Mozambique - Security

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Violent crime, such as mugging, is common.  Terrorist groups in northern Mozambique continue to be active. Public areas may be attacked with little or no warning.

It is advisable to read current travel advice from a state source such as the U.K’s FCO website or the US Department of State.

Overall Crime and Safety

Most visits to Mozambique are trouble-free, but street crime, sometimes involving knives and firearms, is common in Maputo and increasing in other cities and tourist destinations. There are some areas in cities which are more dangerous; seek local advice.

Specific areas of concern:

Terrorist activities:  Islamic jihadist groups are reported to have become significantly more active in the northern regions of the country since the discovery of the world’s second largest natural gas field. This is on-going and has stretched as far as Pemba.

If travelling down the east coast of Africa from Kenya/Tanzania towards South Africa, do not venture near Cabo Delgado Province, the northern-most province of Mozambique. This has been declared a Red Area, due to ISIS and Islamic jihadi activity, and is not a good place to stop or linger. A South African boat that ignored the warnings was boarded in 2024 by gunmen and held captive for several days – do not attempt to make landfall in Cabo Delgado.

The north of the country, including offshore islands, should be avoided. See this Security Update for more detailed information from when the troubles began here in 2020.

Regional districts: The districts of Mueda, Nangade, Palma (except Palma town), Mocimboa da Praia, Muidumbe, Meluco, Macomia, Quissanga and Ibo in Cabo Delgado province, including the islands off the coast, should be avoided. All but essential travel to the rest of Cabo Delgado province, including Palma town and the districts of Memba and Erati in Nampula province.

In addition, there may be tensions in the Zambezia, Manica and Teta provinces.

Road Safety: Traffic accidents are common due primarily to the condition of the roads, poor driving and vehicle standards.

Caution is advised if travelling inland as the presence of landmines laid during the war is a continuing hazard in spite of de-mining efforts.

Documentation: Certified copies of passports and other relevant documents should be carried at all times and in preference to the originals.

Criminal Activity: Street crime, sometimes involving knives and firearms, is common in Maputo and is increasing in other cities and tourist destinations. Bag-snatching, pick-pocketing and car-jacking are also problems.

Kidnapping: There have been reports of kidnappings, mainly in Maputo, and whilst most victims have been Mozambicans, foreigners have also been targeted.

Maritime issues:

The situation is at crisis point in Mozambique and cruisers should be very cautious about entering the country. OSASA recommend that the coast of Cabo Delgado Province should be avoided and yachts in transit should go north, well offshore, to Richards Bay without stopping if at all possible. Northern Mozambique is a definite no-go area. Further south, it seems that unless you go into a recognised port such as Maputo, you are quite likely to meet with officials of one sort or another.

Some boats are using Bazaruto for shelter en-route, but this needs to be used with caution and only on current advice. Once considered a safe and accepted stopover in the Mozambique Channel,
the Bazaruto Archipelago has seen an increase in yachts anchored here
being boarded and threatened. See this Security Update for more detailed information.

As with Ilha de Mozambique, stopping in Bazaruto for a short time to avoid weather has been possible, but must not be seen as a viable entry into Mozambique. There are no officials there, only construction workers building a resort. See Bazaruto port page for further info.

Remain vigilant on beaches or offshore islands as they are not policed.  Lock up valuables, in particular dinghies, outboard motors and ensure any loose items on deck are well secured. The local perception that foreigners bring Covid-19 may make your reception a hostile one.

See this news item (April 2021) to gain an insight into the problems here.

Check the WhatsApp group Sail to South Africa 2022 and Indian Ocean Passage Facebook Group for regular up to date information on the situation here. OSASA are also a good contact with current updates.

Reported Incidents:

Bazaruto, 2016: Outboard engine stolen from a dinghy at night. The dinghy had been hauled up the side of the yacht which was at anchor.

General Emergency Numbers:

See General Info for more details.

Last updated:  March 2024

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Mozambique was last updated 2 weeks ago.

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  1. January 31, 2020 at 11:03 AM
    eutikia says:

    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/

  2. October 30, 2017 at 10:04 AM
    Data Entry3 says:

    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

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