FAQ (frequently asked questions) for YOU

Punch Bag has been bugging me forFAQs ever since she took the position of Web Mistress. I told her sheshould FAQ herself, but she seems to think that white males of acertain age FAQ best - maybe she's knows something - Bwana
  • Visas:
    Q: Dear Bwana, there's no Mozambican Embassy in my country (Malaysia). Is it easy to get a visa at the airport?
    A: While it is possible to get visas at the airport it will take quite a long wait, particularly if there are a lot of you together. Bwana is going to talk to the authorities there to try to speed things up. Normal situation is a wait of from 10 minutes to over an hour if you are a group. Getting a visa in advance obviously avoids this, and if you want a multiple entry for any reason it is definitely a good idea, as the airports only issue single entry. You get a visa from any Mozambique Consulate. Regarding Malaysia, Bwana has been in touch with the Mozambique Consul General to Thailand. If sending your passport to Bangkok is a possibility for you, then you can contact Wichan at mozathai@thailand.com and find out what has to be done. Bwana will also make some enquiries from his side.

  • How to get here:There are two airlines flying daily from JoBurg to Maputo, South African Airways (SAA) and LAM, the Mozambican national carrier. SAA have told me that they will arrange a special price for hashers, but this is not in place yet.

    You could also go by road. There is a bus service, which is relatively OK but quite slow. By car it is 6 or 7 hours drive. The road is good, the border crossing OK if you know the ropes. Most Car hire firms have agents in JoBurg airport, but you will have to check whether they let you take the cars to Mozambique.

    The Southern end of Kruger park is just over the border in South Africa. You would drive past it on the way from JoBurg if you drive. The Crocodile Gate entrance is about an hour and a half drive from Maputo. There are many places to stay, both inside and just outside the reserve. Dana Tours is our recommended agent and they may be able to help you sort through them. Our contact is:

    Natalie Tenzer-Silva, Director of Dana Tours Maputo
    Tel: +258-21497483
    Fax: +258-21497428
    e-mail: Natalie@danatours.net
    Website: www.danatours.net

    However, the Pestana Group - one of the hotel chains we are using in Maputo - have a very nice lodge just outside the park, with views into the reserve looking over the Crocodile river. We have been offered special rates for Hashers by Pestana, I will be getting rates also this week. If you want to check it out yourself the contacts are:
    Pestana Kruger Lodge
    Kruger National Park
    Malelane Gate
    Mpumalanga province
    South Africa
    Tel: +27 13 790 2503
    Fax: +27 13 790 0280
    Pestana also have other lodges in Mozambique (Inhaca island & Bazaruto) for which they will give good rates to Hashers.

  • Front coming bastards, stragglers:
    Q: Hi Bwana,will it be possible to get a single room earlier and after the event? I'll be comingall the way from the other side of the planet, and I'd would like have few more days before and after to max and relax.
    A:Yes there should be no problems getting a room earlier or after the event. The two hotels that we are using are Pestana Rovuma and Hotel Cardoso. They are both giving us very special rates for hashers of USD 30 per night, b+b. This is very cheap for a four star hotel~in Maputo - you won't get better shopping around. The hotels should give you the same rate for any extra days you book on either end of your stay. You can contact either of them and mention that you are one of the Africa Hash Group. If you don't get immediate reaction the people who know about the special rates are the respective managers - John Elliot (Cardoso) and Arturo Esposito (Pestana Rovuma).

    CONTACTS:
    Hotel Cardoso
    Avenida Martires de Mueda 707; PO Box 35 - Maputo
    Tel: +258 (21) 491071 Fax: + 258 (21) 491804
    email:info@hotelcardoso.co.mz
    General Manager - John Elliot - gm@hotelcardoso.co.mz

    Pestana Rovuma Hotel
    Rua da Sé, 114
    Caixa Postal 4376
    Maputo – Mozambique
    Tel: + 258 21 305 000
    Fax: +258 21 305 305
    reservas.africa@pestana.com
    General Manager - Arturo Esposito - "ARTURO ESPOSITO" arturo.esposito@pestana.com

  • Cash: Youwon't need to spend much, most things are included, but there willalways cash bars and we want you to spend as much as possible in ourtourist shops to benefit the lovcal economy and make us rich, so makesure you have some spare cash to pay for that "beer for the road".Mozambique is a poor country, don't carry or leave around large amountsof cash - be sensible.

  • Local Currency:The local currency in Mozambique is the Metical (plural Meticais). Atthe time of writing it is about 30,000 to the US$ but it will berevalued on 1st July 2006 by dividing by 1000. ie, based on today'srate it will become 30 Meticais / US$. US$ are also accepted almosteverywhere in Mozambique and also South African Rands, but keep a bitof local currency for small purchases as the rates offered on othercurrencies may not be favourable.

  • Currency Exchange: Thereis an ATM at Maputo Airport which often works and Bureaux de Change canbe found all over Maputo. Your hotel will also change limited amountsof currency. Outside Maputo there are ATMs in most towns, but theydon't always work, so don't rely on them totally.

  • Plastic money: : Creditcards (principally VISA) are accepted in many larger places in Maputo,but not in small bars or shops. Travellers' Cheques are difficult tochange, not recommended.

  • Electrical plugs:Mozambique uses continental 2 pin plugs. Current is 220 voltseverywhere. South African (3 round pin) sockets are used in somehotels.

  • The sun shinesbrightly in deepest darkest Africa, so don't forget the sun tan cream.Plenty of volunteers to rub cream on your back, legs,……… all over suntan.

  • Dress:Nothing we are doing on the Africa hash or Postramble requires smartclothes. Theme events are the Green Dress run and the Hash Ball - whichis a "St Paddy comes to Africa" theme (African and/or St Paddy gearwill be appreciated, and prizes awarded). Apart from that, casual orhash clothes are sufficient - but remember - it can also get cold atnight in deepest darkest Africa - bring at least one item of warmclothing for the evenings.

  • Malaria: Maputoand surrounding parts are designated as malaria risk areas - soremember to take your tablets if you are on them. (ask your doctor formedical advice).

  • Other medical precautions:As far as we know there are no other special vacinations required forcoming to Mozambique - but we are hashers, not doctors. Get medicaladvice if you are worried. State Hospitals in Mozambique are bestavoided. There are private clinics and your Mis-management Committeemembers have numbers to call. Major emergencies may require evacuationto nearby South Africa. All medical treatment for whatever reason is atyour own expense. Get medical insurance. Accidents do happen. The hashis uninsured and uninsurable and the mis- management is irresponsibleand will not take responsibility. In fact they will all run away toanother foreign country you have never heard of if you try to sue them.

  • Visas: Mozambiquevisas are required for all nationalities other than South African andSwaziland Passport holders. They can now be purchased at the borders,but it takes time. (up to 20 minutes or sometimes a bit less). At thetime of writing visas at the border cost US$25, (equivalent alsopayable in SA Rand). You can save time at the border by getting one inadvance at your nearest Mozambique Embassy, it takes a day or two andit might cost you more.

  • Transit through South Africa: Ifyou are coming in via South Africa and intend to leave the transit areaat the airport check whether you need a visa - most nationalitiesdon't, some do. South African immigration officials sometimnes requiretwo clean pages in your passport - without which they will not let youin. Don't know why - you figure it out, but you have been warned!

  • Customs: Youonly are allowed to bring US$ 50 per person worth of new or consumablegoods into Mozambique. (personal clothes etc. are exempt). More thanthat and you pay duty. There are specific limits for alcohol andtobacco. You are also not allowed to take high values of local currency(Meticais) out of the country. (You can't exchange it when you get homeanyway, so spend it here or give it to your nearest Maputo or MatolaHash Committee member.) Don't try to bribe officials, even if you thinkthey are suggesting it - its not necessary, and it always pays to obeythe law, even if it takes a little longer.

  • Crime: Mozambiquedoes not have a particularly high crime rate by regional standards.Certainly we have less violent crime than nearby South Africa. However,it is a very poor country and things that may not appear to have muchvalue to you may still be valued by someone else. As in any city in theworld, watch your belongings, don't carry large amounts of money orvaluables on you and don't wander alone late at night, particularly indark or lonely streets or beaches.

  • Drinking water and food:Most expatriates drink bottled water even though water in taps inMaputo is generally safe (Bwana drinks it - but he would drinkanything!). Do not drink any water from rivers etc. You can safely eatand drink in restaurants, although some visitors do occasionallyexperience a Maputo tummy. Don't blame us if your constitution isn'tstrong enough for the country!!

Last updated 11.12.2006