How to get to Island Rock Resort – Mozambique & Other Useful Travel Information

What to bring

Documents: Drivers’ license, ID, Passport, Vehicle & Trailer registration papers

Two red emergency triangles

Casitas are equipped with kitchen utensils, mattresses and a gas stove. Please be sure to bring your own freezer, bed linen, gas, chairs & table, braai grid. Click here to download a complete inventory.

Guests staying in the Lapa need to bring their own braai grid.

Extensions are recommended. Campers specifically booked for sites 9B – 9I, require at least a 20 meter extension.

Water cans (25L for e.g.) come in handy as there are no running water at any of the sites except at the Lapa’s and ablutions.

Launching licenses are to be obtained at reception on arrival at the Resort.

Road Map to Island Rock Resort – Mozambique

At Maputo take turn off to Xai Xai.  Approximately 500km north of Maputo,just as you pass through the small town of Lindela, keep right at the split towards Inhambane.  4km After the split turn right to Jangamo.  From the circle in town follow the yellow arrows to the resort.  (Approximately 19km sand road)

GPRS for Island Rock Resort: S 24° 09’ 39’’ E 35° 28’ 20’’

Toll Gates

Diamond Hill Plaza (N4 Bronkhorspruit) R30

Middelburg: R50

Machado: R75

Nkomazi (N4 Kaapmuiden): R57

Moamba (between Lebombo border & Maputo): 135  Mt

Maputo: 25 Mt

Returning through Xai-Xai @ bridge:  40  Mt (only when going back to Maputo)

For more Info visit TRAC … Click to view

(Toll fees in Mozambique are payable in Rand, Meticals & US dollars)

Places to stay on the way and up the Coast in Mozambique

Dortannies Overnight Selfcatering House. Three Bedrooms, Sleeps 6, contact Marinda van der Schyff on 083 462 6694 

Outside Maputo: Casa Lisa ( 258 82 304 1990

Outside Maraquene:  Blue Anchor

Xai Xai:  Honey Pot

Inharimme:  Jolly Roger

Exchanging Currecy in Mozambique

It is recommended that you exchange currency at banks in Mozambique. It is not advisable to exchange at the border and garages for security reasons.

Even though you can pay all in Rand at the resort, it is recommended that you exchange enough Rand to pay the tollgates, border fees & petrol/diesel in Meticals.

What you need to know about traveling in Mozambique

Roadblocks are a regular occurrence and it is not uncommon to be stopped at some of these.

Drive within the speed limit

Wear seatbelts

Make sure you have the blue & yellow sign if you are towing trailers or caravans

Fire extinguisher

Reflective vests

2 x Triangles

ZA Sticker

Roadblock officials may require to see your driver’s license, 3rd party insurance and road tax (purchased at the border).

Avoid giving documents to the officials if you can.

We do not contend that corruption and bribery does not occur. It is reality as in most African countries. A friendly, humorous attitude will get you a long way. Intimidation may only succeed in aggravating a difficult situation. It is important to remember that you are a visitor to their country.

It is not advisable to travel after dark as towns and other vehicles rarely have any lights at all.

Some useful Portugese Terms

It is always convenient to know a few basic Portuguese words or phrases. It may come in handy.

Useful words / phrases:

Bom dia – good morning

Boa tarde – good afternoon

Boa noite – good evening

Por favour – please

Abrigado – thank you

Como esta – How are you

Estou bem – I am fine

Fala Ingles? – Do you speak English?

Náo comprehendo – I do not understand

Yes – Sim

Náo – No

Ciao – goodbye

Petrol & Diesel in Mozambique

A shortage of petrol and diesel is not a recurring problem. During Mozambique’s high tourist seasons, there is the possibility of scarcity at certain petrol stations. This problem may peak during the months of December and January.

There are stations in Maputo, Macia, Xai-Xai, Quissico, Inharime, Inhambane, Maxixe, Massinga, Vilanculos and Inhassoro.

Unleaded petrol is available in Mozambique. In addition there are certain petrol stations that operate at an exchange rate sometimes as low as 2.5. It is therefore suggested that you pay in Metcais at the garages.

Recommendations:

Fill up at a station just before crossing the border. 

Petromoc in Xai-Xai – approximately 200 km from Maputo.

Further on, the small town of Inharime. – Fill up here before proceeding to Island Rock Resort

During your stay at Island Rock Resort, petrol and diesel are available at Inhambane and Maxixe.

Petrol gets more expensive the further north you go.

What you need and do at the Border Mozambique / South Africa

South African side

For entry to Mozambique you will need the following documents:

Driver’s license

Original vehicle registration papers

No firearms are to be brought into Mozambique.

Border times

Komatipoort: 7h00 – 22h00

(Open 24 hours during the busy December period)

Swaziland / Mozambique: 7h00 – 18h00

South Africa / Swaziland: 7h00 – 20h00

Kosi Bay / Ponta d Ouro: 8h00 – 17h00

The border can get very busy & confusing.

Procedures include the following:

SA side:

Fill in vehicle / goods export form

Get a gate pass

Get passports stamped

Mozambique side:

/- R 17 / 52700 Mt payable as non-citizen of Mozambique & get passports stamped

Third party insurance is compulsory. This can be acquired at the border or with Hollard at the Sasol garage just after the Komatipoort turn-off.

Buy temporary import permit for all vehicles including trailers

Should you require assistance at the Mozambique side of the border please call Ivu on 00258 82 495 3860.  His fee is currently R100 per vehicle.

Emergencies in Mozambique

If you are detained by the authorities or become destitute due to circumstances beyond your control, contact:

SA High Commission (Maputo) (01) 490 059 / 491 614 / 493 030 / 490 587 during office hours or 450 031 / 33 after hours.

Anti Corruption Unit:  00258 800 222 222 / 00258 82 800 2222 / 00258 84 800 2222

For minor medical problems, most of the major towns have a hospital or clinic. Malaria tests, for instance, are done very efficiently and are available within as little as 15 minutes.

In the event of a minor injury, basic medical provision is available. A good, trusted doctor is also within reach.

If you are in need of :

Tyres- Phone José at Maxipres in Maputo 258 21409723 258 21409723

Mechanic- Phone Antonio Paixão in Xai Xai 258 82 318 1900 258 82 318 1900

Spare Parts- Phone Almeida at Inharime Garage 258 84 398 1870 258 84 398 1870

Information Concerning Malaria in the Island Rock Resort area

Mozambique is, unfortunately, a malaria endemic area. Island Rock is fortunate in that it is situated high up in the dunes with a constant breeze chasing away bothersome mosquitoes. There are also no swamps, lagoons or villages close by. It is recommended that you take precautions especially when visiting high risk areas and if you have small children. It is best that you consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Recommendable precautions:

Mefliam or Larium has proven to be very effective prophylactics. It has been found that malaria is not as readily diagnosed with the use of more potent drugs. Side effects of these drugs are also not always very comfortable.

 

Repellants can also be used with great peace of mind. A combination is always best: Citronella soap, Peaceful sleep (apply late afternoon, especially to ankles), mosquito quills or candles, mosquito nets are just a few worth mentioning.

 

Other remedies include taking Vitamin B complex or herbal solutions like adding citronella, eucalyptus and lemon grass essential oils to aqueous cream

Some general information about travelling in Mozambique and staying at Island Beach Resort

The Journey through Mozambique

As soon as you completed the short journey south east to the outskirts of Maputo and turning north east, away from the ugly hidden face of Mozambique’s capital, everything returns to the biding of time. Take care to avoid the potholes, goats, cows and pedestrians in the small towns.

Do buy mangoes, cashew nuts, curios and beer. Be amazed at the condition of an oncoming truck or bus and how many people are aboard.

Nevertheless, no more highways, byways, security guards, anti-hijack booms, work stress.

To the poor Mozambicans, the South African influx to their country every year must be quite a spectacle. We go there with 4 by 4’s, rubber ducks, jet skis, four wheelers, skottelbraais and trailers that are magically transformed into fully equipped kitchens. Confusion and opportunity all mixed up together.

Stock up on a few bags of sweets for the local children along the way.

The Currency of Mozambique

Mozambique currency is Meticals. The exchange rate varies, but averages around 3 400 Mt / R1. The exchange rate is usually lower during the holiday seasons. Rands are, however, accepted at most Resorts. It is recommended that you have enough Meticals for petrol/diesel, toll gates and other expenses along the way. Credit cards and traveler’s Cheques are generally not accepted in Mozambique.

The Climate of Mozambique

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 generally dry with mild temperatures.