In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Mozambique
Chimoio
Spend 1–2 days in Chimoio to rest, see Monte Cabeça de Velho and the market, then head to Chimanimani or Gorongosa; skip if you have limited time.
Chimoio is the provincial capital of Manica, a transport hub for trips to Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique’s interior. The city offers a few sights, a lively market and easy connections to mountain treks, making a short stop worthwhile before longer journeys.
- Country
- Mozambique
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry season)
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (rainy, road closures)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MZN
- Money
- Currency is the Mozambican metical (MZN, MT). Cards work in Maputo and larger lodges; markets, small restaurants and transport are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget MT3,500–5,000 excl. bed · Mid MT6,000–8,000 excl. bed · High MT10,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom, Movitel and Tmcel are the networks; Vodacom has the widest coverage along the southern coast.
- Emergency
- Police 119 · Ambulance 117 · Fire 198
- Plugs
- Types C, F, M · 220 V · 50 Hz · South African large round-pin (M) common in the south; bring an adapter for both.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: About 10% if no service charge.; Dive crew: US$5–10 per day in the tip jar.; Lodge staff: US$5–10 per guest per day in the box.; Car guards: 20–50 MT.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.
- Toilets
- Flush toilets in hotels and restaurants; basic outside towns.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at market stall (e.g., xima, frango) | MT300–600 |
| Restaurant main dish (fish or meat) | MT800–1500 |
| Moto‑taxi (short) | MT50–100 |
| Taxi (city) | MT200–400 |
| Bottle of 2M lager | MT120–180 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- Chimoio Airport (LAM office in Hotel InterChimoio)
- Flights from Maputo several times per week (check schedule).
Typical fares
- Chapa Chimoio → Sussundenga
- ≈ MT115, about 1 h (check)
- Moto‑taxi city centre
- ≈ MT50–100, 5–10 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Moto‑taxis (MT50‑100 short rides) and chapas (MT115‑140) are common; taxis cost about double. Walkable city centre; hire a guide for mountain trips.
See and do
Known for
- Monte Cabeça de Velho
- Chimanimani National Park gateway
- Manica Shopping Center market
- Chimoio Airport office (LAM)
- Chapas and moto‑taxi transport
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chimanimani National Park | Chapa to Sussundenga (≈1 h) then another chapa to park entrance; guide hire recommended. | ≈3 h total |
| Gorongosa National Park (via Chitengo Safari Camp) | Car hire or organized tour, ≈2 h drive (135 km (84 mi)).Car hire or organized tour, ≈2 h drive (84 mi (135 km)). | ≈4 h round trip |
| Monte Cabeça de Velho | Walk or short moto‑taxi from city centre (≈15 min). | ≈30 min total |
Sleep
- Hotel Inter‑Chimoio
- Four‑star level, central, double rooms ~MT5,400.
- Castelo Branco
- Business hotel, pool, double rooms ~MT6,900.
- Hostel/Pensão‑Ya Mute
- Backpacker dorm ~MT820, also private rooms.
- Residencial Dabhad
- Air‑conditioned, double rooms ~MT2,800.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Excuse me | Olá / Desculpeolá / desculpe |
| How much? | Quanto custa?quanto custa? |
| Where is the market? | Onde fica o mercado?onde fica o mercado? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Bom dia' and a handshake, then your question; avoid: Skipping greetings with officials
- Police stops: Calm, polite, documents ready; avoid: Arguing or offering money
- Dress: Cover up off the beach; avoid: Bikinis in town
- Photos: Ask first; avoid: Police, soldiers, buildings
Scams and watch-outs
- Roads to Beira are paved but have potholes; weather can bring downed trees.
- Border crossing at Machipanda may require online visa; unofficial fees reported.
- Night transport prices rise; keep small change for moto‑taxis.
Chimoio is generally safe for daytime walking, but watch for unofficial fees at the Machipanda border crossing and avoid exchanging money with street dealers. Night transport costs more; keep small change for moto-taxis.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Chimoio yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Monte Cabeça de Velho
- Chimanimani National Park gateway
- Manica Shopping Center market
- Chimoio Airport office (LAM)
- Chapas and moto‑taxi transport
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- LAM Mozambique – flight info: www.lam.co.mz/en
- CityLink bus terminal: citylink.co.mz/
- Wikivoyage: Chimoio, revision 5336294 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5336294
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/chimoio). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.