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DRIVING - 7 to 8 Hour drive from Johannesburg to Maputo and 7 to 8 hours from Durban to Maputo
The bay of Maputo provides visitors with an experience that is so different from a normal holiday's logistics. There are a few different ways to get to Nhoxani, each with its own appeal:
This is the quickest option compared to driving if you have your own boat. Obtain your 30 day seaworthy and launch at Maputo Marina, where you can safely park your car and trailer for the duration of your stay at Nhoxani. The bay crossing will take 1 - 1.5 hours depending on the tides and you can boat right up to the house. There is a mooring exclusively available for each Villa. We can supply the contact details for the Port Captain to assist with your paperwork.
If you do not have your own boat but wish to charter for the transfers across the bay, various boats are available for approx. R10,500 for a return crossing, covering arrival and departure transfers. Please advise on details and we will help you book accordingly. The boats we choose are all substantial and capable of taking 10 pax with all their luggage, food and drinks for the week.
There are a few charter options. These are supplied by independent owner/operators, but we have negotiated costs as best as we can for visitors for a variety of good boats pictured below. Price covers both ways for all options.
TRANSFER FROM MAPUTO TO SANTA MARIA to stay in one of the Villas available for rental.
The boat will depart from Maputo Marina or Porto De Pesca, where one can safely park your vehicle and trailer for a small fee. Departure times from Maputo Marina can be anytime from 3 hours before high tide to 3 hours after high tide. Departures from Porto De Pesca are not tide dependant. Transfers can be from first light in the morning until 1¼ hours before sunset. If the tides are low, the charter boats can depart from and arrive at Porto de Pesca, just 1.5kms away from Maputo Marina. The cost of the transfers is approx. R10,500 or $735 which covers both legs of the arrival and departure bay crossings.
The International airport is efficient. No VISAs are required for SA passport holders. There are four flights per day from JHB to Maputo and return, direct flights to/from Durban on most days and twice a week flights to/from Cape Town. In addition there are direct International flights from Europe twice a week.
From Maputo to Nhoxani by helicopter is only a 20 minute flight. Charters are available with a cost of approx. $1,500 per leg
From Maputo to Inhaca by small plane is only a 15 minute flight plus 30 minute boat transfer. Charters are available
From Maputo to Nhoxani by boat is a 1 - 1.15 hours transfer. Charters are available. This is the best option in our opinion.
We can supply the necessary detail and maps to assist you with your trip planning:
Images with the road overlay to show you where things are relatively on the peninsula;
The last 500m of road before reaching Nhoxani
BOAT LAUNCH location close by. Mooring can be in front of the house.
ROAD FROM SANTA MARIA VILLAGE TO NHOXANI: follow the power lines toward the peninsula and Nhonguane Lodge signs. Then follow the Nhoxani signs.
ROAD FROM NHOXANI TO PONTA ABRIL BEACH is available on a MAP, which will be supplied.
The last 3 kms to Nhoxani and road to the Ponta Abril beach
If you need any other details on driving to Santa Maria, please let us know.
Driving information has been supplied by others who have done the trip. We can’t guarantee times or road conditions, as they will vary depending on drivers, vehicles, weather.
My experience on the traveling to Santa Maria in Mozambique from Durban: By Tony Mestre We traveled from Durban to Kosi Bay, traveling straight pass Richard Bay till you get to the Kosi Bay turn off. This then takes you straight to Kosi Bay border. Ponta border post time. 08h00 - 17h00 (07h00 – 18h00 in peak season). There are a couple of nice overnight places there if you prefer to stay over and make a fresh start the next morning . (I recommend that you not pass through the border too late as the road up is a bit of a drive and the Ele Reserve gate opens at sunrise but closes half an hour before sunset).
It is a must to travel with 4 x4 only as the road is a bit challenging. If pulling a trailer, I recommend you raise the tow bar so that the trailer doesn’t plough or get stuck as it pulls into the sand. Remember to deflate your tyres to about 1.4 bar. All of this said, it was a great experience to travel by road up to Santa Maria and I will recommend it to anyone.
Once in the border zone, take the straight way up to get to the main highway to Maputo. Travel straight until you get the entrance into the Elephant Reserve West Gate (entrance here is about MZN 900 per person and per vehicle, but prices do change!). As soon as you enter the Reserve keep taking the right at every split. It feels a bit confusing when traveling there some times when there can be up to 3 splits (don’t worry as all of them come back together again). JUST FOLLOW THE POWER LINE heading north!
After exiting the Reserve you will pass a couple of small villages (the people are very friendly and will assist with directions). Although you may feel lost, be assured that you are on the right track as there is only one road going up. You will find one board showing Santa Maria and the split is then left. FOLLOW THE POWER LINE. If you go right here, you’ll head back South to Kosi, via Ponta. So keep left towards Santa Maria after this board and follow the power line to NHOXANI. Near the peninsula, you see the first Nhoxani signs which you can follow to your rented house.
See Mike’s email re how to find Nhoxani once you get close to the top of the peninsula.
Enjoy the trip as this will be a great experience, I hope you find the experience like we did.
If you wish to drive from Nhoxani to Maputo and use the Catembe Ferry to cross the harbor, this summary will guide you:
GAME, SHOPRITE, WOOLWORTHS and many local high quality supermarkets available for every need. Medical facilities are also available if required with private clinics offering excellent support.
Only 4 kms from Nhoxani, offers a convenience store and vegetable market. It supplies a variety of dry goods, some fresh produce and most alcohol and soft beverages. A few rustic restaurants and bars offer local cuisine.
Nhoxani uses borehole water and obtains electricity off the national grid via its own transformer. We have very good drinking water, processed through reverse osmosis at each house.
Contact us
Braby Villa 