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Mozambique
Risk:
High
Health Overview
Mozambique is Level 2 (downgraded from 3) with Level 4 sub-zones in Cabo Delgado; Niassa Special Reserve; and Memba/Erati. Health risk indicator added. Medical infrastructure explicitly weak throughout. Malaria throughout including Maputo.
Key Health Risks
Very High
Northern Mozambique Terrorism — Level 4 Sub-zone
ISIL-affiliated Ansar al-Sunna insurgency since 2017. Expanded to Niassa Special Reserve and Memba/Erati districts. Targeted international lodges. Do Not Travel to Cabo Delgado; Niassa Reserve; or Memba/Erati.
High
Healthcare Infrastructure Weakness
State Dept cites health as risk indicator. Infrastructure weak throughout. Medical evacuation to Johannesburg (approximately 2 hours) is the standard.
Moderate
Schistosomiasis
Endemic in freshwater rivers and streams. Ocean coastline and Bazaruto lagoons are safe. Avoid all freshwater contact.
Health Risk Callout
Northern terrorism sub-zone expansion to Niassa Special Reserve closes a major safari destination. Healthcare medevac to Johannesburg is the plan; not a backup.
Other Health Risks
Cholera (ACTIVE — ongoing outbreak through 2026 exceeding 8,300 reported cases, part of the WHO multi-country cholera outbreak. This is a named enteric and waterborne risk for Mozambique, not merely a tap-water caution; oral cholera vaccine counseling is reasonable for higher-risk itineraries, alongside strict water and food precautions); Crime in Maputo; Cyclones (Idai and Kenneth, both 2019); Flooding; HIV/AIDS (very high prevalence).
Regional Information
Regional Risk Callout
Maputo: best healthcare. Southern coast (Bazaruto; Inhambane; Tofo): premier tourism; high malaria; limited healthcare. Beira: gateway to Gorongosa. Cabo Delgado: Level 4 Do Not Travel — ISIL-affiliated insurgency. Niassa Special Reserve: Level 4. Nampula (Memba/Erati): Level 4.
Regional Healthcare Callout
Healthcare is a primary travel risk. Outside Maputo: essentially no reliable medical care. Medevac to Johannesburg is mandatory for any serious emergency.
Vaccine and Malaria Prevention
💉 Entry Vaccine Required
YF required if arriving from endemic country. US travelers direct from US do NOT need YF.
🛡️ Recommended Vaccines
Routine; Malaria prophylaxis for ALL Mozambique travelers including Maputo; Hep A; Hep B; Typhoid; Rabies pre-exposure
🦟 Malaria Information
- Risk Level: High
- Areas: Malaria present throughout Mozambique including Maputo. Year-round. Peaks rainy season November-April.
- Recommended Drug: Atovaquone-proguanil; Doxycycline; Mefloquine; or Tafenoquine. Chloroquine NOT recommended.
- Drug Resistance: Yes
Maputo is NOT malaria-free unlike Antananarivo in Madagascar. Full prophylaxis required even for Maputo business travelers.
High
Physician Note
Dr. Robert
Emergency Medicine · 25+ Years · 40+ Countries
Mozambique's two distinctive elements: Level 4 terrorism expansion to Niassa Special Reserve and State Dept health risk indicator. Healthcare medevac to Johannesburg is the plan. Malaria prophylaxis for beach holiday is the clinical discussion coastal travelers need.
Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
Pre-Departure Checklist
8+ Weeks
- Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
- CDC recommends Malaria prophylaxis including Maputo
- Hep A/B
- Typhoid
- Rabies.
2-4 Weeks
- STEP
- Medevac insurance to Johannesburg MANDATORY
- DEET
- Permethrin
- Schistosomiasis
- Terrorism Level 4 sub-zone briefing.
Day Of
- Embassy +258-84-095-8000
- DEET
- No night driving
- Avoid demonstrations.
Trip Type Guidance
Adventure
- Gorongosa National Park
- Bazaruto Archipelago diving
- Tofo Beach whale sharks.
Beach
- Bazaruto
- Tofo
- Inhambane coast.
Mission
- HIV/AIDS burden
- MSF
- World Vision
- Comprehensive evacuation insurance mandatory.
Notes
Special Evacuation Notes
Air medevac to Johannesburg (approximately 2 hours). Avoid all travel to Cabo Delgado; Niassa Reserve; Memba/Erati. Medevac from active conflict areas extremely difficult.
Safety Notes
Terrorism: DO NOT travel to Level 4 sub-zones. Crime in Maputo after dark. No inter-city night driving. Monitor demonstrations. Cyclone awareness November-April.
partner recommendation
Medical Evacuation & Assistance
A medical crisis far from home can cost $50,000+ to evacuate. Global Rescue — the partner we personally trust — provides worldwide evacuation and round-the-clock medical assistance.
Good For
Adventure
Beach
Mission