Hot reason: Mozambique is preparing to cancel visas for Russian citizens

Russians will soon be able to visit Mozambique without a visa. The draft agreement on the abolition of the requirements to receive such a document for a stay of up to 30 days is already under consideration by the relevant departments of the republic, the Russian Embassy told Izvestia. At the same time, Moscow is negotiating with Zimbabwe to conclude a similar agreement, our diplomatic mission in Harare added. The Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT) noted that both directions are still undervalued, and their development is hampered by limited transport accessibility.

Why go to Mozambique

Currently, Russians have the right to visit just over 10 African countries without a visa, including Morocco, Namibia and South Africa. Mozambique may join this list in the near future.

— The agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Mozambique on the mutual abolition of visa requirements for citizens of the Russian Federation and citizens of the Republic of Mozambique is currently being negotiated. The document is under consideration by the relevant departments of Mozambique, the Russian Embassy told Izvestia.

Izvestia sent a request to the Mozambican side. Since May 1, 2023, the country has been operating a regime that exempts citizens of 29 countries, including Russia, from the need to obtain tourist and business visas in advance. Russians currently need to register via eVisa/eTA, which must be completed no later than 48 hours before departure. A fee of about €10 is charged upon entry.

Mozambique has an impressive coastline, and its main "tourist magnets" are the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, Inaka Island and the beaches of Inhambane province. The destination is chosen for the sake of the warm Indian Ocean, high-quality diving and the opportunity to change noisy megacities to secluded islands. Unlike other resorts, Mozambique offers a more relaxed holiday format without unnecessary crowding.

As of mid-March 2026, the price tag for housing in the capital Maputo exceeds $40 per night. In one of the most popular resort areas, Praia do Tofu, you can find more affordable options in the range of $33-43. However, it is worth considering: high-quality service and comfortable hotels on the first line, as a rule, are in the premium segment.

Access point: Russia and India are closer to visa-free travel for tourist groups

Progress on this issue is expected at the talks between the leaders of the two countries in December.

You can get from Moscow to Maputo in April for about 46 thousand, but this is an extremely inconvenient flight that will take two days on the road. The fastest flight — about 16 hours with transfers — will cost 55 thousand one way. The best time to travel to Mozambique is from May to November.

In addition to security issues, the main deterrent for Russians to travel to African countries is now related to transport accessibility, said Dmitry Gorin, Vice President of the PCT, in a conversation with Izvestia. According to him, Ethiopia remains virtually the only stable air window into the interior of the continent for Russians, from where further geography of trips across Africa is already being built.

In the southern and beach areas of Mozambique, travel is possible with the usual increased caution. But in the north of the country, primarily in the province of Cabo Delgado, the threat from Islamist groups remains.

How much does a vacation in Zimbabwe cost?

The Russian Federation is currently negotiating the mutual abolition of visas with Zimbabwe, the Russian Embassy in Harare told Izvestia. The editorial board sent a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the African Republic.

Russian citizens can apply for a visa to Zimbabwe for up to one month online or receive it upon arrival. The official website of the country's immigration service states that a regular visa costs $30.

From the point of view of tourism, Zimbabwe is a fundamentally different product. The country has no access to the sea, so the emphasis is on natural extremes. Victoria Falls, which the National Tourism Administration deservedly calls the main wonder of the region, is considered a calling card. The list of interesting destinations also includes Hwange National Park and the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the most important archaeological site south of the Sahara.

The price limit in Zimbabwe is significantly higher, especially if you focus on the city of Victoria Falls— the country's main tourist showcase. According to travel aggregators, by mid-March 2026, the cost of accommodation starts at about $120 per night. In the capital, the bar is slightly lower — about $70. You can get to Harare for less than 30 thousand rubles, but you will have to spend more than a day on the road. Faster flights will cost from 44 to 76 thousand rubles each way. The most pleasant season in the country is from September to December and from April to June.

No good: EU demands from Balkan countries to cancel visa-free travel for Russians

Montenegro may take this step as early as 2026, and Serbia and BiH will not yield to pressure yet, experts believe.

Special vaccinations are usually not required to enter Mozambique and Zimbabwe, but tourists are advised to check basic vaccinations in advance, including hepatitis A and typhoid fever, and discuss malaria prevention with their doctor. A yellow fever vaccination certificate will only be required upon entry from at-risk countries or after a long transit through them.

According to Dmitry Gorin, Russians already have a demand for trips to Africa, although it is mostly individual rather than mass. Among the destinations where tourists are ready to travel by connecting flights, the expert named Zimbabwe.

— Africa is still an undervalued and not fully open destination. So far, it's more of a niche, but the programs that are already in high demand, even among individual tourists, show its potential," the expert emphasized.

According to him, the interest in such routes is primarily related to trips to national parks, safaris and sightseeing programs. In this regard, any visa relief will have a direct impact on demand among Russians, Gorin stressed.