How much does a trip to Tofo & Ilha cost from South Africa?
About R24 420 for 7 days, solo
Or R18 540 each for two people sharing a room. Saving for a trip a year from now means about R2 040 a month.
Estimates from Johannesburg, booked 3 to 6 months ahead, including a 20% buffer and the visa fee. Prices checked Sep 2026.
Join the waitlistWhale sharks and manta rays off Tofo, then a UNESCO island of coral-stone houses in the north. A short hop from Johannesburg.
Cost by trip length and style (solo)
| Length | Tourist | Blend | Niche |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | R19 500 | R22 317 | R23 850 |
| 7 days | R24 420 | R26 924 | R28 110 |
| 14 days | R41 640 | R43 048 | R43 020 |
Tourist covers the famous sights. Niche swaps them for places locals love, usually with cheaper stays but more travel between them. Blend mixes both. Two people sharing pay less each, because the room is split.
Where the money goes (7 days, Tourist, solo)
| Return flight from Johannesburg | R6 000 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, 7 nights | R9 800 |
| Food, local transport and activities | R4 550 |
| 20% buffer for surprises | R4 070 |
| Visa and entry fees | None |
| Total | R24 420 |
Visa for South Africans
No visa needed No. South African passport holders don't need a visa for Mozambique.
Nothing to arrange.
When to go
| Best time | May–Nov |
|---|---|
| Cheapest time | Feb–Apr |
| Currency | Metical (MT) |
Book 1–2 months out; flights to the north (Nampula) cost more than to Inhambane.
Know before you go
| Getting there | About 1.5 hours direct from Johannesburg to Inhambane or Vilanculos (Airlink), or drive about 9 hours to Tofo via the Lebombo border. |
|---|---|
| Health | Malaria area: take prophylaxis. |
| Money | Carry meticais; many lodges quote in rand or US dollars. Driving? Buy third-party insurance at the border and carry the vehicle's papers. |
A 7-day plan that mixes both
- Day 1 Arrive, check in and find dinner nearby
- Day 2 Maputo's central market and old downtown
- Day 3 Fly north to Ilha de Moçambique
- Day 4 Inhambane's old town
- Day 5 Stone Town walk and São Sebastião fort
- Day 6 Tofo beach and a surf lesson
- Day 7 Final morning, then fly home
The classics
- Maputo's central market and old downtown
- Inhambane's old town
- Tofo beach and a surf lesson
- Ocean safari with whale sharks
- Barra lagoon
- Seafood at Tofo market
- Dhow cruise at sunset
- Dive with manta rays
Where locals go
- Fly north to Ilha de Moçambique
- Stone Town walk and São Sebastião fort
- Makuti reed-house neighbourhood
- Swim at Chocas Mar
- Empty beaches at Guinjata Bay
- Linga Linga peninsula
- Matapa cooking lesson
- Bazaruto archipelago from Vilanculos
Ready to book?
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Quick answers
How much does a trip to Tofo & Ilha cost from South Africa?
About R24 420 per person for 7 days travelling solo, or R18 540 each for two people sharing a room, booked 3 to 6 months ahead. That includes return flights from Johannesburg, mid-range accommodation, daily spending, the visa fee and a 20% buffer. These are estimates checked in Sep 2026.
Do South Africans need a visa for Mozambique?
No. South African passport holders don't need a visa for Mozambique. Nothing to arrange.
When is the best time to visit Tofo & Ilha?
The best time is May–Nov. The cheapest time is usually Feb–Apr.
How long is the flight from Johannesburg?
About 1.5 hours direct from Johannesburg to Inhambane or Vilanculos (Airlink), or drive about 9 hours to Tofo via the Lebombo border.
Sources
Checked Sep 2026.