SA to Santa Maria via Swaziland

[Raymond8010]

Afternoon,

We are planning to go to Santa Maria this December holiday via Swaziland. We are planning to sleep over in the Siteki (Swaziland) area and go through the border at Goba, from Goba to Bela Vista and then enter the Elephant Park at the West Gate and then to Santa Maria.

Now my Questions for the more experienced:
1. Is this the best route from Siteki?
2. Where can we buy the local beers and Tipo - Is there a town with a Handling (local liquor retailer) or something similar
3. Where is the best place to exchange money? We were informed that there is no atm in Santa Maria (peninsula).
4. Is there a ban on bringing meat into Mozambique ? Getting conflicting answers.
5. Where is the last place that we should fill our vehicles?

Your answers will be appreciated

Thanks

[Koebelwagen]

Afternoon,

We are planning to go to Santa Maria this December holiday via Swaziland. We are planning to sleep over in the Siteki (Swaziland) area and go through the border at Goba, from Goba to Bela Vista and then enter the Elephant Park at the West Gate and then to Santa Maria.

Now my Questions for the more experienced:
1. Is this the best route from Siteki?
2. Where can we buy the local beers and Tipo - Is there a town with a Handling (local liquor retailer) or something similar
3. Where is the best place to exchange money? We were informed that there is no atm in Santa Maria (peninsula).
4. Is there a ban on bringing meat into Mozambique ? Getting conflicting answers.
5. Where is the last place that we should fill our vehicles?

Your answers will be appreciated

Thanks

There is a lodge about 10KM from the Goba border post called Magadzvana, try to get accommodation there.

Answers to your questions:
1. Yes it is the best route.
2. Once you get through the border on the Moz side there are shops on your right hand side about 200M down the road. Please, whatever you do, don't drink and drive or have any alcohol inside the passenger cabin of your vehicle regardless of whether the containers are sealed or not. There is a permanent roadblock at the bridge you need to cross before you get to the park entrance.
3. I have never exchanged money in Moz and I mainly visit the Santa Maria area. All the shops I have been to accept rands.
4. There is an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in RSA currently. I wouldn't take a chance. You can shop for meat in Manzini, they have Spar and Pick and Pay shops.
5. There is a Puma garage just after the toll booths at the bridge after the cement factory, about 3KM from the gate of the park.

The road from the park gate:
If this is your first time or you are driving in convoy count on it taking 3.5 to 4 hours to drive the 75 or so KM. The road is a two spoor sand track which can be heavily rutted and deep in places. Switch into 4Hi at the gate and deflate the tyres on all the vehicles to at least 1.3bar or even lower. If heavily loaded rather engage low range and drive in higher gears. Be wary of traffic coming from the opposite direction and if you have space and a capable vehicle drive onto the verge for them to pass you safely.

About Santa Maria itself.
You will be amazed at what you can buy in the shops in and around the town. Fresh Pao (bread), cold drinks, beer, spirits, ice and day to day consumables should not present a problem. If you like fish and/ or chicken you will not be disappointed by visiting Bemugi's place. Take a drive to Ponta Abril for a great day at the beach or charter a boat for some great fishing.

[Raymond8010]

There is a lodge about 10KM from the Goba border post called Magadzvana, try to get accommodation there.

Answers to your questions:
1. Yes it is the best route.
2. Once you get through the border on the Moz side there are shops on your right hand side about 200M down the road. Please, whatever you do, don't drink and drive or have any alcohol inside the passenger cabin of your vehicle regardless of whether the containers are sealed or not. There is a permanent roadblock at the bridge you need to cross before you get to the park entrance.
3. I have never exchanged money in Moz and I mainly visit the Santa Maria area. All the shops I have been to accept rands.
4. There is an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in RSA currently. I wouldn't take a chance. You can shop for meat in Manzini, they have Spar and Pick and Pay shops.
5. There is a Puma garage just after the toll booths at the bridge after the cement factory, about 3KM from the gate of the park.

The road from the park gate:
If this is your first time or you are driving in convoy count on it taking 3.5 to 4 hours to drive the 75 or so KM. The road is a two spoor sand track which can be heavily rutted and deep in places. Switch into 4Hi at the gate and deflate the tyres on all the vehicles to at least 1.3bar or even lower. If heavily loaded rather engage low range and drive in higher gears. Be wary of traffic coming from the opposite direction and if you have space and a capable vehicle drive onto the verge for them to pass you safely.

About Santa Maria itself.
You will be amazed at what you can buy in the shops in and around the town. Fresh Pao (bread), cold drinks, beer, spirits, ice and day to day consumables should not present a problem. If you like fish and/ or chicken you will not be disappointed by visiting Bemugi's place. Take a drive to Ponta Abril for a great day at the beach or charter a boat for some great fishing.

Thank You for the detailed response

[LRTDV6]

All Above correct especially the no alcohol in the vehicle....

For meat bought in Swaziland you will need to have good proof that it is bought in Swaziland.

Bella Vista or Salamanga has got nice street venture shops and small roadside bars (Do not drink) but can buy Tippo Tinto and 2M beer.

Are you driving the dirt road through Goba towards Port Henriques or will you drive through Boane ?
Boane has got a Handling depo.

If it rains the Goba/Port Henriques road is a disaster.

Sometimes they will exchange at the border, ask the insurance guys...But yes, Santa Maria takes rands and can pay in rands on entering the Elephant park as well.

"Be very wary of traffic coming from the opposite direction'

Enjoy Santa Maria ...Nice place

Hetta at Bemugis is a super host

[bertus]

The road to Siteki is being rebuilded a disaster no tar. Elephantpark takes cards now.

[cheabb78]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but am travelling the same route in December. Is there anything in the way of a small supermarket / store to get a few supplies, in either Boane or Bella Vista? Will go via Boane if there is something there. Also, am I expecting too much to ask if either has a butchery, considering the recent meat ban? Alternatively, will also try pick up a few things in Eswatini. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[LRTDV6]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but am travelling the same route in December. Is there anything in the way of a small supermarket / store to get a few supplies, in either Boane or Bella Vista? Will go via Boane if there is something there. Also, am I expecting too much to ask if either has a butchery, considering the recent meat ban? Alternatively, will also try pick up a few things in Eswatini. Thanks in advance for any advice.

The only nice place/ Shoprite in Boane is closed/ the rest is only container shops.
There is a Cash and carry just as you cross the railway on the right..that is fairly stocked with "groceries" Cold drinks(Coke) Boksie milk ,sunflower oil and some canned foods.
The restaurant also sells very nice Samoosas and bakery stuff
Bella vista
Get the nice stuff, Meat/ braai sauces and stuff in SA or Swaziland you are allowed X amount....

Enjoy your trip

[cheabb78]

The only nice place/ Shoprite in Boane is closed/ the rest is only container shops.
There is a Cash and carry just as you cross the railway on the right..that is fairly stocked with "groceries" Cold drinks(Coke) Boksie milk ,sunflower oil and some canned foods.
The restaurant also sells very nice Samoosas and bakery stuff
Bella vista
Get the nice stuff, Meat/ braai sauces and stuff in SA or Swaziland you are allowed X amount....

Enjoy your trip

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

[Stormer69]

We are planning a trip next month to Bemugis. We are entering at Goba and then onwards to Bella Vista and then finally to Santa Maria.

What is the current state of the roads?
Anything specific we should know about? (Border Control, what's not permitted etc..)

[Luka]

We are planning a trip next month to Bemugis. We are entering at Goba and then onwards to Bella Vista and then finally to Santa Maria.

What is the current state of the roads?
Anything specific we should know about? (Border Control, what's not permitted etc..)

We did this in mid April. The road from Goba is slow due to rain damage, but it might be repaired by now. We travelled via Bongolo to Boane as were advised the dirt road was very bad due to rain. The N3 and then N2 to Boane was okey but not very fast, be patient. We turned right(south) in Boane to connect to the N200. The first bit outside Boane is a terrible dirt road, in fact we at first thought it was the wrong road due to lack of road signs. After that the N200 all the way to Futi gate is brilliant. Always stick to the speed limits, fasten all seat belts and make sure you adhere to all the traffic regs.

I would suggest that you stock up on stuff like charcoal (Carvao), 2M etc next to the road at Bela Vista, even fuel up, there is a new Total energies and Puma garage just past Bela Vista. In the little town of Santa Maria and at Bemugi's you will get these but at a premium price.

Deflate tires at Futi gate and enjoy the 4 hours of sand road to SM.

When at Bemugi's, ask the skippers of the ski-boat to organise some fresh prawns. Going price was about Me850/kg. Make sure to visit the cross for sundowners.

A visit to Inhaca is okey, lunch at Luka's is great, but Bemugi's is just as good.

If the water quality/visibility is good, a snorkel is a must. Send our regards to Hetta en Bemgi, great hosts!

[Luka]

The border crossing were a breeze, even crossing at Goba into Moz, they did not even bother to look at our vehicles or 3rd party insurance. Apparently if your personal insurance clearly states you are covered in Moz, you do not need to take out additional 3rd party. You can do that in any case at the border.

There are a number of toll gates, they would not accept our cards, but ZAR and Metical are accepted. All over including the town and Bemugi's the exchange rate was between Me3,3-4 - ZAR1.

[Willem01]

We are planning a trip next month to Bemugis. We are entering at Goba and then onwards to Bella Vista and then finally to Santa Maria.

What is the current state of the roads?
Anything specific we should know about? (Border Control, what's not permitted etc..)

Register on DriveMoz FB page and install the Zello app with their channels, there are a lot of info also.

We were in Bilene 2 weeks ago, from Pta through Swazi, stayed 33km from the Goba, entered Moz and the tar roads are very good just the short section of the pass before the bridge crossing are potholes, we travelled with a Hyundai Tucson, couple of repair sections are effective due to the recent floods, it is not controlled spots so take care for oncoming traffic. Stick to the speed limit, Border post was a breeze ( 18May Saterday) took no longer than 15min, buy all your fresh stuff in Swazi shoprite and you can take that into MOZ

Enjoy your trip...

[Stormer69]

Register on DriveMoz FB page and install the Zello app with their channels, there are a lot of info also.

We were in Bilene 2 weeks ago, from Pta through Swazi, stayed 33km from the Goba, entered Moz and the tar roads are very good just the short section of the pass before the bridge crossing are potholes, we travelled with a Hyundai Tucson, couple of repair sections are effective due to the recent floods, it is not controlled spots so take care for oncoming traffic. Stick to the speed limit, Border post was a breeze ( 18May Saterday) took no longer than 15min, buy all your fresh stuff in Swazi shoprite and you can take that into MOZ

Enjoy your trip...

Thanks for the info and reply. I am a member of Drivemoz and have now also downloaded the Zello app.

[samholl]

There is a lodge about 10KM from the Goba border post called Magadzvana, try to get accommodation there.

Answers to your questions:
1. Yes it is the best route.
2. Once you get through the border on the Moz side there are shops on your right hand side about 200M down the road. Please, whatever you do, don't drink and drive or have any alcohol inside the passenger cabin of your vehicle regardless of whether the containers are sealed or not. There is a permanent roadblock at the bridge you need to cross before you get to the park entrance.
3. I have never exchanged money in Moz and I mainly visit the Santa Maria area. All the shops I have been to accept rands.
4. There is an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in RSA currently. I wouldn't take a chance. You can shop for meat in Manzini, they have Spar and Pick and Pay shops.
5. There is a Puma garage just after the toll booths at the bridge after the cement factory, about 3KM from the gate of the park.

The road from the park gate:
If this is your first time or you are driving in convoy count on it taking 3.5 to 4 hours to drive the 75 or so KM. The road is a two spoor sand track which can be heavily rutted and deep in places. Switch into 4Hi at the gate and deflate the tyres on all the vehicles to at least 1.3bar or even lower. If heavily loaded rather engage low range and drive in higher gears. Be wary of traffic coming from the opposite direction and if you have space and a capable vehicle drive onto the verge for them to pass you safely.

About Santa Maria itself.
You will be amazed at what you can buy in the shops in and around the town. Fresh Pao (bread), cold drinks, beer, spirits, ice and day to day consumables should not present a problem. If you like fish and/ or chicken you will not be disappointed by visiting Bemugi's place. Take a drive to Ponta Abril for a great day at the beach or charter a boat for some great fishing.

Please DO NOT spend rand in Mozambique.
It is illegal and used by South African lodge owners to avoid paying tax. Mozambique is a very poor country and so please help by always using local currency. There are plenty of cash machines available where you can withdraw local currency.

[Chukudeer]

Please DO NOT spend rand in Mozambique.
It is illegal and used by South African lodge owners to avoid paying tax. Mozambique is a very poor country and so please help by always using local currency. There are plenty of cash machines available where you can withdraw local currency.

What a load of nonsense. “Used by South African lodge owners to avoid paying tax”

Shops, garages, restaurants etc etc will accept Rand and in some cases US $ as well. You can pay in Rands at the toll gates…..

[Koebelwagen]

What a load of nonsense. “Used by South African lodge owners to avoid paying tax”

Shops, garages, restaurants etc etc will accept Rand and in some cases US $ as well. You can pay in Rands at the toll gates…..

I visit a lodge owned by a Moz citizen and good luck finding a cash machine in Santa Maria...

[Leon Venter]

What a load of nonsense. “Used by South African lodge owners to avoid paying tax”

Shops, garages, restaurants etc etc will accept Rand and in some cases US $ as well. You can pay in Rands at the toll gates…..

Chukudeer stem wat jy se

[Leon Venter]

Please DO NOT spend rand in Mozambique.
It is illegal and used by South African lodge owners to avoid paying tax. Mozambique is a very poor country and so please help by always using local currency. There are plenty of cash machines available where you can withdraw local currency.

Waar kom jy hier aan.

[dilligafrican]

Waar kom jy hier aan.

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