They may be our neighbours, but reaching Mozambique is a difficult task for many South Africans – specifically those in Durban. However, the pain of commuting across the border has been strongly remedied by a recent Intercape announcement: The coach travel company are now running a route from Durban to Mozambique.
With no direct flights between the two locations, it’s often an awkard transfer at Johannesburg that has to facilitate those who travel by air. But last year, things got a little easier on this commute:
The Maputo-Catembe Bridge was inaugurated by the President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, on Saturday 10 November 2018. The three-kilometre-long suspension bridge, which extends 680 metres over Maputo Bay, has been lauded as a Southern Africa’s latest and greatest engineering feat, giving SA a direct route to the capital city of Maputo.
With this bridge now in place, it have shaved hours off of the journey time. And Intercape are ready to pounce upon the opportunity. Here’s everything you need to know about the new service.
What route does it take from Durban, and how many stops are there?
- Durban Station, Motorcoach Terminal – 7:15
- Mvoti Shell – 8:15
- Empangeni tourist office, Turnbull Street – 9:35
- Richards Bay, McDonalds on the Premier Promenade – 10:00
- Hluhluwe PetroPort – 11:10
- Hluhluwe, Engen on Main Road – 11:40
- Mbazwana, R22 bus stop – 12:45
- Manguze, boxer store – 13:50
- Kosi Bay (border post in South Africa) – 14:10
- Ponta Do Ouro (border post in Mozambique) – 14:30
- Katembe, Chali bus stop – 16:20
- Maputo, Intercape office – 16:45
Total travel time
You’re looking at a commute of nine hours and 30 minutes. It may be longer than flying – even with the whole inconvenience of making a transfer – but it’s a much more affordable option. Although Durban to Maputo can be done in about six or seven hours, the Intercape coach has 11 stops and two border posts to negotiate.
Other information
Of course, being on a coach for nearly 10 hours sounds a little gruelling. But Intercape have got you covered: Four hours into the journey, passengers can grab refreshments and stretch their legs at the Hluhluwe PetroPort, before embarking on the remaining five-hour trek.
Border crossings, meanwhile, will take around 40 minutes. It’s essential you have the correct travel documents and your passport with you, in order to make any inspections run as smoothly as possible. You can no longer buy a visa on the Mozambique border, and travellers will have to sort theirs before departing.
