Mozambique Travel Risk

Exercise increased caution to Mozambique due to terrorism, crime, health, and unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Terrorism

Terrorist groups in northern Mozambique are active. Attackers may strike public areas and tourist destinations with little or no warning, sometimes taking hostages. Terrorists have targeted upscale lodges in remote areas where international big-game hunters stay. Security and police forces may be slow to respond.

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mozambique. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Crime

Violent crime, such as mugging, is common. Petty crime is common in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings.

Health

Mozambique’s health infrastructure is weak. Medicine availability is variable and often in short supply. Local medical facilities may lack basic resources and supplies. Some health facilities may ask for cash payment up front.

Do Not Travel to the following areas due to terrorism:

• Cabo Delgado Province
• Niassa Special Reserve inside Niassa Province
• Certain districts in the north of Nampula Province

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Cabo Delgado Province

FCDO advises against all travel to Cabo Delgado Province, except for Palma town and the area around Pemba and Afungi.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Palma town and the area around Pemba and Afungi.

Nampula Province

FCDO advises against all travel to the districts of Memba and Eráti in Nampula Province.

Niassa Province

FCDO advises against all travel to the districts of Mecula and Marrupa in Niassa Province.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Mozambique.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Mozambique

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Mozambique.

The main threat is from IS-Mozambique (IS-M), a terrorist group with links to Daesh (formerly known as Islamic State) that is mainly active in Cabo Delgado Province, and has carried out attacks in neighbouring districts of Niassa and Nampula Provinces.

IS-M militants have conducted violent attacks using explosives, machetes and firearms across Cabo Delgado, resulting in hundreds of deaths, including civilians and security personnel. They have also engaged in burning vehicles and homes, robberies, looting and threats. In 2021, dozens of people were killed in a large scale attack in Palma, Cabo Delgado Province. In these incidents, security forces have not been able to reach these areas quickly.

See regional risks.

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreign nationals, such as:

• roads and road blocks
• military bases
• towns and villages
• islands off the coast
• safari or hunting parks

Stay aware of your surroundings, stay up to date with local media reports, and follow the advice of local authorities.

This section has safety advice for regions of Mozambique. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Cabo Delgado Province

FCDO advises against all travel to Cabo Delgado, except Palma town and the area around Pemba and Afungi, due to attacks by groups with links to Islamist extremism and clashes between insurgents, armed vigilante groups and Mozambican security forces.

Security forces have set up roadblocks throughout the province.

There are no direct flights between Palma town and Maputo and we advise against travelling there by road.

Nampula Province

FCDO advises against all travel to the districts of Memba and Eráti in Nampula Province due to attacks by groups with links to Islamist extremism.

Niassa Province

Groups with links to Islamist extremism have previously carried out attacks in the Mecula, Mavago and Marrupa districts of Niassa Province.

FCDO advise against all travel to the Mecula and Marrupa districts of Niassa Province. There have been recent lethal attacks there within Niassa Special Reserve at hunting lodges visited by international tourists. Groups with links to Islamic extremism have previously carried out attacks in the Mavago district as well, stay aware of your surroundings in this area, as the situation may change without warning.

Risk level

Mozambique - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Mozambique due to crime, the increased risk of demonstrations and violent spillovers, kidnappings and terrorism.

Regional risks

Cabo Delgado Province - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to to Cabo Delgado Province due to ongoing insurgency by militants.

This advisory excludes Pemba City to which you should avoid non-essential travel.

Parts of Nampula Province - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the following districts of Nampula Province due to an increase in insurgency by militants:

• Erati
• Memba

Parts of Niassa Province - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the following districts of Niassa province due to increased attacks by militants:

• Marrupa
• Mecula

Pemba City - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to Pemba City due to the risk that the insurgency expands to this area.

Cabo Delgado province

Militants continue to be active in several northern districts of Cabo Delgado. Violent clashes between militants and security forces occur frequently. Staged attacks against populated areas have targeted both security forces and civilians. Militants have burned villages, raided police stations, and conducted roadside ambushes and attacks with machetes and firearms against residents. This has resulted in hundreds of casualties and more than one million displaced persons.

There is a continued threat of kidnapping and criminal activity, such as contraband smuggling and illegal mining, in the entire province.

The Government of Canada’s ability to provide consular assistance to Canadians in Cabo Delgado Province is extremely limited.

Expect a heightened security presence in Cabo Delgado, especially in the northern and central districts.

Nampula Province – Erati and Memba districts

Militants have committed attacks in the Erati and Memba districts in the Nampula province.

The situation is unpredictable and security forces have increased their presence throughout these areas.

莫桑比克现有橙色（高风险）地区1个，其他地区为黄色（中风险）。具体如下：

一、橙色地区：徳尔加杜角省。外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往莫桑比克徳尔加杜角省，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻莫使馆取得联系。

二、黄色地区：除橙色地区以外的其他地区。外交部提醒在莫桑比克上述地区中国公民密切关注当地安全形势，提高警惕，加强防范，注意安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻莫使馆取得联系。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。