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Cars 4 Rental Information on  Mozambique

General Area: 799,380 sq km (308,641 sq miles). Population: 17,242,240 (official estimate 2000). Population Density: 21.6 per sq km. Capital: Maputo. Population: 1,018,938 (2000). GEOGRAPHY: Mozambique borders Tanzania to the north, Zambia and Malawi to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and South Africa and Swaziland to the southwest. To the east lies the Indian Ocean and a coastline of nearly 2500km (1550 miles) with beaches bordered by lagoons, coral reefs and strings of islands. Behind the coastline, a vast low plateau rising towards mountains in the west and north accounts for nearly half the area of Mozambique. The landscape of the plateau is savannah – more or less dry and open woodlands with tracts of short grass steppe. The western and northern highlands are patched with forest. The Zambezi is the largest and most important of the 25 main rivers which flow through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean. The major concentrations of population (comprising many different ethnic groups) are along the coast and in the fertile and relatively productive river valleys, notably in Zambezia and Gaza provinces. The Makua-Lomwe, who belong to the Central Bantu, live mainly in the area north of Zambezia, Nampula, Niassa and Cabo Delgado provinces. The Tsonga, who are the predominant race in the southern lowlands, provide a great deal of the labour for the South African mines. In the Inhambane coastal district are the Chopi and Tsonga, while in the central area are the Shona. The Makonde inhabit the far north. Mestizos and Asians live in the main populated area along the coast and in the more fertile river valleys. Government: Republic since 1990. Gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Head of State: President Joaqum Alberto Chissano since 1986. Head of Government: Prime Minister Pascoal Manuel Mocumbi since 1994. Language: Portuguese is the official language. Many local African languages, such as Tsonga, Sena Nyanja, Makonde and Macua, are also spoken. Religion: Christian (mainly Roman Catholic), Muslim and Hindu. Many also follow traditional beliefs. Time: GMT + 2. Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications: Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 258. Outgoing international calls must go through the operator, although direct dialling is available to South Africa and Swaziland; there may be some delay. Mobile telephone GSM 900/1800 networks with limited roaming agreements. Coverage is expanding to all main cities in most provinces. Network operators include Mcel (website: www.mcel.co.mz) and Vodacom (website: www.vodacom.co.mz). Handsets cannot be hired for short periods. Internet ISPs include Teledata (website: www.teledata.mz). There are at least two Internet cafes in Maputo (one in Avenida Julius Nyerere). Telegram Connections are via South Africa to international telecommunications network. Internal communications exist between most major towns. Post Postal services are available in main centres. Airmail to Europe usually takes 5 to 7 days, but sometimes longer. Press There are no English-language newspapers published in Mozambique. The daily papers are Correio da Manha, Dirio de Moambique and Notcias. Imparcial Fax and Mediafax are news sheets available by fax. Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. Back to Top Money Currency: Mozambique Metical (MT) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of MT100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000 and 1000. Coins are in denominations of MT5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Currency exchange: There are bureaux de change at the airports. Money can also be changed at banks. It is advisable to take US Dollars or South African Rand. Credit & debit cards: These are rarely used in shops. However, money can be obtained from some ATMs using Visa credit or debit cards. Travellers cheques: High rates of commission are often charged on these. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds sterling, US Dollars or South African Rand. Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on import. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Metical against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May '04 £1.00= 37399.22 40226.20 42515.6 41763.5 $1.00= 23443.41 23705.00 23357.0 23382.5 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1530. Back to Top Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera Yes 2 Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria 4 N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with infected areas. 2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Mozambique. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Renewed outbreaks of cholera have been reported; Maputo and Beira are among the infected areas. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. For more information, see the Health appendix. 3: Immunisation against typhoid and poliomyelitis is often advised. 4: Malaria risk exists throughout the year, particularly in the north. The predominant falciparum strain is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine and resistant to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Travellers should bring a mosquito net. Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Some milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks: Diarrhoeal diseases, giardiasis, dysentery and typhoid fever are all common. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A, B and E are present. Meningococcal meningitis may occur. Human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) has been reported. Plague has been reported in remote areas. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, see the Health appendix. Health care: Full health insurance, preferably including Medevac, is essential. Medical facilities are scarce. Many rural health centres were forced to close during the conflict with the MNR rebels. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies including medications and sterile syringes. Back to Top Climate Climate varies according to area. Inland is cooler than the coast and rainfall higher as the land rises, with most rain between January and March. Hottest and wettest season is October to March. From April to September the coast has warm, mainly dry weather tempered by sea breezes. Required clothing: Tropical lightweights, with warmer clothing for evenings. Rainwear advisable all year round. Back to Top Passport   Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required British Yes Yes Yes Australian Yes Yes Yes Canadian Yes Yes Yes USA Yes Yes Yes OtherEU Yes Yes Yes Japanese Yes Yes Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond intended date of departure required by all. VISAS: Required by all. Types of visa and cost: Tourist and Business: £40-£60 (single-entry); £70-110 (multiple-entry). Transit: £40. Prices vary according to the desired processing time. Validity: Single-entry: 1 day to 1 month from date of entry, renewable to a maximum of 3 months. Multiple-entry: 1 to 6 months from date of issue. Transit: 5 days from date of issue. Application to: Mozambique Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates; or Empresa Nacional de Turismo (see Contact Addresses section). Note: A visa can sometimes be obtained through a contact living in Mozambique or at the airport although processing is often subject to delay. Apply to nearest High Commission for more information. Application requirements: (a) Official application form. (b) Two passport-size photos. (c) Valid passport. (d) Return or onward ticket or flight confirmation slip. (e) For Business visas, a letter of invitation to Mozambique and/or introduction from an official or business institution. (f) Fee payable in cash or by cheque (made payable to the Mozambique High Commission). (g) Stamped, self-addressed registered envelope for postal applications. Working days required: 3. Visas can be processed on the same day or within 24 hours for an additional fee. Temporary residence: Apply to the Embassy or High Commission (see Contact Addresses section). Back to Top

Car Hire Mozambique

Cars 4 Rental can provide car hire vehicles in all the popular locations throughout Mozambique.

Whatever your requirements Cars 4 Rental will be able to provide a car to meet your needs. Our hire cars can be equipped with many optional extras including child seats so that your car rental is ideally suited to your needs.

Hire a car in Mozambique