Did we have a great day!
While staying at Buhala Game Lodge, near Malelane in Mpumalanga, South Africa we decided to visit Maputo for lunch. Setting off at about nine we arrived at the border near Komatiepoort after a 40-minute drive. We went through the border posts with little delay and were soon on the very good road to Maputo-capital of Mozambique. This was an amazing 90-minute drive- from dry and almost desert landscape to bustling Maputo.
TT1 Buy your compulsory third party insurance at the garage in Malelane- this saves a lot of time and hassle at the border. You must have your car registration papers.
TT2 Have small change on you as you go through 2 tolls in Mozambique and change is given in the local currency meticals- 1USD is about 25,800 meticals
TT3 We drove straight to the Polana Hotel- an elegant and gracious hotel of colonial times that is situated in the heart of Maputo on Avenue Julius Nyerere. If you are not a resident you are not allowed off the patio but this still a good place to have a morning coffee and admire the beautiful view over the Bay of Mapotu.
TT4 Then head down the beach road, past the Polana Casino. You come to a Sasol garage- park here and walk across the local fish market- try and go on a week day as the week-ends are frenetic. Here you can buy fresh seafood and the vendors will cook it for you-if you have more than one day in Maputo this is great but we decided to rather eat on the beach.
TT5 Plan to spread you lunch over 2 restaurants- just to take in more local experiences. We had wonderful appetisers at Mira Mar ( Av Da Marginal. N 4272 tel: -238 21 48 75 73) sitting right on the beach. Try the Camarao Alinho- garlic shrimp prawns and Iula Grelhanda Petisco- grilled calamari snack. And you must order pao-delicious loaves of fresh bread.
TT6 Then keep going until you come to the famous Costa Do Sol(on av. Marinal. Tel: + 258- 21450115)- here the order is definitely prawns and caiparinah cocktails!