Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
it's common for boat captains to stop mid-river and demand higher fees from foreigners).
On the Mozambique side, there are usually two pick-ups daily to the Mozambique border
post (4km further) and on to Moçimboa da Praia (US$10, four hours), with the last one
departing by about noon. The Ruvuma crossing is notorious for pickpockets. Watch your
belongings, especially when getting into and out of the boats, and keep up with the crowd
when walking to/from the river bank.
Further west, one or two vehicles daily depart from Songea's Majengo C area by around
11am (Tsh10,000, three to four hours) to Mitomoni village and the Unity 2 bridge. Once
across, you can get Mozambique transport on to Lichinga (Tsh25,000, five hours). It's best
to pay in stages, rather than paying the entire Tsh34,000 Songea-Lichinga fare in Songea,
as is sometimes requested. With an early departure, the entire Songea-Lichinga trip is very
doable in one day via public transport.
CAR
The main vehicle crossing is via the Unity Bridge at Negomano, southwest of Kilambo,
near the confluence of the Lugenda River. From Masasi, go about 35km southwest along
the Tunduru road to Nangomba village, from where a 68km good condition track leads
southwest down to Masuguru village. The bridge is 10km further at Mtambaswala. On the
other side, there is a decent 160km dirt road to Mueda. There are immigration facilities on
both sides of the bridge (although you will need to get your Mozambique visa in advance).
Entering Tanzania, take care of customs formalities for your vehicle in Mtwara.
The Unity 2 bridge south of Songea is another option; see the preceding Bus section.
With a private vehicle the Songea to Lichinga stretch should not take more than about eight
or nine hours.
There is no longer a vehicle ferry at Kilambo. However, local entrepreneurs strap dugout
canoes together to take vehicles across. This is obviously risky, especially during the rains.
And, it's potentially expensive; expect to pay from US$250 to US$400 for the crossing de-
pending on your negotiating skills. In Mozambique, the road is unsealed, but in reasonable
condition from the border to Palma, a mix of tarmac and good dirt from Palma to Moçim-
boa da Praia, and tarmac from there to Pemba.
RWANDA
BORDER CROSSINGS
The main crossing is at Rusumu Falls, southwest of Bukoba (Tanzania).
BUS
Four companies connect Mwanza to Kigali daily (Tsh25,000, 12 hours), leaving Mwanza
at 5.30am. Golden Inter-City, with four-across seating, is the best of the bunch.
