Tour Itinerary
Backpacker toursSouth Africa provides this unique safari that includes a week spend on the beaches of Mozambique,its cost effective and fun, if you are looking to unwind and getting rid of the stress, this is the tour for you,minimal driving and maximum relaxation.
Day 1
We depart Johannesburg and head east on the N12 towards Nelspruit were we stop for lunch. After lunch we head to the remote border town of Komatipoort were we will spend the night.
Distance travelled: 500km
Meals included: Lunch and dinner
Overnight: guest house Komatipoort
Komatipoort
Komatipoort is a town situated at the confluence of the Crocodile and Komati Rivers in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. It is one of South Africa's hottest towns, with winter's average a perfect 26°C (79°F) moving to a summer average of 33°C (91°F).
Overview
Situated only 8 km from the Crocodile Bride Gate into the Kruger Park, and just 5 km from the Mozambique border and 65 km from the Swazi border, it is an important holiday destination town, offering day trips into the Park or to a neighbouring country, plus golf, fishing, elephant back safaris too (near by). There is much tourist accommodation available at all levels.
Day 2
Early morning rise breakfast and head for the border.After border formalities we head for the coastal town of Inhambane were we will spend the next four days on the beach,soaking up sun,diving, horse riding,ocean safari and much more. We spend these days in a pvt house on the beach, about 50m from the bar and dive school,and of the veranda over the dune on the beach.The house consist of 4 double rooms,showers and w/c. A bbq area and a veranda
Distance travelled 560 km
Meals: breakfast,Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: PVT house on the beach
Day 3,4,5,6
The next few days is up to you what you would like to do, go to tofo,experience the night life or do activities, a break down follows.
HIRING OF EQUIPMENT
BC, DV, Cylinder, Wetsuit, Weight B, Mask & Fins
100 Mts per item per day
Full Gear Hire
500 Mts per day
Cylinder fills (privateboat air fills)
200 Mts per fill
Fly-in Clients – weight belt & cylinder
FREE
LOSS of any Dive Gear
Replacementvalue
SCUBA DIVINGCOURSES
Try Scuba (Basic training + 1 Lagoon Dive)
1350 Mts
Resort Course (As above + 1 Open Water Dive)
2250 Mts
Refresher Course (Scuba Review + 1 Open Water Dive)
1800 Mts
Open Water Course SDI &CMAS (All Inclusive)
8550 Mts
CMAS 2 Star Advanced Course (Incl. 5 Dives)
8100 Mts
Deep Dive (Incl. 5 Dives)
8100 Mts
OTHER WATERSPORT ACTIVITIES
# Kids u/12 half price, u/7 Free
Snorkeling
Min 4
(1 hour)
400 Mts pp #
990 Mts pp #
650 Mts pp #
650 Mts pp #
650 Mts p/d
Ocean Safaris (WhaleSharks)
Min 6
(2 hours)
Pansy Island Trips
Min 6
(2 hours)
Sundowner Cruise
Min 6
(2 hours)
C Kayak
Meals included: breakfast and dinner for all the days
Distance travelled: 0km
Overnight PVT house on the beach
Inhambane is a town located in southern Mozambique, lying on Inhambane Bay, 470 km northeast of Maputo. It is the capital of the Inhambane Province and has according to the 2007 census has a population of 63,837, growing from the 1997 census of 54,157. [1] It is a sleepy historic town known for its rusting colonial architecture and has been popular with tourists in recent years. The settlement owes its existence to a deep inlet into which the small river the Matamba flows. Two protective sandy headlands protect the harbor and form a sandbank. The town of Maxixe is located across the bay.
History
Inhambane is one of the oldest settlements on the East Coast of Mozambique. Dhows traded at the place as early as the 11th century. Muslim and Persian traders traded pearls and ambergris and also traded at Chibuene in the south. The area became well known for its local cotton spinning and production by the Tonga tribe. Sometime before the Portuguese discovered the town, the Karanga had invaded Inhambane and formed a number of local chieftains which dominated over the Tonga cotton workers and the rewards of trading with the Muslims went to them. [2]
A Francisco de Almeida ship
When Vasco da Gama rounded Africa in the late 15th century he pulled into Inhambane to replenish stocks and explore. He took an immediate liking Imhambane and named it Terra de Boa Gente or 'Land of the Gentle People'. In 1505, a ship sent by Francisco de Almeida was shipwrecked south of the town, but the Portuguese gained an initial meeting with the Karanga chiefs. Later, their sons landed on Mozambique Island to survey the situation. The Portuguese eventually established a permanent trading post at settlement in 1534.[3]Inhambane was then chosen as the first Jesuit mission to East Africa in 1560. [2]
The port gradually grew as a ivory and slave trading centre particularly in the eighteenth century under mostly Indian control. It was destroyed in 1834 by Soshangane, but grew rapidly in the second half of the century, from which period its old cathedral and old mosque date. However in the 20th century the status of the town declined and the economic situation worsened as Maputo became the main centre.
The 170 year old Cathedral of our Lady of Conception is located in the old quarter of the city where a rusted ladder leads to the top of the spire, offering panoramic views of the city and harbor. [4] The city is now home to a museum and a market and is known for its nearby beaches of Tofo and Barra. The central market located along the main boulevard called simply "Mercado Central" offers numerous foods, ranging from a colorful array of spices and vegetables to prawns, fishes and cashew nuts. Motor and dhow taxis sail from the town to Maxixe.
Recreation Barra beach (Ponto do Barra)
Notable sites in the surrounding district of Inhambane include the Praia do Tofo, Praia dos Cocos, Ponto do Barra, Ilha de Benquerra, Guinjata Bay. Scuba diving in Inhambane is particularly popular in locations such as Manta Reef and Gallaria. Giant Manta Rays, Whale sharks, Turtles and other marine life are regularly seen and there are many professional scuba diving operations throughout the province. Many tourists are under the impression that they can dive from Inhambane itself. The closest diving to Inhambane is actually at Praia do Tofo. Tofo is also known as the whale shark Mecca of the world.[5]
Transport Village in Inhambane province near the town
The easiest way to reach Inhambane is by road from Maputo on the EN 1. It is also possible to reach Inhambane from Beira, Mozambique or Zimbabwe on the EN 6 and EN 1 after Inchope. Inhambane has an airport Inhambane Airport and there are flights from Maputo on most days and charters flying in from Johannesburg in South Africa. [6]
Dhow ferrying passengers from Inhambane to Maxixe in 2006. Railway
Inhambane has/had a narrow gauge railway that was terminated before its full extent was realised.
Day 7
Early morning breakfast get in the car an go back to Komatipoort
Overnight: Komatipoort
Distance travelled: 560km
Meals included B,L,D
Day 8
Breakfast, in the car and go home
Distance tarvelled; 500km
Overnight: Johannesburg
Meals included: Breakfast