Getting to Barra beach Mozambique

Flights to Barra beach
To fly to Barra Beach you need a flight to Inhambane from where most lodges will collect or you can get a taxi Flight information and prices to Inhambane

Papers needed and border procedure for taking vehicles across the border into Mozambique

Driving to Barra beach

• From South Africa take the N4 via Nelspruit to the Komatipoort border post
• There is now a good tar road all the way into Maputo from the South African Border at Komatipoort, there is a toll half way between the border and Maputo.
• Just keep on the EN4 until you arrive on the outskirts of Maputo where there EN4 takes one left turn,
• Follow the EN4 around the outskirts of Maputo city until the next toll station.
• Go through the toll and take the next road off to the left - signed 'Xai Xai EN1', this is the main road north.
• The EN1 continues to wends its way around Maputo at all robots, lights, junctions, circles and roundabouts keep straight on - stay on the EN1 all the way until you reach Xai Xai
• Carry on through Xai Xai (where refueling is a good idea) and stay on the EN1
• Pass through all the towns and villages (slowing to the speed limit and looking out for speed traps).
• Approx 225km north of Xai Xai you will arrive at a small village called 'Lindela' take the turning to the right down to Inhambane (also goes to Guinjata, Barra and Tofo) there are several lodge signboards on this junction.
  Generally the tar road from Lindela to Inhambane is in a bumpy potholed/partly refilled potholed road.
• Follow the road into Inhambane (about 36km) town until you get the port buildings on your left (there are also some seats and canons on the left overlooking Inhambane Bay) and a broad road going up to the right, take the road to the right
• Follow the road straight up to the top - on the way up you will see Inhambane Petromac fuel station on the right and a great cafe on the sidewalk on the left -
• At the T junction at the top turn right.
• Follow the road all the way to the end where it makes a sharp left turn (signpost on the corner for Tofo/barra) go round the corner to the left and follow this tar road
• After approx 20km the tar road will take a sharp right turn around a local bar called 'Bar Babalaza' on the left (almost straight on) is a gravel road this is the road dow to Barra beach. Its condition is variable, the lodges keep it in reasonable shape - passable for 2wd - but go slowly it has small sandy ruts, odd dips and can get corrugated !
• It is only 16km along this track you will arrive at Barra beach.

There is no fuel stations on Barra Beach (or shops) Nearest fuel and shops Inhambane

Fuel Stops - these places normally have all fuel types and supply clean fuel.
Komatipoort SA (fuel is generally more expensive in Mozambique than South Africa)
Maputo - just before the second toll station is a good fuel station - toilets sometimes clean
Xai Xai - good place to fill up - slightly more expensive than Maputo and from here northwards fuel prices jump up ! three stations in town and two on the road north out of town.
Also there is 3 ATMs in Xai Xai - accepting most Visa/MasterCards and debit cards, good place to get some local currency.
Inhambane Two fuel stations in Inhambane (both off the main street) normally 20% more expensive than Maputo. Two cash Machines in Inhambane - always busy
Maxixe Several stations dotted along the main road through Maxixe, generally a fraction cheaper than Inhambane but still 15% more than Maputo
Vilanculos Two fuel stations on the EN1 just before you turn off to Vilanculos, both run on generator so allow time for the staff to turn it on to pump fuel, prices usually 30% more then Maputo. One fuel station in Vilanculos itself, more expensive then the ones up on the main road and runs out of fuel quite often !

Other places along the EN1 where fuel can be available but not always reliably:
Marracuene
Palmeria
Macia
Quissico
Inharrime
Morrumbene
Massinga

Distances:
Johannesburg to Barra Beach 1083km
Johannesburg to Nelspruit 350km
Nelspruit to Komatipoort border 95km - EN4 road
Komatipoort border to Maputo 95km - EN4 road - two tolls
Maputo to Xai Xai 249km - EN1 road
Xai Xai to Lindela 225km - EN1 road
Lindela to Inhambane 36km
Inhambane to Barra beach 33km

Mozambique Toll Stations
These can be paid in Rand, US$ or Mozambique Meticais
Please note Garage cards, debit cards and credit cards are NOT accepted at Toll stations
There are not many toll routes in Mozambique the main two are on the road between Komatipoort and Maputo.