Snorkeling, sandy beaches and lots more ...

Itinery

Friday.  Our charter bus leaves Sabie, in Mpumalanga, South Africa, at 07:30.  We cross the Mozambique border at Lebombo/Ressano Garcia, and overnight at a resort near Xai-Xai.  Dinner, bed and breakfast included.

Saturday.  Charter bus and 4x4 transfer to Island Rock.  Dinner, bed and breakfast included.

Sunday.  Our beach hike begins!  We walk to Praia de Jangamo 10 kms.  Snorkelling may be possible en route at Paindane.  Dinner, bed and breakfast included.

Monday.  Easy walk to Coconut Bay 7 kms.  The afternoon is free to swim, relax and explore.  Dinner, bed and breakfast included, plus a packed lunch for tomorrow.

Tuesday.  Long hike to Tofo 18 kms, where we stay for two nights.  Dinners, bed and breakfasts included.

Wednesday.  Optional day trip to Inhambane, with lunch.  We visit the museum, the cathedral, the old church, and the market.  If the weather permits, a dhow trip to Maxixe may be included.  Return to Tofo late afternoon.

Thursday.  Short walk to Praia da Barra 8 kms.  Visit the Lighthouse.  Afternoon free for swimming and relaxing.  Dinner, bed and breakfast included.

Friday.  Optional snorkelling, or scuba diving trip, if the weather permits.  The day is free to relax, swim, or explore the beaches and mangrove swamps.  Dinner, bed and packed breakfast included.

Saturday.  Charter bus at 06:00 to Sabie, arriving about 19:00.  Bed and breakfast included at The Floreat Riverside Lodge in Sabie.

Note:  A scheduled bus service (“Bushveld Link”) operates between Johannesburg and Sabie.  It leaves the international airport at 13:45 on Wednesdays, and returns on Sunday mornings at 10:30, arriving at 15:45.  If you require accommodation at The Floreat Riverside Lodge at the start of the trip, please advise when booking, so that it can be reserved for you.

Notes

We walk at low tide on hard sand.  Our luggage will be transferred, on the sand roads, between lodges.  Luggage is strictly limited to one overnight bag or backpack per person, plus your day pack (see suggested packing list).  You will be required to carry your own luggage within the resorts (the chalets are sometimes quite far from the reception), and to and from bus, coach, or transfer, stops.

Tap water is drinkable at Island Rock, Praia de Jangamo, Coconut Bay and Praia da Barra (all have bore hole water).  Fill up your water bottles at these places, and before you leave home.  It is advisable not to drink the tap water in Tofo or Inhambane.  You can buy bottled water at every place, if you wish to.  Most resorts have a gas stove, kettle and cups, so bring matches, tea bags, coffee, sugar and creamer to make your own beverages in the chalets.  The lodges have gas geysers for hot showers, but this is Africa, so expect the occasional cold water shower!  The generators (for electricity) are usually on between about 3pm and 10pm.  Plug sockets are either the international small 2-pin, or the big South African round 3-pin.  Hair dryers are not allowed at remote lodges, as they trip the electricity.

Malaria tablets are recommended – please see your pharmacist.  Travel insurance is strongly advised – medical facilities are very basic in Mozambique, and you will need emergency air evacuation to South Africa in the event of a serious accident.  Check your medical aid, as it may already cover you. 

South African passport holders do not need a visa for Mozambique.  All other passport holders (except Malawi and Tanzania) must obtain the necessary visa from their nearest Mozambican consulate.

If you have any particular dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian), please advise, so that the resorts can be notified.  Suppers are usually seafood, fish or chicken, with rice or chips, and salads or vegetables.

Cost

Cost per person: R4,200 ex Sabie.  Price includes: 9 nights accommodation (mostly twin-bed rooms), 9 breakfasts, 8 suppers, 1 packed lunch, return charter bus from Sabie, 4x4 transfer to Island Rock, and all baggage transfers between lodges.  Not included are drinks, tea and coffee, other meals, snorkelling trips, optional excursions, and any other items of a personal nature.  Lunches are available at all the resorts.

A deposit of R1,000 is fully refundable up to one month before departure, at which time the balance is payable.  If your booking is then cancelled, a refund can only be made if a replacement is found.  Group number is limited to 12 persons. 

Bookings

Contact:  Jill Salt, e-mail:  jillsalt@hotmail.co.uk

Tel and Fax:  +27 (0)13 764 1597

Suggested packing list

Moneybelt / Passport / Pen / Travel Insurance / Medical Aid Card

R17 cash for the Moz border (entry only) – they do not give change!

Spending Money – in small denominations, in Rands and Meticais

Extra Rands for Optional Trips / Emergency Cash / Credit Card (not generally accepted)

Watch / Cell Phone / Charger / Adaptor

Day Pack / Overnight Bag or Backpack

Poncho or Rain Coat / Hat

Walking Shoes / Strops (smart footwear is not necessary)

Sweater or Tracksuit Top / Pyjamas

1 pair Long Pants / 1 or 2 pairs Shorts

4 or 5 Hiking Shirts (wash & wear)

2 or 3 pairs Socks / Underwear (wash & wear)

Something Smart/Casual for Evenings

Swimming Costume & Sarong for the Beach

Towel for Showers – not provided at most resorts

Toiletries / Soap / Half a Loo Roll (usually provided, but just in case...)

First Aid Kit / Personal Prescription Medicine

Small Torch & Spare Batteries (the electricity supply is erratic)

Mozzie Spray, Stick or Lotion (and apply it every evening at 5pm)

2 x 1 litre Bottles Water / Snacks & Fruit Juices (for the journey)

Extra Snack Bars for the Beach

Matches / Coffee / Tea / Sugar / Creamer

Reading Book

Sun Glasses / Sun Screen Lotion

Camera / Film / Memory Card / Extra Batteries

Snorkel, Mask & Fins