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Voykit pocket guide · Mozambique
Tete
Spend 1 day in Tete as a transit stop; 2 days if you want a river walk and campsite night.
Tete is a fast‑growing mining hub on the Zambezi, mainly used as a stop‑over for overland trips to Malawi. Its sights are limited, so a short stay suffices unless you camp by the river.
- Country
- Mozambique
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (rainy, hot)
- 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 MT 500–800 excl. bed · Mid MT 800–1,200 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 |
|---|---|
| Water bottle (500 ml) | MT 20–30 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | MT 150–300 |
| Taxi (city) | MT 200–400 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TET · Tete/Chingozi Airport
- About 7 km (4.3 mi) from the centre; domestic links to Maputo and Beira, no scheduled long-haul — check current operators and times.About 4.3 mi (7 km) from the centre; domestic links to Maputo and Beira, no scheduled long-haul — check current operators and times.
Typical fares
- Tete → Chimoio bus
- ≈ MT 1,200, 7 h (check schedule)
- Tete → Blantyre border taxi
- ≈ MT 2,500, 4 h (check)
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
Walking in town centre; taxis available but scarce. No public transit schedule published – arrange rides locally.
See and do
Known for
- Zambezi river frontage
- Mining industry
- Campsite on the river
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chimoio | Road, about 380 km (236 mi) south, bus or private hireRoad, about 236 mi (380 km) south, bus or private hire | ≈7 h |
| Blantyre, Malawi | Road border crossing, approx. 200 km (124 mi) eastRoad border crossing, approx. 124 mi (200 km) east | ≈4 h |
Sleep
- Born e Jesus Campsite
- Basic riverside site, 500 MT per night (2018 price, check 2026).
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Oláoh-LAH |
| How much? | Quanto custa?KWAHN-too KOO-stah? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Onde é a casa de banho?OHN-deh eh ah KAH-zah deh BAH-nyoo? |
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
- Security at the riverside campsite is not fenced; keep valuables safe.
- Internet cafés are limited; buy a 3G SIM from Vodacom or mCel (check availability).
Tete is generally safe for day visitors, but night security at riverside campsites is limited; keep valuables close and travel in groups.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tete yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Zambezi river frontage
- Mining industry
- Campsite on the river
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Tete: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1849
- Wikivoyage: Tete, revision 4693388 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4693388
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/tete). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.