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Good morning World! Memories of our last Madagascar trip 2 weeks ago.. Islands in Nose Be - Lemurs to follow! http://t.co/oUnU8DAe

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05.02.2012
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Mozambique

Mozambique offers pristine beaches, adventure activities and diverse culture. You are completely spoiled for choice in terms of world-class accommodation and surroundings.

Encompassing 800 000km², Mozambique is an enormous country with a coastline extending roughly 2 500km along the Indian Ocean in south-east Africa. The country has been known for its fine gold and ivory, and for having been active in the slave trade. Today Mozambique is a safe travel destination and despite its regained popularity, this warm-hearted country remains for the most part un-commercialised, and gives an open-armed welcome to those willing to explore its treasures.

In the north is the Cabo Delgado province and the Quirimbas Archipelago. The National Park (Cabo Delgado Biodiversity Project) offers visitors diverse environments to explore. With world class fishing, diving and bird watching this is a remote paradise, perfect for those wanting to combine solitude with an experience of a lifetime.

Travel further south to Ilha de Mozambique and you will be transported back in time. This part of the coastline has been declared a World Heritage Site and is an architect’s dream, with buildings made of coral dating back to the 16th century. The Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the best known beach destinations in Mozambique.

Regular flights from various South African airports to Vilanculos, Maputo and Pemba make Mozambique a convenient and accessible destination.

Mozambique Reviews

Mozambique

From: N
Sent: 27 December 2010
To: Helen Mann


Hi – just wanted to say we had a really ‘wicked’ time at Barra!  Thanks so much for organising it all – I will write at length when I am organised again.  Hope you had a great Christmas? Sadly I have to work and it’s really difficult getting back into it again – love that Mozambique and such nice people.


Lots of love
Link to Barra Lodge

Sent: 20 September 2010

Thank you so much for your hospitality and a wonderful stay at Azura.
Not being biased in any way, I must compliment you on the creation of a piece of paradise. The lodge is beautifully designed and your attention to detail admirable. Having seen the effort it involves to render your guests with such excellent cuisine, service and facilities, I have the utmost admiration for the success you have made of your venue. Your staff was amazing (and Jonasse, who attend to our every need, requires special mentioning).
Compliments to your chef!! She has the ability to create a continuous variety of distinctive and exceptional dishes, which I much rather would refer to as tasting experiences. The fact that she does not find the restrictions of availability of resources any excuse for her variety of creations is a memorable feat in itself.
The Pansy island excursion should be compulsory for every guest. Once again the service, in addition to the amazing location, makes this a trip to remember.

The contrasting poverty of the island was again an eye opener and I am sure that Pamela will give you feedback on what we thought we may be able to contribute to give a little relief to these helpless and wonderful souls. They are so privilege to be on this wonderful island, but the circumstances have obviously made it impossible for them to appreciate the full extent of the beauty surrounding them. You have helped them to such an extent already, which certainly makes a difference in their live.

We had a wonderful and unforgettable time at Azura.  Thank you again.
Congratulation on of one of the best venues I have ever had the privilege to visit.

Sent: 06 September 2010 13:46
To: Constance
Feedback Indigo Bay


Just to let you know the holiday to Indigo Bay was fantastic – it will be hard to top that in the years to come.  I have a 60th coming up in three years’ time and I’m not sure that we can do better than Indigo Bay.

Some specific comments:

  • Vilancoulos airport really is a dump – but out of SA control
  • In respect of the hotel we felt that the meals could have been a little more varied – basically the same every day for lunch and little variation for dinner (but still great – especially for Bruce who had a surfeit of prawns, crayfish and calamari).  A few of the staff, particularly trainees, had a problem understanding English – I would imagine this needs to be addressed as this would be the lingua franca given the variety of different nationalities at the hotel.  I am sure, however, that staffing as with anywhere is a huge headache and one obviously would want to uplift the local community
  • The Spa was fantastic atop the hill with a view to die for – on our last day we had wonderful massages late afternoon (after having had a stunning day out on a boat viewing dolphins and whales, stopped off at Pansy Island and had a wonderful picnic on Benguela island).  I also arranged for cocktails to be served to us at the Spa after the massages so we could watch the sun set from “on top of the world”.
  • The overall feedback we gave the hotel was a 5/5 – the few niggles certainly didn’t put a dent in our time on Bazaruto – there was a bit of a misunderstanding around Bruce’s trip to snorkel on Paradise Island and the hotel could not stop apologising – we had champagne delivered to our room that evening and the outing on the boat the following day was complimentary.

All in all, a wonderful, relaxing holiday – to me much better than the likes of Mauritius, but if you also want night life, shopping etc then Mauritius would be more appropriate.

Kind regards
R

From: Peter

Hi Barbie

Just got back this morning - tired but wonderfully happy (except for the fact it's cold here in UK!!!

We got a fax/email checking everything was fine - thanks for that. The trip was BRILLIANT - diving, weather, Barra Lodge, etc, etc - QUITE BRILLIANT!!

Whale sharks - Manta Rays on the last day - humpbacks - dolphins - turtles - everything we could have hoped for.

Everything we saw seemed much bigger than I'd seen before - even the regualr stuff - lionfish, groupers, barracudas etc.Please, please thank Helen for her wonderful recommendation.Travel out was fine - when we got to Heathrow we casually asked if we could get luggage checked all the way through to Inhambane (thinking they'd say "no chance!") but after a few talks among the SAA staff they managed to do it - no problem.

JBG was no problem on the way out as we didn't have to collect and recheck baggage.

On the return journey not quite as easy with Inhambane being a tiny little airport - baggage checked through to JBG only - had to collect and recheck it in - only problem was that the President of Mozambique was visiting Inhambane as we arrived at the airport there - thousands of people there to see him which delayed our flight by half an hour or so!! All ended Ok though but a bit of a rush at JBG!!

MANY thanks once again

Love Peter

From: Alexandra 22 September 2009
Subject: Wow! Flamingo Bay

Hi there Helen…..Wow! what a fabulous holiday – what a great place – we were worried before we left that it looked too good to be true, but it was perfect!

Above everything else, the service stood out – really friendly staff who cared about whether you had a good holiday – fantastic!


From: Jean
Sent: 21 May 2009

Dear Helen,
 
Nice talking to you this afternoon. We really enjoyed Vamizi and all that it had to offer.  Apart for the one mix up on our arrival at Pemba airport everything and everyone were terrific.  Food ,accommodation , activities and personnel were all great.  We recommend it.
 
Matemo.
We didn't feel that this was a 5 star hotel, but maybe, we were not too keen on the overall decor and theme of the place. However, staff were very pleasant ,and here I should like to mention Charles, from Pemba Lodge, who was so helpful and kind looking after us until he located the Vamizi rep.for us..  Matemo food was wonderful thanks to  Zimbabwean chef and a pastry chef  who produced lovely meals for us.   Our trip to Ibo was interesting.  However ,it would have been nice to do some birding walks or seen a bit more of the island than just the resort.
 
Thank you for arranging this and look forward to another holiday in the future.
 
Regards,
Jean


From: Ewen
Sent: 07 May 2009
Subject: Londo


Hello Elise

Hope this mail finds you well. On behalf of Andrea and myself, we would like to thank you very much for all the work you put into organizing our honeymoon between Madagascar and Mozambique, as well as the complimentary stop over in Maputo. It has been much appreciated.
In the end Londo lodge was well and truly worth it and we had a brilliant and relaxing time and would definitely recommend Londo and unusual destinations in the future.

Many Thanks
Ewen and Andrea

 

Mozambique Top Attractions

  • Cabo Delgado Province: Shares a border with Tanzania. This is the birthplace of the Maconde, which are rich in traditions and culture.Pemba is the main city of Cabo Delgado, a traditional Mozambique fishing port offering scuba diving and world-class blue water fishing.
  • Quirimbas Archipelago: One of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world: Dugongs (marine mammal) graze in seagrass meadows, fish eagles perch in mangroves, turtles nest on the beaches, and humpback whales shelter their young in the deep channel.
  • Niassa Province: Lugenda Wildlife Reserve is an untouche. 45 000km² expanse of land teeming with wildlife, including the endemic Johnston’s Impala, Niassa Wildebeest and Boehm’s Zebra.The reserve has a wild dog population of global significance and the prolific birdlife includes more than 400 species. Four species are classified as globally threatened. The rare African Pitta is present.
  • Bazaruto and Benguerra Islands: The two largest islands off the Mozambican coast with magnificent high sand dunes, green lakes inhabited by crocodiles, and lush coastal bush teeming with indigenous birdlife. Specials include Blue-throated Sunbird and Rudd’s Apalis. World-class scuba diving and snorkelling. Excellent accommodation on both islands.
  • Vilanculos: Gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago 700km north of Maputo, directly opposite the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago.
  • Inhambane Province: A main centre of tourism today due to the existence of the biggest archipelago, Bazaruto. Inhambane is a fascinating town and worth a visit if you are staying at a nearby hotel.
  • Praya de Barra: Stay at Barra Lodge or Flamingo Bay, where you will find unspoilt beaches bordered by the Inhambane estuary.
  • Sofala Province: Gorongosa National Park is Mozambique’s flagship conservation area with a remarkable history; before the onset of civil war in the 1970’s, the Park was considered one of Africa’s finest. Now the Park is seeking to re-establish the wildlife numbers of the past, a project initiated by the government and the Carr Foundation. The Park is home to populations of oribi, reedbuck, impala, waterbuck, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, warthog and sable. Predators are recovering slowly. Birding at Gorongosa is incredible: Collared Palm Thrush, the Green Coucal, Narina Trogon and African Skimmer. Lake Urema provides a home to water birds. Mount Gorongosa is a wildlife treasure, its rainforest containing an incredible number of endemic and uncommon species.
  • Maputo Province: With its upbeat tempo incorporating old and modern cultures the city of Maputo is fascinating. Visit the National Art museum, the colourful artisans market and at the end of the day enjoy a cold local beer and a plate of peri-peri prawns.
  • Inhaca Island: A densely wooded island off Maputo, 10 minutes by light aircraft. Excellent diving and snorkelling. Birding is rewarding with sightings including Green Malkoha and Narina’s Trogon.

Mozambique Travel Tips

  • Getting there: LAM (Mozambique Airlines), Airlink and SAA have regular flights between Johannesburg and Maputo. Flight duration is one hour.
  • Vilanculos, Bazaruto, Benguerra and Pemba: Daily charter flights to Vilanculos from Johannesburg with Federal Air and regular LAM flights to Inhambane, Beira, Chimoio, Nampula and Pemba. Airlink flies direct to Pemba.
  • Visas: SADC passport holders do not need visas. Visas can be arranged on arrival in Maputo, Vilanculos and Pemba. We recommend arranging visas prior to departure.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Metical. US$ and S.A. Rand are widely accepted. Visa and Master Card are accepted at the bigger hotels.
  • When to go: April to November is the best time. December to March is hot and humid (but still pleasant on the beaches).
  • Power supply: 220v with square 3 pin plugs.
  • Health: Malaria is rife, so take anti-Malaria tablets. Drink only purified/bottled water. Visitors from countries known to be at risk of yellow fever are required to present vaccination certificates.
  • What to pack: Take light comfortable clothing and protective wear for the tropical sun and rain. Also take insecticides and all personal medication and toiletries. Walking shoes for the National Parks.
  • Customs and luggage allowance: 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol. 20 kg on international flights and 10kgs for charter flights to the islands.

Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions will apply to your holiday and the arrangements which you make. Please read them carefully as you will be bound by them.

By making a booking, the client confirms that all of the people named in the booking made by him/her have read these conditions, and have agreed to be bound by them and all the other terms of the contract, and that he/she has the authority to accept these terms and conditions on their behalf.

1.    Regardless of the place of execution, performance or domicile of the parties, this contract, together with all modifications and amendments, shall be governed by, construed under and in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

2.    All packages and tours are sold subject to our standard terms and conditions. Reservations must be signed on a booking form. If the services of a courier are employed during this process, the costs shall be borne by the client.

3.    A 20% deposit is payable on confirmation, unless otherwise stated on the booking form. The balance must be paid 6 weeks prior to your departure. No contract is made between the client and Unusual Destinations until the deposit or, where required, the full price has been paid, whether or not a booking confirmation has been issued by Unusual Destinations or one of its agents. Failure by the client to pay any sum by due date shall entitle Unusual Destinations to cancel the booking, and to charge a cancellation fee as set out below (see point 17 below).

4.    Quotations are based on the exchange rates valid at the time that they are sent to the client. Unusual Destinations reserves the right to increase any prices where currency fluctuations occur, until such time as they have been paid in full. It is the client’s responsibility to check on possible price increases prior to full payment. Airfares are subject to prices quoted by airlines, and Unusual Destinations can therefore not accept responsibility for unexpected fare increases.

5.    It is the clients’ responsibility to obtain travel documents including a valid passport and air tickets. It is also the clients’ responsibility to contact the airlines at least 72 hours prior to departure to reconfirm all flights. All clients who, at the time of departure, are under the age of 18 years, must be accompanied by a client aged 21 or over who will at all times during the tour or trip be responsible for their welfare, conduct and behaviour. Clients are expected at all times to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner with due regard to the health, safety, comfort, enjoyment and general well- being of all the other people who may be on the tour or trip, or other people who may be staying in the relevant hotels. If it appears that the client’s conduct or behaviour is such as to be a breach of this requirement, or is likely to endanger the client’s own health or safety, or that of others, or where their actions or conduct impedes the operation of the trip, then Unusual Destinations reserves the right to refuse the further participation of any such client. No refund will be considered in respect of any client whose participation in the trip is terminated for these reasons. Further, where the client is repatriated pursuant to this clause at Unusual Destinations’ expense, or where Unusual Destinations is put to any additional expense as a result of the client’s conduct, then Unusual Destinations shall have the right to recover such costs upon demand. Under no circumstances, at any time, shall Unusual Destinations have any liability for the denial of boarding or expulsion from an aeroplane by any airline contracted in terms of this contract, such denial being at the sole discretion of the airline concerned.

6.    While Unusual Destinations will do its best not to cancel or make any material alteration to the itinerary after a booking confirmation has been issued, it shall nonetheless be entitled at any time prior to departure to cancel the contract between the parties, or to change and/or curtail the scheduled itinerary where this becomes reasonably necessary on operational, commercial or other grounds. Unusual Destinations will however inform the client of any such cancellation or change of itinerary as soon as possible. Where such a change of itinerary amounts to a material alteration, the client shall be entitled to cancel the booking within 3 days of being advised of the itinerary change without any cancellation fee being applicable.

7.    Although Unusual Destinations attempts to make all itineraries as accurate as possible at the time of printing, they are to be considered an approximate indication of the schedule and scope of the tour rather than an inflexible chronicle of events. The itinerary may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond the control of Unusual Destinations, whether as a result of weather, government restrictions, transportation problems, road conditions, acts of God, terrorist threats, natural disasters, fires or other circumstances. Unusual Destinations however undertakes to do its best to maintain the itinerary, and will not unreasonably change it. However any such changes shall not constitute a material alteration of the contract, and Unusual Destinations shall in consequence have no liability to the client in respect thereof.

8.    Unusual Destinations will not be responsible for any additional costs occasioned by changes in the itinerary or flight schedules, such as additional flights, hotel nights or meals not included in the scheduled itinerary. Payment for such additional services will be required at the time when the amended itinerary is provided to the client. Further, any expenses incurred owing to unexpected extensions to packages, trips or tours caused by flight delays, bad weather, strikes or any other reason beyond Unusual Destinations’ control will be paid by the client upon demand.

9.    Where the client is making a booking with a tour, the rates quoted are based upon group participation, and no partial refunds will be given for unused trip arrangements or sightseeing tours for any reason whatsoever.

10.    Unusual Destinations, in order to provide the tour as set out in the brochure, group/individual tour or individual package, quotation and/or booking, is obliged to make arrangements with local operators who may themselves engage the services of local suppliers. Unusual Destinations endeavours at all times to appoint reputable and competent local operators to comply with the requirements and standards expected by the client. However, although these local operators are appointed by Unusual Destinations, they are acting as an agent on behalf of the client directly, and a direct contract is therefore entered into between the client and the local operator or service provider, and the terms and conditions of the local operator, whether or not contained in this brochure, will apply to arrangements made by them. Unusual Destinations makes the travel arrangements on behalf of the client on the express condition that it is not liable for any inconvenience, irregularity or expense occasioned by the failure of the local operator to comply with the itinerary provided, whether in relation to travel arrangements, airline scheduling, airline changes, cancelled flights, missed flight connections or any other factor not directly under Unusual Destinations’ control. In the event however that Unusual Destinations is, in spite of the provisions of this clause, found to be liable to the client, then its liability will be limited to the sum paid by the client in respect of the travel arrangement(s) in question.

11.    As Unusual Destinations acts only as an agent for local operators, it accepts no liability for any loss or damages which clients may suffer as a result of the failure by such local operators to fulfil their obligations whether in relation to travel flights, land arrangements, accommodation or otherwise. These local operators are independent suppliers who are not affiliated with Unusual Destinations in any way. Further, Unusual Destinations shall not be liable for any loss, damage, delay, accident or inconvenience caused to any person, their property or luggage under any circumstances.

12.    Unusual Destinations will not be liable for bodily injury to, or death of any client, or damage to their property occasioned through the conduct or default of any company or local operator or individual engaged in providing these services or for any reason, including, but not limited to, acts of God, quarantine, strikes, industrial action, medical emergencies, civil disturbances, theft, detention, annoyance, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, closure of ports, changes in government regulations, terrorism, war, medical emergencies or failure of the conveyance to depart or arrive as scheduled.

13.    Unusual Destinations does not provide medical services during the trip or tour. However, wherever possible, Unusual Destinations will offer general assistance to any client who suffers illness, personal injury or death, whether or not arising from an activity forming part of the trip or tour, and whether or not the result of fault by any party.

14.    Clients should bring with an ample supply of any prescription medicines required, and a first aid kit.

15.    Any cost or expense which is reasonably incurred by Unusual Destinations for or on behalf of the client in respect of any form of medical, dental or similar treatment, hotel, transportation, repatriation, or any other expenses of whatever nature, shall be repayable by the client to Unusual Destinations on demand, whether or not such sum is covered by the client’s travel insurance.

16.    Travel insurance (medical and personal accident) is compulsory. However, clients are strongly recommended to take out insurance to cover the loss of their luggage, and the deposit or part of the tour fee through cancellation.

17.    Any changes and/or cancellations will incur penalties; in many cases air tickets are totally non-refundable. All cancellations have to be in writing. Unless otherwise stipulated, the following fees shall be charged by Unusual Destinations if a client cancels a reservation:

More than 6 weeks prior to departure:
10% of price

4 – 6 weeks prior to departure:
50% of price

2 – 4 weeks prior to departure:

75% of price

Less than 2 weeks prior to departure:

100% of price

18.    These terms and conditions, together with any other clauses set out on the application form, defines the responsibility of Unusual Destinations with respect to all of the trips/tours/arrangements made by them. Further, Unusual Destinations shall not be liable for the failure of performance or improper performance which is wholly attributable to any or all of the following:
    
a)    The fault of the client;

b)    The unforeseeable or unavoidable act of a third party unconnected with the provision of any services to be provided under this contract;

c)    Unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of Unusual Destinations, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care was exercised;

d)    Any event which Unusual Destinations could not even with all due care have foreseen or avoided, including (but not limited to) an event or force major. Unusual Destinations further confirms that the carriage of passengers and their luggage by air is governed by various international conventions and the client shall be bound by the rules, regulations and conditions of contract laid down by any carrier upon which he / she may travel as a result of the reservations made, and Unusual Destinations shall be free from any liability in consequence thereof.

North - Quirimbas, Niassa and Ilha de Mozambique

Northern Mozambique is one of the World's last remaining unspoiled destinations. Encompassing three provinces (Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Nampula) with a total area of 280 000km2, Northern Mozambique is a nature-lover's paradise. It is an untouched area dotted with majestic baobab trees and wild mangrove forests. (Six species of mangroves occur in Northern Mozambique alone.) And it offers unique species such as the dugong - the rare sea cow found along the coast.

One of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world is the Quirimbas Archipelago. Why not combine your island holiday with a safarif trip at Lugenda in the Niassa Province?

Ilha de Moçambique is a World Heritage Site. Ilha’s architecture has a mixture of Arabic, Swahili, Portuguese and Dutch influences.

Link to Quirimbas and Niassa packages.

South East - Bazaruto Archipelago

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, mass sand deposits from the Limpopo river formed the Bazaruto Archipelago, which comprises four main islands - Magaruque, Bazaruto, Santa Carolina and Benguerra.

Vilanculos is a small coastal in the subtropical province of Inhambane. It is the perfect base from which to explore the picturesque Bazaruto Archipelago and the Bazaruto National Marine Park.  The islands are pristine in their natural beauty and diverse ecologies.

There is an abundance of bird species, including the crab plover and olive bee-eater that tunnels its nest into the sand dunes. Large flocks of migrant waders visit the fertile mud flats from September to April, and the nomadic Greater Flamingo arrive around mid-October.

Link to Bazaruto, Benguerra and Vilanculos packages.

South - Inhambane, Maputo and Inhaca Island

Inhambane is a fascinating small town and worth a visit if you are staying at the nearby Praia do Barra. Scuba diving in this area is amongst the best in the world, with reefs close to every beach, including the world famous Manta Reef and Gallaria.

Maputo, formerly Lourenço Marques, is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. A port on the Indian Ocean, its economy is centred around the harbour. Maputo is a melting pot of several cultures, with a strong South African influence. The cuisine is diverse, owing especially to the Portuguese and Muslim heritage, and seafood is also quite abundant.

Inhaca is a densely wooded island off Maputo offer ing an excellent break-away from the hustle and bustle of Maputo.

Link to Inhambane, Inhaca and Maputo packages.

Central - Gorongosa National Park

The once famous Gorongosa National Park is located in Sofala Province in Central Mozambique. Situated near Beira in central Mozambique, Gorongosa National Park is one of Mozambique’s flagship conservation areas with a remarkable history; before the onset of civil war in the 1970’s, the Park was considered one of Africa’s finest, with large populations of herbivores and predators alike – the Serengeti of the South some called it.  Now the Park is seeking to re-establish the wildlife numbers of the past for the benefit of Mozambique and the continent as a whole, a project initiated by the Government of Mozambique and the Carr Foundation. 

Link to Gorongosa packages.

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