The Road
Take note of the speed limits as they reduce down to 60km/h when passing through villages, traffic officials use radar as a means of
trapping. If traffic officials on the road stop you, be courteous and polite. If you are in the wrong, pay the fine but insist on a receipt.
Remember only the police in the white uniforms are allowed to stop and fine you for traffic violations
Petrol
Fill your car at the border (Komatipoort) or in Swaziland at Siteki. The petrol is cheaper in South Africa and Swaziland. Both unleaded
petrol and diesel are available in Maputo, Macia and Bilene. All major petrol stations take cards.
Exchanging of Money
To get the best exchange rate, change your money at the banks or draw from an ATM. In Macia you can change money at BCI bank at
the official rate, but remember they only take Visa Cards. There are also ATM’s at two of the petrol stations. You can draw 3000 Meticais
at a time. If you need money, draw in Macia as there are currently no ATM’s or banks in Bilene. Most restaurants in Bilene do take Rands
and Credit cards. |
Golela Border:
Normal operating hours are from 07h00 - 22h00 daily. During the Festive Season these hours are extended from 06h00 - 22h00 to cater for
passenger vehicles. The border post can be contacted on 034 435 1070 (please phone before leaving).
Namaacha / Lomahasha Border:
Normal operating hours are from 07h00 - 22h00 daily. The Mozambique border post (Namaacha) can be contacted on +258 21 960090
and the Swaziland border post (Lomahasha) can be contacted on +268 207 9120 (please phone before leaving).
Komatipoort / Lebombo Border:
Normally the Border is open from 06h00 - 00h00. In the Christmas and Easter holidays the border is open 24 hours a day. The border
post can be contacted on 013 793 7311 (please phone before leaving).
Visas
South African citizens no longer require visas, with the duration of stay being limited to 30 days. For other nationalities, please contact
the Mozambique Embassy on 031 562 1119 for further details. Pay attention to the duration of your stay.
Documentation Required:
- Vehicle registration papers - if the vehicle is not registered in your name then obtain a letter of authorization from the owner of
the vehicle to drive and to take the vehicle into Mozambique.
- Financing of vehicle - If your vehicle is still being financed, get a letter from your bank allowing your vehicle to cross the border
- Valid driver's licence - must be carried at all times while driving.
- Third Party Insurance - compulsory (purchase at any AA Autoshop or at the border – valid for 30 days). Cost for insurance is roughly
R150.00 per vehicle and R80.00 for a trailer.
- A set of Warning triangles (does not need to be displayed, in case of emergency)
- Immigration fee per person – ZAR 12.00 (current price).
- Purchase the compulsory Temporary Import permit for vehicle - ZAR 15.00.
- All South African vehicles must display a ZA sticker, as well as a yellow triangle on a blue background (can be purchased at any AA
Autoshop).
- If towing a trailer, you need 2 x yellow & blue Mozambique warning triangle, must be displayed at front of vehicle (on bumper) & rear of trailer.
South African Side:
Fill in a 'Vehicle Temporary Export' form, in which you detail your vehicle particulars. List all the main items you are taking through and will
be bringing back into SA (i.e. trailers, boats, fishing equipment etc) to prevent any problem upon your return. Keep in mind when
detailing your length of your stay in Mozambique there is a daily fine for staying longer than indicated. As a precaution add a few extra
days to account for anything unforeseen happening – e.g. vehicle repairs, extended vacations etc.
Mozambican Side:
Passports are stamped after paying R12 per person tourism tax. Then the vehicle particulars and temporary imports form needs to be
completed and stamped along with your gate pass. This will cost you around 30 Meticais (+-R10). If you haven't already bought insurance, you can go to one of the insurance agents operating outside the main building. You MUST have insurance. Keep your car
registration form, temporary import and insurance forms together. Hand these to the officials should you be stopped at the gate upon
exiting.
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