Mozambique – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information.

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

Do Not Travel To:

• Certain districts in Cabo Delgado Province due to terrorism.

Reconsider Travel To:

• Pemba, the provincial capital of Cabo Delgado, due to threat of terrorism.

Country Summary: 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.

Mozambique’s health infrastructure is limited: there are only three doctors per 100,000 people, frontline health providers are often poorly trained, and medicine shortages are common.  More than 1.2 million people in Mozambique have HIV/AIDS, representing a sizable population with compromised immune systems.  In the event of a public health emergency, access to an ICU and ventilator support is highly unlikely.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Mozambique.

If you decide to travel to Mozambique:

• Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel, and read the Embassy COVID-19 page for country-specific COVID-19 information.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Keep a low profile.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Consider hiring a professional security organization if traveling to the affected areas of Cabo Delgado.
• Be aware of increased government security checkpoints in Cabo Delgado Province.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Country Security Report for Mozambique.
• Have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Certain districts in Cabo Delgado Province – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Terrorists continue to conduct and plot attacks on government forces, villages, and key supply routes in the districts of Ancuabe, Chuire, Ibo, Macomia, Meluco, Metuge, Mocimboa da Praia, Mueda, Muidumbe, Nangade, Palma, and Quissanga in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. 

Pemba, Capital of Cabo Delgado Province – Level 3:  Reconsider Travel  

Terrorist attacks in multiple districts in Cabo Delgado Province present the possibility that the provincial capital of Pemba is vulnerable to attack due to the proximity of violent extremist forces and their increasing sophistication.  

 Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.