From Xai-Xai to Maxixe: Roads and Services

Towns and villages along the way: Chiconela, Chicumbane
Turns 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: If you are leaving the Zongoene Lodge take a left where the road splits and pass the lighthouse. Continue on until you reach Chiconela and Chicumbane then you're back on the EN1.
Directions: As you enter Xai Xai there is a bridge to be crossed with a toll booth, payment is only made when leaving not entering (if you're travelling north).
Distances: Xai Xai is; 202km from Maputo and 12km from Chicumbane.
General condition: This road is in good condition and tarmaced from Chicumbane.
Recommended Speed: 60km/h in town
Signage: Good

Services:

Mobile Phone Reception: Full reception.
Petrol Stations:

• Types of fuel: Super (Leaded, Diesel and Unleaded)
• Gas Available: LPG is this the only gas available
• Air for tyres: Yes.

Car Repairs: Many places for simple repairs. The major problem is getting parts. If you're driving a Toyota or Land Rover you should be alright.
Car Towing: Yes.
Stop Offs: Bar Jo!, Clube de Gasa (Rest/Bar)

Comments:

Xai Xai is a vibrant busy place. The main town is mainly for commerce and many supplies can be found here as well as pharmacies. Here is a Vodacom shop, so finding credit and phones, if you're in need is no problem. You'll find a Hospital, Police Station all the main national banks with ATMs and a PEP store.

Route: Xai Xai to Praia de Chidenguele

Towns and villages along the way: Xai Xai, Praia de Xai Xai, Chongoene, Praia de Chongoene, Namhiliva, Chizavane, Chidenguele and Praia de Chidenguele.
Turns along the way: None.

Roads:

Directions & Distances: Turn right off the EN1, 4km down the EN1 from entrance to Xai Xai if you want the Xai Xai beach. There's a Roundabout 9km further on just before the beach.
Back on the EN1 the turn off for Nascer do Sol is 46km from Xai Xai, this is a 9km sand road.
20km further on from the Nascer do Sol turn off you'll find the turn off for Praia do Chidenguele. Turn right passed the Football club on your left and then turn left at the end. Once you are past the market and shops you'll see a lake on your left and then drive up a rise and go straight on for 1.6km to Paraiso de Chidenguele Lodge or left for 1km to Sunset Lodge or right for 10km (approx.) to Nhambavale Lodge.
General condition: This section of the EN1 road is in good condition and tarmaced all the way, until after leaving Xai Xai then the road starts to breakaway at the sides and has some potholes all the way to Chidenguele.
The road for Nascer do Sol lodge is sand, 4x4 recommended, but 4x2 can make it. The last climb up to the lodge is a definite 4x4 bit, but very short.
To get to Praia do Chidenguele you'll drive on a hard packed sand road that turns soft the closer you get to the beach, 4x2 should have no problem until trying to tackle the beach entrance at Paraiso de Chidenguele.
Recommended Speed: 80km/h on tarmac, 40km/h on sand.
Signage: Good on the EN1 and for the lodges in this area.

Services:

Mobile Phone Reception: Full reception.
Petrol Stations:

• Types of fuel: None
• Gas Available: There is an lpg gas refill centre on the Praia de Xai Xai road.
• Air for tyres: None.

Car Repairs: None.
Car Towing: Check with the lodges.
Stop Offs: In the Praia's listed above.

Comments:

There is a slip way for launching boats at Praia de Xai Xai and access from the beach at Praia do Chidenguele. Check with the Maritime Administration for details of licence fees, they are located close to Hotel Halley in Praia de Xai Xai or at Paraiso de Chidenguele. Look out for mobile police cameras waiting for you on this stretch especially in holiday season.

Route: Praia de Chidenguele to Zavora and Zavora Lodge

Towns and villages along the way: Chidenguele, Madeudere, Zandamela, Chissibuca, Mavila, Závala, Quissico, and Inharrime.
Turns along the way: None.

Roads:

Directions: A straight run along the EN1 to Quissico, then just on the northern side of Quissico, you'll find a turn off for Praia Mar e Sol 157. Continue on the EN1 to Inharrime. There is a road to Panda/ Coguno from Inharrime. The turn off for Zavora and the lodge is on a bend and onto hard packed sand
Distances: This is a 120km section on the EN1 to the turn off for Zavora Lodge. Quissico is 66km from Chidenguele. 109km to Inharrime. Turn off to Zavora is 54km from Quissico. 17km from the turn off to Zavora Lodge.
General condition: The road is tarmacked all the way. However between Madeudere and Zandamela is badly potholed fortunately the pot holes are shallow through previous filling, there are road works at the time of writing this, so improvements are being made. The road to Praia Mar e Sol is a combination of hard and soft sand, 4x4 recommended, as areas get soft enough to lose momentum. It's a well traveled road you will get pulled out in a 4x2 eventually! The key to soft sand driving is low revs and heavy clutch, giving lots of pull; it takes time to sort out. Once you're buried forget it, continuing will only get your axles stuck as well, which means a lot of digging.
North of Quissico extensive road enlargement has been made, but is only scraped ground at this time. Look out for the women waving red flags, they want you to slow down and so you should.
After Lake Poelela there is bad section due to repairs, this will improve with time, how long is anyone's guess, but its months rather than years.
From Inharrime the road becomes potholed drop your speed to 80 and you should easily swerve them, look out for the locals!
From the turn off for Zavora Lodge you will enjoy a hard packed sand road al the way to the lodge. The lodge itself has some steep soft sand areas so 4x4 needed.
Recommended Speed: 80km/h to 100km/h for the EN1. 20km/h to 40km/h for the Mar e Sol sand road. 60km/h to 80km/h for the Zavora Lodge road.
Signage: Good

Services:

Mobile Phone Reception: There's no reception from Quissico to Inharrime. Viacom are moving into Mozambique, and coverage is improving rapidly, please let us know if you find the opposite to what we have reported here. No reception at Zavora but they can hook you up to there antenna which improves the signal.
Petrol Stations: Quissico/Inharrime

• Types of fuel: Diesel and Super/ Diesel, Super and Unleaded
• Gas Available: No/ LPG.
• Air for tyres: Yes.

Car Repairs: Basic available in Inharrime.
Car Towing: Best arranged from Quissico or Inharrime.
Stop Offs: There are small markets in each town on the way, Quissico has some shops and a café, good for getting supplies but don't expect too much. Inharrime has a central market. Inharrime has a hotel on the main road, if you're desperate to sleep then stop, otherwise... Complexo Poelela is 40km from Quissico.

Comments:

Police checks do occur in this section, make sure you slow down to 60km/h when approaching the towns. The EN1 runs very close to the sea in this section so you will have great views, especially around and past Quissico where the lakes are magnificent."Paragem" means place to stop, only expect local fare but this is usually a friendly local place to refresh, you might be surprised and some have rooms available.

Route: Zavora Lodge turn off to Inhambane

Towns and villages along the way: Nhacoongo, Cumbana, Qunita de St. Antonio, Lindela, Jangamo and Inhambane.
Turns along the way: Right turn at Lindela for Inhambane (if heading north). The turn for Jangamo Village and the beach is just down the Inhambane road, take another right.

Roads:

Directions: Head straight along the EN1 until reaching Lindela then turn off right heading for Inhambane. Jangamo village is the next turn off on the right. To Paindane from here follow the signs or keep left, ask the locals, if you're not sure.
There is a better road for Guinjata and Paindane, further down the Inhambane road and it's shorter.
Distances: From the Zavora turn off; 31km to Nhacoongo, 55km to Cumbana, 62km to Quinta de St Antonio and Lindela, 66km to the turn off for Jangamo Village.
Paindane is 28km on from Jangamo if you're using the first turn off from Lindela.
Lindela to Inhambane on the main road is approximately 30km.
General condition: Initially there are quite a few potholes, but these are only shallow. It soon gets better with road works being carried out at the sides. This road is in good condition and tarmaced all the way.
The road from the Lindela turn off to Inhambane is badly potholed in places, but most are only shallow.
To Paindane from Jangamo there is only a soft sand road where you will need to reduce tyre pressure down to 1bar (15psi).
Recommended Speed: 80km/h.
Signage: Good on the EN1 and to the turn off for Jangamo. From Jangamo Village to Paindane the signage is random and stopping to ask locals is recommended.

Services:

Mobile Phone Reception: No reception from Zavora for 47km. there are MCel and Vodacom towers around Jangamo and Guinjata.
Petrol Stations: At Cumbana and in Inhambane

• Types of fuel: Super and Diesel.
• Gas Available: At Inhambane.
• Air for tyres: At Inhambane.

Car Repairs: At Inhambane.
Car Towing: At Inhambane.
Stop Offs: The Sol de Ligogo Lodge turn off is 37km on from the Zavora turn off and 24km after that. A place called Casa de Galinha (Chicken House) is opening soon on the EN1; 40km from the Zavora turn off.

Comments:

An easy drive from Zavora to Inhambane. If you want to go to Paindane or Guinjata, you might need 4x4 or at least to soften the tyres. The first turn off for Paindane through Jangamo Village is interesting and picturesque but can be tricky and is quite a long stretch of sand driving, if you just want to just be there or it's getting late, then take the turn off further up the Inhambane road.

Route: Around Inhambane, Tofo and Barra

Towns and villages along the way: Inhambane, Tofo and Barra.
Turns along the way: Inhambane Airport turn off, Bar Babalaza

Roads:

Directions: If you have come off the EN1 and just want to pass through Inhambane head into town and down to the port then turn right before the Cathedral and follow this road past the banks to the end where the CFM old train station still stands in immaculate condition, turn right here and then keep on this road. You are now heading for Tofo or Barra.
You will pass the turn off for the airport on this road and following signs to the airport does just the same job as above.
Stick to this road with no turn offs and you will arrive in Tofo.
At Bar Babalaza there is a sand turn off on the left, take this for the Barra Peninsula.
Distances: From Inhambane it's 16km to Bar Babalaza and then another 7km to White Sands (the tip of the Barra Peninsula). Inhambane to Tofo is 23km.
General condition: The Inhambane to Tofo road is in good condition and tarmaced all the way, with a few patched up potholes, these get washed out with the rains and heavy traffic over Christmas and Easter, then the workers come back in and fill them. So it depends on the time of year as to the condition of this road.
The Barra road is mainly hard packed sand, but a few spots are very soft and it's easy to get stuck in, this road has been badly rutted due to the scraping of its surface and it makes for a very uncomfortable journey, but its short lived and when you arrive you'll appreciate the view and beach.
Recommended Speed: 60 to 80km/h on the tarmac. 40 to 60km/h on the Barra Road, take it easy coming over any rises, as soft deep sand can be waiting on the other side for you.
Signage: Good to over the top on the Barra Peninsula.

Services:

Mobile Phone Reception: Full reception can be tricky around the Barra Peninsula, but this was improving with a new tower being constructed near to the lighthouse.
Petrol Stations: Only at Inhambane.

• Types of fuel: Super and Diesel.
• Gas Available: LPG.
• Air for tyres: Yes.

Car Repairs: Yes.
Car Towing: Yes.
Stop Offs: Takeaway Bar 172, Bar Babalaza 173, Jo Jo's Bar 184

Comments:

This area is prone to being very busy during the South African holiday periods. It can be heavily policed with speed cameras and there are many tourists racing around on quad bikes.

Route: Inhambane to Praia do Morrungulo

Towns and villages along the way: Maxixe, Mahocha, Malova and Massinga, Morrungulo
Turns along the way: Inhambane to Maxixe shortcut or vice versa.

Roads:

Directions: It's not necessary to travel all the way back to Lindela in order to continue north. There is a right turn (signed for Maxixe) on the Inhambane road that cuts a big corner off, if you are heading for Maxixe or beyond. Turn right off the Inhambane road for Maxixe. You will find the EN1 at the end, take a right for Maxixe. Go straight through Maxixe for Morrungulo.
There is a turn off for Sitila and then one for Ngolane; next you will pass through Mahocha, then Malova and finally Massinga before reaching the turn off for Praia do Morrungulo.
Distances: Lindela to Maxixe is around 35km long. If your are coming from Inhambane there is turn off 16km out of town which will save you some time, it's a sand road and 5km long before getting back on the EN1. 13km from the sand road turn is a Petromoc. From where the sand road meets the EN1 to Maxixe is around 20km.
Mahocha is 51km from Maxixe. Molva is 59km, Massinga is 65km and the turn off for Morrungulo is 76km.
On the sand road to Morrungulo you'll find a famous bakery, the turn off for Sylvia Shoal and Baobab lodge. The Road terminates at the entrance to Morrungulo Lodge, which is 12km from the start.
General condition: The sand road is in good condition and hard sand all the way. The tarmac of the EN1 is good between Inhambane and Maxixe with a few potholes on the sides but good in the middle. Passed Maxixe the road is bad. A lot of road works means having only one side for both directions of traffic to travel on. For 40km beyond Maxixe the potholes are everywhere and hard to miss. There are a few good sections which must be test sections for what is to come.
Recommended Speed: 100km/h to Maxixe, 60km/h in town. North of Maxixe for the first 40km only 40 to 60km/h. Then you can get back up to between 80 and 100km/h.
Signage: Good

Services:

Mobile Phone Reception: Full reception around Inhambane and Maxixe. The road from Maxixe has generally good reception but there are blank areas. Morrungulo is not so good unless you drive up onto the rise in the road near to Sabáo Bakery.
Petrol Stations: On the EN1, in Maxixe and at Massinga.

• Types of fuel: Leaded/ and Diesel. Unleaded in Maxixe.
• Gas Available: LPG and Gaz.
• Air for tyres: Yes.

Car Repairs: In Maxixe.
Car Towing: A truck can be arranged from Maxixe.
Stop Offs: Toilets and a small shop in the petrol station before Maxixe. Maxixe itself is a good place to catch a bite or a bit of shut eye in the 'Stop' Bar or further in town at the Motel.
There's a large market along the EN1 in Massinga and Danilo's Hotel has a very good restaurant which allows you to savour the local flavour a rarity in these parts, Shame!
If you are headed for Morrungulo then try the Sabáo Bakery

Comments:

A lot of road works going on, in and north of Maxixe makes it a very dusty town. The EN1 passes right through Maxixe, which makes it a good stopover point for those heading north. There are several petrol stations in Maxixe that are used regularly, so the fuel should be good quality.
Passed Maxixe the road turns bad, the worst we encountered on this journey. Conduril are the contractors for roads in Maxixe and 70km passed, it will be several years before this section is finished, but it should improve all the time.