Mozambique 1 month

Bill,

Lots of places to the North. Would suggest hopping along from Bilene to Vilanculos staying at the various camp sites and enquiring as you go along where to next. There are so many places. North of Vilanculos is Beira and the people get unfriendly, its expensive and distances far. But in your travels you can pick up info on the far north, its also beautiful.

South of Maputo is Inhaca Island, Elephant Reserve and Malongane/Mamoli/Ponto. All good camping and diving spots.

Keep your valuables tucked away, people are poor and petty crime an issue. I have used the ATMS' to draaw cash from my foreign account and no problems, just make sure you advise your local bank of the iintention so that your cards work.

Make sure you take the mozzie tablets and take precautions like sprays and nets. The rain seems to have gone, but its still very hot.

There are lots of taxis and buses and the people are very friendly so I have no doubt you'll have a great time.

Regards
Mark

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your reply. the North does look beautiful alright. A few people I have spoken to have said Mozambique is quite expensive for a holiday? What do you think? We were unsure if it it was safe to drive there and were wondering could we use public transport? Another idea we had was to fly into Tanzania and try and combine Malawi and Northern Mozambique, leaving out the South?
Cheers,
Bill

Bill,

Mozambique is not that expensive. Obviously the further out of town you go, the more expensive due to supply and demand and logistics, but its not killer. Actually, if you eat prawns, peri peri chicken and drink beer, its not that expensive!! You can certainly drive, but then you are going to have to hire a car and thats going to be costly! There are plenty buses and taxis, so go that way. You can certainly go the Dar route. You can catch an 'Overlander' tour via Mbeya to Karonga (the top of Malawi) and work your way down the lake. You can catch the ferry across to Metangula and then by road to Lichinga and on to Pemba. Then you are in the serious beach area. This way you get to see a bit of Lake Malawi and the Northern beaches. I don't think there is much to see on the Tanzania leg, I took that route long ago but was on business so didn't dawdle. It might be a bit of a wasted leg to Karonga. You can also go from Dar directly south through Lindi to the Northern most part of Mozambique and enter at Mwambo. The route via the north will see you travelling most of the time and certainly off the beaten track. The scenery will be fantastic, but you are in remote places, so its going to be a little tougher. The route via the South much more well trodden, less travelling required and also very beautiful. Trying to get info about the northern route probably a little tough, but I wouldn't be too concerned. While you travelling ask the locals and people you meet. They will give you good advice and nice places off the beaten track.

Try these sites for some info on the logistics and expected prices

http://www.getaway.co.za/
http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/

Mark

Hi Bill,

We've done that trip last year in the month of August. We've started in Maputo travel through Tete till Malawi, then crossed Niassa Reserve till Pemba/Quirimbas a travel back to Maputo through the coast. Check our blog at http://laranjasemamareloevermelho.wordpress.com/. If you want any further details let us know.

Mozambique is a beautiful country and very safe, you've made a great choice!!

Pia

Mark,
Thank you so much much for all of your advice. I will look into your suggestions. The North sounds fantastic! Much appreciated.
Cheers,
Bill

Cheers guys,
I will have a look at your blog now,
B

Hi Pia,
Loved your blog. What great photos! I just wondered did you hire a car or take public transport? What was the length of your trip?
What was your itinerary? Favourite places?
Thank you,
Bill

Hi Mark,
Just a few questions for you. Would you have any idea how long it would take approximately going the two routes?

(1) Dar - Mbeya - Karonga - Metangula - Lichinga - Pemba Route? (Is is scenic? Do we just join part of an overland tour?)

(2) Dar - Lindi - Mwambo - Pemba?

The North seems very beautiful and I would really like to see the Quirimbas and Ibo and Mozambique Island

South of the country seems very nice, although as you say well trodden. These were the spots that interested me so far:

Gorongosa National Park (maybe if we go to Beira)
Vilankulos
Bazaruto Archipelago
Inhambane
Tofo beach
Maputo
Inhaca Island and Malongane/Mamoli/Ponto (As you suggested)

Would it be wise for us to fly from Pemba or Nampula to Beira or Vilankulos to save time crossing central Moz? or would it take long by public transport (overland)?

As I said we have one month so quite a lot of time. It will be cheaper to fly in and out of the same airport I imagine from Europe, although if we were going North to South it would be great to fly in to Dar and out of Maputo. It will just mean getting perhaps two internal flights.

Thanks so much Mark for your help. Much appreciated.

Bill

Bill,

I don't want to appear the expert as both routes are pretty off the beaten track. You are going to have to research both routes, but the easiest, to my knowledge will be via Malawi. The nicest, via Lindi. If you have a month, you'll have lots of time. If you in a rush, get a flight from Pemba to Beira or even better Vilanculos. From Pemba the road goes away from the coast to Vilanculos. From there, down to Maputo its all coastal and really nice. There are daily flights from Maputo (International) and Vilanculos (Regional) back to Johannesburg. So you can either fly back from Joburg or Maputo.

Regards
Mark