About Vilankulo & Dolphin Dhow

Hi everybody interested in Moz.
I’ve have been travelling during 3 weeks along the country. Nice and friendly people everywhere. I’m in Vilankulos right now. I’ll write a more extensive post when I back home. Just I’d like to point on something.
Yesterday I went into Magaruque Island (Bazaruto NP) for some snorkeling, sunbathing, sailing … and it was great. I used Dolphin Dhow Safaris which I strongly recommend. My post is a little bit special ‘cause there is a bad report from Sophie in TTF. I’m sorry, it’s really a pity. Sometimes different things happen and maybe was her turn, bad luck or … I don’t know.
I only feel that I need to write something about this operator who is offering high professionality and quality services. Junior is always open to talk about price and conditions. I’d like to remark that this company is locally owned, 100% Mozambican, with more than 12 years experience, people proud of its country, trying to survive to the hugue SA investments.
Excuse-me for my bad English and enjoy your trip.
Cristina (Barcelona-Spain)

I have to say that sophie is not alone in her bad experience with dolphin dhow. I found them to be very pushy, boat was overcrowded, there was not enough food for everyone at the beach BBQ, despite asking for veggie options they forgot and yes fruit was available but nothing else. Junior was abrupt and rude not only to myself but others, also the 'special price' was the same as everyones elses so when I was asked to arrive early to get it so others wouldnt know, I was a little frustrated when after an hours wait those who then turned up paid the same!

Also Juniors taxis service is not the only one in town, but it is the most expensive, and when hes busy he seems to double the price despite having already agreed on a price. If you go to zombie cucumber they have some great info an a number for alternative taxis that were friendly and prompt with good price.

its a shame that I did not enjoy Moz, but as far as I can tell i did not do anything 'wrong'. Some of us have great experiences while others not so good. After 10 months in Africa Moz was a let down, while the people were not unfriendly, i think that partly due to language barrier they did not come across as well as others from this amazing continent. Also for me Tofu and Vil are the more touristy areas of Moz and its much easier in a way (due to choice) to get better food/transport/accom. As i said Dolphin Dhow on the day I went did not deliver the goods for the stated reasons,and yes it was me that wrote about these problems I had before, afterall thats what thorntree is for. I was not the only person to have had bad experience with it, Im glad that you had such a wonderful experience, thats what travel is about.

Zombies for me were very helpful, especially when some guy thought it would be amusing to run me over! the owner helped with hospital/pharmacy etc. I did not encounter any racism and am sorry to hear you did.
Next time you go back to Moz i suggest you travel up north, for me it was interesting and quite beautiful.

I had an excellent boat trip to Bazaruto Island, Benguerra and did som snorkling at the reef. We were served nice food. We had only some small problems withe crew, that is difficult to blame junior. They tried to hide the bottles with water and tried to served tap water instead, but we asked to get the mineral water and they gave up their plan which obviously was to sell the water later on.

Junior was nice and helpful, but everyone can have a bad day, especially meeting western tourist who expects everything to be like their homeland. Have in mind, Mocambique is a very poor country, and lot's of people own nothing. I don't think they are used to meet people who expect a complete veggie menue on a boat trip...

We had an amazing experience with dolphin dhow. The food was fantastic, grilled barracuda, squid, etc. The crew were really nice. I loved Mozambique, I'm already planning my third trip. I won't hesitate to go straight to Dolphin dhow for anther trip.

Junior at Dolphin Dhow Safaris is a raving mad man who you all should avoid. I didn't use them for this simple reason... I was staying at an outstanding backpackers when Junior came in swearing and yelling at the managers for not sending tourists his way. He was extremely aggressive and threatening, he even brought a 'body guard' type character. He insisted on posting his fliers on their tourist board said if they took the fliers down he would do everything he could to shut the place down. He peeled out of the parking area in his car only to return again the next morning with the same loud, aggressive tone. I was there with 5 other guests watching this FREAK thinking there is no way in hell I would touch a trip with him. Would you want to be at sea with someone like this? Avoid him, he's seriously on crack!

My friends and I arrived in Vilanculos and found that many places were booked so we didn't have a place to stay for the full time we were there (4 days.) On our way to dinner we passed Dolphin Dhow and rang the bell to ask if they had rooms for backpackers. We were showed several rooms and met Michael. He told us that they don't advertise because they usually try to give rooms to people who are also doing to the dhow with them. He then told us that he waits for people to call from the airport and he tells them they are getting a special "package deal" by staying and booking the dhow with them, but that it isn't actually a deal at all and he can get away with doing this because people are comforted by the fact that he speaks English. He then commented that he could "spot a lonely planet backpacker immediately" and take advantage of that. At the end of the conversation he told us we were more than welcome to stay, no matter who we booked a dhow tour with. Since we were desperate for accommodations we went back early the next morning. Michael greeted us and told one of the staff to give us two waterfront rooms. Then he asked who we were taking the dhow with. When we told him we had chosen another company he became upset then excused himself. We waited in the office for about 10 minutes before Michael sent another staff member over to inform us that there were no longer rooms available. The Dolphin Dhow tour goes to the exact same place as the other tours, despite costing more. Michael also misquoted the Vilanculos set diving fee. I have never met Junior, but based on my impression of Michael alone, I would not recommend giving your business to a place that overcharges and takes advantage of backpackers...especially when there are so many friendly and inviting places in town that all work together.

Hello

Hello Everybody...again.
I see my post never went up properly. Sorry about that. I am not used to this website.
I know Michael and Junior. Both are great people to know. I have stayed at Dolphin dhow twice. The first time was for 2 weeks and the second time was for more than a month.
Michael and I have traveled to more than 8 countries in Africa together and all I can say is that he knows Africa better than any one I have ever met.
Junior is a good businessman. I think the posts about him are quiet unnecessary.
Dolphin Dhow Safaris is a localy owned business that employs more than 14 permanent staff all year. The staff at Dolphin Dhow safaris are polite and friendly.
There is never a time when it is too late or to much hassle for one of the guys to run into town to get some last minunte cooking oil or even a case of cold beers after hours.
" these guys perform miracles"

The staff at Dolphin dhow can be found working hard whilst laughing amongst each other enjoying the pleasure of being employed by such a good company.
All the men have large families that depend on the growth of Dolphin dhow to provide a better future for their children.

What I can say is that the company has grown and is the top rated tour company in Vilanculos.
Dolphin dhow accommodation has recently been listed on all the online booking engines. You can now view availability and book your accommodation on line.
Just try searching the major booking websites and you will see that they are the only registered hostel in the entire Mozambique country.
At Dolphin dhow the internet is fast..it is also free. No where in Mozambique will you find anything for free. Michael is awesome and he has brought a hole new style to the backpacking industry in Vilanculos.
Junior has listened to all his advice. Junior has built the most perfectly located hostel and lodge one story above sea level with a private panoramic viewing deck.
The view from Dolphin dhow lodge and hostel can not be beaten by any other accommodation provider in the area, especially where you will find all the hostels that are in Vilanculos.

Junior grew up poor in a country with small opportunities for the people. He attended school and completed his education with excellent marks.
Today junior has more speed boats and dhw boats than any other operator in the entire Inhambane province.

What I see is a man who is putting his all in to his business.