ABOUT Paradise Dunes

At Paradise Dunes our team of amazing, friendly and wonderfully welcoming staff is on hand to make sure your holiday with us is the very best it can be. All of our casas are cleaned and serviced daily by our housekeepers and we have security staff on duty 24/7, meaning you can relax and just enjoy the views.

Tofo Beach - arguably one of the best beaches in Mozambique, if not Southern Africa - is just a short stroll away and offers the chance to truly escape with its endless golden sands and zero crowds giving it an air of exclusivity and remoteness that are highly prized when it comes to getting away from it all!

There are a variety of wonderful beachside restaurants, bars and eateries within easy walking distance and the town itself is a short distance away, offering wonderful fresh produce from open-air market stalls. Just a few kilometers out of town there is a brand new supermarket that will provide for all your needs.

Of course, there's an unlimited supply of fresh seafood on your doorstep, so don't be afraid to grab the catch of the day and pop it on the braai (barbecue) with some wonderful, locally made peri peri sauce and a splash of fresh lemon juice and a gorgeous, fresh salad on the side! And of course, wash it down with a cold Impala - a local beer made from cassava rather than barley and the tipple of choice!

If you'd like advice and recommendations for the best restaurants and shops, please don't hesitate to ask.

It's always good to know the nitty gritty before you leave, so here is a list of useful info and tips to help you plan your holiday at Paradise Dunes and your trip to Mozambique.

The Mozambique government recently declared all tourism lodges and self catering establishments as NO SMOKING areas. Therefore, please refrain from smoking inside the cottages to prevent having to pay a hefty fine.

Paradise Dunes's water supply is from a private borehole. During busy times and long periods without rainfall, water can be in short supply, so we do ask guests to please use water sparingly at all times.

The water may sometimes appear slightly brown in colour and have a strange odour. This is due to a low water table and the cassava plants growing in the area.

The water is safe for use, but we do recommend using bottled water for drinking. 

The Casas make use of septic tanks, please ensure NO foreign objects are thrown in the toilet. 

There is an informal local market in Tofo where necessities such as vegetables, fruit, beverages, bread, fish, seafood, charcoal etc are available. 

A short distance outside of Tofo there is a small shopping centre with a petrol station, tuck shop, BCI Bank branch with ATM for cash withdrawals, a deli as well as a new SPAR grocery store.

The climate in Tofo is warm to hot and humid all year round. 

In winter (June, July, August) you can expect cooler evenings. In spring and summer (September to May) temperatures get up to 30°C to 35°C with high humidity. 

As Paradise Dunes is situated on top of a sand dune, a gentle breeze usually breaks the extreme heat. We have fans in all of our rooms to help cool things down.

Rainfall is at its highest during January and February, when we mostly get thunderstorms in the late afternoons and evenings.

To drive in Mozambique you will need an international driver’s license unless you are a South African citizen who can drive with just a South African license.

If you are bringing in a vehicle:

A privately owned vehicle or trailer/boat trailer, within the SADC (Southern African Development Community) countries must have the registration book or documents. A much better idea is to make certified copies of your registration papers and laminate them. You will be required to show them upon entry at the border. 

If you have a vehicle still owned by an financial institution, obtain a STAMPED copy of vehicle registration paper. 

If the driver is not the registered owner, then a letter from the owner authorising use of the vehicle/trailer/boat is required. 

If you are driving a hired vehicle, then the rental company must give a letter of authorisation to the driver to use the vehicle in Mozambique. 

Vehicles with a foreign registration must pay third party insurance. This can be obtained on the border at Hollard Insurance or from any AA outlet. 

It is strongly advised to insure your vehicle comprehensively and make sure that cross-border travel is covered by your policy. 

Traffic in Mozambique drives on the lefthand side of the road. Two emergency triangles per vehicle are required by law.

If you are towing a boat or trailer, you should have a yellow triangle on a blue background towing sign on the front righthand side of your vehicle and on the rear righthand side of the boat or trailer.

It's compulsory for motorists to carry reflective jackets when entering Mozambique and the wearing of seatbelts is compulsory.

It is illegal to drive on beaches and you may only do so to launch a boat.

Maputo is 120km from the Ressano Garcia border post on a freeway and has three toll gates before entering Maputo. Be very careful to keep to the speed limits, as if you transgress the speed limits, you are liable to a fine. Do not cross solid white lines and, wear your seat belts, front and back seats.

The first toll gate is Mt105.00. The second and third toll gates  are Mt20.00 each. You can pay in US$ or Meticais or SA Rands. Change will be in Meticais. 

Driving after dark can be a high risk and dangerous because of poor road conditions in some areas, the poor maintenance of many vehicles in the country (e.g. no headlights or rear lights), as well as the threat imposed by livestock that graze on roadsides. Please plan your trip carefully and rather stay over for the night. 

It's very important to make sure that you have third party insurance.

At the Ressano Garcia border once you have completed your immigration processes, your vehicle will be checked to see that no forbidden goods or plants are being brought into Mozambique.

You will receive a gate pass which you hand to the officer at the gate, who will then allow you through into Mozambique.