Traveling Tips
Visiting Mozambique . . . Essential Facts and Information to help you plan your trip before you leave:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Requirements for Traveling Cross-border with Minors
In an effort to prevent child-trafficking cross-border, the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa requires all passengers travelling cross-border with children under 18 years old, to have the documentation hereunder, before crossing the border.
Please note; these requirements apply to all South African borders from 1 October 2014.
Passengers travelling cross-border with minor children (under the age of 18 years), are required to, at all times during the journey, be in possession of and to present the following, for immigration purposes:
In the case of both parents travelling with a child:
- Proof that the child belongs to them by means of the unabridged birth certificate, reflecting the details of the parents of the child (this should be the original document or a certified copy thereof);
- Valid passport for the child.
In the case of one parent travelling with a child:
- The unabridged birth certificate, reflecting the details of the parents of the child (this should be the original document or a certified copy thereof);
- Valid passport for the child;
- An affidavit from the other, non-travelling parent, giving permission for the child so to travel Alternatively, either a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child, or a death certificate of the other parent registered on the child´s birth certificate.
In the case of a person who is not the biological parent, travelling with the child:
- The certified copy of the unabridged birth certificate, reflecting the details of the parents of the child;
- Valid passport for the child;
- An affidavit from each parent, stating the name of the person travelling with the child
- Certified copies of the passports of the parents;
- Contact details of the child´s parents or legal guardian.
Remember:
- Ensure that all passports are valid for at least six months.
- South African citizens do not need a Visa to visit Mozambique.
- Non-South African citizens can buy a Visa from the border - phone the consulate offices (Johannesburg: 011 372 5712 / Cape Town: 021 426 2944 / Durban: 031 304 0200) for more information. The approximate price for a Visa is R500,00 (as at December 2010).
- You will need your original vehicle registration papers. If your vehicle is being financed, you will need to get a letter from the bank stating that you have permission to take the vehicle across the border.
- Make certified copies of all your important papers, including your passport, and keep these in a separate place to the originals.
- Ensure that your vehicle license discs are current and visible.
- Make sure that you have 2 red triangles packed in your vehicle's boot.
- It is compulsory to have two reflective vests and they must be worn when you stop at the side of the road for any reason.
- Stickers: if you are towing a trailer, boat or caravan you need to stick a yellow-and-blue triangle sticker on the front of your vehicle and another on the back of the trailer. A ZA sticker is not compulsory, but get one and stick it anywhere on the back of the vehicle.
- Driver's license: anyone with a valid South African driver's license can legally drive in Mozambique - keep your driver's license on you.
- Spare wheel and jack: potholes can be lethal! Check your tyre pressure and keep the spare wheel and jack handy, in case it is needed.
Border Formalities:
- Check the exchange rate before leaving home. Change Rands at the BP Service Station just before the Lebombo Border Post. There are also a few Bureau de Change kiosks at the Ressano Garcia Border Post (the Mozambique side).
- Buy third party insurance - it is compulsory. You can do this at the border and it is valid for 30 days. The cost is R220,00 for a vehicle and, if you are towing, it will cost an additional R110,00 (prices correct as at May 2015). You will be given a form - keep it safe as you may be asked to produce it by border officials or traffic police.
- Check your paperwork: get all your documents together. Make sure you have:
- Passport
- Driver's license
- Vehicle registration papers (plus papers for trailers, boats, etc.) and the letter from the bank, if vehicles are financed.
- Third Party Insurance form
- A pen!
At the Border (On the SA Size):
- Collect your gate pass from the border official and park your vehicle.
- At the Customs Desk, fill in a form and declare any expensive goods like cameras, fridges, etc. (The Mozambican authorities will stamp this form on your way in and you must be able to show these goods upon your return to South Africa.)
- Go to the Vehicle Registration Desk, produce your gate pass, and get your passport stamped.
- Return to your car, hand your gate pass to the border official and drive to the Mozambique side.
At the Border (On the Mozambique Side):
- Get a gate pass and park your vehicle.
- Report to the Immigration Desk and present the DA341 Form, the car papers and the insurance form. Your gate pass and the DA341 will be stamped. If you do not receive a copy of the permit, ask for one. Have your passport stamped (and double-check that it is stamped with the correct date).
- Return to your car, ask one of the customs officials (in uniform) to inspect the car and sign your gate pass.
- Drive on, hand your gate pass to an official who will be waiting for it - you are through!
| Border Times: | |
|---|---|
| Lebombo/Ressano Garcia (SA/Mozambique) (Sometimes open 24 hours a day during peak holiday periods over Easter and Christmas) | 6:00 am - 10:00 pm |
| Namaacha/Lomaacha (Swaziland/Mozambique) | 6:00 am - 8:00 pm |
| Kosi Bay/Ponto do Ouro (SA/Mozambique) | 6:30 am - 5:30 pm |
| Pafuri (SA/Mozambique) | 6:00 am - 5:30 pm |
| Giriyondo (SA/Mozambique) | 8:30 am - 4:00 pm in Summer and 8:00 am - 3:00 pm in the Winter |
| Sitehi/Goba (Swaziland/Mozambique) | 24 hours a day |
Driving Tips:
- The EN1, Mozambique's main tar road leading north from Maputo, is in a good condition. It is 80 kilometres from the Ressano Garcia Border Post to Maputo, and from there Xai Xai is 220 kilometres away. The 15-kilometre road from Xai Xai's main town to the beach town is tarred and the last 2 kilometres leading to Reef Resort is on a sandy beach road, which is fine for a regular car. A 4x4 is not necessary, unless you are planning to explore the area. Some roads are very sandy and a 4x4 will come in handy then!
- It is imperative to adhere to the speed limits in Mozambique. Speed limits are generally 100 to 120 kilometres per hour on the open roads (100 kilometres if you are towing a boat or trailer) and 60 to 80 kilometres per hour in built up areas (50 kilometres if you are towing). Always be on the lookout for the road signs.
There are regular traffic police checks and a speed fine could cost you between 1000 and 3000 Meticais. This would have to be paid on the spot and it is certainly not a pleasant way to start your holiday. So buckle up and drive safely and slowly where necessary.
Always be on the lookout for pedestrians, stray dogs, cattle and un-roadworthy vehicles.
If You Are Stopped:
Be polite. Original copies of documents are required by law, but try a certified copy first. If you have broken the law (by speeding) you will be fined and you can either pay on the spot - get an official receipt - and if you do not have cash to pay the fine, your driver's license will be confiscated and you will have to drive to the nearest town to pay. Not all the towns have ATM's. So, you may have to drive back later to pay the fine and collect your license. Do not be tempted to pay bribes! If you have been treated unfairly, you can call the following numbers:
| Anti-corruption hotline: | 00258 82 965 7804 |
| SA High Commission: | 00258 21 24 3000 |
| After hours: | 00258 84 304 4600 |
Directions:
GPS co-ordinates to Eco-Estate: S 25° 6'25.57" E 33°45'37.23"
Directions to Xai Xai, Mozambique via Komatipoort:
(Johannesburg to Xai Xai = 750 kilometres)
- From Johannesburg, you take the N4 Highway to Komatipoort;
- The BP Garage on the left hand side of the road, before the border post, is where you can purchase third party insurance at a cost of R220.00. The third party insurance is also available from many kiosks at the border post;
- Continue to the Lebombo / Ressano Garcia Border Post and after completing all the formalities, proceed through the border post and travel towards Maputo on the EN4, which is approximately 80 kilometres (one toll gate on the way – approximately R45,00);
- Upon reaching the outskirts of Maputo you will get to a large cross roads indicating Maputo ← turn left, still driving towards Maputo for 6 kilometres. Pass through a second toll gate (approximately R10,00);
- Continue for 2,5 kilometres until you see the sign for Xai Xai on the EN1. Turn left and follow the road for 220 kilometres until you get to Xai Xai. Take care to observe speed limits close to villages and towns;
- Cross over the Limpopo River Bridge and travel almost through the town until you pass the second BP Garage on your left;
- Approximately 300 metres after the garage turn right at the Praia de Xai Xai sign;
- Travel on this road for approximately 12 kilometres until you reach a traffic circle. Keep left and follow the tar road to the beachfront;
- Turn left onto the dirt road at the beachfront and travel north, pass the Haley Hotel and the caravan park (on your left), follow this road for approximately 3,5 kilometres until you see the sign for Eco-Estate on your left;
- The road is a sand road and well maintained and is thus accessible by a regular car (4X4 not necessary; obviously low level sports cars are not recommended and the road can sometimes have thick sand on the surface so it may be necessary to deflate your tyres.
Directions to Xai Xai, Mozambique via Phalaborwa / Kruger National Park:
It is necessary to spend at least 1 night in either the Kruger Park or in the Transfronteir Park if you are travelling via Giriyondo.
(Phalaborwa to Xai Xai = 410 kilometres)
- With the opening of the Transfrontier National Park in December 2005, Xai Xai has become even more accessible to South Africans and although it is the more scenic route, it is also the route for the more adventurous traveller;
- The journey takes you through the Kruger National Park's Phalaborwa Gate and on to the Giriyondo Border Post (95 kilometres);
- After going through the formalities at the border, you will travel through the Transfrontier Park on the dirt road with speed bumps at intervals (75 kilometres);
- The journey from Massangir Dam to Chokwe is on an old tarred road with potholes and uneven road surfaces. We have noticed that there have been attempts to fix this road and we are sure that it will improve;
- About 100 kilometres after Massangir Dam you will reach a T-junction where you turn right towards Chokwe, which is 20 kilometres further. The road improves after this Tt-junction but as always, be on the lookout for pedestrians, stray dogs and cattle;
- Continue on from Chokwe for another 60 kilometres to Macia where you will turn on to the EN1 and enjoy the last 60 kilometres stretch to Xai Xai on a well maintained tarred road;
- Cross over the Limpopo River bridge and travel almost through the town until you pass the second BP Garage on your left;
- Approximately 300 metres from the garage, turn right at the Praia de Xai Xai sign;
- Travel on this road for approximately 12 kilometres until you reach a traffic circle. Keep left and follow the tar road to the beachfront;
- Turn left onto the dirt road at the beachfront and travel north. Pass the Haley Hotel and the caravan park (on your left) and follow this road for approximately 3,5 kilometres until you see the sign for Eco-Estate on your left.
Directions to Xai Xai, Mozambique from Durban:
(Durban to Xai Xai = 790 kilometres)
- Take the N2 and stay on the freeway. Go past Ballito, Stanger, Richards Bay, Empangeni, Mtubatuba and Mkuzi;
- You will reach the Gollela Border turn-off on your right (approximately 300 kilometres past Durban);
- From the border you drive straight through Swaziland for approximately 45 minutes. When you reach a sign board that says Siteki / Goba on your right, drive for another 25 minutes until you reach a T-Junction;
- Turn right at the Siteki road and drive straight to the top of the hill. You will reach a small town with a fairly new garage on your left;
- Drive towards the Goba Border;
- From Goba, follow the road until you reach a T-Junction. Turn right (the sign says Maputo);
- Follow the road until you reach Maputo. Go through the toll plaza and drive straight for approximately 1 kilometre;
- At the Xai Xai / Inhambane sign, turn left and follow the road that goes through a market and many small towns;
- Take the Xai Xai turn-off. 220km to Xai Xai;
- Cross over the Limpopo River bridge and travel almost through the town until you pass the BP Garage on your left;
- Approximately 300 metres from the garage, turn right at the Praia de Xai Xai sign;
- Travel on this road for approximately 12 kilometres until you reach a traffic circle. Keep left and follow the tar road to the beachfront;
- Turn left onto the dirt road at the beachfront and travel north. Pass the Haley Hotel and the caravan park (on your left) and follow this road for approximately 3,5 kilometres until you see the sign for Eco-Estate on your left.
Flying In:
There are daily flights from Johannesburg to Maputo, offered by the following airlines. It is an hour-long flight:
There is a shuttle service from Maputo to Xai Xai by an independent company, operating from Xai Xai. Contact us for details, and deal direct with them. The trip to Maputo is 220 kilometres, and can take between 3 and 4 hours, depending on the traffic in Maputo.
There are a few car hire companies in Maputo; two of them are mentioned below:
There are so many areas to explore, and since the shops are a short distance away, we recommend you have a vehicle when you stay at Reef Resort.