From Ponta d'Ouro to Zongoene: Roads and Services
Towns along the way: None
Turn offs along the way: From the border post it's the right turn for Ponta d'Ouro and straight on to Ponta Malongane/ Mamoli
Roads:
Directions: Take the right road as you leave the border then keep left from there on
Distances:11km
General condition: Sand packed, but soft in areas, for all the way. It's not necessary to drive over any dunes although some have done so. We advise not to, so you can reduce chances of getting stuck and causing any more damaging impact on this fragile environment. Just keep to the left as all tracks lead to Ponta d'Ouro
Tarmac roads in areas within the town are breaking up and usually under sand unless it rains. Outside town all roads are sand tracks, these can be driven by 4x2, however 4x4 is advised and many leave their 4x2 cars at the border (R20 per night) arranging for the operator to collect them, there can be a small fee for this
Recommended Speed: 20-40km/h
Signage: Signs at border post. Then nothing until you are almost upon the town. Not hard to find, just stop and ask for Ponta d'Ouro when you come across a local
In town is a small area, signs are not needed. Roads have names but there is nothing but the local word to tell you them
Services:
Mobile Phone Reception: Full reception in Ponta but not along road from Kosi Bay Border. You can even get S.A. Vodacom reception on top of some of the higher dunes
Pick Ups: You can leave your vehicle at the border post for a fee of R20 per day in a secure area. The operator you have booked with should be able to pick you up from here
Petrol Stations: Only the one located next to Bula Bula restaurant off the main square
- Types of fuel: Diesel and Super. No unleaded
- Gas Available: LPG
- Air for tyres: Yes
Car Repairs: There's no official mechanic here, but an old guy at Pinto's Disco can help you with basic repairs. Tyres can be repaired by the locals
Car Towing: If you should get stuck here, make sure you have an operators number whom you can phone, they will get you unstuck. Even better if it is the place you have booked, prior to being stuck, else they might be inclined to charge that bit more!
Stop Offs: A few very small local villages on the way into Ponta d'Ouro, but only local curios for sale. Once in town then there are many, but best get the car safely parked away, there's nothing better than stumbling into bed, only to wake up with nothing more than a sore head, that can be easily remedied
Comments:
It is possible to do this in 4x2, but we don't recommend it. Only needed 4x4 twice, however it's the clearance of the car that is also important. Lowering tyre pressure to 1bar (15psi) is highly recommended (see general information on Mozambique)
Not such a difficult access as we were first led to believe. Heavy rains can flood the road to Maputo. Keeping to the existing tracks will ensure your own safe arrival as well as sustaining the local habitat
Route: Ponta d'Ouro to Ponta Malongane and Ponta Mamoli
Towns along the way: Zitundu
Turn offs along the way: Campismo Ninho , Tartaruga Camp
Roads:
Directions:Heading out of Ponta d'Ouro, take the right turn at the fork and follow this route until you see signs for Malongane or Mamoli
Distances: Ponta d'Ouro to Ponta Malongane is 13km, Ponta Malongane to Ponta Mamoli 11km. Ponta d'Ouro to Ponta Mamoli 24km. Ponta Mamoli to Zitundu is 11km
General condition: A soft sand road, didn't need 4x4, but like the rest of this area, soft tyres and clearance makes life much easier. It Can flood with heavy rains, although 2 days of heavy rain was fine for us, it seemed to pack the sand down
Recommended Speed: 20-40km/h
Signage: Leaving Ponta d'Ouro and on route. You shouldn't get lost unless you leave the tracks, which won't get you anywhere more special than what has already been found, but will help destroy what is there. Ask anyone for directions
Services:
Mobile Phone Reception:
Pick Ups: If you get stuck someone will be along, don't stress to much. The locals will also want to help
Petrol Stations: None
- Types of fuel: None
- Gas Available: None
- Air for tyres: None
Car Repairs: None on this road, except in Ponta d'Ouro
Car Towing: If you need this then best to get back to Ponta d'Ouro, contact your local operator or a kind hearted sole to get towed back to the border, where an S.A. tow company can then get you somewhere to be repaired, have your credit card handy
Stop Offs: A few very small local villages, nothing but local curios for sale
Comments:
Very scenic drive, nothing to adventurous, but max speed of 40km/h recommended to save your suspension and scalps
Route: Elephant Reserve to Bilene
Towns and villages along the way: Salamanga, Bela Vista, Catembe, Boane, Manhiça, Palmeira, 3 de Fveriero, Macia
Turn offs along the way: Tzacane Resort, Casa Lisa
Roads:
Directions: Take the road to Bela Vista going through the Check Point at Salamanga, here will pass over a bridge. At Bela Vista you need to decide if you will take the Catembe ferry or drive around through Boane and into Maputo. We recommend the Catembe ferry, if you are in time (sunrise to sunset) and if you intend to stay in Maputo
From Maputo you need to be on the 24th July - follow this road and straight across the roundabout, keep now to the left until you see the Xai Xai signs then you should be on the EN1. The other route from the Avenida Marginal by Costa do Sol, goes passed Marracuane and is highly recommended because although it is a sand route its fast and misses all the traffic as well as police checks
Once you're on the EN1 it's basically a straight drive to Macia where there is the Bilene turn off
Distances: Reserve to Maputo 99km. Maputo to Manhiça 76km, Manhiça to Palmeira 20km, Palmeira to 3 de Fevereiro 12km, 3 de Fevereiro to Macia 52km
General condition: Up until Boane some parts are tarmaced but breaking up, most is sand. In areas the sand becomes very wavy and badly potholed
Most roads in and around Maputo are in disrepair, with a lot of potholes and broken edges. Many areas surrounding are just sand tracks, however these are hard packed and speeds are descent when not in traffic
Leaving Maputo the roads are bad and traffic makes the going slow, but once past the police checkpoint, then it opens up and you can relax a bit more. New roads are being layed all along this highway as far up as Vilanculos. They will be of a standard that South Africa enjoys. The first section to Casa Lisa is almost complete
After Casa Lisa, the tarmac road is being resurfaced. It will be a vast improvement on what was. The road to the Bilene beach is also in good condition there are no potholes
Recommended Speed: 10-50km/h to Boane, 60km/h in and around Maputo. Out of Maputo on the EN1 the national speed limit is 100km/h. You will be able to do this all the way to Bilene, except when passing through the towns here you must slow down to 60km/h. Shame they haven't utilized the bypass system, but then it does break up the journey a bit
We recommend a max speed of 100km/h due to the road works and 80km/h on the Bilene road. In the towns it's 60km/h. Be warned the police are waiting for you all along the EN1
Signage: Very little signage up to Bela Vista. Ask anyone for directions
There are signs on the main highways. Maputo is designed like the USA grid system and all the roads are named mainly after dates of the year and communist/fascist leaders
The EN1 is well signed leaving Maputo
Casa Lisa has just a small sign on the side of the road, but it's right after the Ultra City stop off. Grant in Ultra City is a qualified mechanic and will gladly help any of you out should you have car problems in this area
Each town has a sign and the speed limits for the towns are indicated
Services:
Mobile Phone Reception: None until you're near to Maputo. Heading north on the EN1 it's good
Pick Ups: The road to Boane is well traveled someone will be along shortly, don't stress to much. The locals will also want to help
Petrol Stations: In Bela Vista. All over Maputo and on its outskirts. You'll find BP, Engen and Petromoc, to name a few. North of Maputo you'll find them in Manhiça and Macia and finally down in Bilene town
- Super and Diesel outside of Maputo, Unleaded within Maputo and at Manhiça
- Gas Available: In Maputo and Bilene
- Air for tyres: From Bela Vista onwards no problem
Car Repairs: None on the road to Boane, plenty in Maputo. Many dealerships exit in Maputo and mechanics can be found quite easily. The yellow pages will come in handy. Manhiça has a garage for repairs, only expect the basics. Tyres can be repaired by the locals all along this route. Macia is also well serviced
Car Towing: I can think of worse places to break down. A tow company will easily get you to someone who can make the necessary repairs
Stop Offs: Not too many approaching Maputo, but once in the city there are too many to write about in this humble offering. Ultra City is a snack/stretch your legs bar. Handily located for those driving from the S.A. Komatipoort border. Past Ultra City each town has a few shops and some with a restaurant or bar
Comments:
Not a difficult drive from the Reserve to Boane, but gets tiring. It seems to go on a bit and it's highly recommended to take the Catembe ferry if Maputo is your destination. Heavy rains can flood the road to Maputo. Keeping to the existing tracks will ensure your own safe arrival as well as sustaining the local habitat
Maputo is a relatively easy city to drive around, not to many one way systems. Be careful of potholes and mad drivers. The police seem to be just there waiting for you to cross a solid white line or make a U-turn when your not allowed to. If you have been staying in Maputo, or you stopped for a bite or some shopping and you're headed north, then it's recommended you take the Costa do Sol red sand packed road that starts where the Avenida Marginal finishes. You will meet the EN1 at Marracuene. This means you've saved yourself the frustration of traffic police stops and time. Fill up with fuel in Maputo first. There is also Game, Super Mercado and many restaurants on Avenida Marginal, before exiting the city this way
The EN1 north of Maputo is an easy drive and improving all the time. Be wary of oncoming drivers, the local chappas are to heavily laden to be a menace at speed but can tend to just pull out, so be on guard. It's the faster, newer cars that are a bigger concern, as some of these drivers think that road rules do not apply to them and they take many risks at high speed
Route: Praia do Bilene to Zongoene
Towns and villages along the way: Route 1 - Villa n'Banga. Route 2 - Macia, Chicumbane
Turn offs along the way: n'Banga, Zongoene
Roads:
Directions: You have two options here to either go back the way you came and meet up with the EN1 or take the scenic route. If you go back to the EN1 just carry on northwards until you reach Chicumbane, about 10km after this village there is a turning for Zongoene Lodge
To take the scenic route drive along the main drag in Praia de Bilene until your reach the petrol station, if the lake is on your left then the turning is just after the petrol station on your right. Now you are headed for n'Banga. Continue on this road until you pass a turning for n'Banga, keep straight on for Zongoene
Distances: EN1 route 110km. Scenic Route 30km
General condition: Nicely packed sand road, recommend 4x4 but only engaged once on this section
Recommended Speed: 30-50km/h
Signage: n'Banga is sign posted as is Zongoene after n'Banga
Services:
Mobile Phone Reception: Good
Pick Ups: This road not so well travelled, but don't stress to much the locals will be along to help
Petrol Stations: None
- Types of fuel: N/A
- Gas Available: N/A
- Air for tyres: N/A
Car Repairs: No Repairs
Car Towing: Can always be arranged
Stop Offs: Nothing other than local villages
Comments:
A very pleasant drive through beautiful little rural villages with a rolling landscape, dotted with lakes
