1. Leading up to the date you are planning to traveling, check on the Drivemoz group as they do tend to have the lastest information on the traffic at the border. This will then help you to decide on the best time to leave for the Komatipoort border.
2. If traffic is okay, we recommend leaving Jhb early, at about 4am, arriving at the Komatipoort border by about 9h30. Drive past the trucks, if they are blocking the road you can go around by using the Marloth turning which is about 11kms from the border to the left. Click here
3. A handy breakfast stop is at Milly’s (just before Watervalboven) or Malelane, which has a Wimpy, PicknPay (for picking up any foodstuffs, biltong etc that you have forgotten) and a Midas.
4. Fill up at Komatipoort at the Sasol garage on the right hand side or at the BP on the left hand side before going up the hill to the border post. This is the BP you can exchange Rands for Mets. The distance from Komatipoort to Massinga (where you will turn off towards Macachula) is about 550km so if your vehicle can travel that far without a fuel stop, we recommend filling up in Massinga.
5. The border formalities have been greatly simplified – on the SA side you just need your passport – no filling in of forms. On the Mozambique side you need to get a motor car declaration form (desk on the far left) at no cost. Just hand in your car registration paper (copy) – no filling in of forms etc – they will issue you a vehicle permit. Hand in with your passport to get stamped at the other counters. When you return, this form gets handed in.
6. There are about 6 or 7 tolls between the border and Macachula Beach Camp. The first one which is before the Maputo Bypass is about Mts210 (this can be paid in Rands as well, but the rest of the tolls must be Mets). Once on the Bypass there is another toll which is about Mt40, keep this slip and at the second toll on the bypass you give it to them, and you will not have to pay at that toll. This is the same on the way back. The rest of the tolls are about Mt50.
7. Coming through Komatipoort border on way to Maputo, we recommend that you take the new Maputo Bypass Road – follow the signs to Xai Xai.
8. We would recommend you stay the night at East Africa Safaris (00258 84 301 0641) – https://www.eastafricasafaris.co.za/ which is about 30kms outside of Xai Xai. They have a nice restaurant and a little shop that you can pick up a few things if you have forgotten like suncream. It is located about 4 hours and 30 minutes from the border.
9. If you would like to travel further on the first day you can push to Lindela where Quinta St Antonio Lodge (00258 84 490 5150) is located. It is about 4 hours and 15 minutes from East Africa.
10. Most garages, especially in the main centres – Xai Xai, Maxixe, Massinga – accept credit cards and Rands, but not at a good rate. You can also draw Mets at any of the numerous ATMs. Garages are plentiful so don’t worry about being short of fuel.
11. WATCH OUT FOR SPEED TRAPS AND OBEY ALL SPEED SIGNS!! If you are not sure rather go slower.
12. Maxixe is about 30 minutes past Lindela. If you would like you can stop at the Stop Snack Bar for breakfast. Look out for the large round Dois M sign on the right-hand side. There is a massive shade tree in theentrance. The restaurant overlooks the Inhambane bay, where you can watch the dhows sailing to and from Inhambane. You can catch a ferry across to Inhambane. We recommend the cheese omelette and Cappuccino. One street back, parallel to the main road, are numerous ATMs and an excellent hardware shop and supermarket next to the hardware shop. You can also buy great fresh prawns from vendors on the wharf.
13. Massinga is just over 1 hour from Maxixe and is your final main town stop before heading onto a dirt road towards Macachula Beach camp.
14. Bottle store/Bakery/Pharmacy – look out for the HANDEL bottle store on the right-hand side, after the Total garage. Next to it is the bakery for fresh Portuguese rolls and next to that the pharmacy. You can get fresh lettuce, tomatoes etc from street vendors in the vicinity.
15. Ice and fish – on the way into Massinga – as you come up the hill – look out for the fish shop on the left-hand side – they stock frozen and fresh fish, prawns and crayfish just depending on what has been caught.
16. Massinga to Macachula is approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours just depending. Allow a bit more time if you are towing.
17. About 4kms past Massinga (about 1km from the Engen) there is a turn off on the right-hand side with a big Pomene/Morungulo sign. Do not turn at that sign, the next dirt road to your right, turn down there heading to Pomene.
18. Travel just over 6kms to Rio das Padras. There will be 3 dirt roads, take the MIDDLE road through the center of town (Right hand road goes to Pomene Lodge). Follow signs to Casa Rei and/or Paradise.
19. Travel 20kms to Chipongo and then 8kms to Manhenge. There is a shop on the left-hand side that you can pick up a cold Dois M.
20. AT MANHENGE proceed straight until you reach the blue water tower on the left-hand side. Infront of this the road is very sandy for about 100ms or so and then the road gets okay again until you reach the concrete bridge. Before crossing the bridge, you will need to engage your 4-wheel drive, high range. You can do this either from the water tower or before you reach the bridge. You MUST also drop your tyre pressure to 1.5 bar, if you do not it is highly likely you will get stuck.
21. About 3km (10 minutes) after the bridge, there is a turn to your left, with signs for Macachula Beach Camp, Paradise, Bella Pomene and Green Flamingo, turn left.
22. About 5 minutes after turning left there is a V in the road. Both ways will take you to your destination however the road to the left is the shorter route to take.
23. After about 23 minutes you will come to Amado’s Shop on the left-hand side. He stocks beer, spirits, cold drinks, water etc in case you need to top up.
24. Travel until you reach the entrance to Paradise/Bella Pomene/Macachula, overlooking the lagoon and sea – a breathtaking view!
25. There is quite a steep sandy descent – keep the revs up as you reach the bottom and accelerate through the sandy road at the bottom. Carry on past Paradise lodge and Bella Pomene both on your left-hand side. Keep following the road and you will see Macachula Beach Camp signs, until you reach the camp.
26. There is an alternative exit from the north bank, especially if you are concerned about negotiating the hill with a boat/ trailer – ask Martin for directions.
27. When returning and you are back on the main road, follow the signs heading towards Ressano Garcia and this will take you back to the Lebombo (Komartipoort) Border.