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The country’s safari parks are perfect for travellers who like to get well off the beaten track.
Best Time to Visit Mozambique
Mozambique has a subtropical climate, where the dry, winter season is between May and October, and the hot, rainy season lasts from December to March. For the best sealife viewing, aim for June to October for the humpback whale migration season or November to December for the turtle nesting season. If it’s pure post-safari beach bliss you’re after, May and June are ideal, as you’ll have perfect conditions for sunbathing, scuba diving, and fishing. However, as Mozambique is easily accessed from South Africa, school holidays attract a lot more visitors, so it’s best to avoid the half-terms and end-of-year breaks. For an in-depth look at when is the best time to visit Mozambique, please explore our month-by-month guide below.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
January - Mixed month to visit Mozambique
- January in Mozambique is a mixed month, and features plenty of rain, high humidity, and even cyclones in southern regions.
- The humidity can feel uncomfortably high, as day temperatures can reach 35 degrees.
- Early in the month, Mozambique safari can feel crowded, as it’s school holidays in Southern Africa.
- Five species of turtle, nesting along the country’s coast, all come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand.
- It’s wet season, and the rains last for longer in the north of the country than in the south – usually by a few weeks.
Wet season
Max temp 35 C
Humid/Rains
Excellent turtle spotting
Good property availability
Lots of mosquitoes
February - Mixed month to visit Mozambique
- February isn’t ideal for travel to Mozambique, but if you brave the weather you can enjoy some fabulous birding as well as turtle spotting along the coast.
- Hot and humid with rainy days and cyclones, Mozambique in February could feel uncomfortable for many travellers.
- Availability of safari lodges is generally good for beach destinations, with no need to book too far in advance.
- Turtles are nesting along the coast, which makes for great photo opportunities.
- Ocean temperatures are warm, providing comfortable conditions for scuba diving.
Wet season
Max temp 35 C
Cyclone rain
Fabulous for birding
Nesting turtles
Lots of mosquitoes
March - Mixed month to visit Mozambique
- March is the final month of the wet season – rains and humidity are easing, but it is still a mixed month for travel to Mozambique.
- As it is low season, availability of properties is good around the beach destinations. However, if you travel during Easter, we recommend you book quite far in advance.
- Rain tends to come in short bursts rather than prolonged episodes.
- On the coast, five different species of turtle may be seen nesting, making for exciting photo opportunities.
- Coastal water temperatures are warm, providing comfy conditions for diving and snorkelling.
Wet season
Max temp 35 C
Heavy rain
Good availability
Excellent birding month
Mosquito numbers are high
April - Good month to visit Mozambique
- Mozambique is on its way to the dry season in April, making it a good month to travel, with less rain, and the beginning of beach-friendly weather.
- If Easter falls on this month, boutique lodges on the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos book up quickly.
- Coastal waters are calm and clear, providing good conditions for diving and snorkelling at Mozambique dive resorts.
- As the skies clear, there are opportunities to take fabulous photos of beaches.
- Southern regions enter the dry season earlier than northern areas of the country, so rains can linger in the upper parts.
Green season
Max temp 28 C
Little rain
Good availability
Bring waterproofs
Stunning coast photos
May - Best month to visit Mozambique
- Mozambique's dry season begins in May, and it’s one of the best times to travel.
- The beaches are looking lovely, in particular along the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, which provide superb photo opportunities.
- Mozambique safari lodges tend to book up quickly for the May half-term, so if you plan to travel during this period we recommend booking in advance.
- Conditions for diving and enjoying close encounters with marine life are near perfect.
- The Azgo festival, Mozambique’s biggest arts and culture event, takes place in the capital city of Maputo.
Dry season
Max temp 27 C
Some rain
Ideal beach month
Not many mosquitoes
Book early
June - Best month to visit Mozambique
- June is one of our favourite months to visit Mozambique – the humpback whale migration season begins in earnest.
- This is a wonderful time for wildlife viewing and beach activities alike.
- Mozambique’s summer holiday begins in late June, so it’s advisable to book your accommodation far in advance.
- Some travellers might feel a little chilly at night, or during the north’s breezier days.
- June is fantastic for diving, and also for fly fishing – you can expect to catch barracuda, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo.
Dry season
Max temp 24 C
Little rain
Whale migration
Hardly any mosquitoes
Book early
July - Best month to visit Mozambique
- July is an excellent time to visit Mozambique, whether you go on safari or head out to the coast for Mozambique’s beach resorts.
- July’s summer holidays make for a busy month, so it’s a good idea to book accommodation well in advance.
- The country’s dry season is the best season to enjoy watersports and fishing trips, and to catch the humpback whale migration.
- July's clear conditions provide outstanding opportunities for photographing sealife and beautiful beaches alike.
- Day temperatures are warm – but evenings can be cool, so remember to take some snug nightwear.
Dry season
Max temp 24 C
Little rain
Whale migration
Fly fishing available
Hardly any mosquitoes
August - Best month to visit Mozambique
- A dry season month, August is one of the best times to visit Mozambique for beach activities and boat trips out to see dolphins off the coast.
- The warm waters around the coasts are full of humpback whales, who have migrated to East Africa from Antarctica.
- August is a school holidays month, so it's well worth booking your accommodation in advance.
- Though warmer than June and July, evenings in August can still be cool – a light jumper for nights would be recommended.
- The fishing in August is very good, especially as it is in the middle of the main sailfish season.
Dry season
Max temp 26 C
Little rain
YZ favourite month
Whale migration season
Few mosquitoes
September - Best month to visit Mozambique
- September is a great time to travel to Mozambique, for relaxing on the beaches, and spotting whales as they wallow in the warm waters off the coast.
- Nights can feel on the cold side for some travellers, but the days are bright and warm.
- Due to high demand, it’s advisable to book accommodation well in advance.
- Conditions are near perfect for diving and snorkellers might have the chance to swim with whale sharks.
- Bright sunshine and clear skies yield beautiful light for photography.
Dry season
Max temp 29 C
Little rain
Whale migration
Marlin fishing season
Hardly any mosquitoes
October - Best month to visit Mozambique
- October in Mozambique is the end of the dry season and an ideal time to travel.
- Temperatures are at their hottest – it’s an amazing month for enjoying both bush and beach in Mozambique, as long as you can tolerate the heat.
- October is the start of the turtle breeding season, though for the best chance to see turtles, consider visiting in November and December.
- The waters around the coasts are calm and clear, perfect for diving and for photo opportunities.
- Humidity rises towards the end of October – and with it, numbers of mosquitoes.
Dry season
Max temp 32 C
Some rain
Whale migration season
Mosquitoes around
Hottest month
November - Good month to visit Mozambique
- November in Mozambique is the start of the rainy season – it is hot and humid, which can feel excessive for some travellers.
- With the rains on their way, the dry landscapes starts to turn green, which entices impressive flocks of birds to areas across the country.
- Generally calm and clear waters provide near-perfect conditions for diving.
- In many coastal regions, turtles begin their journey ashore to nest.
- The humpback whale migration season is officially over, but you might spot some late departures from the coasts.
Green season
Max temp 33 C
Some thunderstorms
Turtle nesting season
Great birding month
Rains bring mosquitoes
December - Mixed month to visit Mozambique
- December is the second month of Mozambique's green season, and the rains have set in.
- Birding is superb, and the lush landscapes under thundery skies form a dramatic subject for photography.
- It’s a great time for both diving and snorkelling, in particular exotic marine species may be viewed – for example, whale sharks and manta rays.
- Along Mozambique’s coastline, turtles waddle ashore to nest.
- A lot of Mozambique beach lodges book up quickly for Christmas, so if you plan to travel during the festive season it’s a good idea to book well in advance.
Green season
Max temp 32 C
Humid/Thunderstorms
Turtle nesting month
Lush landscapes
Birding month
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