Travel Adviser : Musical Maputo

How to get there We drove to Maputo via the N4 through Komatipoort to the Lebombo/ Ressano Garcia border post. South Africans don’t need a visa, but your vehicle needs the original or certified copies of its registration papers. You’ll need to buy insurance at the border (R150) and pay R12 to get your passport stamped. On the Mozambican side, follow the EN4 to Maputo.

Who to contact Mozambique Connection organised Getaway’s trip to Maputo. They are experts on Mozambique, offering a range of travel and overnight options to suit all budgets. Tel 011-803-4185, e-mail res@mozcon.com, web http://www.mozcon.com.

Where to stay

$$ Hotel Costa do Sol has spacious, air-conditioned rooms above a legendary restaurant, with additional rooms in park homes behind the building. It can be a bit noisy, especially when the music kicks in across the road, but you’ll be at the heart of the party with only a few metres to stumble to your bed. It costs R280 a person a night sharing rooms in the main hotel. A one-room park home is R400 (sleeps two) and a two-room unit is R450 (sleeps three). Children under 12 are half price. Tel +258-21-450115, e-mail rcs@teledata.mz.

$$$$ to $$$$$ Hotel Cardoso offers top-notch service and luxurious accommodation. The large outdoor terrace with lush gardens and sparkling pool are the perfect spot for sundowners with views over the city and bay. B&B prices range from US$175 (R1 375) for a double room to US$765 (R5 800) a couple sharing the presidential suite. Tel +258-214- 91071, e-mail info@hotelcardoso.co.mz, web http://www.hotelcardoso.co.mz.

$$ Inhacazul‘s large, island-style beach chalets on Inhaca Island are great for families and only 50 metres from the water’s edge. Basic cutlery and equipment are provided for self-catering. Rates range from US$150 (about R1 140) for the six-sleeper chalets to US$200 (R1 500) for the eight-sleeper chalets. Add 50 per cent over peak periods. Tel +258-827-271860, e-mail inhacazul@iol.pt.