13 Day Mozambique overland Expedition

Mozambique is home to miles of uninterrupted white sand. Best of all, visitors can enjoy it without feeling the pressures of tourism that are sadly found at other more popular stretches of the African coast. Travellers are so few and far between that the local residents are both interested and happy to speak about their culture with those taking a trip. They seem refreshingly unconscious of the European/African divide than regions such as The Gambia – and less keen to extort money from ‘rich’ outsiders at every opportunity.

Nature of the Tour:

This trip offers you a crossroads of civilizations, cultures and landscapes, influenced from the early days by nomadic tribes, Arab readers, European colonials, torn apart by civil wars.  With new found peace, and a fast growing economy recently reopened to tourism, Southern and Eastern Africa offers the explorer a wealth of treasures in the form of untouched wilderness areas, natural beauty, deserted beaches and unique cultural heritage.

Safari dates :

Johannesburg to Johannesburg

Arrival/Start         – 26th February 2012
Departure/End     – 10th March 2012

Basic Itinerary:

Tour starts at 06:30 from Linga Longa Guest House in Kempton Park Johannesburg.

Day 1          Kempton Park to Mabuda B&B        
Day 2          Mabuda B&B to Zavora Beach
Day 3          Zavora Beach       
Day 4          Zavora Beach to Blue Water Bay restcamp 
Day 5          Blue Water Bay restcamp        
Day 6          Blue Water Bay restcamp – Gorongoza Rest Camp        
Day 7 & 8   Gorongoza Rest Camp   
Day 9          Gorongoza Rest Camp - Bush Camp
Day 10        Bush Camp – Chipinda Pools Camp
Day 11        Chipinda Pools Camp - Chilojo Cliffs         
Day 12        Chilojo Cliffs – Cawoods Mazunga Ranch  
Day 13        Cawoods Mazunga Ranch - Johannesburg
Day 14        Departure

Expedition Cost:

Cost is based on a per person sharing rate, please emai cheapflights@southafrica.to with the dates that you would like to book this safari along with number of people sharing for a quotation.

Our prices include:

• Your fully customised Land Rover vehicles and all necessary camping equipment where required
• Support vehicle and photographic guide costs
• Route planning, itineraries, bookings and travel guidance
• Field guides, maps and documents required for cross-border travel
• Complete introduction to the vehicle, equipment & basic 4x4 driver training where necessary
• Vehicle exchange when serious mechanical breakdown occurs
• Comprehensive vehicle insurance cover (full details available upon request)
• Free airport transfers to and from our Johannesburg offices
• Our individual service
• All fuel & toll road fees
• An emergency medical kit, and all guides are first aid trained
• Two full meals per day plus snacks
• Drinking water and cordial

Our prices exclude:

• International/regional and domestic airfares to and from collection/departure points
• Visas and personal travel insurance
• Alcoholic beverages, mixers and soft drinks
• All beverages and food out of camp
• Laundry services
• Clothing, toiletries and all other personal items e.g. sun block, anti malaria prevention etc
• Fees for non-scheduled excursions, activities, entrance fees etc
• Gratuities
• Costs for any upgraded accommodation to that listed above and below.
• Camera’s and camera equipment
• Horse riding safaris in Vilanculos
• Scuba Diving

Passport Visa Requirements:

We will be travelling in South Africa:

• South Africa – Visas are generally required at the port of entry. You will be given a three-month visa, which is free of charge.
• Mozambique – Visas are considered by the Mozambique missions abroad and must be affixed in the applicants' passports before departing for Mozambique . Visas are not issued on arrival at Mozambique ports of entry. Mozambique consulate in London Tel: +44 (0) 71 383 38 00
• Zimbabwe – Visas are required at the border for US and UK citizens the cost is USD 55 for a single entry visa. South African passport holders are not required to pay anything. No cost for South African passport holders.

This information is correct as of today’s date, please double check with the relevant embassy in your home country before you travel. Chimhavira cannot be held responsible to any changes to these requirements that are beyond our control.

Items of interest:

Total driving Distance: Approx 3, 750 km (2, 330 UK miles)
Diesel consumption based on one vehicle: 469 litres (124 UK gallons)

Suggestions:

African kids love asking tourists for sweets and pens. If you have space in your suitcase bring a couple bags of both with you. The kids will smile and be happy; you will enjoy it for little cost. Old clothes are good for bargaining with adults for curios or local fruits etc.

14 - Day Mozambique Expedition

Meal Key: B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner

Day 1:  Johannesburg – Mabuda B&B 

Mabuda or "Place of Dreams" is a romantic farm in the beautiful Lebombo Mountains. It offers fantastic birding amidst spectacular views and is an ideal stop over point for our journey into Mozambique, the border is just 28km away.

Day 2 & 3:  Mabuda B&B – Zavora Beach

Zavora Del Sol is situated on one of the finest stretches of coastline in the Inhambane province. The excellent fishing and unspoilt beauty of miles and miles of coastline is what makes Zavora Del Sol todays destination.

Zavora is recognized to be one of the best fishing areas in Mozambique and is frequented by many avid fishermen and woman.

Zavora Bay is protected by a reef, and this is where boats are launched. There is a natural tidal pool created by this reef that is ideal for snorkelling and swimming. Plenty of humpback whales are sighted between June and November. Occasionally eagle and manta rays as well as graceful sailfish burst from the surface in brief flights. Dolphins are regularly seen feeding and playing in the bay.

Day 4 & 5:  Zavora Beach – Blue Water Bay restcamp

We travel today to Vilanculos and day 4 is going to see us doing something a little different – A beach setting is idea for horse back safaris. Nestled along the Vilanculos coast and on the Benguerra Island in the Bazaruto Archipelago lies a gem of a camp. The coastal area is renowned for its long stretches of untouched white sand beaches and magnificent cliff top views overlooking the ever changing turquoise blue colours of the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Day 6, 7 & 8:  Blue Water Bay restcamp – Gorongoza Rest Camp

Gorongoza National Park is at the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley in the heart of central Mozambique. The 3,770 square kilometre park includes the valley floor and parts of surrounding plateaus. Rivers originating on nearby 1863-meter Mount Gorongoza water the plain.

Day 9:  Gorongoza – Bush Camp

Today we will travel towards the Zimbabwean border which will enable us to cross into Zimbabwe tomorrow morning. There is not much on the Mozambique side in the way of tourist attractions so for this evening we will be bush camping along a river line.

Day 10:  Bush Camp – Gona-re-zhou (Chipinda Pools)

Today we will travel to the Mount Silinda border post which will enable us to cross into Zimbabwe. Destination Gona-re-zhou National Park.

Gonarezhou National Park is a game reserve in south-eastern Zimbabwe. It is situated in a relatively remote corner of Masvingo Province, south of Chimanimani along the Mozambique border. The park is a lowveld region of baobabs, scrublands and sandstone cliffs.

At 5,053 km² Gonarezhou is the country’s second largest game reserve after Hwange National Park. Gonarezhou is a Shona name meaning "elephant's tusk." It forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a peace park that links Gonarezhou with the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique. Animals can move freely between the three sanctuaries.

Day 11:  Chipinda Pools – Chilojo Cliffs

The main feature of this Park is the Chilojo Cliffs, which are visible from 50 kilometres away. Morning and evening light give the cliffs a rich hue and dramatically silhouette the distinctive baobab trees. These trees are said to be the source of the famous ‘cream of tartar’. The flowers are pollinated by bats and are a delicacy for antelopes.

Day 12:  Chilojo Cliffs – Cawoods Mazunga Ranch

This evening we will be staying at a Zimbabwean ranch. The Bristow family run the ranch today and are passionate about their wildlife. Their pets include two lions, a banded mongoose and a giraffe. Look out for the buffalo heard that roams around there farm.

As this is a farm we will also be taken on a tour of the orchard that supplies citrus fruits all over the world.

Day 13:  Cawoods Mazunga Ranch – Johannesburg

Today we make our way back to Johannesburg where you will be transferred to your guest house.

Day 14: Day of Departure

You will be transferred to the airport where you say goodbye to the guides and the group…

Arrival:

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation (where required). For convenience of our early start spending the night at Linga Longa Guest house is recommended, please advise us if you require a booking and Chimhavira will arrange this on your behalf. 

Departure:

If you require an airport transfer this can be arranged for you.

Transport:

Chimhavira Overland Safaris cc use fully equipped 4x4 Land Rover Defender/Discovery vehicles.

Camera Equipment:

Photographic equipment is not included in this itinerary. It is suggested as a minimum that you consider bring the following: Digital SLR camera, lenses (Ranging from telephoto zoom minimum 300mm to a wide angle), tripod, camera cleaning kit, polarising and UV filter.

Accommodation:

Accommodation will be in your vehicle roof top tents. Should you want to upgrade please ask your guide to assist you. Where possible your guide will try to upgrade you as to your requirements but this will be dependant on availability. Please note upgrades are not included in your Chimhavira Overland Safari cc invoice and will therefore necessitate you paying for upgrades directly.   

Spending money:

Clients are advised to bring enough money to cover the purchase of curios and personal items.

Meals:

All meals are organized by the guide and are prepared by our cook. Meals are nutritious and filling, drawing on fresh local produce where possible.  We buy groceries along the way, so our clients have a say in what type of meals are eaten. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements before tour commencement.

First Aid:

Our guides are trained in basic first aid, Chimhavira Overland Safari cc guides are trained to level III St John’s or equivalent standards, our vehicles are equipped with a comprehensive medical aid kit.  Preventative Malaria medication should be taken before the trip and throughout its duration, although it is advisable to consult a doctor prior to departure.

Luggage:

Maximum baggage allowance: 20kg. Chimhavira Overland Safaris cc stipulates this luggage allowance, as an overloaded vehicle is a danger to both the clients and the guide. This does not include photographic equipment and a small daypack. Please bring a backpack or soft barrel bag, not a suitcase. Please adhere to the allowance specified as space for luggage is limited. 

Sleeping bags:

Chimhavira Overland Safaris cc will provide sleeping bags and pillows for those guests choosing the camping options, please advise us if this is required at your time of booking. If you prefer to bring your own please feel free to do so.

HOMEPAGEOffset carbon emissions

Tourist SafetyLife in South Africa

Provinces of South Africa

UK to South Africa flightsSouth Africa flights archive

Air Botswana Air Namibia AirlinkSA Express

About SouthAfrica.TO