnaround: 24 hours
Medivac (Anka’s ambulance service, provides at-home testing)
Price: 7000 MZN
Turnaround: 24 hours
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
COVID-19 Hotline: 84 146 / 82149 / 1490.
Source:
US Embassy in Mozambique https://mz.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/
Published on November 12th 2022 (checked on April 5th 2023)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx
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Mozambique
At A glance
Capital City: Maputo
Land size: 786,380 sq km
Population: 31,693,239 (2022 est.)
Official language: Portuguese
Currency: Metical (MT / MZN)
UNESCO properties and sites: Island of Mozambique
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mozambique/
Mozambique offers a perfect blend of idyllic beaches, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. Discover the stunning beaches and turquoise waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago, where coral reefs teem with marine life and pristine sandbanks. Immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Mozambican people, experiencing their vibrant traditions, savoring flavorful cuisine, and embracing the relaxed rhythm of life.
Mozambique offers a haven for equestrian enthusiasts, with its stunning coastline, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality. Whether you're an experienced rider seeking thrilling adventures or a novice looking to connect with the spirit of Africa amidst stunning surroundings, Mozambique will not disappoint you!
Brief History
In the first half of the second millennium A.D., northern Mozambican port towns were frequented by traders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. The Portuguese were able to wrest much of the coastal trade from Arab Muslims in the centuries after 1500 and to set up their own colonies. Portugal did not relinquish Mozambique until 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid-1990s. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mozambique/
Cultural Insights
Greetings are lengthy and involve inquiring into the health of each other's family. People generally stand close together and are physically affectionate.
Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Mozambique.html
Transportation
By Air
Maputo’s international airport is the main port of arrival for international visitors. You can fly in directly from Lisbon, Doha and other major African airports such as Johannesburg and Nairobi.
Source: https://www.aeroporto-maputo.com/en/maputo_international_airport.php
Money
It is not possible to enter or exit the country with more than 500 Meticais.
US dollars and South African rand are the main exchange currencies.
Credit cards are increasingly accepted in the larger cities. You should tell your bank before using your card in Mozambique.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mozambique
Health
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 08911 or 21313103 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
All health care providers require payment at the time of or before providing service. Most do not accept credit cards.
Hospital facilities are generally poor in Mozambique, especially in the north of the country. In cases of serious illness or injury, medical evacuation to South Africa may be necessary.
Check with Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure your medication is legal to bring into the country. Always, carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mozambique
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Mozambique.html
Electricity
Mozambique operates on a 220V supply voltage and uses type C, F and M plugs.
The Type C electrical plug (or Europlug) is a two-wire plug that has two round pins. It fits into any socket that accepts 4.0 – 4.8 mm round contacts on 19 mm centres. They are being replaced by E, F, J, K or N sockets which work perfectly with Type C plugs.
The Type F electrical plug (also known as a Schuko plug) has two 4.8 mm round pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is similar to the Type E plug but has two earth clips on the side rather than a female earth contact. The CEE 7/7 plug was developed to work with sockets E and F and has grounding clips on both sides (to work with Type F sockets) and a female contact (to accept the grounding pin of the type E socket).
The Type M plug has three round pins in a triangular pattern and looks similar to the Indian Type D plug, but its pins are much larger. Type M plugs are sometimes used for bigger appliances in countries that make use of Type D plugs, as well as in Israel (Type H). Therefore, sockets in these countries sometimes work with Type M plugs.
Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs
Communication
Time zone in Mozambique: Central Africa Time (GMT+2)
International country code – 258
Mozambqiue is one of the first countries in the region to embark upon telecom reform and to open the sector to competition. A new licensing regime ensured that by mid-2019 all operators had been provided with universal licenses, enabling them to offer all types of telephony and data services.
In recent years the government has enforced the registration of SIM cards, but with varying success. At the end of 2016 almost five million unregistered SIM cards were deactivated but poor monitoring meant that the process was revisited in mid-2019 and again in late 2020.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mozambique/
Phrasebook
| English |
Portuguese |
| Hello! |
Olá |
| Goodbye |
Adeus |
| Good morning |
Bom dia |
| Good evening |
Boa tarde |
| Good night |
Boa note |
| Please |
Por favor |
| Thank you |
Obrigada (if you are female), obrigado (if you are male) |
| Yes |
Sim |
| No |
Não |
Source: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/basic-portuguese-words-phrases-for-travel
https://www.visitbrasil.com/en/essential-informations/
Entry Requirements
You will need a visa to enter Mozambique. If you’re a tourist or travelling for work purposes from a country where there is a Mozambican diplomatic mission, you must get the appropriate visa before travelling.
If you’re travelling from a country where there is no Mozambican diplomatic or consular representation, you should apply for a visa from the nearest country with a Mozambican diplomatic mission before travelling.
You must present on entry a return air ticket (for air travelers) and either an invitation from family / friends or a confirmed hotel reservation.
Your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive and have at least two blank pages.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mozambique/entry-requirements#visas
Embassies and Consulates
U.S. Embassy in Maputo
Avenida Marginal, 5467
Maputo
Tel: +258 840958000
High Commission of Canada in Maputo
Avenida Kenneth Kaunda 1138
Maputo
Tel: 258 (21) 244-200
Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates
UNESCO Sites
Island of Mozambique
The fortified city of Mozambique is located on this island, a former Portuguese trading-post on the route to India. Its remarkable architectural unity is due to the consistent use, since the 16th century, of the same building techniques, building materials (stone or macuti) and decorative principles.
Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/mz
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