There’s a certain thrill that comes with doing something for the first time and for me, that thrill was boarding a night bus from Johannesburg to Maputo, passport in hand, ready for my very first border crossing.

The journey began on Friday at 21:30, departing from the bustling Johannesburg Park Station. The bus was alive with chatter, most of it in Portuguese and Shangaan, as Mozambicans made their way home. My travel companion and I quickly realised we were probably the only South Africans on board, a tiny detail that made the experience feel even more like stepping into another world.

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The Route and Border Crossing

By 3:50 am on Saturday, we reached the Lebombo Border. The night air was crisp, and despite the early hour, the place was already buzzing with travellers. I had no idea what to expect, but to my relief, the process was surprisingly smooth. We joined a long but steadily moving queue inside the border offices. The moment my passport was stamped, I felt a quiet wave of excitement — this small rectangle of ink was my very first international entry mark.

From there, the journey continued into the Mozambican dawn, with the sense that adventure was just beginning.

Once in Mozambique, our first bus stop was Matola, just outside Maputo. This was where I experienced my first real culture shock of the trip. As some passengers got off, a few men hopped onto the bus holding stacks of Meticais in their hands, offering to exchange them for South African rands. It was all very casual — no forms, no counters, just a quick deal in the aisle. A few passengers took up the offer without hesitation. In South Africa, we typically exchange money through banks or bureaus, I was fascinated and slightly stunned by how normal and open this was here.

The ride into the city continued, the streets slowly coming alive as the sun crept over the horizon. Vendors were setting up roadside stalls, taxis honked, and the scent of fresh air drifted through the open bus windows. Our final stop was Ave. 25 de Setembro, one of Maputo’s busiest streets, lined with shops, cafés, and the rhythm of daily life.

Stepping off the bus, I was immediately hit by the warm, humid air and the energy of a city that felt ready to pull me into its story.

The adventure had truly begun… to be continued.