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When to go · Mozambique

Mozambique in January

Mixed month. Hot, humid, cyclone season; South African holidaymakers fill Ponta do Ouro to mid-month.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Medium
Mozambique
Prices
High
Mozambique

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Mozambique

Hot, humid, cyclone season; South African holidaymakers fill Ponta do Ouro to mid-month.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

  • Deep south coast · Maputo, Ponta do Ouro, Maputo National Parkhot

    Sub-tropical: warm winters and humid summers; South African holidays crowd December and Easter.

  • Inhambane and Bazaruto · Tofo, Barra, Vilankulo, Bazaruto islandsstorm or typhoon risk

    Humpback whales Jul–Oct; whale sharks and mantas year-round with peaks Oct–Mar; cyclones Jan–Mar.

  • Central (Beira, Gorongosa) · Beira, Gorongosa, Chimoiorainy

    Gorongosa's roads open about May–Nov; Beira is one of the most cyclone-exposed cities on the coast.

  • North coast · Ilha de Moçambique, Nampula, Pembarainy

    Hotter and more humid; much of the far north is under travel advisories — climate only is not a reason to go.

  • Western interior · Tete, Lake Niassa shorerainy

    Tete is one of the hottest towns in Africa Oct–Nov; highland nights are cool in winter.

  • Central Mozambique: Central Mozambique · Manica, Sofala, Tete, Zambeziacool

    Rainy season Nov–Mar; dry May–Oct is best for wildlife.

  • Maputo31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 10 rain days
  • Beira30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days
  • Caia33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days
  • Chimoio30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 12 rain days
  • Chinde31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Cuamba30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days
  • Ibo30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days
  • Ilha de Mozambique30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 20 rain days
  • Inhambane30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Inhassoro31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Lichinga30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 20 rain days
  • Mandimba30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days
  • Matemo Island30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Medjumbe31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days
  • Mocuba30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 20 rain days
  • Morrungulo31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Mutarara33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Nampula31.2 °C (88 °F) / 22.5 °C (73 °F), 227 rain days
  • Pemba32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 13 rain days
  • Ponta d'Ouro28 °C (82 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days
  • Quelimane30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Santa Carolina31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Songo33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Tete32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 20 rain days
  • Tofo Beach28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days
  • Vila Ulongwe28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 15 rain days
  • Vilanculos34 °C (93 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Xai-Xai31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • New Year's Day

    1 Jan

    Beaches in the south packed.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Mozambique
Medium
Prices · Mozambique
High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Mozambique, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Mixed

    May: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Medium

    May: Low

  • Prices

    Jan: High

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 1

    May: 1

January: Hot, humid, cyclone season; South African holidaymakers fill Ponta do Ouro to mid-month.

May: Dry season begins; good diving visibility.

Mozambique: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
  • A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Better another month

  • Inhambane and Bazaruto

    Humpback whales Jul–Oct; whale sharks and mantas year-round with peaks Oct–Mar; cyclones Jan–Mar.