As of November 12, 2026, Mozambique is cheaper than South Africa for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $91 in Mozambique against $103 in South Africa, a gap of 12.9%. Over the past year Mozambique has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (−1.9% after inflation, against −3.9%). Both sit at US advisory Level 2. South Africa is the easier of the two to travel.
| Measure | Mozambique | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $91 | $103 |
| Lean day | $38 | $46 |
| Comfortable day | $236 | $240 |
| Real change, 12 months | −1.9% | −3.9% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | 0.0% | −3.2% |
| Versus 5-year average | −5.8% | −5.5% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 2.4 · Expedition-grade | 4.2 · Well set up |
| Index score | 52 | 55 |
| Best months | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Sep, Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, May |
| Shoulder months | Apr, Nov | Jun, Aug |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
A thousand miles of Indian Ocean coast and very few people on it.
The catchInfrastructure is weak, distances are long, and the far north (Cabo Delgado) has an active insurgency and is off-limits.
First-world safari, wine and coast, bought with a volatile rand.
The catchViolent crime is real and requires planning. Power cuts have eased but not vanished.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.