Preparing your trip
We take care of everything, follow the guide
Flights
Many airlines serve Maputo: Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, South African Airways, Turkish Airlines. TAP Portugal stands out with a direct flight from Lisbon. Count on roughly 10 to 11 hours of flight time, for an average budget of around €700 return. Departures are often overnight, with daytime return flights as a rule.
Visa
Since May 2023, the visa is obtained directly on arrival at Maputo airport, for €10. Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months after your arrival date. We send you the required accommodation letter beforehand. Keep the receipt handed to you by the authorities carefully — it stays with you for the whole trip.
Money
Bring as much cash in euros as you can. Part of it can be changed at the airport, where the rates are very favourable — ask us for the recommended amounts. There are a few ATMs in Bilene, but they are limited in the amounts they dispense and bank fees are high: better not to rely on them.
Health
No vaccination is mandatory for Mozambique. Antimalarials are recommended only if you plan city visits or a safari. And good news: Teresa, our co-founder, is an emergency nurse with the International Red Cross. Everyday scrapes are in good hands!
Travel insurance
We strongly recommend it: remember to take out a policy before you leave.
Connectivity
Wifi is available at the bar/restaurant. For everything else, we help you get a local 4G SIM card on site. It works well — Zoom calls are no problem!
Maputo airport is perfectly functional. Expect a little patience on arrival: the queue for the visa on arrival can take some time depending on how busy it is.
In the control area, stay focused and keep your belongings close. It is not unusual for an officer to offer to speed things up in exchange for a small note — a smile, eye contact, and a "no thank you" that leaves no room for doubt.
Likewise, spontaneous porters may approach to "help" with your luggage. Same answer: a smile and a polite but firm refusal. Our driver is waiting just past the controls — and from there, you're in good hands. He takes care of everything, luggage included.
Count on about 3 hours of driving on a tarmac road in good condition. We book the taxi for you — a vehicle that can take up to 4 people with their board bags. The drive is a lovely taster: you cross villages and dive into typically African landscapes. The change of scenery begins well before you reach Bilene.
New: arriving by Cessna
Fancy an unforgettable opener? It is now possible to reach Bilene from Maputo aboard a small Cessna — a flight over turquoise lagoons and wild lands, landing almost right on the spot. Because here, even the journey is part of the experience!
Read the story on our blog →Maputo airport
Departure
Our driver welcomes you just past the controls and takes care of the luggage.
The road
~ 3 h
Villages, savanna and African landscapes: the change of scenery is already here.
Bilene Kite Center
Arrival
Welcome to the lagoon. Drop your bags, the spot is waiting for you.
Kite gear
We ride in a lycra top most of the time. A shorty is handy on strong-wind days. From September to November, a 4/3 wetsuit can be welcome; from December to March, the heat does the job just fine.
Essentials
- Sunglasses suited to the sport — the sun is often right in front of you
- Sunscreen + after-sun
- Hat or cap
- A pair of trousers and a light jumper, just in case
Phone & connectivity
Your unlocked phone (dual SIM or e-SIM) will do the job perfectly. We help you get a local 4G SIM card as soon as you arrive.
First-aid kit
- Antimalarials (if a safari or city visit is planned)
- Anti-diarrhoeal
- Disinfectant + plasters
- Antihistamine
- Paracetamol
- Mosquito repellent — far less invasive than you might fear, but still!
Cash
Bring enough euros in cash — see the "Before you leave" section for advice.
Am I ready?
The final check before zipping up the bags.
Wind — reliability and best season
The wind at Bilene is a thermal — it builds through the day and drops in the evening. Expect around 15 knots on average, with gusts that can be stronger. Windguru is our go-to reference: generally reliable, though reality is often a bit stronger than the forecast — a pleasant surprise.
Are you open in July/August?
No. We open each year around mid-October and close at the end of March. July and August are the austral winter in Mozambique — the wind simply isn't there. We also close around Christmas and New Year (see below).
Christmas & New Year — are you open?
No. Bilene transforms into a massive festival during the holidays: thousands of visitors, loud music, and quad bikes without mufflers day and night. The atmosphere is ultra-festive and warm-spirited, but very far from the usual African calm. Not ideal for a peaceful kite trip.
Accommodation — capacity, prices, facilities
We offer several options: standard rooms, sea-view rooms, the full house, and other accommodation possibilities in Bilene. Everything is right next to the spot. Detailed prices and photos on our accommodation page.
Transfer from Maputo — cost and logistics
About 3 hours from Maputo airport. We organise transport for any group size, board bags included. For the adventurous, arriving by Cessna is also an option! Full details in the Transfer section above on this page.
Lessons — beginners, improvement, wing foil
We welcome all levels: complete beginners, riders looking to improve, and wing foil practitioners. Sessions are tailored to your progression. Full programme on our kite school page.
Activities — safari, other spots, outings
Beyond kite: safari at the Maputo Special Reserve (~1.5h away) or the Kruger, excursions to other Mozambican spots, quad trips, snorkelling and local discoveries. Everything on our activities page.
Coming with children
Absolutely. Trusted babysitters can be arranged on site. Kite initiation is possible for children depending on age and interest — we'll work it out together. For non-kiters: beach, paddleboarding and swimming in the lagoon.
Windsurfing — do you offer it?
No — we don't have windsurfing gear. San Martinho, a nearby spot, has entry-level equipment, but nothing for sporty practice either. For windsurfing, this simply isn't the destination.
Prices — lessons, gear, accommodation
Accommodation prices are on our lodging page, and lesson and gear rates on our prices page. Contact us for a personalised quote.
WiFi
WiFi is available at the centre's bar/restaurant. For mobile coverage everywhere, we'll help you get a local 4G SIM card on arrival — it works well, video calls are no problem.
Laundry
There's a laundry service in the village, a 4-minute walk away. Great service and very affordable.
Can you come without kiting?
Of course! Beach, swimming in the lagoon, outings, restaurants, great vibes... there's plenty for a wonderful stay. That said, the spot is so perfect for discovering kite or wing that many non-kiters leave wanting to give it a try — just saying!
Is there an ATM in Bilene?
There are a few, but withdrawal limits are low and bank fees are high. Don't rely on them — come with enough cash in euros (see the Before You Leave section above).