Mozambique has various ports of entry located at various points along its boundary shared with Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Crossing the Mozambican border is relatively straightforward. Border operating times can vary between border posts. So it’s a good idea to look up their operating hours before departing.

if you are entering Mozambique from South Africa, here are the official border post operating hours: Border Post: Lebombo, Operating Hours 6:00 am - 12:00 am, Location: Lebombo / Ressano Garcia, Contact Number: +27 13 793 7311

Border Post: Kosi Bay, Operating Hours 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Location: Kosi Bay / Ponta do Ouro, Contact Number: +27 35 592 9536

Border Post: Giriyondo: Operating Hours 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Location: Giriyondo, Contact Number +27 13 735 8919

Border Post: Pafuri, Operating Hours 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Location: Pafuri, Contact Number: +27 13 735 6882

Major border posts operate 24 hours a day during peak holiday seasons to cater for the influx of travelers. Although we do not recommend driving at night, crossing the border at early hours of the morning (between 2 am and 6 am) may help you avoid lines which can sometimes add several hours onto your journey.

If you find yourself in traffic which is back up for several miles, do not try to jump the line by driving ahead. Mozambican border posts are notorious for being chaotic, especially during the holiday peak season - usually in April around Easter and in December around Christmas. The best approach is to be patient and wait in line as traffic officers will not think twice when issuing traffic fines and send you to the back of the line.

It is not unusual to find ‘freelancers’ offering unsolicited assistance to travelers at the border post. Their services include jumping ahead of traffic lines, acquiring 3rd party insurance, and fast-tracking the immigration process (having your passport stamped on your behalf).

Our advice is to decline any offer at all costs. Although we promote supporting locals and their businesses, we feel that these individuals’ actions contribute to the delays and chaos experienced at border posts.

These freelancers are not agents of the Mozambican Immigration Authority and therefore act in their own capacity. There have been many instances where passports, driver’s licenses and vehicle documents have been held until payment for their services has been settled in full.

Documents should always be in your possession and only handed to immigration officials if requested to do so (for inspection and stamping).

The Mozambican immigration process is very straightforward and any traveler will be more than capable of entering the country without requiring any assistance from ‘freelancers’. Patience is the only requirement.

And if you’re not sure which form to fill in or which line to stand in, politely ask an immigration official inside the immigration office and they will gladly assist you.