Air Travel
From North America, flights generally come through Toronto, Canada or major cities in the U.S. like New York. Some flights are direct to Johannesburg, South Africa, but many come via Europe and require changing planes. The direct flights, which are around 17 hours long, leave from points in the U.S. such as Atlanta, Georgia or Washington, DC. A good place to start checking on flights is by checking out Expedia’s Website or checking with your local travel agent.

Once in South Africa, you will need to get a flight to Beira, which is about a 3-4 hour drive from the mission base. Most flights to Beira leave late morning from Johannesburg, so you may need to overnight somewhere near the airport. There are flights to straight to Chimoio, which is only a 1-hour drive from the mission base, but those require routing through Maputo, Mozambique, and an overnight stay there.

Here are a couple of links for two airlines that fly into Mozambique:
South African Airways
LAM (Mozambique Airlines)

Things to keep in mind:

• The countries you go through will make a difference in terms of baggage allowance.
• If you do choose to take a flight to Chimoio you will need to allow for a few hours in the Beira airport to process your visa unless previously acquired.
• The best time of year to visit is during our winter months when the weather isn’t so hot, but it is also our busiest season, so make sure you book early!
• You need to make sure you leave adequate connection time for international flights (at least 2 hours is recommended).
• If you fly into or out of Beira, it may be advisable to stay overnight there. Your mission contact person can advise you as to whether or not you should consider this. Cost is around $115 per room at one of the hotels.

Another option may be chartering a flight through Mercy Air in Nelspruit, South Africa (a YWAM-based operation). You can check them out here Mercy Air.

Transportation to the Mission Base
Transportation to and from Beira costs $360 each way, regardless of the number of people.
Transportation to and from Chimoio costs $45 each way, regardless of the number of people.

Visas
Visitors visas for Mozambique are valid for 30 days. Bear in mind that this includes your arrival and departure dates, so your actual number of full days in-country will be 28 or less. Visitor’s visas can be obtained at the airport or any border of entry upon arrival. They may also be obtained through the Mozambican Embassy in the U.S. (for North Americans), but they are more costly this way.

Visitors must please carefully check visa validity dates when the visa is issued and ensure they are current for the duration of the visit. There are hefty daily fines for being in Mozambique beyond a visa’s expiry date.

Stays of more than 30 days require prior arrangement and planning with the Field Team Leader(s) before your arrival on the field. If you are coming for a visit of longer than 30 days, please note that:

1. Immediate notification must be done upon your arrival to the Chimoio Immigration Department.
2. Application for visa extension must be submitted 1 week prior to expiry date of the initial visa.
3. The fee for visa extension (around $100) is payable upon submission of application.
4. Your passport will remain at the Immigration Department for approximately a week for visa processing.

Passports
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date in Mozambique.

For those staying longer than a month or two, the 6 month validity must extend beyond your return date. Also, please ensure that you have several empty pages in your passport for border crossing stamps which can take up considerable space when traveling in and out of the country.

Sight Seeing – If you’re coming this far, we suggest you take in some of the sights of Africa, either on your way here or on your way home. If traveling through South Africa, you can make arrangements to visit Kruger National Park (highly recommended). In Mozambique, we have Gorongosa National Park, which is much smaller, but it is only about a 3-hour drive from the mission. Chicamba Dam, well known locally for fishing and boating, is about an hour’s drive away. It offers a pool, a restaurant, and a crocodile-viewing pen. It also provides refuge to a variety of African antelope. For those who enjoy hiking, there are various small mountains locally to explore.

(These are estimates.)
Airfare
$2500-$3000, if you can book early.

Visas
Each visitor must have a valid visitors visa. A single one month entry visa costs $85 USD. In order to obtain a visa for Mozambique you must have a current passport with at least 6 months validity remaining and 2 empty pages. US citizens can obtain more information here.

Transportation
Getting to/leaving from the Mission Base
Transportation to and from Beira costs $360 each way, regardless of the number of people.
Transportation to and from Chimoio costs $45 each way, regardless of the number of people.

Car Rentals are available from Beira. (Europecar)

During your stay
The mission van may be available for rental at a rate of $0.55/km (subject to change). Contact us and we can help you make these arrangements. (Depends on number of people and logistics involved.)
For ministry transport, which the mission requests you to do and for which it has a budget, mission transport will be provided.
Any individual ministry projects you may wish to take on (once approved by the mission) you will have to provide your own transport or pay for the use of mission transport if vehicle is available at that time).

• Chapas These are local taxi vans. Their schedules are unpredictable as are their driving skills, especially if they have been drinking–ride at your own risk. Cost: $10 to town and back.
• Bicycles are available for purchase in town for generally around $150 USD. You would be responsible for the purchase and selling of the bicycle before your departure.
• Catching a ride with others
  When possible, rides can be caught whenever either mission staff or the mission truck goes into town. Check the STM Policy Manual for more information.

Lodging

• Mission housing costs on average $250 USD per month, but due to high demand, is often not available to visitors.
• Tenting at the mission campsite costs $8.50 per day/per person which includes the use of the tent and all utilities, not including internet access.

Internet
Internet is available through use of a modem. Connection speeds and service are not always optimal. For details and costs, please refer to the Short Term Policy Manual.

Food
Visitors are responsible for their own food costs. You can purchase your grocery items in Chimoio, our nearby town. At the grocery store you can use cash or credit and debit cards (Mastercard & VISA) when the system is operational. Food is expensive so you can count on it costing what you may spend at home or perhaps even a little more.

Medical Needs
Medical needs will vary in cost. You will need to pre-purchase any prescription and over the counter medications you desire to bring. As well, you should consider possible travel medical insurance and medical expenses that could arise if you need urgent medical care as that may require for you to be flown to South Africa for treatment. Please visit the medial page here for further information.

Please visit the Center for Disease Control website http://www.cdc.gov for traveler’s medical information.

Malaria
Malaria is endemic in Mozambique-meaning it is “high season” all year. Malaria is the greatest serious health danger you will encounter in Mozambique so malaria prophylaxis is compulsory. Recommended medications for prophylaxis are:

• Doxycycline: An antibiotic taken once a day. Most common side effect includes increased sensitivity to the sun. Always take with meals and a full glass of water. Remain upright for an hour after taking it.
• Malarone: This is the most effective prophylaxis but is expensive. It is taken once a day. Side effects include mouth ulcers.
• Larium (Mefloquine): Taken once a week. It can be used but it has been known to exacerbate psychiatric tendencies.

 

You must start the medicine prior to coming and continue it once leaving Mozambique. Please note that we have experienced some failure with all of these medications, so please make sure you protect yourself from mosquitoes as much as possible while here.

Please seek a doctor’s instruction for proper administration of malaria medication.

Medical Treatment
Mozambique is a underdeveloped country and there is little access to medical care. The mission is located one hour from the local city which has two private clinics and several pharmacies. However, like in most underdeveloped countries, the care and supplies are sporadic. In case of emergency, it may be necessary for you to be medically evacuated to South Africa for treatment.

Recommended immunizations:

• Hepatitis A (Hepatitis B as well for those involved with health care.)
• Typhoid
• Cholera isn’t usually a threat since our water is from a deep borehole and is clean.
• Yellow Fever: is required for those arriving from Angola, Brazil, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.

Please make sure you’re up-to-date on your routine immunizations, and please carry with you your documentation of immunization.

Insurance
In terms of insurance, find out what your travel agent recommends. Extra medical coverage is advisable in order to cover possible costs. Emergency services are poor to non-existent where we are and a flight to South Africa plus hospital fees can be very costly.

Personal Medical Needs
You will need to bring all over the counter and prescribed medicines that you will need for your time in Mozambique. Refer to Short Termer Policy Manual for details.

Please pack prescription medications in your carry on luggage so you do not run the risk of losing them.

Accommodations:
Safari Tents
The mission has a campsite available for visitors use. It includes tent sites, a bathroom/shower facility with running water, an outdoors kitchen with a gas stove and gas refrigerator, and a lapa (thatched gathering area). There are several safari type style tents that are well constructed with sealed flooring and mosquito netting. Blankets can be provided for groups of four or less however all visitors are requested to bring their own bedding. Larger groups will need to bring their own sleeping bags. We do offer pillows for visitors’ use.

Cottages
The mission has two one bedroom, one bathroom cottages that may or may not be available depending on the season.

Food:
Visitors purchase and prepare their own meals. We eat as normally as possible, which is now quite possible in Moz with the improving economy and availability of goods. There is a nearby grocery store that has most typical western items available. This is Africa of course, so you won’t find some of the brands or variety that you’re used to at home (Note: we use long-life milk due to limited fresh milk supply and limited refrigeration). But we do have your basic cereals, coffee, potatoes, canned items and so on. You can normally use your Mastercard to make purchases but you will need cash to make purchases at the butcher and in the market.

Laundry:
Since there are no washing machines in the campsite, you’ll be doing your wash by hand for the most part. We’re in a rural setting and everything tends to get dirty very easily. Our advice would be to not bring your best clothes or anything that would break your heart to lose.

What to Bring:
You will have to travel as light as possible in order to make transportation (particularly for groups) easier from Beira or Chimoio to the mission farm. We suggest one suitcase and the usual carry-on. Suitcase weight limits internationally are now 50 lb per suitcase.

Please consult the Short Term Policy Manual for details on what to bring.

Climate
Mozambique is a tropical country located in southeastern Africa. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean on the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to the west and South Africa to the south. There are two main seasons.

Winter, during the months of April-September, is generally pleasant. Average daytime high’s run around +22C to +29C, with nighttime low’s that can reach as low as +4C.

Summer, during the months of October-March, is generally hot. On average, the rainy season starts in November. Average summer daytime high’s run around +30C to +40C with nighttime lows of around +23C or higher. In October and November, daytime highs can go above +40C.

Culture
Mozambique is a rural, developing country with quite a history. At colonial independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world’s poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. Things have dramatically improved since the end of the civil war and Mozambique is making forward progress. However, over 70% of it’s people still live below the poverty line and it remains primarily a subsistence farming economy.

Much of the population lives in rural areas, and these people still live in stick huts covered in mud with grass thatch roofs. The term “absolute poverty” accurately describes living conditions for most of those living in rural areas. People from developed countries, for the most part, have likely not experienced this level of need and it can be sad to observe. Infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, ravage Mozambique, and the average life expectancy hovers around only 41 years.

Although the official language is Portuguese, the more than 40 tribal dialects are used extensively, especially in rural areas. The predominant religions in Mozambique are Islam, Catholicism, and “traditional” (tribal) religion. On average, Mozambican’s only attend 8 years of formal schooling with this number being much lower in rural areas and a countrywide average literacy rate of 48%.

Is there anything else I need to know?
For more health information, you can visit the Center for Disease Control at: http://www.cdc.gov
Americans can register their trip with the US Department of State at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/

To learn more about the country you will be traveling to, visit these sites:
The CIA World Fact book – http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook
Lonely Planet – http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations

If you are an individual volunteer, please follow these steps:

1. After reviewing the information, contact the respective field team director Mozambique: Dwight Lagorewith the following details.
   • Your interest in doing a short term mission
   • Intended dates and duration of visit—please allow 12 months for planning.
   • Personal description of who you are including your training, age, and marital status.
   • State whether your trip will be funded by yourself or whether you will be fund raising for it. Tax receipting for short term trips will only be considered on a case by case basis should the short term team have board approval and fit with Revenue Canada charitable guidelines.
   • Read the Short Term Policy Manual (click pdf to the right) and confirm that you accept its terms. You will be required to sign this as part of the application process.
2. Once your trip dates have been coordinated with the field, you will be required to:
   • Fill out and submit a short-term application form to SAM Ministries with required reference letters and health form (click “STM Application Form” to the right). You can either mail a paper copy to the SAM Ministries office at 3715 85 St. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6K 3R9, or scan and attach in an email to sammoff@telus.net.
   • Include the signed front page of the Short Term Policy Manual.
   • Raise your financial and prayer support.
   1. If paying for the trip yourself, ensure you review the costs.
   2. If fund raising, you will be required to put together a budget that will be approved along with your application.
   • Communicate with the field director, or the missionary the field director puts you in contact with, as you prepare the remaining details of your trip.

Process for a team of volunteers:
The team leader must follow the above process and provide information on behalf of the team. The team leader will be required to supply any information regarding the team that the mission field team leader, or the SAM Ministries board, requests. The team leader will need to assume responsibility for the team and ensure that they read and understand the short-term visitor policy.

• Download STM Policy Manual for Mozambique
• Download STM Application Form