The Routes and Roads
Please note : It is advisable to come to Ilala in a 4X4 vehicle. The back road from Inhassoro to us is very sandy. If you do not have a 4×4 and are driving to us in a 2 wheel drive it is possible to get to us provided you have a reasonable clearance from the ground and if you let out some air in your tyres to 1 bar.
From Zim- Inhassoro turn off
By car most will come via Forbes / Machipanda border post after Mutare. If you are coming from the SE Lowveld / Chipinge areas you will probably come via Espungaberra. Just after the border near Chicamba Dam (40km) is Casa Msika where you can overnight. Website: www.casamsika.com. Phone: +258 82 440 4304.
The road from the border towards Beira is the only route. The whole road is very good brand new tar (at last!) Turn off at Inchope heading for Inhambane. At the Save River there is a road toll but you only have to pay on the route back, Occasionally your car will be searched there.
Please watch the speed limits signs. The speed limit is only 100 and wherever there is a local school or clinic or little village there will be a speed limit. There are usually speed cops after Chimoio, Gondola and after Inchope at one or two other little villages before the Save. You will be fined 1000MTN for speeding. Please make sure you get a receipt. They may try to offer you a bribe of 500MTN without receipt. If offered this bribe we usually ask for their name and police ID number (pleasantly, almost jokingly) and often are just sent on our merry way without the fine or the bribe. After the Save there are a few potholes until the turn off to Inhassoro. The road from Forbes / Machpanda border to Inhassoro turn off is roughly 600kms. You can stay the night at the Milpark Hotel just after Chimoi – 9 ams past Shoprite where you can stock up on provision. Contact Ismail Laher on milparkhotel@hotmail.com to make your booking.
From SA-Inhassoro turn off
From SA by car most will come via the Ressano Garcia border post on the N7 via Komatipoort.
The road from there to Maputo is great ( Johannesburg to Maputo 560km/7hrs) and we recommend you stay the night here. Leave early the next day driving North on the EN1. The road is fairly good tar to Inhambane (462km/ 6hrs) After Inhambane the road can be fairly shocking with potholes and detours. When you get to Vilankulo turn off (about 280km approx 5hrs) the road improves and the potholes are currently being repaired. Don’t turn off to Vilankulos, instead drive straight for ~ 45mins till you get to the Inhassoro turn off.
Inhassoro Turn off – Ilala Beach Lodges
Fill up at Inhassoro turn off. It’s about 20mins till you see the sea. Seta Hotel is on your left and a great place to have a Manica beer and phone us to let us know you are there. We can then tell you whether the tide is good to get to us via the beach or on our back road.
The road through the village curves to the right at Seta (Seta on your left). You will see a monument in front of you (to stop the drunken taxi drivers from driving into the sea.) Drive through the village till the tar runs out and turn left onto the dirt road. The dirt road curves to the right. Drive straight for the back road (or rather curvy, winding) till you hit the first Ilala sign. The back road to Ilala is fully signposted and accessible via 4×4 or via 2-wheel (with reasonable clearance from the ground) in second gear with air let out of your tyres to approx 1bar. It will take you about 30mins to get to Ilala. You will notice that there are many tracks on this back road. If the road is fairly dry, stick to the roads that veer right into the vlei as the track is harder and less sandy. If it is wet and you see puddles on the road it is best to stick to the original road. In the end most roads heading South should lead to us if you follow the Ilala signs.
Please note:
It is illegal to drive on the beach now. This is regardless of purchase of a beach license, the license is illegal also so please don’t waste your money buying one. There is a fine of US$4000.00 if caught driving on the beach. I have left the beach route directions online for situations of flooding post cyclone, as we have no options but to use the beach if the back roads are flooded. Many thanks
See the Map to get to us from Inhassoro town. It’s very easy to get here. If you have no 4×4 we like to know if you are on your way as a vehicle can be standing by to rescue you if you get stuck in the sandy patches or mud during heavy rains. Please refer to the contact number provided with you booking confirmation.