Tete Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Tete is mainly a business city, but the Zambezi and its surroundings offer rewarding experiences.

• Samora Machel Bridge — A long suspension bridge across the Zambezi and the city’s best-known landmark, especially striking at sunset.
• Zambezi riverfront — Watch fishing boats and daily life along the wide river, a central part of the city’s history.
• Cahora Bassa Dam and lake — One of Africa’s largest hydroelectric schemes, near the town of Songo, with a huge reservoir known for tiger fishing.
• Colonial-era centre — Walk past old churches and buildings from Tete’s centuries as a Portuguese trading post.
• Local markets — Browse fresh produce, fish from the Zambezi and household goods in the busy markets.
• Fishing trips — Anglers can arrange outings on the river or the lake in search of tigerfish and bream.

Tete lies in a low-lying part of the Zambezi valley and is known as one of the hottest places in Mozambique. Temperatures are high for much of the year, peaking from about October to December before the rains. The rainy season runs roughly from November to March, with heavy storms and high humidity.

The best time to visit is from May to August, during the dry season, when days are still warm but much more comfortable and nights are cooler. This is also a good period for trips to Cahora Bassa and for outdoor activities along the river.

Chingozi Airport lies on the outskirts of Tete, a short drive from the city centre. It is a modest airport with domestic and some regional flights, serving many business travellers linked to the mining sector.

Taxis are available at the terminal, and many hotels and companies arrange transfers for their guests. Car hire may be available but should be booked in advance. Allow extra time to cross the city at busy times, as traffic can build around the bridges.

Hotels in Tete mostly serve business travellers and are clustered near the river and the centre.

• City centre — Close to banks, offices and restaurants; convenient for short business stays.
• Riverside — Hotels with views over the Zambezi and the bridge, pleasant for evenings.
• Moatize side — Accommodation across the river towards the mining areas, practical for site visits.
• Songo and Cahora Bassa — Lodges near the lake for fishing and leisure trips.

• Money: Carry meticais in cash; cards are accepted mainly in larger hotels.
• Heat: Drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and avoid strenuous activity in the midday sun.
• Health: Malaria is present, so seek medical advice before travel and use repellent and nets.
• Photography: Avoid photographing bridges, the dam and government or military sites without permission.
• Language: Portuguese is essential for daily life; English is spoken in business hotels but rarely elsewhere.