Fax: + 27 11 803 3861
Email:
123-12th Ave Cnr Rivonia Rd Rivonia
P.O BOX 2861 Rivonia 2128 South Africa
About the lodge
Villa Espanhola offers stylish, but affordable accommodation in 8 Tuscan style studio units. Our open plan thatch dining area creates a homely atmosphere which overlooks Bilene’s lagoon with warm crystal clear water, a mini-Mediterranean in Africa. Breakfast is offered daily and a set dinner menu is available on request. Exclusive use of the lodge allows for self-catering accommodation. A white sandy semi private beach is a mere 50m from the lodge offering safe swimming along the shallow calm shores and perfect conditions for any water sport and boating activities. Villa Espanhola is your choice holiday destination when it comes to location, perfectly situated away from the noisy town, but a stone’s throw away from the lagoon. We warmly invite you to come and enjoy our majestic sunsets, beautiful stars and tranquil beaches.
About the area
Villa Espanhola is situated on the outskirts of the village of Bilene, Gaza province, Mozambique. Bilene is nestled next to the wonderful 27 km long San Martin lagoon (Lagoa Uembje) and is easy accessible to visitors on good tarred roads. Turning off 160 km north of Maputo (Mozambique’s capitol) at the town of Marcia you will travel a further 30 km to reach Bilene. It is the closest Mozambican beach resort to Johannesburg, and attracts many South African visitors during the holiday seasons. Although Bilene is an ideal Mozambique holiday destination on its own, it also serves as a good stop over point for those travelling to destinations such as Xai Xai, Inhambane and the Bazaruto Archipelago. The town has numerous restaurants and bars as well as a weekend disco. Petrol and diesel are both available at Praia do Bilene. There are also various simple shops and a small colourful market where very basic products can be purchased.
About things to do
The 27km long and 5 km wide lagoon is an ideal family spot with long bright white stretches of sand for beach games and shallow, calm water for safe swimming. The lagoon does plunge up to depths of 50 meters, but is so shallow near the shores that it’s perfect for children. Bilene is particularly popular for water sports enthusiasts, from jet-ski’s, water-skiing and parasailing, to the more serene non-motorized sports such as paddle-ski’s, and windsurfing. The mouth of the lagoon, usually blocked by a massive sand bank, is best reached by boat but a long difficult 4X4 track does allow access to the beach facing the open sea. In April which is the end of the rainy season, the mouth has normally been scoured out by the large quantity of water filling the lagoon and overflowing the sandbar, the lagoon is then reopened to the sea. Other popular activities in Bilene include decent fishing, sailing, diving both in the lagoon and the open ocean, kayaking, hiking, canoeing, wake boarding, snorkeling as well as whale watching and boat rides on the lagoon. There are some lovely off road routes around the lake system as well, with great quad bike trails. A 35 km ride through villages and inland lakes go as far as the Limpopo River Mouth. Birders also enjoy the birdlife, with large populations of flamingos and various other water birds visiting the area in the summer months searching the shallow fringes of the water for food, adding a true tropical paradise feel to the region. We will gladly provide information and maps to assist in planning and organizing your activities.
Facitlities
A lovely holiday awaits you at Villa Espanhola, under the accommodating and friendly supervision of Murray and Michele Edgar. The Villa is situated in spacious gardens with easy access to the calm and clear-water lagoon, only 2km from Bilene main village.
The Villa offers 8 bedrooms and an open air dining room with television, and kitchen.
The bedroom-units are built in a X-shape, with 4 bedrooms per building,which are serviced daily by our friendly staff. The two buildings are next to the dining area (all within walking distance).
Secure parking is available, suitable for buses and large coaches.
The facilities are for the sole use of lodge guests and their visitors only.
Unfortunately credit cards not accepted. Accounts to be settle in advance or with cash on arrival.
Check-in time: Between 13:00 – 19:00 (kindly arrange for late check-ins)
Check-out time: Before 10:30
Semi-private beach
The highlight of Villa Espanhola is the accessibility to the lagoon, which provides a semi-private beach for safe-swimming. From the garden it takes only a short 50m sand-path to reach the calm clear water. Ideal for honeymoon couples looking for a romantic breakaway.
Die lagoon is a paradise for water sports enthusiast, whether motorized or non-motorised sports. This mini-Mediterranean in Africa sets the perfect playground.
Restaurant
A delicious breakfast is served in the thatched-roof diningroom.
The open-air sides contribute to the island ambience and set a refreshing atmosphere.
A set dinner menu is available on prior request, but Bilene village offers a variety of Portugese and seafood restaurants. Health-conscious guests or special dietary requirements are catered for by prior request.
No wine list is available. Guests are welcome to bring their own liquor. No corkage fee charged.
Standard meal times:
Breakfast 07:00 to 09:30
Dinner 19:00 to 21:00
These can be changed by prior request.
Kindly contact us in advance.
The fully equipped kitchen can be used by self-catering groups that booked the lodge for exclusive use.
Bedrooms
8 Stylishly decorated studios with a warm ambience offer the following:
- 7 double-bed bedrooms and 1 twin bedded room
- 2 units have interlinking doors to the adjacent bedroom (ideal for families)
- All bedrooms air-conditioned
- En-suite bathroom with bath and shower
- Private veranda
- Laundry service
- Serviced daily
- No smoking bedrooms
- Dressing table with chair
- Cupboard
- Bedrooms supplied with linen and towels
The following is available on request:
- International adaptors
- Torches
- Umbrellas
The lodge facilities include the following:
- 12 hour security (from 18:00 to 06:00)
- Communal Satellite Central TV
- Open secure parking on premises
- Laundry service
- Ironing service
- Units are serviced daily
- Spacious garden
- Braai/Barbeque available
- No pets permitted
- No credit card facilities
- Semi private beach 50 m from lodge, accessible through garden
- Fully equipped kitchen (Fridge/Freezers, Microwave, Kettle, Toaster, Oven, Stove)
- Lodge is supplied with Municipal Electricity and private borehole water
We warmly invite you to visit us!
Your senses will delight with tranquil views of the African sunset on the glorious lagoon.
MAP & DIRECTION PAGE
Lodge GPS coordinates: S25’ 17.436, E 033’ 14.305’
Travel time indication (rough guide only):
Johannesburg to Bilene: 7 hours
Jhb – 4 hr - Komati border – 1 hr – Maputo – 2 hr - Bilene
Durban to Bilene: 9 hours
Durban – 4 hr – Golela border (Swaziland)- 2hr - Goba border (Mozambique) – 1hr - Maputo – 2 hr - Bilene
Summary directions
From border posts to Maputo
From Maputo north (towards Xai-Xai) on EN1 for 165 km
Turn right at Machia for another 33 km to Bilene
Directions from Johannesburg
Take N4 (Witbank highway - very good condition) from Johannesburg to Nelspruit.
Continue on the N4 to Komatipoort, the last town on the South Africa side.
Tollroads costs (+/- R 150).
+/- 50 km from Komatipoort you will go through the last SA tollgate.
Just past Komatipoort is the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia Border Post.
Once you are on the Mozambique side, follow the N4 (now called the EN4) for another 100 km (62.1 miles) to the capital city of Maputo.
35km’s after the border you will come to the 1st Mozambique toll road (95 Mts /R 25/5$).
+/- 45 km after the tollgate you should turn left at a set of traffic lights in Matola (Shoprite on left side. To shop at Shoprite or eat at the restaurant, you will have to turn left into the parking before the traffic lights, no entrance after traffic lights to Shoprite/toilets/restaurant.)
After you turned left at traffic lights, travel 6km to another tollgate (19 Mts/R 5.5).
Through tollgate (only Mts change).
After 3kms you will see a sign to Xai-Xai (EN 1), just before you cross over a large bridge.
Turn left (take Xai-Xai off ramp). (Turning right will take you to Maputo.)
Follow directions to Xai-Xai for 165 km to a town called Macia. You will be going through a lot of robots, traffic circles and small towns.
- After about 15 km on EN1you will pass a weighbridge (Traffic cops/inspectors).
- After about 50 km on EN1 you will get the first and only Ultra City. (Good stop for clean toilets, food and fuel).
On route to Bilene you will go through the following towns:
Maluana, Manhica, Machia, Palmeira, Mimbini, Magul, Mauzir, Traffic control center, Macia.
+/- 165 from Maputo at Macia (BP fuel station on left) turn right off the main road to Bilene (R453). There is a sign “Praia do Bilene”.
Travel+/- 33 km to Bilene, you will see a river on the left and reach a traffic circle.
Leave the traffic circle (3:00 position) so the Hotel (yellow building) is on your left hand side.
Follow road for 2km to the T junction and turn right.
After 500m the tar ends and becomes a sand road.
After 500m take the 1st road left. Follow the road, it will turn to the right.
Villa Espanhola’s gate will be on your left hand side.
Directions from Durban through Swaziland
Travel on the N2 past Richardsbay, Empangeni, Mtubatuba, Hluhluwe , Mkuze and Pongola Game Reserve entrance on right.
Turn right at Golela/Swaziland sign (this is before Pongola town) to travel +/- 10 km to the border.
As you cross the Golela/Lavumisa border you will reach a very large traffic circle, keep straight. You will pass USA Distillers on your left and Shell and Sugar Mill on your right.
+/- 60km from border, turn right toward Siteki (MR16 Siteki/Maputo) (this is after the Big Bend road to the left).
+/- 30 km turn right at the T-junction towards Siteki.
+/- 10 km in Siteki town turn left to Goba border post.
+/- 30 km further on you will reach Goba border post (Mhlumeni border - Mozambique).
From Goba follow road to Maputo for +/- 45 km.
Turn right at T-junction, towards Maputo for another +/-30km.
As you enter Matola you will pass the Shoprite center on your left.
6km Further you will reach a tollgate (19 Mts/R 5.5).
Through tollgate (only Mts change).
After 3kms you will see a sign to Xai-Xai (EN 1), just before you cross over a large bridge.
Turn left (take Xai-Xai off ramp). (Turning right will take you to Maputo.)
Follow directions to Xai-Xai for 165 km to a town called Macia. You will be going through a lot of robots, traffic circles and small towns.
- After about 15 km on EN1you will pass a weighbridge (Traffic cops/inspectors).
- After about 50 km on EN1 you will get the first and only Ultra City. (Good stop for clean toilets, food and fuel).
On route to Bilene you will go through the following towns:
Maluana, Manhica, Machia, Palmeira, Mimbini, Magul, Mauzir, Traffic control center, Macia.
+/- 165 from Maputo at Macia (BP fuel station on left) turn right off the main road to Bilene (R453). There is a sign “Praia do Bilene”.
Travel+/- 33 km to Bilene, you will see a river on the left and reach a traffic circle.
Leave the traffic circle (3:00 position) so the Hotel (yellow building) is on your left hand side.
Follow road for 2km to the T junction and turn right.
After 500m the tar ends and becomes a sand road.
After 500m take the 1st road left. Follow the road, it will turn to the right.
Villa Espanhola’s gate will be on your left hand side.
Car hire information
International car hire companies are represented in Maputo and Beira, including Avis ( and Europcar (
Distances – from Bilene
Maputo 167 km
Macia 32 km
Xai Xai 50 km
Chokwe 90 km
Chidenguele 110 km
Matola 115 km
Restaurants and Pubs in Bilene:
Bilene village offers a variety of Portuguese and seafood restaurants, where you can enjoy tasty food and relax in the ambience of a tropical beach lifestyle:
Aquarius - Portuguese restaurant / bar / swimming pool/exotic birds on the beach
Palmeiras - Portuguese restaurant / bar on beach
Pousada - Pub & games arcade
Bilene Hotel - Restaurant, pub & dancing
San Martinho - Restaurant on the beach
Estrela Do Mar - Portuguese restaurant
Praia Do Sol - Restaurant, pub & swimming pool
Tamar – Restaurant on beach & dancing Karaoke
Weather
The climate is sub-tropical with warm temperatures, humidity and sunshine throughout the year. Summer is between October and March, and the winters are mild.
Rains falls largely between January and March, but the temperatures remain high, reaching up to 30ºC.
Average daily summer temperatures are from 20 - 35ºC.
The best time to visit is between May and November, when rainfall and temperatures are at its lowest. It is also good to travel during the early part of the warm, rainy season from November to January, but be prepared for sweltering temperatures, especially during January.
Try to avoid the height of the rains, from February to March/April, as many of the roads become impassable and flooding is common in the south and centre. During the holiday season, i.e. Easter, Christmas, New Years and in August, Mozambique’s southern coastal resorts become overrun with visitors and travelers, so book in advance.
Currency
Mozambique's local currency is the Metical; however the US Dollar and the Rand are widely accepted. It is advisable to carry cash or Travellers cheques as credit cards are not widely accepted. Banks and Foreign Exchange Bureau will exchange any recognized currency, keep in mind they close between 12:00 and 14:00 for siesta.
Most city banks have ATM machines from which local currency may be withdrawn at all hours. Rands can be exchanged for Meticais at the Maputo border BP shopping centre, where there is a foreign exchange office. The rate is slightly higher than in Bilene.
Please note that there are no credit card facilities at the lodge. The lodge operates strictly on a cash only basis. Please ensure you bring sufficient cash in either SA Rands, US $ or Meticais for the duration of your stay. Accommodation should be paid in full via electronic transfer before arrival date.
Border posts info:
Border post hours – open seven days a week:
Lebombo (Komatipoort – South Africa/Ressano Garcia(*) (Mozambique) / 06:00 – 24:00 / Tel: +27 (0)13 - 793 7311
Giriyando (Kruger National Park SA) / 08:00 – 15:00 / Tel: +27 (0)
Kosi Bay (South Africa)/
Ponta do Ouro/Faranzela (Mozambique) / 08:00 – 17:00 / Tel: +27 (0)35 - 592 9181
Oshoek (South Africa)/
Ngwenya (Swaziland) / 07:00 – 22:00 / Tel: +27 (0)17 – 882 0138
Goba (Swaziland)/
Mhlumeni (Mozambique) / 08:00 – 18:00 / Tel: +2 (0)
Namaacha (Swaziland)/
Lomahasha (Mozambique) / 08:00 – 17:00 / Tel: +2 (0)
Lavumisa (Swaziland)/
Golela (South Africa) / 07:00 – 22:00 / Tel: +27 (0)34 – 435 1070
(*) During the busy December period (+/- 20 Dec to 3 Jan) this border stays open 24-hours.
Border info – documentation needed
The following documentation will be required when crossing the border:
- Passport (see detail below)
- Visa (not needed for SA residence only) – see info below
- Certified copy (or original) of vehicle registration papers – for vehicles, trailers and quads
- If you are not the owner, you will need a letter of permission from the owner or bank (lease agreements) to take the vehicle across the border (stipulate dates).
- International drivers license (a Mozambican driver’s license is only required if staying for more than 6 months).
- Cash to pay for border fees (R17 per person and R 25 per vehicle)
- Cash to pay for 3rd party insurance (R150 per vehicle) – this is compulsory – please ensure you obtain this and keep it in your possession at all times.
- Temporary Vehicle import permits (DA 341) to be obtained and completed at border.
- “Declaration of entry of foreign currency” must be collected and completed at the customs desk, if entering the country with more than $US 5,000 (or equivalent).
- Certified letter of consent for children, should one parent traveling with children, WITHOUT the other parent. The absent parent should certify the letter at a police station before entering Mozambique.
- A pen to complete forms.
- Should you NOT have any export goods to declare, but are taking some food provisions with, keep the original invoice close by. This could make the inspection process by Custom officials easier, in order to proof the goods taken across the border’s value. It is recommended that this/these invoices should not be more than R 1,000 and the date be close to the date you enter Mozambique.
Regarding passports
Kindly ensure that your passport is travelling with you at all times.
All visitors must present a passport, with minimum six months validity.
Please note that anyone traveling to South Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in their passport which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. a left and a right hand page).
Kindly ensure your passport adheres to these rules to avoid deportation or being stopped from boarding aircrafts.
Regarding visas
The following nationals do not need a visa for Mozambique if the stay is less than 30 days, but DO need a visa for business purposes: South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Other passport holders do need visas for business and holiday, which should be obtained prior to your visit. If the period issued on your visa is exceeded, a fine of R500.00 per day will be charged for every day overstayed.
Holiday Visas
Single entry - valid for 2 months, with a 30-day stay
Double entry - valid for 2 months, 2 x entries with a 30-day stay on each entry
Business Visas
Multiple entry 3 months - valid for 3 months, with a 30-day stay at the time
Multiple entry 6 months - valid for 6 months, with a 10-day stay at the time