Travelling from Jhb to Tofu Beach (Inhambane)

[JohnD85]

Hello 4x4 Community,

Hope you're all well.

I'll be making a trip up to Tofu Beach fairly soon, i beleive its a fully tarred road from Komatipoort all the way up to Inhambane.

Having looked on Google maps, i see this is in fact a 12 hour journey.

Only having experienced South Mozambique (Ponta) would you recommend any other spots worth stopping at, to experience a bit of Moz and break up the journey a bit. Have a fairly decent 4x4 with low range so off-road is not an issue.

Also, does anybody know what time the Komatipoort border post opens, i know there are occassions when its open 24/7, although i'm assuming this is only at peak times.

Looking forward to the trip and your valuable feedback too.

[Kierie]

Hi John the Lebombo/ Ressano Garcia border at Komatipoort is open from 0600 till 0000. The drive from Joburg to Tofu in one go is not advised, as it will take on average 18 - 20 hours. It is slow going in Moz with the speed limit reductions around settlements from 100 down to 60 kays per hour. Try and be at Komatipoort early as possible and rather sleep over at The Honey Pot or similar accommodation around Xai Xai. Due to the many trucks and people and settlements, plus border post delays and Maputo traffic, expect an average moving speed of around 55kmh for the route.

[JohnD85]

Oh WOW!
Thanks for your response Kierie.

It's much appreciated!

[jelo]

We usually sleep over at Malelane and then go through the border in the morning. If you wake up early, it's worth while to try going through Swaziland and then up to the Maputo bypass and onwards.

https://www.google.co.za/maps/dir/Ma...8821!3e0?hl=en

[SinWolf]

DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH Maputo !!!!!

Use one of the Ring/bypass roads (there's two of them)...

On Facebook, join the group DriveMoz and on that page, you can download the directions for the bypass roads (under documents or something)...

[SinWolf]

We are going 18 Apr - 2 March... We are going to drive to the border, and sleep over at the border. The next morning we'll be at the border when they open at 06:00... Then we're going to try and do the trip to Barra in one go... Hope we make it

Last time we went, we did stay over at the Honey Pot (Xai Xai).

[jelo]

... We are going to drive to the border, and sleep over at the border. The next morning we'll be at the border when they open at 06:00... Then we're going to try and do the trip to Barra in one go... Hope we make it

That's what we always do. JohnD85 has a 4x4 so can do the Moamba bypass easily.

That being said, we usually only hit Barra after dark.

[SinWolf]

That's what we always do. JohnD85 has a 4x4 so can do the Moamba bypass easily.

That being said, we usually only hit Barra after dark.

And I'll be towing... So chances are we won't make it

[jelo]

And I'll be towing... So chances are we won't make it

Yes.

Off season you can try and stop at Palmeiras in Bilene. Nice chalets, restaurant and pub on the premises.

Book early, the Maputo crowds do flood the place on weekends.

[Echo Man]

Did you perhaps consider using the Giriyondou border post in Kruger, via Massingir Dam.
We travelled this route to Inhambane a few years ago and I will definitely do it again. Coming back we decided to exit at Komatipoort, and I promised myself I'll never use this border post again! Going through Maputo was even worse...

[SinWolf]

Did you perhaps consider using the Giriyondou border post in Kruger, via Massingir Dam.
We travelled this route to Inhambane a few years ago and I will definitely do it again. Coming back we decided to exit at Komatipoort, and I promised myself I'll never use this border post again! Going through Maputo was even worse...

Problem is, you have a speed limit inside Kruger.. And, last time I heard: In order to use this border, you HAVE to sleep one night inside the Kruger somewhere, and you're not allowed to drive through in one day...

I aslo heard that because this border is not so bussy, they have alot of time to search vehicles and give you grief... But I'm not sure about this...

[kamikazi]

We always stopped over close to the border and drive through as early as possible. In the past before the entire road was tarred it took a bit longer, but now its a tar road all the way, but travel times in our experience was around 10-12 hours, but Maputo nowadays is a lot busier. Last time we visited I did the stretch from Inhambane to Paindane in the dark which wasn't much fun, but at least most of the resorts are well sign posted.

If you don't mind driving a long section of dirt road, then the alternative road through Moamba to Magude is recommended, but it is very dependent on the condition of the road and if you get stuck behind a slow truck or something it can be a long wait because of the dust. Not sure why you are going to Tofu though, last time we visited, granted it was off season the place didn't look all great and looked liked it had gone backwards since we did a trip 3 years before that. I'd much rather stay in Jangamo Beach or Paindane.

[browny2015]

Hi,

We just did this journey - arrived yesterday. Agree with everyone do not attempt this in one day. We went through Komatiport border, was good for us only 40 mins but hear it can take a while. Once through we stopped over in chidenguele which was nice but literally sleep and put again. Went through the border at 10 and arrived in chidennguele at 5.30. The traffic was fine and only pulled over once so no hold ups. We tried to avoid Maputo so took the road to moamba - ended up getting lost and arrived at tengaldo instead!! So went back on en1 and through Maputo, was ok didn't get stopped all fine. A few tolls on the way.

Left chidenguele at 11 and arrived in tofo at 4. Really easy drive, through some lovely landscape and villages. You must stop and buy cashews! One bit of road early on slightly pot holed around chissibuca but nothing to worry about (and we are totally new to this)

Really pleasant journey, we are now carrying on to Malawi!good luck and have fun

Browny2015

[Neatwash]

. Not sure why you are going to Tofu though, last time we visited, granted it was off season the place didn't look all great and looked liked it had gone backwards since we did a trip 3 years before that. I'd much rather stay in Jangamo Beach or Paindane.[/QUOTE]

We stayed in Tofo last year in April, and had such a great time we are going again on 18 April for 10 days. I have been to Paindane etc and prefer Tofo. Anyway its great that we enjoy different things. I am also doing the Moamba route.

[SinWolf]

I spoke to a couple of people now...

And all say it's easy to do this in one day... But you have to be at the border at 06:00 (and not 10:00)

And then obviously, by-pass Maputo...

[jelo]

I spoke to a couple of people now...

And all say it's easy to do this in one day... But you have to be at the border at 06:00 (and not 10:00)

And then obviously, by-pass Maputo...

It is do-able. Not easy. You will arrive after dark. The Moamba road in the rainy season is NOT always very pleasant.

Rather then take the new bypass just outside the Maputo CBD just before you turn left into the city. There is a write-up on this detour somewhere under this forum.

There WILL also be speed-traps in almost EVERY village up until the Inhambane turn-off where there is also a roadblock.

[SinWolf]

It is do-able. Not easy. You will arrive after dark. The Moamba road in the rainy season is NOT always very pleasant.

Rather then take the new bypass just outside the Maputo CBD just before you turn left into the city. There is a write-up on this detour somewhere under this forum.

There WILL also be speed-traps in almost EVERY village up until the Inhambane turn-off where there is also a roadblock.

Yes, we'll use the "ring road" (tarred) and not the Moamba bypass...

[cft]

Tar all the way to Tofu (Except small sections on ring road).
Travelled back from Barra (Had a brilliant stay and holiday!!!!) to Centurion yesterday - left Barra at 06h30 and was in Centurion just after 20h00 with a few short stops along the route. Use the ring road around Maputo - what a pleasure!
We went down using Giriyondo - a long drive and we would not do it again soon!
BTW - was not stopped by traffic cops / police once on our way down or back (but stick to the speed limits!)
Cheers

[JohnD85]

Thank you everybody for your invaluable info.

We have no option but to do this journey in 1 trip, we'll be at the border post as soon as it opens, and then take the suggested route via ring road.

Also going to check out the fab page sin wolf suggested.

Thanks again

[SinWolf]

Hi,

We came back in one go... (From Inhmabane to Centurion)...

And when we went there, we went all the way from the border to Inhmabane in one go...

From Jhb to Inhambane in one day seems to be the norm for all the regular visitors to Moz (the people we spoke to)....

All say 8-9 hours from border to Inhambane(Barra)... + 4 hours in SA...

So you can do the complete trip in 12/13 hours...