Handy to know

Currency: Metical (M10 = R2); the rand is accepted in some places in the south, but metical is preferred
Fuel: Diesel and leaded and unleaded petrol are readily available near large centres, but are scarce in remote areas.
Malaria risk: High
Emergency numbers: 119 (police); 117 (ambulance); 198 (fire brigade)
SA consulate: Avenida Eduardo Mondlane 41, Caixa Postal 1120, Maputo; 00258 21 49 0059/3030; their after-hours duty officer 00258 84 304 4600; sahc@tropical.co.mz
High Commission in SA: 012 401 0300; highcomm@embamoc.co.za
More information: www.mcli.co.za; www.mozambiquetourism.co.za

Documents required

Visa: Not required for SA travellers for a stay less than 30 days.
International driver’s licence: Recommended, but not compulsory; valid SA driver’s licence
Inoculation certificate: Typhoid, hepatitis A, tetanus and meningitis vaccinations are recommended.
Medical insurance: Yes
Vehicle insurance: Third-party insurance is compulsory (you can buy it at any travel agent, the border post or the AA at ± R150, valid for 30 days)
Vehicle registration documents: Original documents (or a letter from the financial institution if the vehicle hasn’t been paid off); It is also recommended that your insurance company provides you with a letter confirming cover for the period as well as a repatriation letter if applicable in the event of an accident.
Clearance certificates: Mozambican customs forms or a temporary import permit for your vehicle and boat trailer (± R5-7); a vehicle customs clearance form (available at the border post); permit to launch your boat (obtainable from lodges or an official).

At the border post

Cost: Apart from the third-party insurance (± R150 if you don’t buy it beforehand) you also need a temporary import permit per vehicle (R5-7).
Equipment: Reflective jacket is mandatory; one set of red warning triangles; one yellow-and-blue Mozambique warning triangle placed on right of vehicle’s front bumper (especially if you are in the Tete Corridor). If towing a trailer, you need two yellow-and-blue Mozambique warning triangles, to be displayed on the vehicle’s front bumper and on the rear of the trailer.
ZA sticker: Yes
What may I take in? Allowance for personal goods into Mozambique is US$50 per person, including 400 cigarettes; 1 litre spirits; 2.5 litre wine and 50 ml perfume (opened). Thereafter you have to declare and pay duties and taxes.
What else? Narcotics and firearms are restricted; no animals or pets are allowed to be taken across the border without the necessary permits.
Border post times: Pafuri 08.00-16.00; Ponta do Ouro-Kosi Bay 08.00-17.00; Ressano Garcia-Lebombo (Komatipoort) 06.00-24.00 (Plans were afoot to keep it open 24 hours from around middle December, but it hasn’t been confirmed.)

Originally published in DO #42 Jan-Feb 2011