Mozambique Articles

Believe it or not, one of the most popular holiday destinations in Mozambique is only a 5 Hour drive from Durban and if you're from 'Jozie', then add on another hour and a half for safe measure.
All you need is a bunch of mates, a car; booked accommodation and you're on your way to an exciting holiday in Ponta do Ouro. Oh ...
I forget to mention that you also need a passport of course, BUT, the good thing about Mozambique is that you don't need a visa to cross the border - for South African citizens that is! If you're not South African, don't stress! You can quickly organise a visa for a couple hundred rands at the airport!

"Oh but how do I get there - I don't have a 4x4, what now?!" ... Yes yes, don't worry, that's covered too! Someone in South Africa had some brains because he / she knew that not all of us own petrol guzzling 4x4's, that need a bond to buy! So on the South African side of the Mozambican border, there is a safe parking bay called Skelm's (No - not skelems!) parking where visitors can leave their vehicles for a small fee (about R30 / day) during their stay in glorious Mozambique! But wait ... I almost forgot to tell you that the border is not at Ponta do Ouro. Yes, there's still a 4x4 drive to Ponta (hence why you have to park your dainty 2x4 vehicle at Skelms), but it's only a short 20 minute drive ... and those who don't have their own 4x4, can either pay for a transfer from the border to Ponta, or you can try arrange a pick-up transfer with the lodge / resort that you are staying at (a service some of the lodges offer their visitors).

Getting ampt?? Well you should be because you are about to organise an exciting holiday that none of your friends know about until you surprise them with your awesome idea to go on holiday to Mozambique (Yup, you will get an extra stamp on your passport - yay!).

Though there is some important information that you need to know before you leave. "Before" being the operative word. You don't want to drive hundreds of kilometers to find that you don't have all the documents that is needed at the border! The "vrou" won't be impressed! SO, best get organised and make sure you take everything that is required at the border, and to make this easy, just click here to print "what-is-required" (print the pdf document that will open in a new window) or click the PDF icon at the bottom of this article.
So print it, frame it, laminate it ... do what you want with it, just make sure you understand what is required!

You may want to know what there is to do in Ponta do Ouro. Well of course you do!! Where do I begin ...
Fishing and Diving enthusiasts will have a treat! Whether or not you bring your own fishing and scuba diving equipment, there are enough charters in Ponta to make you seasick (literally)! Which is a good thing, because these are some of the activities that makes Ponta do Ouro so popular! There are more than 15 coral reefs to explore and if you have never dived before, then you can actually go for some diving lessons in Ponta (organised little village isn't it!!). So there are no excuses! Off-shore reefs attract a lot of big game fish, which provides for some action packed deepsea fishing!

Notice that I have called Ponta do Ouro, "Ponta" ... its the same place, just a shorter version people often call Ponta do Ouro!

Just in case you aren't familiar with this beautiful website, if you scroll to the top of the website and look at the right column, you will see a list of towns in Mozambique (in alphabetical order). Click on a town and you will go straight to the accommodation page of that specific town you clicked on. You will also see tabs saying "activities" ; "Map" ; "Directions" etc, etc ... these tabs are pages with information about the specific town you clicked on.

Back to Ponta ... now if you own Quad bikes, BRING THEM! It's such a fun and convenient way to get around Ponta. Not only that, there are also Quad trails and Quad nature trails to enjoy in and around Ponta. If you don't have your own Quad with you, then you're going to have to dig in your wallet a bit deeper to hire one. Nevertheless, everything is pretty much within walking distance, including shops, bars, restaurants, dive / fishing charters, ATM's, and Ponta's beautiful beach littered with hundreds of holiday makers!

Now for all those beer enthusiasts that put Castle on the pedestal and don't dare to touch any other beer (or lager for that matter) ... you're going to have to step down this holiday and try some of the local beers! In fact after trying some of the Local beers ( especially 2M which is pronounced 'dosh-em' and Laurentina ), I have a feeling your taste buds are going to reconsider what they like most and your all time favourite may just drop to second best!

Putting beers and lagers aside, there is another local favourite holidays makers 'rave' about back at home and that is, RnR (Rum and Rasberry). This is a strong mix served at some of the beach bars in Ponta and is bound to loosen the limbs and trigger your party mood which usually ends up on the dance floor at Pinto's near the local Market. Ponto has a great atmosphere at night - not just for the party go'ers, but also for the hungry! There is a good selection of restaurants to dine at, where you can indulge in delicious seafood, steaks, half chickens, burgers, salads and much much more!! So the night is yours to choose how you would like to spend it. Any way you do it, even if it's a good old family braai at the camp, you'll have an absolute blast!

Now as much as some may think that if you have so many RnR's and 2m's, it will stop the mosquito's from biting and there will be no risk of catching Malaria! Well well, I don't know who says this, but it's certainly not like the tobasco advert we have seen on T.V. (and NO - tobasco is also not a prophylactic). Jokes aside, although Ponto is not a high risk malaria area, we still have to take pre-cautions and its recommended that you visit your nearest 'quack' for a prescription of anti-malaria tablets! Don't go visit your doctor the day before you leave for Mozambique because most anti-malaria courses need to be taken a couple of days or even a week prior to entering the malaria area. The most effective and common anti-malaria tablets on the market today is either Mefloquine (Mefliam) or Doxycycline (Doxitab) which both require a prescription. ( Click here for more information )
Along with your anti-malaria tablets, don't forget to also take Insect repellent sprays, mosquito Coils, light long sleeve tops and bottoms to further prevent bites.

Ponta do Ouro is certainly a paradise away from reality and not too far off the beaten track. A bit of preperation which is quick and easy and you're on your way to an unforgettable holiday with friends and family! After patiently reading this article, your next step is to start enquiring for accommodation. Click here to go straight to Accommodation page of Ponta do Ouro and also note that Ponta Malongane is 7km North of Ponta do Ouro and Ponta Mamoli is a further 10km. So do look for accommodation in those areas too (by clicking on the town names above).

Click the 'Download to print' button below to open up the Mozambican border requirements in .PDF and simply print the document:

DOWNLOAD TO PRINT