TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS TO MOZAMBIQUE
Many a South African and Tourist in general traveling to Mozambique are not aware of the requirements and Laws when entering and traveling around Mozambique. Having traveled to Mozambique for the past 16 years the laws and regulations are forever changing and many a first time traveler feels that they are being harassed by the officials of Mozambique.
Visas are no longer required by South African citizens but remember you are only allowed to stay in the country for 30 days as of the stamp on entering at the Border post. If you are caught staying longer you will be fined from R500 to R1000 depending on the Border post official. If you do not have a South African passport you will need to apply for a Visa at the Mozambique Embassy offices situated in your area.
Tourists traveling to Mozambique by Vehicle will need to take out the Compulsory third party insurance. This insurance covers you should you have an accident involving a Mozambique vehicle or should you accidently knock over a pedestrian. Vehicle Third party costs R150 and if you have a Trailer this will cost you R80.00. If you are caught by the Mozambique officials without the Third Party Insurance you will be fined up to One million meticals. Should you have an accident and NOT have the Insurance your are placed in jail and fined excessively. Tourists are advised to check the Limit of the Liability as well as the Excess on the Insurance they are purchasing as each Insurance company is different.
Personally I have found Hollsure Insurance Mozambique (NOT because I sell it!) to be the best and they also offer a Maputo office all hours number should you be involved in an accident. Hollsure Maputo will also send an official to assist you at the Police station if need be. This I have proof of as one of my Club members les Greening last year in June after the Bonanza at Guinjata was involved in a very bad accident at Quissico and Hollsure Maputo were on hand to assist him all the way.
TOURISTS TRAVELLING THROUGH THE NEW LIMPOPO BORDER GATE ARE ADVISED THAT THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY INSURANCE FASCILITIES.
You must purchase your insurance from your nearest AA or known agent.
I had several people in December at Guinjata who contacted me to get Insurance in Mozambique as the traffic officials at Inhambane and Xai-Xai were fining them.
When entering Mozambique you will be required to pay a levy on your passports. At Lebombo the entry per person is R12 but this is subject to change. You will then have to pay a road tax levy in meticals. You will also need to complete a DA341 temporary export/import document which you must state what you are taking into Mozambique and what you are taking out of Mozambique.
Example: generator, Deep Freeze, camping and fishing equipment etc. On your return at the Border post should you be checked you must be able to show the officials the goods declared or else you will have to pay a levy until such time as you produce the goods. At Lebombo Border post it is much easier to obtain an agent who does all your documentation for you. The agent charges you a levy and there are plenty of them. Just watch out for the crooked ones. The agent saves you time and language communication problems with officials.
Travellers going through the Limpopo gate are subject to another tariff table per person. See attached note.
When entering Mozambique you are required by Law to wear a seat belt at all times. Should you be caught without one on you are fined once again. All vehicles must have a ZA sticker on them as well as a yellow triangle on a blue background displayed on them. Make sure you have your Drivers License and vehicle documentation on you at all times. Make sure your vehicle and trailer lights, indicators etc are all working as the officials in the Quissico area like this one. All trailers as per the new law must have reflective tape on them. (80%).
When traveling through the towns make sure you stick to the Speed limits. If the sign says 60 then drop your speed to 40. The Mozambique speed law for travelling on roads in populated areas is 60km/h.This being for vehicles only, if you have a trailer then the law states 50km/h.
Radar trapping is the main trapping device used and spot fines are payable. Watch out for areas where there is a solid white line as the officials like to too fine the tourists when one or two wheels especially wide trailers etc go over.
A vehicle with two axles may tow a trailer provided the length of the vehicle and trailer must be 13m BUT must not exceed 19m.The width of the trailer being 2.60m and the height of the trailer 4m (measured from the ground) must be adhered to.
According to the rules of the Police of the republic of Mozambique. Traffic officers are obliged to identify themselves and to produce proof of identification. You the tourist have the right to ask for his documentation.
When issued with a fine, tourists are advised to get a receipt and on the receipt according to Mozambique law the traffic officer must specify the traffic violation and quote the relevant article from the road ordinance and indicate the monetary value of the fine.
Skiboaters traveling to Mozambique must also take note of the legalities with regard to launch fees and fishing licences as well as laws relating to the amount of fish they are allowed.
Launching fees in the Inhambane area are the following :-
(valid for 30 days) *Working on exchange rate R1.00 = 3600 mets*
Rubber Duck Inflatable 363 000,00 mt ( about R100)
Fibre Glass Boat (Skiboat) 505 000,00 mt ( about R140)
Jet Ski 150 000,00 mt ( about R41)
A monthly Fishing licence in the Inhambane area will cost you :-
Deep Sea 420 000.00 mets (about R117)
Spear Fishing 520 000,00 mets (about R145)
The fishing licenses and launching fees can be paid at either the resorts or to the officials that approach you from the Maritimo department.
Yearly licenses can be purchased.
Divers caught destroying reefs and causing damage to the marine environment can be fined up to R250 per person.
Driving on the Beach is not allowed. You are only allowed to drive in areas marked off. Cars caught driving in prohibited areas are fined 1800 000,00 mets (R500). Four wheelers are fined up to 300 000,00
(R100) and Motor cycles 150 000.00 (R50)
According to the Fisheries Department in Mozambique you are allowed 2kg shellfish and 2kg fish per person. Should you require extra then you
Must abtain a permit to carry extra fish which allows you to carry 6kg intotal and costs 15 thousand mets per person.
Travellers wanting to take fish home and transport it by vehicle are advised to Purchase a fishing permit irrespective. These can be purchased from the Fisheries Departments in the various Provinces. You will need to take your passport with you should you want to obtain a permit. The Fisheries officials like to sit at Xai-Xai and stop the Ski-Boaters and search them for fish. If you do not have a permit irrespective of the laws you are fines. My advice, get a permit.
Certain shell fish and marine fish have restrictions on them as to the number you may take out the sea. See attached forms provided. If you are caught taking out more than what the quota is you will be fined accordingly.
Visitors to Mozambique are advised to travel on the roads provided and when traveling in the areas to resorts you are asked to respect the land dwellers plantations and home surroundings. Many locals plant their crops next to the roads. When stopping for coconuts, you can be charged for them as many locals own certain coconut trees and this is their income in that the coconuts are food and then later taken to factories to be made into oil. Four wheelers especially are asked to show respect for the locals. Do Not speed in the areas where there are locals as many small children tend to run into the road when vehicles approach with fright. Tourists are asked not to give the children sweets on the side of the road as this encourages begging and possible steeling.
Travellers going through the Swaziland Border need to complete the necessary Swaziland documentation provided. Just a tip for travelers with Mozambique passports. A visa is required to enter Swaziland if the passport owner is of Mozambique origin.
Tourists to Mozambique are advised to make sure that their medical insurance is in order with their medical aids. Some medical aids in South Africa need to be advised of your entry date into Mozambique and destination. Should you require medical insurance for Mozambique contact your nearest Travel Insurance branch or Mozambique Road Evac does offer a medical Insurance for R150 per person where by you are transported by road to the nearest South African Hospital with a qualified Paramedic. Air Emergency Evacuation in Mozambique can cost you upto R20 000.00 plus should you not be insured. Payable upfront before the plane leaves South Africa.
This is just a basic guide line for tourists and travelers to Mozambique and please understand that the laws and tariffs are subject to change at any time by the Mozambique authorities.
Always carry with you your Resort contact numbers that you are going to in case of an emergency. They can always assist you in an emergency.
Should any readers have any queries/problems etc regarding traveling to Mozambique address them to
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