To Ibo from Malawi
The Malawi/ Ibo Island route, is becoming an increasingly popular itinerary covered by independent travellers. There are number of very interesting places to visit along the way. So whether you come with your own car or by public transport you will find indications regarding your mean of transport.Although there are several possible crossings from Malawi, we look at the most convenient and important ones: Mulanje and Mandimba.
By Public Transport
VIA MANDIMBA is the shortest way and probably the most interesting way for travellers whose movements are depending on public transport. This route is particularly recommended if you would like to take 'the train of life'* between Cuamba and Nampula. Mandimba is convenient for Cuamba and northern Mozambique. There are frequent transport on the Malawian side to Mangochi, where you can get minibuses to Namwera and Chiponde. Once in Mozambique, vehicles go daily from Mandimba to Cuamba. You will have to spend one night in Cuamba to take the train.
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VIA MILANGE is probably the easiest way to travel. The Milange (Mulanje) crossing is convenient for Quelimane and Mozambique Island, with regular buses from Blantyre via Mulanje to the border. Once across, daily vehicles service Mocuba, then Quelimane and Nampula.
From Nampula you could go to Mozambique Island, Pemba or straigth to Ibo Island. This later requires adventurous minds as you might have to sleep along the way if things do not go according to plan. If Mozambique Island is your next stop you will find many minibuses constantly leaving to the island. It is an easy ride taking 2 hours. Once you decide to leave from Mozambique Island to Ibo, you will need to plan your journey to catch on of the buses described below Going to Pemba requires taking a bus very early in the morning with the regional bus company 'Mecula'. The buses leave early in the morning so be sure to be there at 4am to purchase your bus ticket (ideally you should purchase it the day before departure). Note that having a bus ticked does not guaranty you a seat. You may have to stand if you are not at the bus station early enough to get your place.
Once you decide to leave from Pemba, you may take every day at 4:30 in the morning, in front of the central store Mcel (Mozambican mobile phone company) near the hotel Cabo Delgado, public transport (truck or Minivan) going to Quissanga / Tandanhangue. Once in Tandanhangue, you will need to take a dhow (local boat) to reach Ibo Island. In theory the boat waits for the truck from Pemba before pursuing towards Ibo. The journey departing from Pemba to Ibo lasts six to twelve hours (extreme case), depending on the number of stops and the road condition. Although very hard, it can be quite rewarding for those who would like to experience the local means of transport to better understand how the local population lives.
Going straight to Ibo Island is possible but requires a great dose of adventure as you will need to take a bus very early in the morning with the regional bus company 'Mecula'. The buses departs with the sun rise, so be sure to be there at 4am to purchase your bus ticket (should ideally be purchased on day prior to departure). Note that holding a valid bus ticked does not necessarily gain you a seat. You may have to travel standing if you are not at the bus early enough to get your seat. You can take either the bus to 'Mueda' or the bus to 'Mocimboa da Praia'.
Once on-board the bus, make sure you inform the ticket controller that you are going to Ibo. They will let you off at the village 29 de outubro. From this point starts the adventure, as you need to travel towards Mahate by hitch-hiking. Note that you will probably have to pay something to the driver. There are not many cars passing through this road, so you might be lucky and get a car which is going to Quissanga. If you decide to do the road by stages, make sure that the vehicle taking you, will stop in villages such as Bilibiza or Mahate as if you can not make it to Ibo, at least you will get a basic structures to sleep and eat. Once in Quissanga you need to get to Tanganhande where you can get a boat to the beautiful Ibo Island.
By Own Transport
If you travel with your own car, there are two routes that may be taken (See Maps at the top of the page):
Via METUGE (Going through the points A, B, C, D on map Via Metuge): This is the shortest route that we normally recommend during the dry season (Approximately 125km, 2h50/3h Journey). Leaving from Pemba, continue on the main road until you reach a Junction where a road sign indicates Metuge. There, turn right following the dirt road and continuing straight ahead towards Quissanga. You will pass through Metuge and Mahate (Point B on the Map).
Once in Quissanga (Point C on the Map) still at the top of the hill find a road sign indicating Tandanhangue (Point D on the Map) on the left. follow the road until you get to the bottom of the bay, it is about 10 minutes away.
Via BILIBIZA (Going through the points A, F, B, C, D, E on map via Bilibiza): This road is in better condition than Metuge's road but the route is much longer (about 250km, 4h30/5h travel). We recommend taking this route during the rainy season, because of the road conditions via Metuge. Leaving Pemba, continue on the main road, until you reach the “T” junction Silva Macua (Point F on the Map), which is about 80Km away from Pemba. There turn to the right in the direction of “Mocimboa da Praia” / Mueda. Continue until reaching the village named 29 de Outubro (Point B on the Map), where you will see a large sign with a red background and white letters written “ADPP”. There turn right on the dirt road towards Bilibiza. Once in Bilibiza continue on the same road, you will reach the village of Mahate (Point C on the Map) after 30Km. There you will find another “T” junction: Turn the to left in direction of Quissanga (Point D on the Map).
Once in Quissanga still at the top of the hill find a road sign indicating Tandanhangue (Point E on the Map) on the left. Follow the road until you get to the bottom of the bay.
