By bus
From Johannesburg
By plane
Most international flights to/from Mozambique use Maputo's airport IATA: MPM. See the the Mozambique page for more information.
LAM
(http://www.lam.co.mz) operate a high number of domestic flights within Mozambique.TAP
flies non-stop from Lisbon.SAA
(http://www.flysaa.com) operates two flights a day from Johannesburg to Maputo and SA Airlink has five flights a week from both Durban and Cape Town.Taxis from the airport to town should be around 500 Metecais approx US$18. Hotels generally send their buses to meet flights, but only if they have passengers on the flight with bookings at their hotel. Local SIM cards can be bought at the shop near the exit from the terminal where there is also a bank.
By car
The highway from Johannesburg to Maputo is very good. From Johannesburg, take the N4 towards Nelspruit about 400 km. From Nelspruit, continue following the N4 to Komatipoort, the last town on the South African side about 100 km. Just past Komatipoort is the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia border post. NB: current car registration papers or good facsimile thereof and third party insurance are required to get a car past the border. Insurance can only? be purchased at the border. On the Mozambican side, just follow the N4 now called EN4 for a further 80 km or so to reach Maputo.
Also easy access from Manzini in Swaziland, around 186 km. With minivan/taxi the cost from Manzini to Maputo is around US$8 with luggage price per October 2006. The drive time, including getting visa at the Namaacha border post, is 4 hrs. The price for visa is US$66.
From Durban, on the KwaZulu Natal coast South Africa, Maputo is 600 km away and best approached via the Golele border post into Swaziland. The shortest route from Golele into Mozambique is at the Goba border post.
Lebombo/Ressano Garcia Border ControlThe border control can be very intimidating to new and even returning visitors to Mozambique. As you drive into the Mozambican side of the border, you will have many people rushing to your vehicle some even looking quite official and then directing you to perform this or that activity. The goal is probably to intimidate you so that you use their services expertise to expedite the border crossing, which they do. They will then suggest that you pay them a fee that you believe is fair for all this.In essence, the role of these helpers is to "fast track" your queue through the border control, meaning that they kinda bump the ordinary traveller out of the queue. This is done with the tacit approval of the border officials--implying that they are part of the tactic, and they quite possibly also receive some gain from it.
Depending on your standpoint, it may be viewed as encouraging an activity that is not entirely legal but expedites your passage, or something you are vehemently opposed to.
By bike
If you are a little adventurous, it is possible to cycle by means of a mountain bike from Maputo to Ponta do Ouro. But be warned that you will have to push your bicycle for about 30 km through thick sand. The trip is well worth it, and the look on the locals faces when they find out where you are going is not to be missed.Be warned though that it can be dangerous at times so try to travel in a group.