Travel Tips

What you need to enter the country | Money | Entry Procdures | The Law | Malaria | Fuel and Distances | Emergencies | Things to take | Climate | Boats and beaches

What you need to enter the country.
Passports are required for all visitors to Mozambique. South African passport holders DO NOT need visa’s. Other nationalities need to apply for visa's. These may be obtained at consular offices or at the various points of entry into the country. Please note that visa applications done at point of entry can take time so take this into account when planning your travel.
Original vehicle registration papers if driving yourself. If the vehicle is owned by the bank, then a letter from the bank stating that you are paying for the vehicle.
Driver’s license.
Emergency triangles.

Money
Top
There is a foreign exchange just before the Komatiepoort border at the BP garage to buy meticais, should they be closed there are always people selling meticais at the Border on the SA side.
Just make sure that you get the right amount of money for what you are exchanging – ask them what exchange they are offering. At the moment it is about 3.2 Meticais to R1.00.
(this will quite probably have changed by the time you get to the border).

Border Entry procedures
Top
South African side (Komatiepoort) - First fill in your vehicle / goods export form, get a gate pass and then get your passport stamped.
Mozambique side (Ressano Garcia) - Get your passport stamped - You have to pay R15.00 / perrson; take out the compulsory 3 rd party insurance (R 150.00 / vehicle); buy the compulsory
temporary import permit for all vehicles - including boat trailers, (approx. R80.00).

The Maputo corridor is now complete, making it a good highway all the way from Gauteng.
There is a total of toll fees of R 83.50 in South Africa and Mt 80.00 in Mozambique. You can pay the toll fees in Mozambique with Rands, US dollars or Meticais.
The road going north from Maputo (EN 1 – National Road #1) is generally a good tar road.
The road from Maputo to Inhambane is slightly potholed (nothing serious, but be careful).

The Law
Top
It is not uncommon to be stopped at one of the police checkpoints.
If you follow these basic guidelines, you should not have any problems.

1. Wear seat belts all the time.
2. Stick to the speed limit – This is usually 40 / 50 kph in towns and 120 kph on the open road.
3. Display your emergency triangles in a visible place.
4. Blue and yellow are required if you are towing and need to be displayed on the front of the vehicle and back of trailer.
5. If you do get stopped, be patient and polite. They will normally want to see your driver’s license, 3rd party insurance and road tax (purchased at the border). Start a conversation and be friendly and humorous. Some useful words are Bon Dia (Good morning); Boa Tarde (Good afternoon); Boa Noite (Good evening / night); Faz Favor (Please); Obrigado (Thank you). Don't be nervous and flustered - there is nothing to be afraid of! (Unless you've broken the law!)
6. No firearms are to be brought into Mozambique – Besides the fact that you will not need a gun, if the authorities find you with one, expect to be in deep trouble.

Malaria
Top
Some strains of malaria found in Mozambique are resistant to Chloroquin.

Speak to your doctor for advice on which drug treatment programme will best suit you and
your family. There are homeopathic alternatives available. Always have insect repellant in either aerosol or cream for application to the exposed skin in the evenings at a preventative measure.

For further information contact: Linksfield Malaria Clinic +27 11 647-3654.

Emergencies
Top
Medical problems – Most major towns have a hospital or clinic. These places are fine to use for minor problems, for example if you need stitches. They are excellent for things like Malaria tests. The equipment is sterile and you get the result in 15 minutes – Unlike in South Africa, where it can take up to 12 hours!
Medical Evacuation Insurance is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you do not already have a policy covering the area of Mozambique, please contact Travelinsure Travel Insurance / 0861 467873 - www.travelinsure.co.za
A small price to pay in the event that anything should happen to you while visiting Mozambique! TAKE CARE, ENJOY YOUR TRIP - LIFE'S A JOURNEY, ENJOY THE RIDE.

Climate
Top
The tropical climate has two seasons – dry and wet. The wet season is from October to March and the dry season lasts from April to November. Temperatures range from 20 c in July to 29 c in January. Mangroves and coconut palms are common along the coast. The temperature range between day and night is not extreme.
Summer can be very hot although not too humid due to a generally low rainfall.
Winter is very pleasant and a light jersey may be required in the evenings. The winter days are also a lot shorter. Sea temperatures vary between 22 degrees centigrade in winter to 29 in summer.

Fuel and Distances
Top

At all of the following places there is fuel available

• Komatipoort to Maputo - 95km
• Maputo to Macia - 160km
• Macia to Xai Xai - 61km
• Xai Xia to Quisico - 90km
• Quisico to Inhambane - 120km
• Inhambane to Areia Branca- 26km

Things to take
Top

• PassPort / Identity Book and a valid drivers License.
• Copy of Confirmation Voucher.
• Original Vehicle Registration Papers & SA vehicle clearance form from SA Border.
• 2 triangles per vehicle and if towing a fitted triangle to front of towing vehicle and rear.
• Vehicle third party - purchased at the border.
• Drinking water.
• Tyre pump and pressure gauge, tool kit and basic spares (fan belt etc),tow rope or strap.
• Good flash light and batteries.
• Camera and camera film.
• Hat, sun glasses, sun screen, Malaria prophylaxis and insect repellent.
• Small first aid kit and personal medications.

Boats and beaches
Top
Boats may only be launched from designated areas . Keep the safety of the people on the beach in mind . No vehicles are allowed on the beach unless launching a boat. Do not buy shells from the locals.

LAUNCHING PERMITS

The law in Mozambique requires permits for launching.
The permits are obtainable from Reception or Maritme offices in any major town.

All licences are valid for 30 days.