Vilanculos Beach Lodge - 21° 57´.907´´ S 35° 18´. 595´´ E
Vilanculos Beach Lodge is situated just 8km from Vilankulo International Airport.
The lodge arranges transfers for guests to and from the airport.
Driving
Getting your vehicle and boat into Mozambique
Please ensure you bring a valid identity document with driver's licence (S.A.D.C. or INTERNATIONAL) as well as your ORIGINAL vehicle registration documents. Mozambican temporary import permits for all vehicles (including boat trailer) are obtainable at all border posts and are valid for 30 days.
3rd Party insurance is compulsory and can be bought upon entry at R150.00 per vehicle and R80 per trailer.
You will need a permit to launch your boat, which is available at any Maritime office in any major town.
Driving tips
You do not need a 4 x 4 to get from South Africa to Vilanculos, as the road is tarred all the way. We do however urge you to ensure that your vehicle is in reliable roadworthy condition, as the roads can be unpredictable. Keep to the speed limits. This is usually 30 kmph - 50 kmph in towns and 120 kmph on the open road.
It is advisable to keep your fuel tank filled as the distances between filling stations could cause problems and stations occasionally run out or have intermittent electrical supply to run their pumps. There are filling stations in Maputo, Macia, Xai-Xai, Quissico, Inhambane, Maxixe, Massinga, Vilanculos and Inhassoro.
Try not to travel after dark. There are a lot of people and animals using the roads as well as vehicles without lights. Check you are leaving the border with the following:
Driver’s license.
Vehicle ownership documents and letters of permission (applicable to hired and borrowed vehicles).
A vehicle export document.
Mozambique vehicle import document. (T.I.P)
Valid insurance for Mozambique
Everybody's passport with an entry stamp to Mozambique.
Traffic police may stop you and can ask for any of these documents, if / when they do just show them and smile, but don't leave until they have given them back to you!
Keep to the speed limits as they are very keen on speed traps along the main road to Maputo, around Maputo and especially on the main road north.
By road Vilanculos is located on the National EN1 road, which runs between Maputo and Beira. Roads are tarred and a 4x4 is not required. However, do look out for potholes and road-works.
Directions from the South Follow the main toll road from Komatipoort to Maputo. Just before entering Maputo, you turn left onto the National road EN1 to the North (Xai-Xai, Inhambane, Vilanculos, and Beira). From this point the turn-off to Vilankulo is approximately 780 km and you will travel through Xai-Xai, Maxixe and Massinga. At Pambarra you will find the Vilanculos turn-off (to the right). Vilanculos is 20 km from the Pambarra turn-off. Our signs in the village will lead you to the Lodge, which lies approximately 5km north of the village.
Directions from the North If you are travelling from Zimbabwe, Tete or Chimoio: follow the main Beira road and turn south at Inchope. This is the National road EN1 to Inhassoro, Vilanculos, Xai-Xai and Maputo. You will cross the Revue, Busi and Save Rivers. The Vilanculos turn-off is approximately 380 km from Inchope. At Pambarra you turn-off to the left and Vilanculos is 20 km from Pambarra. Our signs in the village will lead you to the Lodge, which lies approximately 5km north of the village.
Want to avoid Maputo? Try the following alternate route
Approximately 40 km from the border post, turn left to Moamba. In Moamba stay on tar road and turn right. Shortly after leaving Moamba turn left and cross the river over “okay” new bridge. Tar now ends. Keep on this road through village of Sabie to Magude town (95km). Go through Magude, cross railroad bridge, turn left to Xinavane. Go straight through Xinavane to T junction. Turn left onto EN 1 towards Masia and XaiXai. This route is shorter than route through Maputo and more scenic. 4 x 4 recommended.
This only for 4x4 vehicles, so please no small vehicles.
Distances
Johannesburg to Vilanculos
1385km
Johannesburg to Nelspruit
350km
Nelspruit to Komatipoort Border
95km - N4 road
Komatipoort Border to Maputo
95km - N4 road two tolls
Maputo to XaiXai
302km - EN1 road
XaiXai to Maxixe
291km
Maxixe to Vilanculos
252km - EN1 road
Mozambique toll stations These can be paid in rand, US$ or Mozambique meticais.
Please note Garage cards, debit cards and credit cards are NOT accepted at Toll stations
There are not many toll routes in Mozambique. The main two are on the road between Komatipoort and Maputo.
Border post times Komatipoort (Ressano Garcia) - open every day of the year between 07h00 - 19h00.
During the busy December period (generally from 20 December to 03rd January) this border stays open 24-hours.
Namaacha/Lomaacha (Swaziland/Mozambique) - opens at 07h00, closes at 18h00.
Oshoek/Ngwenya (South Africa / Swaziland) - opens at 07h00, closes at 20h00.
Kosi Bay/Ponta d' Ouro (Faranzela ) - opens at 08h00, closes at 17h00.
Spent 4 days at this recently revamped lodge. Approximately a 2 hour flight from Johannesburg. This town north of Maputo is very close to the Bazaruto islands.
The rooms are air conditioned with no telephones and no television which is very relaxing. Cell phone reception is good.
The restaurant area is open and facing the new fantastic infinity pool (55000l). Lazing around the pool is idyllic but the sun is a scorcher and therefore take a lot of extra strong sun block.
An excellent choice of water activities are available (weather permitting) such as scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing and dhow sailing.
