Volunteer

AIR TRAVEL

From North America, flights to South Africa often route through Europe to Johannesburg. Some airlines fly direct to Johannesburg, South Africa from points such as Atlanta, Georgia or Washington, DC.

Your final flight destination in Mozambique will be Beira, and arrangements will be made to pick you up from there.

If your flight itinerary is such that you need to overnight in Johannesburg, there are plenty of guesthouses near the airport that provide shuttle service to and from the airport (O.R. Tambo International Airport). Contact us for our most current recommendation. There are also Game Parks in the vicinity if you would like to include a few days for Safari type game viewing.

Please see related costs for this service under “What will it cost?”

Things to keep in mind:

• Different airlines and routes will vary regarding baggage allowance. Connecting airlines or flights don’t always honor previous flights’ allowances especially if the flights are not all on one ticket. Please discuss this with your travel agent. If your luggage exceeds allowable weight on regional airlines, you may need to pay extra luggage costs on smaller regional carriers here either on your way in, or out, or both.

• Ensure you allow adequate connection time for international flights (generally 2 hours is recommended).

Another option for flying to Chimoio from Johannesburg may be to charter a flight with Mercy Air in Nelspruit, South Africa.  Kruger National Park is just a few hours drive from the Mercy Air base, so this may be a good route option if you would like to see Africa’s magnificent animals in their natural habitat.

VISAS
Entry visas for South Africa are free for Americans and Canadians and issued upon arrival at the airport. If you are coming from elsewhere you will need to confirm entry requirements.

Visitor’s Visas for Mozambique:

Canadians and Americans: Visas are available at your airport of entry (Maputo or Beira) if you’re flying in from South Africa. The cost of these is about $US 12. If you fly with Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa) they will require you to have a visa before boarding. In this case you need to apply for a visa at the Mozambican Embassy in Washington, D.C. prior to your departure. To avoid last minute stress, please do this as early as possible (at least 3 months) before you are due to leave home. Visas through the embassy are significantly more expensive. Please make contact with us to verify things have not changed and what may apply in your specific case.

*NB: On the visa application form, tick “tourist” or “tourism” and state you are coming to visit friends who reside in-country.

Visas 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.

Please carefully check your visa validity dates when the visa is issued and ensure they are current for the duration of your 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 and must have at least 5 empty pages available for the required stickers and stamps.

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.

Ground transportation to mission base: See under “What Will It Cost” below.

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) which is just a few hours drive from Nelspruit (where Mercy Air is located).

• In Mozambique, we have Gorongosa National Park and Tandikwe Game Reserve. Both are smaller than Kruger National Park but if your time is short, they are just a few hours drive from the mission here.

*These are estimates

Airfare
$2500-$3000, if you can book early.

Visas
Refer to section above.

Transportation:
Transportation to and from Chimoio (our closest town) costs $45 each way per vehicle. The mission base is about a 50-minute drive from (northwest of) Chimoio.

Between Beira or Tete Airport and the Mission Base (about a 5 hour trip one way)
Transportation is based on a per vehicle (or per flight with the mission aircraft) cost. The cost is $350 to be picked up (per vehicle or per flight) and $350 to be returned (per vehicle or per flight). The mission aircraft can carry three passengers, so this cost can be shared by three if there are that many of you. A vehicle (using the mission 4×4’s or Van) can carry as many as 4 to 13 passengers depending on the size of your team.

Please note: If you are picked up in the mission aircraft, there is a $20.00 USD additional passenger tax per person charged by the airport.

During your stay

• The mission van may be available for rental at a rate of $0.65/km (subject to change). Contact us and the Field Team Leader for help making 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, public taxi vans that make regular stops at all communities along the main highways. Their schedules are unpredictable as is their roadworthiness and the competence of their drivers, 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.

• 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.

Accommodations:

• Cottage/house: $35/person/night, single occupancy, $15 for each additional occupant.  There are only a few cottages, and due to high demand these may not not be available during your stay. Includes wifi for up to 4 devices.

• Campsite: $15/person/night, single occupancy, $5 for each additional occupant, if using the mission’s robust Safari tents.

• If you bring your own tent: $5/person/night.

• Children 12 and under: Free.

Cell phone service:
There are 2 options while in Mozambique:

• Use roaming services on your contract account (verify costs…this can be very expensive!).

• Purchase a Mozambican prepaid SIM card.

In order to do this, you must have an unlocked cell phone with removable SIM card. PLEASE CHECK THIS BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME! SIM cards cost around $1 and phone time (and data if you’d like that as well) can be bought in small packets cheaply, or in larger quantities depending on your needs.

Food
Visitors are responsible for their own food costs. Unless other arrangements have been made with us, we will plan for you to go to town to purchase grocery items shortly after arrival. At the grocery store you can use cash or credit (Mastercard & VISA). Food costs are comparable to what you may spend at home.

Medical Needs
Medical needs will vary in cost. Please pre-purchase any prescription and over the counter medications you desire to bring. Do not count on finding these items here, they often are not available. Please pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage so you do not run the risk of losing them should your checked luggage go astray.

Insurance
See section below.

Currency
We recommend that you have cash (accepted currencies are U.S. dollars, South African Rands, or Mozambique Meticais)–the equivalent of several hundred U.S. dollars–for your time here. You will need US$100 cash immediately upon arrival for purchasing your visitor’s visa and for contingencies. If you will be here for over 30 days, you will need cash to pay for the visa renewal. Be aware that not all stores here accept credit cards so you will want to have some cash on hand. If you have a VISA or Mastercard, you should be able to withdraw Moz Meticais cash from one of the ATM’s in Chimoio, but sometimes this plan fails, and you will be thankful for having brought some extra cash. Please note that debit card transactions cannot be processed here.

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

Malaria
Malaria is endemic in Mozambique-meaning you can catch it at any time of the 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.

One of these will be prescribed by your Dr. or travel clinic nurse. You must start the medicine prior to coming and continue it once leaving Mozambique. Please note that we have experienced some failure with all these medications, so please make sure you protect yourself from mosquitoes as much as possible while here.

*Most people who take these precautions during their visit do not get malaria, but some do even after they have returned home. Upon your return, be alert to any flu symptoms for up to a year following, as it could be malaria. Malaria’s symptoms include fever, headache, chills, body aches and pains, weakness, and possibly vomiting/diarrhea. If you experience these symptoms, see your Dr. or ER asap and mention that you were in Africa and exposed to malaria and request malaria testing. Most malaria occurs within 6 weeks of exposure, but incubation can take 3, 6, and even up to 12 months.

Medical Treatment
Mozambique is an 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 developing countries, adequate care and supplies are not reliable. 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, Kenya and Tanzania.

• Rabies is optional (this has not been a problem for us, but local dogs are not vaccinated).

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

Insurance
Find out what your travel agent recommends. Flight cancellation and extra medical coverage are most often advisable.

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 refrigerator, and a lapa (thatched gathering area). There are several safari type style tents that are well constructed with sealed flooring and mosquito netting.

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

Houses
Guests may be assigned to a house with several bedrooms and bathrooms if one is available at the time.

Bedding
Pillows will be provided but if you have a favorite one, bring it.  Sheets, blankets, mosquito nets and towels are also available.

Laundry
There is generally a washing machine available for washing clothes. They are hung outside to dry.

Visitors generally purchase and prepare their own meals.  Our grocery store has most typical western items available. You won’t find some of the brands or variety that you’re used to at home, but we do have most of the basics. We advise you bring spice packets and ready-made mixes that you can add to chicken or beef for quick, easy meals.

Specialty foods/Food Allergies
Milk here is all long-life variety. Lactose free and soy milk (long life) are usually available. Please note that if you have allergy to wheat, dairy or anything else, our alternatives are limited. If you require gluten-free crackers, bread, etc., please plan to bring these or bring along mixes for making them yourself while here.

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 (in June/July).

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 are frequently seen in Mozambique, and the average life expectancy hovers between 40-50 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, Christianity, 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 58%.

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