Discover Mozambique
Mozambique beaches are legendary. Just the thought of them makes us want to go there! Since the ending of the sivil war, this paradise has begun to open to travellers. Our adventure is full of surprises as we mender along the coast before heading for Kruger NP for some superb game-viewing.
Stage highlights:
This tour departs from Livngstone, where we set of to explore some of the amazing highlights of Zimbabwe; the Matopos Nationals Park and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. Leaving Zimbabwe behind we set of for the tropical paradise, Mozambique. Time to relax, beach comb or swim and snorkel along some of the amazing reefs the Indian Ocean has to offer. Our next destination will take us to Africa's famed Kruger National park, for some fabulous game viewing. The tour will end in Johannesburg, the 'City Of Gold'.
Stage duration:16 Days
|
Day 1: Victoria Falls
The day is set aside to experience the many optional activities available in the Victoria Falls area. An evening talk will be held tonight togo through the details of the tour.(Lunch, Dinner)
Stage highlights:
The Falls measure 1708 metres across and have a mean maximum flow of 700 000 cubic metres per minute. The river has eroded the soft earth filled cracks in the original volcanic basalt plateau and has, during the past half million years, cut back a deep zigzag path forming a gorge 100 kilometres in length. The falls are divided into the Devil’s Cataract (27m wide and 60 m high), the main falls, which in turn are divided by a projecting rock (524m + 297m wide and 83m high) and the Eastern Cataract 304m wide and 96m high.
The mighty Zambezi River, 2700 kilometres in length, is Africa’s 4th longest river.
Stage duration:1 Day
|
Day 2 and 3: Bulawayo / Matopos NP
Depart early morning for Bulawayo. Afternoon is free to explore this old British colonial town. The second day is spent exploring Matopos National Park. The beautiful balancing rock formations are a sight to behold. There is also Cecil John Rhodes Grave at World’s view. There is a great War Monument, with bronzed weapons that were actually used in the War.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stage highlights:
Matopos National Park is the best place in the world to see white rhino. The Matobo Hills near Bulawayo also shelter hundreds of amazing caves and rock paintings. It was Mzilikazi who christened the balancing rocks of the Matobo National Park, Sindebele - “The Bald Heads".
The British imperialist Cecil Rhodes (after whom Rhodesia was named) is buried here at his own request, but there has been some controversy over whether he will stay. The spiritual struggle between the resting place of Rhodes and the rights of the Mwari is a political tug of war.
Stage duration:2 Days
|
Day 4: Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Today we travel to Masvingo where we set up camp near the town. The afternoon is spent exploring the famous Great Zimbabwe Ruins.
Monkeys are a big problem so don’t leave anything here!!(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stage highlights:
Great Zimbabwe Ruins:
This is the World Heritage historic site of a highly advanced ancient African civilization, and is made up of three complexes; the Acropolis, the Valley Enclosures and the Great Enclosure. A visit to the museum or some pre-visit reading is suggested.
Great Zimbabwe, the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa, provides evidence that ancient Africa reached a level of civilisation not suspected by early scholars. As a religious and secular capital, this city of 10,000 to 20,000 people dominated a realm, which stretched across eastern Zimbabwe and into Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa between the 13th and 15th centuries.
The most familiar structure in the site is the elliptical Great Enclosure. Nearly 100m (330ft) across and 255m (840ft) in circumference, it's the largest ancient structure in sub-Saharan Africa. The mortar-less walls rise 11m and, in places, are 5m (16ft) thick. The greatest source of speculation is regarding the 10m (33ft) high Conical Tower, a solid and apparently ceremonial structure - it probably has phallic significance.
The Karanga people came here from the north across the Zambezi and found the living good. The easily defensible hill, conveniently pock-marked with caves, provided a natural fortress, and the Karanga embarked upon a culture built on granite. The original seven carved birds excavated from the valley enclosures can now be seen at the museum.
Nobody really knows the circumstances of the final abandonment but by the time the settlers arrived in the nineteenth century, the bush was reclaiming the stones
Stage duration:1 Day
|
Day 5: Bandula
We pass through the eastern highlands as we head for the Zimbabwe / Moçambique border. After crossing the border, we make our way to the shores of a lake where we camp near Bandula.
Stage highlights:
The drive through the scenic Eastern Highlands.
Stage duration:1 Day
|
Day 6, 7 and 8: Inhassoro / Vilanculos
Today we travel through many little African villages as we head for the Moçambique coastline. Our destination is Inhassoro and Vilankulo from where we are able to explore the Islands off the coast. The busy local markets make interesting shopping and the purchase of ample seafood ensure we have a magnificent feast that night. There is an opportunity to cross by dhow or speedboat to islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago where we relax 'island style', snorkeling or soaking up the sun. Overnight in a traditional setting.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stage highlights:
The Bazaruto Archipelago is made up of 4 inhabited islands, namely Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque and Santa Carolina (“Paradise Island”). The entire archipelago was declared a National Park in 1971, and boasts over 250 species of birds, butterflies and crocodiles in the fresh water lakes to be found on Bazaruto and Benguerra Island. Offshore, Dolphins, Dugong, Game Fish and several species of Turtles may be found.
The main attraction of a holiday on the island is the unspoilt and non-commercialised surroundings. Being on the very edge of the deep Moçambique Channel, Bazaruto is one of Africa’s most productive areas for Marlin and Sailfish as well as warm-water game fish such as Giant Kingfish, Wahoo, King Mackerel and Dorado. The unspoilt dive sites are interesting and varied and the Archipelago is fast becoming one of the world’s top dive destinations.
NB-Park fees are payable on all of the islands. This is NOT included in our trip costs.
Make sure you take the right amounts in US$ - they don’t give change. Park fees cost US$10 per person. Pay in Meticals, it is always cheaper. That is just to land on the Island. This permit is valid for one week and therefore if you go to more than once island, you can use that on all of the islands.
Stage duration:3 Days
|
Day 9 and 10: Morrungulo
Driving through this sub-tropical paradise we reach Morrungulo to set up camp under the coconut trees, with wide, deserted beaches nearby. The warm waters are inviting, and so too are the options to snorkel or dive in the magnificent coral reefs.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stage highlights:
Relax on the beach or do some snorkelling.
Stage duration:2 Days
|
Day 11: Praia do Tofo
Driving south through beautiful coconut plantations, we pass through the Old European settlement of Inhambane haunted by the memories of the old slave trade along the coast. Explore the town before heading to Praia do Tofo where we camp in a spectacular setting.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stage highlights:
The declining global demand for elephant tusks and slaves transformed Inhambane from a thriving port city to a quiet and relaxed seaside town. The second-oldest municipality in Mozambique (after Ilha de Moçambique), it figured prominently in Portuguese colonists' commercial schemes from Vasco da Gama's landing in 1498 until the 1950s, when road travel to Maputo became feasible. Vestiges of its former prominence remain in the city's wide avenues, its 18th-century church, fading colonial-era architecture (especially near the jetty), and a small slavery monument. Inhambane's political prominence has waned, although it is still the capital of the province bearing the same name.
Stage duration:1 Day
|
Day 12: Xai-Xai
Our journey further south through this amazing country leads us to Xai Xai. Here we spend our last night in Moçambique camping on yet another amazing beach.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stage highlights:
Our last day on one of the beautiful beaches of Mozambique.
Stage duration:1 Day
|
Day 13 and 14: Kruger NP
Depart early morning for the South African border after which we enter the world famous Kruger National Park. Late afternoon game drive. The following day will be spent game viewing with a chance to see the Big Five, en route to the next campsite.
Maputo is not a terribly safe city, we suggest that you do not to walk around alone here. If you do decide to walk around the city you must carry a copy of your passport with you as this is a legal requirement.
Stage highlights:
The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.
Approximately 145 mammal species occur in the park. It is possible to see elephant, black and white rhino, hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog and many antelope species. Large carnivores include lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. There are also many smaller mammals.
Birding: Kruger has a list of almost 500 species including; Hornbills, Starlings, Vultures, Rollers, Bee-eaters and Shrikes The ‘Big-6’ of birding can be found here - Saddle-billed Stork, Kori Bustard, Martial Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Ground Hornbill. The far north of the park is regarded as one of the best birding areas. Eagles are common: Bateleur, Martial, Black-breasted Snake, Brown Snake, African Hawk, African Fish and Tawny are all regularly seen, and in summer: Wahlberg’s, Steppe, Lesser Spotted.
Vegetation: With Kruger being so vast it naturally has a tremendous botanic diversity. Simplistically the park can be divided into 16 macro eco-zones. The northern half of the park, north of the Olifants River is predominantly mopane veld, while south of the Olifants the eco-zones are thornveld. There are 336 tree species in the park.
Stage duration:2 Days
|
Day 15: Blyde River Canyon
Early morning departure to enjoy the last game sightings before we leave the Kruger Park. We journey through Mpumalanga, visiting the historic mining town of Pilgrims Rest, on our way to the Blyde River Canyon where we spend our last night camping near “God's Window." (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stage highlights:
God's Window - so called for the panoramic view of the Lowveld (and in the distance the Kruger National Park) more than 900 m below - is 9.2 km north of Graskop on the R534 road. Walk from the parking area down a steep footpath along the edge of the escarpment to get to the actual view site, at an altitude of 1 829 m above sea level.
Stage duration:1 Day
|
Day 16: Johannesburg
After breakfast we head for Johannesburg where the tour terminates either with drop off at the airport or a lodge. (Breakfast)
Stage highlights:
The opportunity to have a night out in Egoli - The city of gold.
Stage duration:1 Day
|
Cost includes:-
Meals as indicated on the itinerary, accommodation, registered guides, and transport per itinerary.
Cost Excludes:-
All items of a personal nature, alcohol, snacks, souvenirs, tips and optional activities (see list for an indication of prices).
Departure dates:-
17/04/2004, 15/05/2004, 12/06/2004, 10/07/2004, 07/08/2004, 04/09/2004, 02/10/2004, 30/10/2004, 27/11/2004, 25/12/2004
Baggage Limits:-
One backpack and one daypack
Age Limits:-
Minimum Age:- 16 Maximum Age:- 60
Passenger Limit:-
20
What to bring along:-
Your luggage is limited to ONE backpack and ONE day pack weighing no more than 20kg. As a general rule, if you cannot lift your own luggage - you’ve got too much stuff! Most people make the mistake of bringing too many clothes. Suitcases are not suitable on tour – especially huge samsonite-style cases! Bags with wheels are of no use when you are moving you bag from the truck to your tent through sand.
Price:-
The cost of the 16 DAYS DISCOVER MOZAMBIQUE is ZAR 6500.00
Local Payment:-
N/A
Convert this price to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|