When is the best time to visit Mozambique? May to November: it is the dry season on the south coast (Maputo, Tofo, Inhambane, Vilankulo and the Bazaruto archipelago), with often clear skies, afternoons of 25 to 29 °C (77 to 84 °F) and little rain. From December to March, it is the hot, wet season, which is also the cyclone season along the whole coast.
⚠️ Safety: parts of northern Mozambique are subject to travel warnings. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 20 August 2026), it advises against all travel to Cabo Delgado Province, except Palma town and the area around Pemba and Afungi (where it advises against all but essential travel), and against all travel to the districts of Memba and Eráti in Nampula Province and Mecula and Marrupa in Niassa Province. Check your own government’s current travel advice before planning a trip. To locate Maputo, Inhambane, Vilankulo and Beira, our map of Mozambique complements this overview.
Mozambique stretches along about 2500 km (1,553 mi) of Indian Ocean coastline. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season in the southern summer (roughly November to March) and a dry season in the southern winter (roughly April to October). As the north of the country is currently subject to such warnings, this guide focuses on the south and center, based on the official normals published by the World Meteorological Organization for Inhambane, Vilankulo and Beira, and by the German Weather Service for Maputo.
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When to go to Mozambique at a glance
- Best time May to November (dry season on the south coast)
- Most pleasant September to November, dry, warmer and with a warming sea
- Avoid if possible January to March, hot, humid and in the middle of the cyclone season
- Temperatures 25 to 26 °C (77 to 79 °F) in the afternoon in July, above 31 °C (88 °F) from December to March in Inhambane
- Humpback whales usually visible along the south coast during the southern winter, roughly July to October
- Cyclone season generally December to March, with frequent flooding in the Zambezi, Save and Limpopo valleys
- Good to know check your government’s health advice for Mozambique before you travel
When to go to Mozambique by priority
- Best weather: May to November on the south coast; September and October for the best balance of dry weather, warmth and a milder sea
- Cheapest: April–May and October–November; February and March are cheaper, but in cyclone season
- Fewest crowds: May and June, then February–March; avoid late December and early January (South African holidays)
- Events: Independence Day in June; humpback whales along the south coast, roughly July to October
Mozambique: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: may, June, July, August, September, October, November
❌ Period to avoid: January, February
Mozambique’s climate and weather month by month
The table below gives the normals for Inhambane, in the heart of the southern tourist coast, about 20 km (12 mi) from the beaches of Tofo and Barra. Maputo, Vilankulo and Beira are detailed further down.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.4 °C (89 °F) | 23.1 °C (74 °F) | 152 mm (6.0 in) | Moderate (holidays) | High in early January | ❌ Hot, humid, cyclone season |
| February | 31.4 °C (89 °F) | 23.8 °C (75 °F) | 136 mm (5.4 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Rainy, cyclone risk |
| March | 31.2 °C (88 °F) | 22.5 °C (73 °F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Still hot and humid, end of cyclone season |
| April | 29.1 °C (84 °F) | 20.3 °C (69 °F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | Moderate (Easter) | Moderate | ⚠️ Transition, rain decreasing |
| May | 27.6 °C (82 °F) | 18.3 °C (65 °F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | Low | Moderate | ✅ Start of the dry season |
| June | 26.6 °C (80 °F) | 16.5 °C (62 °F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | Low | Moderate | ✅ Mild and sunny |
| July | 25.6 °C (78 °F) | 15.4 °C (60 °F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | Moderate (summer holidays) | High | ✅ Coolest month, dry, whales |
| August | 26.3 °C (79 °F) | 16.0 °C (61 °F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | Moderate (summer holidays) | High | ✅ The driest month, whales |
| September | 27.2 °C (81 °F) | 18.3 °C (65 °F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Dry, very good month for diving |
| October | 28.4 °C (83 °F) | 19.6 °C (67 °F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Dry and warmer, sea warming up |
| November | 29.3 °C (85 °F) | 21.1 °C (70 °F) | 76 mm (3.0 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Still pleasant, rain gradually returning |
| December | 30.6 °C (87 °F) | 22.2 °C (72 °F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | High (holidays, South African school break) | Very high | ⚠️ Hot, rain and start of the cyclone season |
On the south coast, it is never cold: even in July, afternoons reach 25 to 26 °C (77 to 79 °F). Southern winter nights are, however, cool, around 15 °C (59 °F), which justifies a sweater in the evening. Inhambane receives about 950 mm (37.4 in) of rain a year, nearly half of it between December and March.
The seasons in Mozambique: pros and cons
Mozambique is in the Southern Hemisphere: the seasons are the reverse of those in Europe or North America. The southern summer (November to March) is hot and humid, the southern winter (May to September) mild and dry. April and October–November are transition months.
Dry season (May to October): the best time
Rainfall is at its lowest: 31 mm (1.2 in) in August in Inhambane, 15 mm (0.6 in) in August in Maputo, less than 25 mm (1.0 in) a month from June to August in Vilankulo. Skies are often clear, humidity drops and roads are more passable. It is also when humpback whales pass along the south coast.
- Pros: dry, sunny weather, pleasant temperatures, the best conditions for safaris (Gorongosa, Limpopo) and boat trips
- Cons: cooler water in June–August, sometimes strong wind on the coast, cool nights, shorter days
- Our tip: September and October offer the best balance of dry weather, warmth and warmer water
Hot and wet season (November to April): the rainy season
Temperatures exceed 30 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon and the air becomes heavy. Rain increases markedly from December: 144 mm (5.7 in) in December and 152 mm (6.0 in) in January in Inhambane, 171 mm (6.7 in) in January in Maputo, more than 300 mm (11.8 in) in February in Beira. The cyclone season generally runs from December to March and affects the whole coast.
- Pros: warm sea, green vegetation, lower prices outside the holidays
- Cons: violent downpours, risk of cyclones and flooding, difficult secondary roads, more mosquitoes
- Watch out: in late December and early January, the south coast is very busy with South African vacationers; book early
- Who is it for? Travelers looking for heat and a warm sea, ready to keep an eye on the weather
When to go to Mozambique by region
The further north you go, the more marked the rainy season and the stronger the heat. Beira, in the center, receives almost twice as much rain as Inhambane. The south, around Maputo, has the coolest winters. Comparison of the normals of four towns:
| Month | Inhambane (south) | Vilankulo (south) | Beira (center) | Maputo (rain only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 152 mm (6.0 in) | 30.8 °C (87 °F) / 152 mm (6.0 in) | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 251 mm (9.9 in) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| February | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 136 mm (5.4 in) | 30.9 °C (88 °F) / 160 mm (6.3 in) | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 302 mm (11.9 in) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| March | 31.2 °C (88 °F) / 110 mm (4.3 in) | 30.7 °C (87 °F) / 80 mm (3.1 in) | 30.9 °C (88 °F) / 274 mm (10.8 in) | 126 mm (5.0 in) |
| April | 29.1 °C (84 °F) / 78 mm (3.1 in) | 29.3 °C (85 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29.1 °C (84 °F) / 140 mm (5.5 in) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 27.6 °C (82 °F) / 59 mm (2.3 in) | 27.4 °C (81 °F) / 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28.1 °C (83 °F) / 85 mm (3.3 in) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| June | 26.6 °C (80 °F) / 56 mm (2.2 in) | 25.7 °C (78 °F) / 24 mm (0.9 in) | 26.6 °C (80 °F) / 48 mm (1.9 in) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| July | 25.6 °C (78 °F) / 35 mm (1.4 in) | 25.2 °C (77 °F) / 18 mm (0.7 in) | 25.4 °C (78 °F) / 47 mm (1.9 in) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| August | 26.3 °C (79 °F) / 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25.8 °C (78 °F) / 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26.7 °C (80 °F) / 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| September | 27.2 °C (81 °F) / 36 mm (1.4 in) | 27.0 °C (81 °F) / 9 mm (0.4 in) | 28.1 °C (83 °F) / 25 mm (1.0 in) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| October | 28.4 °C (83 °F) / 38 mm (1.5 in) | 28.0 °C (82 °F) / 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29.4 °C (85 °F) / 38 mm (1.5 in) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| November | 29.3 °C (85 °F) / 76 mm (3.0 in) | 29.1 °C (84 °F) / 59 mm (2.3 in) | 30.5 °C (87 °F) / 110 mm (4.3 in) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| December | 30.6 °C (87 °F) / 144 mm (5.7 in) | 30.1 °C (86 °F) / 138 mm (5.4 in) | 31.1 °C (88 °F) / 232 mm (9.1 in) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
Maputo and the far south (Ponta do Ouro, Inhaca)
The capital has the driest winter in the country: less than 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain a month from June to August. May to October is the best period. Summer (December to March) is hot and humid, with a rain peak in January (171 mm (6.7 in)). The Ponta do Ouro marine reserve and Inhaca Island follow the same rhythm.
Inhambane, Tofo and Barra
The Inhambane coast has mild temperatures all year (25 to 31 °C (77 to 88 °F) in the afternoon) and a dry season from May to October. Tofo is known for diving with manta rays and whale sharks, whose presence varies by season and year: ask the dive centers before booking.
Vilankulo and the Bazaruto archipelago
Vilankulo is the driest of the southern stations in the southern winter: 9 mm (0.4 in) in September, less than 25 mm (1.0 in) from June to August. May to November offers the best conditions for dhow trips to the islands of the Bazaruto archipelago. From December to February, rain exceeds 135 mm (5.3 in) a month.
Beira and the center (Gorongosa National Park)
The center is markedly wetter: more than 250 mm (9.8 in) of rain a month from January to March in Beira, in a region often hit by cyclones and floods. The dry season, June to October, is the only one really suited to a trip, particularly for Gorongosa Park, where tracks become difficult in the rainy season.
Region-by-region summary: the right month depending on the part of the country you are visiting (the north, subject to travel warnings, is not covered).
| Month | Maputo and the far south | Inhambane and Tofo | Vilankulo and Bazaruto | Beira and Gorongosa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ❌ Rain peak, cyclones | ❌ Hot, humid, cyclones | ❌ Rainy, cyclones | ❌ Heavy rain, cyclones |
| February | ❌ Rainy, cyclones | ❌ Rainy, cyclones | ❌ Rainy, cyclones | ❌ Over 300 mm (11.8 in) |
| March | ⚠️ End of cyclone season | ⚠️ End of cyclone season | ⚠️ Rain decreasing | ❌ Heavy rain |
| April | ⚠️ Transition | ⚠️ Transition | ⚠️ Transition | ⚠️ Still wet |
| May | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Start of the dry season | ✅ Dhow trips | ⚠️ Transition |
| June | ✅ Dry | ✅ Mild and sunny | ✅ Dry | ✅ Dry season |
| July | ✅ Dry | ✅ Dry, whales | ✅ Dry | ✅ Dry season |
| August | ✅ The driest | ✅ The driest, whales | ✅ Dry | ✅ Dry season |
| September | ✅ Dry | ✅ Dry, diving | ✅ The driest | ✅ Dry season |
| October | ✅ Dry | ✅ Dry, warmer sea | ✅ Dry | ✅ Dry season |
| November | ⚠️ Rain returning | ✅ Still pleasant | ✅ Good month | ⚠️ Rain returning |
| December | ⚠️ Hot, humid, cyclones | ⚠️ Rain, start of cyclones | ⚠️ Rain, start of cyclones | ❌ Heavy rain, cyclones |
✅ favorable conditions, ⚠️ possible with reservations, ❌ avoid. Summary based on the normals cited on this page and the regional advice above.
When to go to Mozambique by trip type
| Your trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Beach and relaxation | September to November, May | Tofo, Barra, Vilankulo, Bilene |
| Islands and dhow trips | May to November | Bazaruto archipelago (from Vilankulo) |
| Diving | May to November (best visibility according to dive centers) | Tofo, Ponta do Ouro, Bazaruto |
| Humpback whales | Roughly July to October | Inhambane coast, Ponta do Ouro |
| Safari | June to October | Gorongosa, Limpopo, Maputo Special Reserve |
| Budget | April–May, October–November | Tofo, Inhambane, Maputo |
| Honeymoon | September to November | Bazaruto, Vilankulo |
| Northern Hemisphere summer vacation (July–August) | July–August | South coast: dry, but cooler water |
For a trip combined with the neighboring country, see also our page on when to go to South Africa: Kruger Park and southern Mozambique have their dry season at the same time.
Major events to plan your trip around
| Period | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| June | Independence Day | Across the country, especially Maputo |
| Late December – early January | Year-end holidays and South African school break (heavy crowds) | South coast: Ponta do Ouro, Bilene, Tofo, Vilankulo |
| Roughly July to October | Humpback whale migration | South coast |
| December to March | Cyclone season | Whole coast |
Mozambique month by month
January: Hot (31 °C (88 °F) in Inhambane) and humid, with the heaviest rain in the south (171 mm (6.7 in) in Maputo). Cyclone season: watch the weather. Beaches are crowded until South African schools reopen.
February: Still hot and rainy, particularly in the center (302 mm (11.9 in) in Beira). Few visitors and low prices, but cyclone risk.
March: End of the hot season. Rain falls in the south (80 mm (3.1 in) in Vilankulo) but stays heavy in Beira. Cyclone risk until the end of the month.
April: A transition month: less rain, more bearable heat (29 °C (84 °F)). Moderate crowds, except at Easter.
May: Start of the dry season on the south coast. Good value, pleasant temperatures around 27 °C (81 °F).
June: Dry and mild, cool nights (16 °C (61 °F) in Inhambane). A good time to combine beach and safari. Independence Day in June.
July: The coolest month (25.6 °C (78 °F) in the afternoon in Inhambane). Dry, often sunny; humpback whales generally start to be visible.
August: The driest month in Inhambane and Maputo. A good time for whales and safaris. Water still cool for swimming.
September: Excellent: dry (9 mm (0.4 in) in Vilankulo), warmer, sea warming up. A very good month for Bazaruto and Gorongosa. To compare with other destinations, see our picks for where to go in September.
October: Still dry and increasingly warm (28 °C (82 °F)). Probable end of the whale season. One of the best periods.
November: Rising heat and gradual return of the rain (76 mm (3.0 in) in Inhambane). Still a good time before the holidays.
December: Hot and rainy, start of the cyclone season. Heavy crowds and high prices over the year-end holidays.
When to book your trip to Mozambique
For the year-end holidays and Easter, book 4 to 6 months ahead: the south coast is very popular with South African vacationers and the Bazaruto lodges have few rooms. For July–August and September–October, 3 months is generally enough. Outside these periods, last-minute bookings remain possible in Tofo and Vilankulo. Plan your itinerary before applying for any entry authorization your nationality requires.
Planning your trip to Mozambique
- Entry requirements: see our page with the entry requirements for Mozambique, and check your government’s current travel advice before you book.
- Luggage: a sweater for evenings from June to August, long clothing against mosquitoes, sunscreen, water shoes.
- Currency: use our currency converter to estimate your budget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Mozambique in August?
August is the driest month in Inhambane and Maputo. A good time for whales and safaris. The water is still cool for swimming.
What is the best time to visit Mozambique?
From May to November, during the dry season on the south coast. September and October are often the best months: dry weather, pleasant warmth and a warming sea.
When can you see whales in Mozambique?
Humpback whales pass along the south coast during the southern winter, generally roughly from July to October. Dates vary from year to year: ask local operators in Tofo or Ponta do Ouro.
When is the cyclone season in Mozambique?
The cyclone season generally runs from December to March and affects the whole coast. Flooding is then frequent in the Zambezi, Save and Limpopo valleys.
Is Mozambique cold in July?
Not during the day: 25 to 26 °C (77 to 79 °F) in the afternoon in Inhambane and Vilankulo. Nights are cool, however, around 14 to 15 °C (57 to 59 °F), and the water is less warm than in the southern summer.
Can you travel to northern Mozambique?
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 20 August 2026), it advises against all travel to Cabo Delgado Province, except Palma town and the area around Pemba and Afungi, and against all travel to the districts of Memba and Eráti (Nampula) and Mecula and Marrupa (Niassa). Check current advice before any trip.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization (WMO), climate normals for Inhambane and Beira (temperatures 1991–2020, precipitation 1961–1990) and Vilankulo (1961–1990)
- Deutscher Wetterdienst (German Weather Service), 1961–1990 precipitation for Maputo
- Safety information read on 11 November 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Mozambique (GOV.UK, updated 20 August 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
To combine with the Indian Ocean, see also when to go to Madagascar and when to go to Tanzania.
To plan the rest of your trip, see our Mozambique travel guide and our other destinations in Africa.
