Getting here

Most South African guests cross at Lebombo (Komatipoort) / Ressano Garcia on the N4 into the EN4. Bring:

• A valid passport with at least two clean pages. South African passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
• An unabridged birth certificate for every child travelling with you.
• Original or certified copies of vehicle and trailer/caravan registration papers. If the vehicle is financed, a letter from the bank allowing it to cross; if you don't own it, a letter from the owner.
• Your driver's licence (South African licences are accepted).
• Mozambique third-party insurance — compulsory for foreign vehicles. Buy it before you go or at the border.
• Temporary import papers for your vehicle, completed at the border.
• In the vehicle: two red warning triangles, two reflective vests and a fire extinguisher. Show the country sticker (e.g. ZA) on your vehicle and trailer.

The border gets very busy over weekends, Easter and from mid-December to mid-January — plan for long queues and cross early. Have Meticais or a card for tolls and fuel.

Border rules change. Please check the latest requirements with the Mozambique and South African authorities before you travel.

From Ressano Garcia take the EN4 toll road to the Maputo area, then the EN1 north towards Macia, where you turn off to Praia de Bilene. These are tarred roads, with toll gates on the EN4.

• Watch out for potholes, pedestrians, livestock and slow trucks, especially on the EN1.
• Keep to speed limits in towns and villages — police checks are common. Keep your documents and safety equipment ready.
• Avoid driving after dark.
• Fill up with fuel in Macia or Bilene before heading to the campsite.

From the Bilene area the road to Nhabanga and the campsite is a sand road. After rain or in dry, loose patches the sand can be deep.

• 4x4 vehicles are recommended.
• Only off-road caravans and trailers. Standard caravans and standard vehicles should not attempt the road.
• Deflate your tyres before the sand section and drive slowly and steadily. Re-inflate when you're back on tar.
• Not sure if your rig is suitable? WhatsApp us before you book.

DriveMoz is a travellers' community sharing travel advice, border information, road conditions and member resources for Mozambique. It's a great help on your first trip.

DriveMoz website & Facebook group

1. Visit the official DriveMoz website for border and road information.
2. Find the DriveMoz group on Facebook and request to join. Answer the membership questions, as they must be answered before you are approved.
3. Want a WhatsApp group? Ask Jackie on +27 72 604 9600 and she'll point you in the right direction.

DriveMoz on Zello (walkie-talkie on your phone)

Zello turns your phone into an internet-based walkie-talkie, so you can hear live updates from other travellers on the road.

1. Install Zello and create an account.
2. Open Channels and choose the option to add a channel by name.
3. Search for the exact channel name DriveMoz.
4. If it appears, open its profile and tap Add.

Make sure you can use your phone in Mozambique before you cross the border.

• Roaming: activate international roaming with your network before you leave home. Consider a roaming data bundle to avoid high costs.
• Or buy a Mozambique SIM card (e.g. Vodacom or Movitel) at the border or in Bilene. Take your passport, as it's needed to register the SIM.
• A dual-SIM phone lets you keep your home number for banking OTPs while using local data.

Maroela Campsite, Nhabanga, Praia de Bilene, Gaza Province, Mozambique.