How to Get Here
The poor road network and lack of associated infrastructure present special challenges for those tourists wanting to visit the Niassa National Reserve in Northern Mozambique. A high clearance vehicle with “dif lock” is the minimum requirement and all visitors must be self contained in terms of camping equipment, fuel, food, medical supplies and communication.
The Reserve can be accessed:
From Maputo
From South Africa (via Ressano Garcia)
From South Africa (via Pafuri)
From Zimbabwe (via Chimoio)
From Zimbabwe (via Tete)
From Lichinga
From Tanzania (via Mueda)
From Pemba
By Air
Click this link to see the interactive map
From Maputo
By road take EN1 north towards Xai Xai, Maxixe, across the Save River up to Inchope, and on to the EN6 (Chimoio – Beira road ). Continue on the EN1 north towards Caia and cross the Zambezi River over the new bridge. Continue on the EN7 to the small towns of Nicoadala, Namacurra and Mocuba. Take the road 231 towards Guruè and onwards to Cuamba. Here the choice is to travel directly to the Reserve, using the Road that goes to Marrupa, or to travel first to Lichinga on EN8, and once in Lichinga take the Road going East towards Marrupa. From Marrupa travel north straight to the Reserve and the entrance gate at Kiboko across the Lugenda River.
From South Africa (via Ressano Garcia)
By road from South Africa via Komatieport/Ressano Garcia, following the EN4 to Maputo and then north on the EN1 via Xai Xai, Maxixe, across the Save River up to Inchope, and on to the EN6 (Chimoio – Beira road ). Continue on the EN1 north towards Caia and cross the Zambezi River over the new bridge. Continue on the EN7 to the small towns of Nicoadala, Namacurra and Mocuba. Take the road 231 towards Guruè and onwards to Cuamba. Here the choice is to travel directly to the Reserve, using the Road that goes to Marrupa, or to travel first to Lichinga on EN8, and once in Lichinga take the Road going East towards Marrupa. From Marrupa travel north straight to the Reserve and the entrance gate at Kiboko across the Lugenda River.
From South Africa (via Pafuri)
From Pafuri follow the road towards Mapai, across the Limpopo River. Take the road northeast that goes to Machaila and Mabote, following Eastwards straight to Mapinhane. This is the road that crosses the Great Limpopo TFCA (passing close to Limpopo, Banhine and Zinave National Parks). Take the left, northwards, along the EN1, crossing the Saver River up to Inchope. Continue on the EN1 north towards Caia and cross the Zambezi River over the new bridge. Continue on the EN7 to the small towns of Nicoadala, Namacurra and Mocuba. Take the road 231 towards Guruè and onwards to Cuamba. Here the choice is to travel directly to the Reserve, using the Road that goes to Marrupa, or to travel first to Lichinga on EN8, and once in Lichinga take the Road going East towards Marrupa. From Marrupa travel north straight to the Reserve and the entrance gate at Kiboko across the Lugenda River.
From Zimbabwe (via Chimoio)
From Zimbabwé, via Mutare and Chimoio on the EN6, take EN1 going north towards Caia and cross the Zambezi River over the new bridge. Continue on the EN7 to the small towns of Nicoadala, Namacurra and Mocuba. Take the road 231 towards Guruè and onwards to Cuamba. Here the choice is to travel directly to the Reserve, using the Road that goes to Marrupa, or to travel first to Lichinga on EN8, and once in Lichinga take the Road going East towards Marrupa. From Marrupa travel north straight to the Reserve and the entrance gate at Kiboko across the Lugenda River.
From Zimbabwe (via Tete)
From Zimbabwe, via Cuchamano, travel towards Tete, following the EN103 to the Malawi border and on to Blantyre, crossing back into Mozambique at Mandimba. The options are then to travel east towards Cuamba and on to Marrupa, or north to the capital of Niassa Province – Lichinga, and then Eastwards to Marrupa. From Marrupa travel north straight to the Reserve and the entrance gate at Kiboko across the Lugenda River.
From Lichinga
Take the Road going East towards Marrupa. From Marrupa travel north straight to the Reserve and the entrance gate at Kiboko across the Lugenda River.
From Tanzania (via Mueda)
By road from Tanzania via the Unity Bridge across the Rovuma River at Negomano. Follow the road Eastwards to Mueda, and then south to Montepuez. From Montepuez take the Road 242 west towards Balama, and Marrupa. From Marrupa travel north straight to the Reserve and the entrance gate at Kiboko across the Lugenda River.
From Pemba
Follow the road 242 west towards Montepuez, Balama and Marrupa. From Marrupa travel north straight to the Reserve and the entrance gate at Kiboko across the Lugenda River.
During the rainy season between late December and end of May travel in the Reserve can be extremely difficult. Any traveller intending to visit during this time should check on conditions before hand with the Reserve HQ.
• There are regular domestic flights from Maputo to Pemba International Airport and Lichinga via Nampula and/or Tete. Direct international flights from Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg to Pemba
• There are several air charter companies, based in Nampula, Pemba and Malawi that are well acquainted with the Reserve.
Click to see a Table with distances in Kms
Whilst SRN encourages visitor to the Reserve, it is important that our visitors understand the reality and be prepared when visiting this very remote area. SRN is the management entity for the Niassa National Reserve and as such is not a tourism operator or agency.
FAQ
1. Is there potable water available along the route?
Yes, this can be purchased from most small village markets and stores.
2. Is unleaded fuel available?
This is available in the south of the country. Rarely is it available in Lichinga, Cuamba and Pemba. There is no fuel (diesel or petrol) available in the Reserve.
3. Is there malaria in the Reserve?
Most of Mozambique can be considered as an endemic malaria area. It is strongly advised that all visitors take prophylactics.
4. Are there tsetse flies in the Reserve?
Yes. These are more prevalent in the hot dry period (August – November) than in the cooler months (June – July).
