Vilanculos Beach Lodge is situated just 8km from the Vilankulo International Airport.

The lodge arranges transfers for guests to and from the airport.

Visas

Passports
Everyone needs a passport to enter Mozambique.

• It must be current and valid for 6 months
• It must be your passport
• Two clear pages are required
• Torn, wet, grubby passports especially where the picture or pages are damaged may be refused entry

SA passport holders
Do not need a visa but at the border they will still charge a R17 'admin fee'.

Other Nationality passports
Most other nationalities require a visa, these can be obtained from an embassy in advance and the cost varies from R750 (UK / US) to R350 most European countries and South America.

The cost is a reflection of how much a visa would be for a Mozambican to visit your country

Visa's for most nationalities are available at most entry points into Mozambique as follows:

Airports
Maputo, Inhambane, Vilanculos and Pemba.
If going to Beira, Tete or Quelimane the flights stopover in Maputo and that is where you will get your visa.

Land Borders

A visa at any of the above entry points currently cost R171 per passport and takes a few minutes extra at the border - please note if you are crossing by bus (Intercape, greyhound or the like) the bus is not obliged to wait for you while your visa is being issued !! Some bus companies including Intercape will NOT allow boarding in South Africa if you do not have a valid visa for Mozambique).

Borders where it is essential to already have a visa before arrival

Vilanculos hosts an international airport with flights departing to and from Maputo and Johannesburg on a daily basis. There are also flights from KMIA (Nelspruit) to Vilanculos twice weekly.The International Airport is serviced by LAM and by Federal Air.

Will include download link to VBL_FLIGHT SCHEDULES.xlsx

Driving

The roads to Vilanculos are acceptable and tarred, but look out for potholes en route; a 4x4 is not a necessity. We do not suggest travelling at night in Mozambique. Fuel is readily available, but it is suggested to fill up whenever possible. Unleaded fuel is available in Vilanculos.

Getting your vehicle and boat intpo Mozambique

Please ensure you bring a valid Identity Document with driver's licence (S.A.D.C. or INTERNATIONAL) as well as yourORIGINAL vehicle registration documents. Mozambican temporary import permits for all vehicles (including boat trailer) are obtainable at all border postsand 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 to 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

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.