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Camping/Driving in Mozambique
Hey everyone,
I hope you all are good!ð
I am a 25-year-old student from Germany, currently studying at the University of Cape Town. My girlfriend and I are planning a road trip in a camping van and are hoping for some advice and details.
We plan to start our journey from Johannesburg around the 19th of December 2024. Our itinerary includes traveling along the Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon, spending some days in the northern/middle part of the Kruger National Park, and then crossing the border at Giriyondo into Mozambique. We aim to visit Tofo, Xai Xai, and Bilene before returning to Johannesburg. On our way back, we would like to re-enter South Africa at the Lebombo/Komatipoort border and spend a few more days in the southern part of the Kruger before returning the van in Johannesburg. The trip will last approximately 19 days, concluding in early to mid-January 2025.
As this is our first time visiting these areas, we have some questions regarding the feasibility of such a trip. We haven’t found much information on similar routes, particularly concerning camping in Mozambique. Could you please advise us if there are suitable camping sites in Mozambique where we can safely park and sleep in the van? Additionally, do you think this route is realistic/safe for a camping van trip (especially in December/January during rainy season in Mozambique)? Do we need a 4x4? Are 19 days enough? Is a car with a rooftop tent better or a camping van with an inside bed? Do you know good/cheap rental companies? Any advice or suggestions based on your experience would be greatly appreciated!ð
For summary, here is an overview of our planned itinerary:
Firstly welcome to our forum. I think that your planned trip is going to keep you very busy. You will find great camping resorts on this web page to assist with your planning in SA.
Few pointers I have are:
- The Kruger National park is a great place to visit but during the summer the vegetation could prevent you from seeing what could be obvious during winter.
- I know Xai Xai and Bilene and there are camping resorts there. Xai Xai actually next to the sea and Bilene next to a great lagoon.
- I cannot comment on the other Moz areas you indicated.
- The roads we travelled on were okay for 2x4 vehicles.
- Seeing that you are in SA awhile already, you know about the crime. Be care full specially when visiting the Blyde-river Canyon and areas.
GOD IS ALTYD TEENWOORDIG
Sonder Jesus is ek niks! ! ! !
Ek kan altyd saamry om die meisie op te pas
Moeg geploeg.
Firstly welcome to our forum. I think that your planned trip is going to keep you very busy. You will find great camping resorts on this web page to assist with your planning in SA.
Few pointers I have are:
- The Kruger National park is a great place to visit but during the summer the vegetation could prevent you from seeing what could be obvious during winter.
- I know Xai Xai and Bilene and there are camping resorts there. Xai Xai actually next to the sea and Bilene next to a great lagoon.
- I cannot comment on the other Moz areas you indicated.
- The roads we travelled on were okay for 2x4 vehicles.
- Seeing that you are in SA awhile already, you know about the crime. Be care full specially when visiting the Blyde-river Canyon and areas.
Thanks a lot, Leon! Much appreciated!
Do you (or others) know if it is possible to get a visa-on-arrival for Mozambique at the Giriyondo border (as European passport holders)?
Moreover, is a car with a rooftop tent better or a camping van with an inside bed for rainy season in Mozambique?
Also, do you know good/cheap rental companies?
Thank you for your help :-)
Just something to bear in mind during your preparations:
The time of year is mid-summer, high rainfall season, high humidity.
Mosquito prime season, be very well prepared with insect repellent 24 hours a day.
You will be in the areas known for high malaria risk, therefore you MUST take some prophylactics!
You could try to browse or contact DriveMoz for info relating to , amongst others, passport regulations etc...etc.. Those guys have a lot of first hand information and are very willing to assist where they can. [https://www.drivemoz.co.za/]
Enjoy the planning.
I don't think you will get "cheap" vehicle rentals as such, at least not with the main companies. There might less reputable ones which I do not know, but being stranded out in the bush I don't think you and especially your girl friend, is not something you would want. I suggest you search for the vehicle hire agencies that let you compare offerings of different you need at places like Travelstart. There are also others.
Het is beter rijk te leven dan rijk te sterven
Another point to keep in mind. You must pre book Kruger on your way to Moz as you must stay a minimum of two nights inside the Kruger before you can exit into another country
Another point to keep in mind. You must pre book Kruger on your way to Moz as you must stay a minimum of two nights inside the Kruger before you can exit into another country
Thank you, Chris :-)
And do you know if it is possible to get a visa-on-arrival for Mozambique at the Giriyondo border when I want to enter Moz from South Africa?
I think you should ask your consul these questions. None of us faces these problems as we do not need a visa to cross the borders with our neighbours so we just do not know how it will effect you with a German passport.
Het is beter rijk te leven dan rijk te sterven
Not the best time of year to go (cyclone season from November to March) 4X2 is fine but you are limited to camp sites you will be able to reach. Campsite in Tofo is Fatima`s Nest and in Bilene is Complexo Palmeiras or the campsite in Xai Xai all reachable by 4X2. One thing to remember is travel time is very slow averaging 60Km/hr as the speed limit signposting is bad and there is a speed cop under just about every tree.
Momomo, welcome to the forum.
As for the hire company, you could contact Bobo Campers https://bobocampers.com they are situated close to OR Tambo airport (Johannesburg) your starting point as well as in Atlantis (Cape Town) . They have various options on vehicle hire including 4x4 and will be able to assist and guide you on your vehicle choice.
Just keep watch on the current unrest in Moz.
Your strongest weapon is your mind!
And then there's, Power Tools!
After the recent elections there, there are reports of violence including in the south. For my penny’s worth I wouldn’t set foot in the place. Far too risky
Never too old to have a happy childhood
I agree with Louvan, far too risky to go to Moz.
SA has closed the border crossing at Lebombo.
....."Due to these security incidents and in the interest of public safety, the port has been temporarily closed until further notice," the South African border agency said.
Link to full article https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwygrne8363o