ABOUT MAPUTO

Maputo is generally quite safe, but being a big city, take precautions such as not displaying expensive jewelery and other valuable items, and pay someone to watch your car if you park it (100 Meticais is acceptable).

BORDER POST FORMALITIES

You must report to the immigration office with your passports and vehicle registration papers in hand. Don't hand any papers or passports to anyone. Go to the border offices with all your documents.

On the South African side (Gauteng:-Komatiepoort / KZN:-Golela or Kosibay): A Custom's Official will give you a gate pass and this is to be taken to the immigration office. Fill in your vehicle / goods export form and then get your passport stamped. Hand in gate pass when driving out of South Africa.

Mozambique side (Gauteng:- Ressano Garcia / KZN:- Lavumisa or Goba): As you go through the gate you will be handed another gate pass which is needed for Immigration, Customs - road permit and Customs Inspector. Get your passport stamped - Take out the compulsory 3rd party insurance (R 185.00 per vehicle and R125 a trailer); buy the compulsory temporary import permit for all vehicles - including boat trailers. Proceed out of the office to a customs inspector who will then inspect your vehicle and contents. After signing the gate pass and if you have nothing to declare, on exiting the gate you hand the gate pass in.

There are always people selling meticais at the Border on the SA side, please don't exchange money with the people inside the border posts - we have found it is not safe to buy from them. If you just past the border post, there is a petrol station on your left with a ATM.  You can draw money from the ATM

THE TYPE OF CLIMATE

Most of Mozambique falls within the tropics, so it rarely gets cold. The rainy season is from October to April and the temperatures can get very hot and humid, particularly December, January and February. The winter months are ideal, with mild temperatures and it is generally dry.

CLOTHING

DOCUMENTS & FORMALITIES

Valid driver's license & Identity Books.
Passports & Visas.
Original Vehicle Registration documents as well as South African vehicle clearance form from SA Border.
2 Red Road Emergency Triangles per vehicle.
1 Blue & yellow Triangle fitted to front of vehicle.
Registration papers for trailers.
Vehicle third party purchased at the border post.
Remember to make copies of all vital documents and put in separate place so if documentation is lost, you have a second set

Once in Mozambique normal border restrictions do apply. The border officials were fairly relaxed in the past, but are they now clamping down more and more on people who take everything with them from South Africa. You do not need to do this, as you can get most of the supplies you need there. All towns have basic supplies and the bigger towns such as Maputo and Inhambane have just about everything you need. Red meat and dairy related products are obtainable, but they are more expensive than in South Africa. You can take some of these items with you, but try not to take too much.

Alcohol is subject to normal border restrictions and they allow 1 bottle of hard tack or 2 bottles of wine per person. Cigarettes are also limited so perhaps try the local brands, which are not bad at all.  You can get most of the South African brands at the market in Inhambane.

Mozambique is one of the world's best, tropical beach and holiday destinations, with miles of unspoiled coastline and untouched natural areas to see. The people are open and friendly, but as Mozambique is a third world African country, time is generally on a different wavelength to what most people are accustomed to. If you approach the country for what it is, you will love it. If you approach it with attitude and 1st world expectations, you will not appreciate it. There have been complaints about the corruption and bribery in Mozambique, we can not say that it does not occur, but if you treat all people with respect and politeness, you should not have a problem.

LAW IN MOZAMBIQUE

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...

MALARIA PRECAUTIONS

Malaria is a real threat in Mozambique. The are a number of different types of anti-malaria tablets available. Choosing one depends both upon the particular area being visited, and your own medical history. Within South Africa's borders, I would recommend either Mefloquine (Mefliam) or Doxycycline (Doxitab) as being the most effective anti-malaria tablets. Both these require a prescription.

The adult dosage of Mefliam is one tablet per week. This should be commenced at least one week before entering the malaria area and continued for four weeks after leaving the malaria area. Mefliam is best taken at night after a meal, and with liquids. Children, from 5kg, can also take Mefliam (consult your doctor for dosage).

Doxycycline is taken in an adult dosage of 100mg per day, starting a day or two before entering a malaria area. Like Mefliam it should be taken for four weeks after return. The drug should be taken after a meal, and washed down with plenty of liquid. It should be avoided in pregnancy and children under the age of 12 years.

No method of malaria prevention is one hundred percent effective, and there is still a small chance of contracting malaria despite the taking of anti-malaria medication and the adoption of personal protection methods. This does not mean that anti-malaria medication and personal protection measures should be neglected, but simply that any traveller developing possible symptoms of malaria should seek medical advice despite having taken the prescribed precautions.

One last thing, most medical aids will only cover one prescription of malaria prevention medication per family per year.

Repellents - citronella, Tabard, Mosquito coils etc - This is a far better way to prevent malaria. Safer, no side effects, cheaper, not harmful to your body. etc

MONEY

The currency is the Metical (pl. Meticais, pronounced meticash). Exchange rate is about R 1.00 = Mt 35 to 40

Take Rands or US Dollars CASH - Credit cards are accepted at some places in Mozambique. Although a lot of the resorts accept Rands, it is good to exchange for use in the markets, shops and petrol stations.  You can pay in Rands at the petrol stations, but you may not get the best exchange rate.

Exchange money at banks (closed for siesta between 12H00 - 14H00), local shops, even the markets - ask around. DO NOT change money with the locals entering the border.

THE SMALL COMFORTS - BRING ALONG PLEASE!

Guests are advised to bring the following items:

• Drinking water - Water can be purchased in Mozambique and we advise you not to drink the tap water. Consult the management of the lodge for further information.

• Toilet Paper

• Garbage Bags

• Cleaning Equipment and materials

• Torch/Lantern

PAST THE BORDER

The Maputo corridor is now complete, making it a good highway all the way from Gauteng and KZN.  There is toll fees in Mozambique - (each way). 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 been re-tarred and drive like a dream.

Traveling after dark is NOT advisable, as there are no streetlights and sometimes the other vehicles on the road have inadequate lighting. If you do travel after dark, take it easy, especially when there are oncoming cars. Some resorts require 4 x 4, or at least a vehicle with good clearance such as a Venture or bakkie. These roads are thick sandy tracks, so a normal car could get bogged down.

Petrol costs more or less the same as in South Africa. It gets more expensive the further north you go. It's advisable to fill up at the garage just before the border. There are filling stations in Maputo, Macia, Xai-Xai, Quissico,and Inhambane. Diesel is about the same price in Mozambique as it is in SA (sometimes even cheaper). Do not get stuck without petrol!!

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER MOZAMBIQUE

• A passport only for SA passport holders.  a Visa is required for foreign passport holders.
  

• Original vehicle registration papers if driving yourself. (make a copy to take with just in case or letter from the bank)

• Driver's license, Southern African citizens do not need an International driver's license (make a copy to take with just in case)

• Emergency triangles x 2
  

BORDER POST TIMES:

VEHICLE AND BOAT AND JET-SKI REGULATIONS AND TIPS