Everything You Need to Know about Self-Drive Holidays to Mozambique
Self-drive holidays TO Mozambique are extremely popular with South Africans. The Christmas and Easter holidays in Mozambique are brimming with holidaymakers from Johannesburg, Durban and the surrounding areas. Road trips from South Africa to Mozambique are enormous adventures, with plenty of challenges and beautiful landscapes along the way. Choose diverse accommodation in shady campsites, spacious self-catering villas, rustic cabins or luxury hotels for the night as you go. We have all the tips you need to know about safe self-driving to Mozambique.
It is easy to drive from South Africa to destinations like Maputo, Inhambane, Tofo, Bilene and the southern regions of Ponta do Ouro and Ponta Mamoli. The roads have been tarred and the incredible addition of the Catembe-Maputo suspension bridge has made a huge difference to self-drive road users.
Best time to self-drive in Mozambique
Distances to travel can be deceiving and there are things to consider such as the ubiquitous Mozambique police, and all the paperwork you need to carry with you. If you don’t like crowded beaches, avoid travelling to Mozambique during the South African school holidays as everyone descends on the coast during December/January, April, June/July and October. Avoid travelling during the rainy season, November to April, when it is also unbearably hot.
Essential Documents and Items on a Mozambique Self-Drive Holiday
The main document you need to get through the border posts is a valid passport that will not expire during your stay in Mozambique. For driving license and vehicle documentation for self -drive Mozambique read about all the documents you need here to enter the country. This is your summarised checklist:
- Passports, Visas
- Cash, Credit or Debit Cards
- Health Insurance cards, documents
- Reservations, itineraries
- Airplane, Bus Tickets
- Vehicle Documents
- Emergency contact information
- Allergies bracelets
- Copies of everything
Some Incredible Self-Drive Destinations in Mozambique
Cabo Beach Villas – choose to self-drive to Maputo and then catch a boat transfer to Cabo Beach Villas on the Santa Maria Peninsula. Leave your car there at the Santa Maria Village and settle into gorgeous tropical beach-styled chalets where space is not an issue. Spread out and relax on private decks with peacock blue swimming pools, delightful kitchens and dining areas, comfy chic living areas and mind-blowing views over Inhaca Island and the Hells Gate channel. You can still use your car to explore the village and get supplies in Maputo.
White Pearl Resorts – a self-drive holiday to Ponta Mamoli is now also in your hands thanks to the new tar road to Kosi Bay. Take a detour through the awe-inspiring Maputo Special Reserve to see elephants, hippos, black-backed jackals and a wealth of birds and antelope. When you get to your southern Mozambique destination, you can settle into one of 22 private villas, all strategically placed in the dense vegetation with panoramic sea views. Luxury awaits the lonely driver!
Just in Time Resort, Bilene – less than 7 hours’ drive from Johannesburg, hassle-free self-catering holidays await in Bilene. Just in Time Resort is located in a tropical haven on an inland lake perfect for swimming and water sports at Bilene Mozambique. This mini-Mediterranean destination is fast becoming an exciting haven for birdwatchers while fun lovers can bring their own quads, motorcycles, go-karts, jet-skis and boats. Fully equipped log cabins ensure you have hassle-free holidays with all the necessary amenities.
Excellent Self-catering Accommodation on a Self-Drive Getaway Mozambique
Check out our excellent choice of self-catering resorts and accommodations in Mozambique when you explore Mozambique on your extended road trip. Self-catering chalets go hand in hand with self-drive vacations when you are footloose and fancy-free.
Bilene promises a range of self-catering options, one of which is the delightful Serenity, an idyllic self-catering Mozambique family holiday lodge on the edge of the warm saltwater lagoon and footsteps from the Indian Ocean. Serenity is about escaping the rush and relaxing. Choose either a six-sleeper house or one of three chalets that sleep four.
In Vilanculos, Eden Bay Eco Lodge is best described as luxury under canvas accommodation – you can choose from a self-catering option or full board and the food, particularly the seafood is excellent. Add to that Eden’s own little swimming pool, awesome sea views and easy access to their pristine secluded beach and you begin to get the ingredients of a stunning tropical Mozambican beach holiday.
South Africans take a road trip to Mozambique to enjoy everything the country has to offer – dazzling white beaches, aqua ocean waves, wonderful island bays and pristine national parks. Self-drive holidays allow plenty of freedom from set schedules and routines. Remember to plan ahead and prepare all the correct required documentation for border post formalities. Make sure your car is roadworthy and safe.
Read our updated visa policy here.
Distances Between Regions and Towns in Mozambique.
Within Mozambique:
Maputo to Vilanculos = 705km
Maputo to Xai Xai = 224km
Maputo to Bilene = 160km
Maputo to Inhambane = 355km
Inhambane to Tofo = 20km
Malonga to Maputo = 115km
Maputo to Gorongosa National Park = 775km
Maputo to Pemba = 1650km
Between Some of The Major Cities:
Maputo – Matola 13.03km
Beira – Nampula 704.29km
Chimoio – Cidade de Nacala 918.48km
Quelimane – Tete 399.85km
Xai-Xai – Maxixe 217.45km
Lichinga – Pemba 571.66km
Dondo – Antonio Enes 662.95km
Inhambane – Cuamba 1014.82km
Montepuez – Mocuba 420.67km
Chokwe – Chibuto 57.89km
Ilha de Mocambique – Mutuali 401.25km
Mocimboa – Manjacaze 1638km
Outside of Mozambique
Johannesburg to Maputo 602km
Durban to Maputo via Kosi bay and new Catembe bridge 550km
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Per person sharing
Machangulo Beach Lodge 7-Night Special Package 2023
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