NB: The border between South Africa and Mozambique at Kosi Bay opens at 08h00 and closes at 17h00 daily.

Entry Formalities

Visitors require a passport which must be valid for at least six months after the intended date of return from Mozambique.

South African passport holders do not require a visa for Mozambique. All other passport holders must obtain a visa either from the nearest Mozambican Consulate or alternatively directly from the Kosi Bay Border Post (approx R600 paid in cash).

The contact details for the Mozambican Consuls in South Africa are:

Johannesburg: 011 327 2942
Pretoria: 012 401 0300
Durban: 031 304 0200
Cape Town: 021 426 2944

A number of travel companies in Johannesburg offer a visa service for Mozambique saving you the frustration of standing in long queues. Although a handling fee is charged, there is usually less of a delay and the additional cost is well worth it. Contact VIP Visa Service through Mozambique Connections on 011 803 4185 or 011 803 3861 (fax).

Applications for visas must be accompanied by your passport and a completed Request for Entry form. A proof of payment is required on collection of the passport and visa as the Consulate does not handle cash. The bank account of the Mozambican Consulate in Johannesburg is:

Account name: Mozambique Consulate
Bank: First National Bank
Branch: Bank City Branch code 250805
Account number: 6201 1513 456

The border post opens at 08h00 and closes at 17h00 daily. It does not take much time to get through the border posts. However long weekends and peak holiday periods can create extensive delays. A small fee (about R17) is payable in cash at passport control to cover the cost of processing each passport.

Customs

Visitors are exempt from paying import duty on personal effects, sporting and recreational equipment and food and consumables as follows: 5 litres wine, 1 litre spirits, 400 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250 ml toilet water, 50 ml perfume.

Border post formalities

On arrival at the Kosi Bay border post you will be required to take out Third Pary insurance on your vehicle and trailer (if applicable) and complete an entry form. You may need to show the original registration papers of your vehicle so it is best to have them with you. Policies are based on the value (normally approximately R175) and are valid for 30 days.

After completing immigration formalities you will have to complete a re-importation of goods form (Form DA 65) for your vehicle, trailer and all material identifiable items. a copy of this documentation is required to be returnd to the customs officials on exiting Mozambique.

Please note that no fresh food and meat can be taken back in to South Africa unless it is frozen and vacuum packed.

Fuel & Diesel

Normal fuel and diesel are available at Ponta do Ouro however unleaded fuel is unavailable. Kwangwanase in South Africa is the last point at which unleaded fuel is available.

Grocery shopping

There is a very well stocked Spar (groceries and hardware) at Kwangwanase (Manguzi) at which any last minute shopping can be done.