Best time to go to Mozambique for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 13/11/2024When is the best time to go to Mozambique?
If you want to make the most of all the advantages of this incredible country, the ideal time to go is during the dry season, which is between April and October. However, there isn't really a better time to visit Mozambique, as there is always a region where the weather is favorable.
So, why the dry season rather than the rest of the year?
- As its name suggests, it is the period when it rains the least. All outdoor activities are therefore possible, and transportation will not be an issue, unlike the wet season when roads are frequently blocked.
- It is the perfect time to go on a safari: the vegetation is low, making it easier to spot animals, and large mammals gather to drink around water points.
- For diving, visibility is at its best between March and October. Perfect for feeling like you're in an aquarium, surrounded by thousands of tropical fish, dolphins, or manta rays! If you dream of seeing humpback whales, the best time is during the southern winter, between June and September, when they undertake their annual migration. And if you want to get close to whale sharks, plan a trip between October and March, as that is when they are most numerous.
- If the goal of this trip is just to lounge on the beach and take a break to relax, know that Mozambique has about 2000 km of extraordinary coastline along the Indian Ocean. That means you will have plenty of choices! However, it is in the south of the country that the beach resorts are the most renowned and well-equipped, particularly in Tofo or Vilankulo.
- When to go to Mozambique for hiking or trekking? The dry season is ideal for having the best weather conditions and passable trails. Enthusiasts can even climb Mount Binga, which rises to 2436 m in altitude.
- Finally, if you are only passing through the capital, Maputo, for a city trip to discover its splendid architectural heritage, any season will do. Indeed, being located at the southern tip of the country, it enjoys a favorable climate all year round.
You will have understood that even though a trip to Mozambique is possible at any time, it is indeed during the dry season that the experience will be the most enriching, as you can vary your experiences at will under a radiant sun. If you can, opt for the month of July: it is less crowded, plane tickets are cheaper than in August, and it combines all the ingredients for a successful trip.
Annual weather in Mozambique
For information about the climate and the weather city by city in Mozambique for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:
| Month | Our opinion | View Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 70°F to 92°F | tolerable weather* | |||
| February | 70°F to 92°F | good weather* | |||
| March | 70°F to 90°F | good weather* | |||
| April | 68°F to 88°F | good weather* | |||
| May | 65°F to 86°F | perfect weather* | |||
| June | 59°F to 83°F | perfect weather | |||
| July | 59°F to 83°F | perfect weather* | |||
| August | 65°F to 90°F | perfect weather | |||
| September | 70°F to 97°F | perfect weather | |||
| October | 72°F to 101°F | perfect weather* | |||
| November | 74°F to 101°F | good weather* | |||
| December | 72°F to 95°F | good weather* |
Best time to travel to Mozambique by cities
Climate and Weather in Mozambique
Mozambique is an former Portuguese colony located on the eastern coast of the African continent. It shares borders with South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania. It is also neighboring Madagascar, with the two countries separated by the Mozambique Channel.
The climate of Mozambique has 3 main types:
- A tropical savanna climate with a dry winter is largely predominant as it covers 70% of the territory. This is the climate found notably in the capital, Maputo, and in a large part of the southern and coastal regions.
- A humid subtropical climate with a dry winter and hot summer is found in the Lichinga region bordering Lake Malawi, in the northwest of the country.
- A dry and hot steppe climate prevails in the Tete province, along the Zambezi River.
In general, the weather in Mozambique is characterized by warm temperatures, more or less constant across the entire territory. It almost never gets cold! Precipitation is higher in the north than in the south and is marked by two distinct periods: a dry season and a rainy season.
Climate of Mozambique during the dry season
During the dry season, from early April to the end of October, the climate of Mozambique is very pleasant. Rainfall is low and temperatures are warm without being oppressive. If, like many tourists, you travel between June and September, be aware that this period corresponds to the southern winter, as the country is located south of the equator.
- June is the coolest month, as this is when cold air from the South Pole crosses Mozambique, cooling the atmosphere. The difference is especially felt around Maputo and in the southern part of the country, where maximum temperatures hover around 26°C (79°F) and minimums around 19°C (67°F) .
- The start of the season is shifted to early May in northern Mozambique, which is still affected by rain throughout April.
- Average temperatures range between 26 and 29°C (85°F) during the day and between 18 and 25°C (77°F) at night throughout the season across the territory. The only exception is the Nampula region, which sees maximums between 32 and 34°C (94°F) in September and October.
- The temperature of the Indian Ocean ranges between 25 and 29°C (85°F) . Perfect for enjoying the beach without shivering!
- In October, rain begins to arrive gently, especially in the south. But this will not spoil your holiday, as it is short-lived and infrequent.
Climate of Mozambique during the rainy season
The weather in Mozambique is hot and humid during the rainy season, which runs from November to March. Rainfall is, however, more significant along the coast than inland, and these are tropical rains, meaning that most of the time the showers are intense but short-lived.
- Temperatures range between 29 and 31°C (88°F) in most regions and between 33 and 35°C (95°F) around Nampula in November and December. At night, it generally cools down by 4 to 5 degrees.
- The feeling of heat is intensified by a very high humidity level, especially during the rainiest months of the southern summer, from December to February.
- In the extreme south, near the capital, the climate remains favorable throughout the season.
- The ocean temperature is between 27 and 30°C (86°F) in the southern beach resorts, while it rises to over 30°C (86°F) near Beira.
Temperatures and rainfall in Mozambique
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Mozambique and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Gorongosa National Park and Inhambane, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Mozambique
Find out when Mozambique has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Mozambique
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, June and July. The number of visitors to Mozambique is high in: April, May, August, September, October, November and December.
- Very low season in Mozambique: January, February, March, June and July.
- High season in Mozambique: May, August and October.
- Peak season in Mozambique: April, September, November and December.
Figure: Visitor index for Mozambique month by month
Average price for flights to Mozambique
A return flight between London and Maputo is generally cheaper if you go in march ($ 752 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 355 more for your airline ticket to Maputo if you go in august.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Mozambique
Where to go in Mozambique?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Maputo | 86°F | 88°F | 86°F | 83°F | 83°F | 79°F | 77°F | 81°F | 83°F | 83°F | 85°F | 88°F |
| Beira | 88°F | 86°F | 86°F | 83°F | 81°F | 79°F | 77°F | 79°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F |
| Nampula | 86°F | 86°F | 85°F | 83°F | 81°F | 81°F | 81°F | 85°F | 90°F | 94°F | 95°F | 92°F |
| Gorongosa National Park | 86°F | 85°F | 85°F | 83°F | 81°F | 79°F | 79°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 88°F |
| Inhambane | 86°F | 86°F | 85°F | 83°F | 81°F | 77°F | 76°F | 77°F | 81°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F |
| Lichinga | 77°F | 77°F | 77°F | 76°F | 74°F | 72°F | 72°F | 77°F | 83°F | 86°F | 85°F | 81°F |
| Pemba | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 85°F | 83°F | 81°F | 81°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F |
| Tete | 92°F | 92°F | 90°F | 88°F | 86°F | 83°F | 83°F | 90°F | 97°F | 101°F | 101°F | 95°F |
| Vilankulo | 86°F | 86°F | 85°F | 83°F | 81°F | 77°F | 77°F | 77°F | 81°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F |
| Chibuto | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 85°F | 81°F | 77°F | 77°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 90°F | 92°F |
| Chimoio | 86°F | 85°F | 85°F | 83°F | 81°F | 79°F | 79°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 88°F |
| Quelimane | 90°F | 90°F | 86°F | 85°F | 83°F | 79°F | 79°F | 83°F | 88°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F |
| Ressano Garcia | 85°F | 85°F | 85°F | 81°F | 79°F | 76°F | 74°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Mozambique
What can I do in Mozambique?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Mozambique reliable?
Climate data for Mozambique has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Mozambique allows us to determine the average for each month in Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Gorongosa National Park, Inhambane, Lichinga, Pemba, Tete, and 5 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.