Villa Espanhola on the San Martin Lagoon is situated on the outskirts of the village of Bilene, Mozambique. The town is a popular holiday destination with simple shops, a market and fuel stations, restaurants and bars - there is even a weekend disco.

Bilene, Mozambique is the closest Mozambican beach resort to Johannesburg and attracts many South African visitors during the holiday seasons. This resort also serves as a good stop over point for those travelling to destinations such as Xai Xai, Inhambane and the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Directions to Villa Espanola

By Air

The main access to Mozambique is via Johannesburg in South Africa, although there are also flights from Lisbon in Portugal. The closest international airport to Bilene is Mavalane International (MPM) in Maputo (8km / 5 miles north of the city). Bilene is 167km / 104 miles by road from Maputo.

By Road

Travel from border posts to Maputo, then from Maputo north (towards Xai-Xai) on EN1 for 165km (103 miles), then turn right at Macia and drive for another 33km (21 miles) to Bilene.

The journey by car from Johannesburg, South Africa takes about 7 hours.
It is about 4 hours to the Komatipoort / Lebombo border, then 1 hour to Maputo followed by 2 hours to Bilene.
The journey by car from Durban, South Africa takes about 9 hours.
It is about 4 hours to the Golela (Swaziland) border, then a further 2 hours to the Goba (Mozambique) border, 1 hour to Maputo and then 2 hours to Bilene.

The above travel times do not allow for the time it takes to cross the border. Border crossing times vary according to how busy the border posts are. It can take just15 minutes, but on average a 40 minute delay per border post should be expected.

From Johannesburg

Take N4 from Johannesburg to Nelspruit (this is a toll road). Continue on the N4 to Komatipoort which is the last town on the South Africa side. After Komatipoort you will go through the last SA toll gate. Just past Komatipoort is the Lebombo / Ressano Garcia Border Post. Once you are on the Mozambique side, follow the N4 (now called the EN4) for another 100km (62.1 miles) to the capital city of Maputo (this is a toll road). After the border crossing you will come to the 1st Mozambique toll road

About 45km (28 miles) after the tollgate you should turn left at a set of traffic lights in Matola (Shoprite on left-hand side). If you want to stop at Shoprite to eat or shop, you must turn left into the parking before the traffic lights
At the traffic lights turn left, and travel on through another tollgate. Just after the tollgate you will see a sign to Xai-Xai (EN1), just before you cross over a large bridge

(D) Turn left to take Xai-Xai off ramp (turning right will take you to Maputo.) Follow directions to Xai-Xai for 165km (103 miles) to a town called Macia. You will be going through a lot of traffic lights, traffic circles and small towns. After about 15km (9 miles) on EN1 you will pass a weighbridge (traffic police / inspectors). After about 50km (31 miles) on EN1 you will get the first and only Ultra City (good stop for clean toilets and food – but no fuel)

At Macia (BP fuel station on left) turn right off the main road to Bilene (R453). There is a sign “Praia do Bilene”. Travel about 33km (21 miles) to Bilene, you will see a river on the left and reach a traffic circle
Leave the traffic circle (3:00 position) so that the Hotel (yellow building) is on your left hand side Follow the road for 2km (1.2 miles) to the T-junction and turn right. After 500m the tar ends and becomes a sand road

After 500m take the 1st road left (at the grass island with tree stumps). Follow the road as it turns to the right. Villa Espanhola’s gate will be on your left hand side

From Durban

Travel on the N2 past Richards Bay, Empangeni, Mtubatuba, Hluhluwe, Mkuze and Pongola Game Reserve entrance on right
Turn right at Golela / Swaziland sign (this is before Pongola town, and 39km / 24 miles after Mkuze), to travel approx. 18km (11 miles) to the border. Travel through the border, and continue straight on through a very large traffic circle, drive for 70km (44 miles) and then turn right on to the MR16 to Siteki

After 40km (25 miles), turn right at the T-junction on to MR7 to Siteki
8km (5 miles) further on turn left to Goba (before Siteki Hotel)
Travel 28km to Goba / Mhlumeni border post

30km (19 miles) after Goba border turn right at T-junction on N2 to Maputo
After 17km (11 miles) you will reach a T-junction (road to left gravel road), turn right towards Maputo

After 40km (25 miles) you will reach the 1st set of traffic lights at Matola, Shoprite on left after traffic light. (This is a good juncture in which to stop for something to eat or to shop – you will need to turn left at the traffic lights and then right into the parking area)

About 6km (4 miles) after traffic lights at Matola you pass through a tollgate. Just after the toll you will see a sign to Xai-Xai (EN1), just before you cross over a large bridge
Turn left to take Xai-Xai off ramp (turning right will take you to Maputo). Follow directions from (D) as above

Villa Espanola GPS co-ordinates

25:17.436S,
033:14.305E