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Horseback riding vacations in
Mozambique
Situated on the east coast of Southern Africa, Mozambique has a vibrant mix
of African, Portuguese and Arab cultures. Its coastline with the Indian Ocean
stretches for nearly 2,000 miles and the country covers an area of approximately
800 000 sq km.
Mozambique is a country of spectacular beauty consisting of wide coastal plains
that rise into mountains and plateaus. For riding enthusiasts in particular the
country is irresistible. You can ride more or less anywhere with few
restrictions. Most of the trails follow natural paths created over hundreds of
years by the local wildlife. As such, a trip to this enchanting country is a
unique experience for adventurous visitors.
The country was named Moçambique by the Portuguese after the Island of
Mozambique, derived from Musa Al Big or Mossa Al Bique or Mussa Ben Mbiki, an
Arab trader who first visited the island and later lived there. Mozambique is
one of Africa’s up-and-coming hot-spots, with stunning beaches offering miles
cantering, excellent diving and magical offshore islands. Mozambique is one of
Africa’s rising stars, with an upbeat atmosphere, overflowing markets and a
2500km coastline waiting to be discovered.
Mozambique is made up mainly of coastal lowlands, rising toward the west to a
plateau ranging from 500 to 2,000 ft above sea level and on the western border
to a higher plateau (6,000 to 8,000 ft), with mountains in the north reaching a
height of over 8,000 ft. The highest mountains are Namuli (7,936 ft), Binga
(7,992 ft) on the Zimbabwean border, and Serra Zuira (7,306 ft) in Sofala
Province.
The most important rivers are the Zambezi flowing southeast across the centre of
Mozambique into the Indian Ocean, the Limpopo in the south, the Save in the
middle and the Lugfenda in the north. The most important lake is the navigable
Lake Niassa. In the river valleys and deltas, the soil is rich and fertile, but
southern and central Mozambique have poor and sandy soil, and parts of the
interior are dry.
Explore the magic and beauty of Mozambique, the land of a thousand smiles - on our Mozambique Coastal Paradise Holiday !
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Holidays on horseback in Mozambique
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Below is a list of our trips in this area with video clips.
 Click on the 'watch video' icon
to view a video clip,
Mozambique
Travel restrictions
A limited number of commercial flights are arriving and departing regularly.
For travelers arriving for tourism purposes only, visas are once again available upon arrival with proof of a return ticket and hotel booking. However, obtaining your visa in advance from the Mozambican Embassy is strongly encouraged.
Travelers are required to provide proof of negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based COVID-19 test results administered in their country of origin within 72 hours of departure.
No quarantine required if proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test is presented upon arrival.
Measures taken by the government
The Ministry of Health (MISAU) has implemented screening at airports and other points of entry scanning the temperatures of all travelers.
On August 5th 2020, President Nyusi declared a new State of Emergency which will be in effect from August 8th through September 6th, 2020 and enables continued enforcement of restrictive measures to prevent and control the pandemic including mandatory wearing of face masks in public spaces, social distancing measures, and limits on social gatherings and recreational activities.
The President announced a phased approach to resuming economic and social activity in Mozambique:
- Phase 1 - Low Risk Activities (beginning August 18th): resumption of higher education classes, resumption of religious services (50 participants maximum) & increased participation in funeral services to 50 people, except in cases where the cause of death is COVID-19 (in which case only ten participants are allowed).
- Phase 2 - Medium Risk Activities (beginning September 1st): reopening of cinemas, theaters, casinos, and gyms & reopening of driving schools and resumption of motorsports.
- Phase 3 - High Risk Activities (beginning October 1st): resumption of primary and other secondary classes will depend on compliance with the conditions imposed by the health and education authorities, the assessment of the local and regional COVID-19 infection rates & resumption of group sports based on the same conditions as primary and secondary classes.
On September 7th 2020, Mozambique transitioned from a State of Emergency (SOE) to a State of Public Calamity (SOPC). The SOPC will continue indefinitely at the red alert level while the risk of spreading COVID-19 exists in Mozambique and preserves many of the SOE COVID-19 prevention measures with gradual resumption of social and economic activities in coordination with health authorities.
During the SOPC the following prevention measures remain in effect:
- General measures to prevent the pandemic, including facemask use and social distancing of at least 1.5 meters.
- Quarantine is required for all persons who test positive for COVID-19, or have had direct contact with a positive case of COVID-19.
- Public transportation, retail stores, pharmacies, markets, and some school classes are operating in line with public safety measures.
- Private gatherings may not exceed 40 attendees, and all must strictly observe COVID-19 prevention measures. The latest SOPC measures are codified in the Boletim da República, Number 224, published on November 23rd 2020.
On February 4th, 2021 President Nyusi announced new mitigation measures to combat COVID-19, effective February 5th for 30 days.
Prior measures are generally maintained, with a number of additional or more stringent measures.
On April 5th, 2021 President Nyusi extended the mitigation measures to combat COVID-19 for an additional 21 days, and adjusted curfew regulations.
Current measures include:
- In the Greater Maputo area and all provincial capitals there is a curfew in place from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. every night.
- Commercial establishments will be open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. Restaurants may remain open until 8 p.m. every day.
- Places of worship are closed, and no religious celebrations or conferences are permitted.
- Private social events are prohibited throughout the country, except for wedding registrations which may have 20 attendees maximum.
- The sale of alcoholic beverages from stalls is prohibited.
- Additional safety measures are to be immediately implemented in all public establishments.
- Public and private sector establishments will be held responsible for non-compliance with safety measures.
- The use of a clear plastic face shield does not replace the use of a facemask.
- Recreational and leisure sports and games are prohibited.
These measures are in addition to the prior measures already in place, some of which include:
- All persons displaying respiratory symptoms or fever must stay home.
- Discos, bars and stalls selling alcoholic beverages will remain closed.
- The sale of alcoholic beverages by bottle stores, greengrocers or supermarkets is only allowed between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
- Cultural and recreational activities in cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, cultural centers and catering establishments are suspended.
- Gyms, swimming pools and other sports venues dedicated to the practice of physical exercises will remain closed.
- The beaches are closed for purposes of physical and leisure activities; however, this restriction does not apply to sidewalks, pedestrian zones and boardwalks adjacent to beaches.
- Teleworking is recommended, in particular for people at higher risk.
Testing
COVID-19 tests are available at the following clinics in Maputo, paid for by the patient at the time of testing. Please call ahead to ensure availability of testing.
Hospital Privado
No appointment necessary
Price: 3800 MZN
Time for Results: 48 hours
MEDI-EVAC Medical Assistance
Medical staff will come to your residence to take the sample.
Price: 7000 MZN
Time for Results: 24 hours
Clinicare
No appointment necessary
Price: 5500 MZN
Time for Results: 24 hours if test taken before 11:00, otherwise 48 hours. Friday results are available the following Monday.
Oceanpath
Price: 5000 MZN
Time for Results: 24 Hours
Aeromed (at-home testing)
Price: 7600 MZN
Turnaround: 24 hours
Medivac (Anka’s ambulance service, provides at-home testing)
Price: 7000 MZN
Turnaround: 24 hours
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
COVID-19 Hotline: 84 146 / 82149 / 1490.
Source:
US Embassy in Mozambique https://mz.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/
Published on April 8th 2021 (checked on April 14th 2021)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx
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