Africa
Is Mozambique safe?
L2Exercise increased caution
Is Mozambique safe?
Beach tourism areas are generally fine, but crime in Maputo, police shakedowns and insurgency in Cabo Delgado make it a country for careful planning. Check current advice before travel.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-06-15.
- Homicide rate: 3.6 per 100,000 people (2011, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 30.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 119 · Ambulance 117 · Fire 198.
- Solo women: Solo women travel coastal circuits successfully; avoid isolated beaches and night walks, and be firm with unsolicited approaches.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Armed insurgency in Cabo Delgado and parts of Niassa
- Robbery and mugging in Maputo and on beaches at night
- Road crashes and police roadblocks
- Malaria year-round; cyclones and floods in the wet season
Common scams
- Police demanding on-the-spot fines or bribes at roadblocks
- Unofficial parking or guide fees
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carry your passport or certified copy at all times
- Photographing government buildings or the military is prohibited
- Drug possession carries heavy penalties
Safety by place in Mozambique
Quick answers
Is Mozambique safe for tourists?
Beach tourism areas are generally fine, but crime in Maputo, police shakedowns and insurgency in Cabo Delgado make it a country for careful planning. Check current advice before travel.
Is Mozambique safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel coastal circuits successfully; avoid isolated beaches and night walks, and be firm with unsolicited approaches.
What is the emergency number in Mozambique?
Police 119 · Ambulance 117 · Fire 198.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Mozambique
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.