Mozambique Travel Guide Best Time To Visit
Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Mozambique.
The best time to visit Mozambique is between April and November. Mozambique is mostly visited as a beach destination. The coastal resorts can be visited throughout the year, but December, January and February tend to be very wet, which might spoil a beach holiday. Diving and snorkeling are best from April to June and September to November. During these months the water is clear and calm, and visibility is very good.
Wildlife viewing is best from the middle to the end of the Dry season, from July to October. At this time the bush has thinned out and animals gather around the few remaining water sources.
May to October Dry Season – Winter
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Little rain and blue skies
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Diving and snorkeling conditions are best from April to June and September to November
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Wildlife viewing is at its best
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Less chance of malaria, with fewer mosquitoes around
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July and August can be windy on the coast
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Morning game drives will be cool, particularly in June, July and August
November to April Wet Season – Summer
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Scenery is green and lush
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Sea breezes on the coast make the heat bearable
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Newborn animals can be seen
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Best time for bird watching with migratory birds present
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Rains are mostly afternoon showers
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Very hot, humid and rainy
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Some dirt roads become impassable
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Wildlife is more difficult to see
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Malaria is a bigger concern than in the Dry season
Wildlife Photos
Young male lion
© Ariadne van ZandbergenFemale bushbuck in thick vegetation
© Ariadne van ZandbergenHerd of African elephants drinking
© Ariadne van ZandbergenMale sable antelope in woodland
© Nicolas De CorteYoung cheetah
© Ariadne van ZandbergenBuffalo close-up
© Ariadne van ZandbergenGiraffe in grassland
© Ariadne van ZandbergenFemale greater kudu
© Ariadne van ZandbergenBaby elephant with mother
© Ariadne van ZandbergenSpotted hyena
© Ariadne van ZandbergenDwarf mongoose
© Ariadne van ZandbergenFish eagle sitting in a tree
© Ariadne van ZandbergenAfrican elephant
© Ariadne van ZandbergenLarge-spotted genet at night
© Ariadne van ZandbergenImpala rams
© Ariadne van ZandbergenPlains zebras and giraffes
© Anvil BayElephant walking through dry grass
© Anvil BayFemale greater kudu
© Ariadne van ZandbergenElephant bull
© Ariadne van ZandbergenHerd of sable antelope
© Nicolas De CorteBushbuck standing on a termite mound
© Nicolas De CorteWaterbuck on the floodplains at sunset
© Nicolas De CorteMale bushbuck
© Ariadne van ZandbergenImpala rams
© Ariadne van ZandbergenElephant walking
© Ariadne van Zandbergen Best Time To Go by Major Park
The best time to visit Gorongosa, Limpopo, Maputo and Zinave National Parks is during the middle and end of the Dry season, from July to October. This is when water is scarce and animals gather around predictable water sources. The bush is also thinner at this time, which makes animals easier to spot. May, June and November are also fine.
Bazaruto National Park and the Quirimbas Archipelago are essentially beach destinations. The main activities are snorkeling, diving and ocean safaris. They can be visited throughout the year, although the wettest months of December, January and February are best avoided. The best time for water activities is from April to June and September to November when the sea tends to be very clear, giving great visibility.