3 Reasons You Should Learn to Scuba Dive

In today's hectic world it is all too easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of a busy society. All too often we get caught up in the world of crazy schedules, missed appointments, heavy traffic, the latest gossip, and the never-ending pursuit of the almighty dollar.

And because of this, we easily forget that there is still wonder and magic left in the world; that there are still mysterious places to be explored and adventures to be had. Taking scuba diving lessons can open up a whole new world to you in ways that you never dreamed possible.

So why should you learn to scuba dive?

For the Sport:
Scuba diving is a sport, but unlike any other on earth. Scuba diving can help you to keep fit. After all, swimming is a wonderful form of exercise. However, unlike many sports, you do not have to be in top physical condition to participate. Diving is great for people of a variety of ages, health levels, and skills. And unlike a lot of sports, you do not have to worry about a lot of stressful impact on your joints since being in the water is very soothing and gentle.

This is not to imply there aren’t some risks involved in diving. But that is why it is very important to take scuba diving lessons -- so that you are properly trained to keep you safe along with those diving with you. And when done properly with an eye on safety, scuba diving can be one of the most refreshing and exhilarating sports on earth.

For the Adventure:
The world beneath the surface is so unlike anything that you encounter in your daily life. There is a vast wonder of treasures to discover -- from colorful natural reefs, to sunken ships and mysterious caves. There are wondrous inhabitants to greet you when you enter into this strange new world. Every dive holds something unique. No two dives are ever the same and every dive presents you with a new adventure.

For the Spiritual Connection:
When you began reading an article about why you should take scuba diving lessons, you probably did not expect to see this one on this list of reasons. However, once you get into the water and experience diving, you will understand why it is here. When you are immersed in the blue world of wonder, far away from the cell phones and traffic jams, from your deadlines and budget concerns... there is nothing between you and nature. You are in the middle of life, in what can be one of the most peaceful and serene locations in the world. There is a magical dance occurring all around you as tiny little fish weave an enchanting rainbow of colors against the blue background. Dolphins and giant rays glide through the water around you like a choreographed ballet with the serenade of whales as its symphony. It is truly an experience unlike anything you can imagine -- until you are in the middle of this mesmerizing underwater world.

And taking the time out to connect with nature, to step away from the craziness of your everyday life, you manage to re-center yourself. Taking care of your mind and spirit are just as important to your overall health as caring for your body is. So scuba diving can help you to reduce stress, lower your blood pressure and improve your general health and well-being.

Whichever reason moves you the most, the benefits you will gain if you learn to scuba dive will last you a lifetime. So get ready for an amazing adventure, and start taking scuba diving lessons today.

Article Source

Diving the coral reefs of Mozambique

Indian Ocean Special: Tim Ecott joins a conservation project and, armed with a clipboard, counts fish
Twenty five metres below the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean the rock pinnacle sticks out from the reef like a talon. Behind me a coral wall stretches north and south as far as the eye can see, and its sheer face plummets into an underwater chasm 500m deep.

Hanging above the dark space I am one of six divers armed with clipboards and pencils. At a signal from marine scientist Nick Hill we begin to count fish. He gives us just ten minutes, and it is hard not to concentrate on the biggest creatures; 23 grey reef sharks that circle the pinnacle, but retreat when we get too close. Like us, they congregate here because the fish life is extremely rich.

Returning to the surface after an hour underwater, we sit on the dive boat and compare notes. Nick laughs when he sees I have “counted” 2,000 small fish — blue-lined snappers. “Really?” he says. “But maybe you’re right.” On this dive we were supposed to be looking at large open-water species, and between us we saw sharks, giant grouper, black snappers, sweetlips, Napoleon fish, barracuda and even a dogtooth tuna.

The dive was part of a month-long survey of marine life at Vamizi Island, northern Mozambique. Vamizi is about 12km (seven and a half miles) long, one of dozens of islands in the Quirimbas archipelago that stretches towards the Tanzanian border from the northern tip of Mozambique’s 3,000km-long coastline. Until recently it was rarely visited by tourists. You don’t have to be a marine scientist to stay here, but it helps if you like fish.

Visitors stay at Vamizi Lodge, ten luxurious palm-thatched villas with a private view of an ocean edged with blindingly white sand. On my visit there were just couples on the island, but families are welcome.

The other guests are mostly British, and several admitted that coming here had a certain swank value, since not many people have heard of it and it’s not for anyone who’s counting their pennies. “This is slightly off the beaten track,” said Roger, a stockbroker from London. “And I didn’t want to go somewhere where everyone else was a banker.”

Banker or not, the villas provide a sumptuous holiday complete with giant four-poster beds swathed in billowing muslin. There are antique Zanzi-bari lamps and showers made of marble, day beds festooned in plump cushions and beautifully carved wooden shutters that allow the trade winds to cool the rooms without air-conditioning. At least once a week dinner is served beside a beach bonfire under the stars, and fresh fish is available at every meal. Game fishing and diving are the main activities, but the island is rich in bird life and one morning I was awoken by a pair of chattering samango monkeys sitting in a tree outside my room.

Vamizi is part of the Maluane conservation project, where scientific research is undertaken in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London. Turtles like the pure white sand beaches as much as the tourists, and there is a project to monitor and protect their nesting sites. The project will eventually open up tourist access to two further islands, Rongui and Macaloe, as well as 33,000ha of savannah habitat on the mainland.

Nick Hill, who is recording the fish population on this survey, was one of the first scientists to visit the island, at a time when the villagers had not seen a white man for more than 20 years. “If the island has to have tourists, then this is the best way of going about it,” he says. “Leaving the island undeveloped wasn’t an option in wild-life terms, because when we first arrived there were itinerant fishermen camping on this beach and killing the turtles when they came in to nest.”

The local African community is wholeheartedly behind the tourism project, not least because any extra cash is welcome in a society where people are living on about £1 a day. Now, islanders are employed at the lodge and fishermen are paid to supply fish for the restaurant. Vamizi may seem like paradise for the tourists, but the villagers have to buy their fresh water from the mainland several miles away by dhow. This is not a traditional island community — most of the villagers came here seeking safety during Mozambique’s bitter civil war. The war ended 15 years ago but life on the mainland is still not easy. Here, tourism revenue has been used to build a clinic and a schoolhouse, and the next stage of the conservation plan is to train some of the fishermen as reef monitors to help map the fishery resources around Vamizi.

Read More
Scuba Diving Mozambique

Mozambique East Africa

Mozambique is a gorgeous tropical paradise of a country. The coastline is long, and palm-fringed beaches define lovely bays sheltering colourful coral reefs. But like any paradise – there’s the odd rotten apple and even a serpent or two. A hideous twenty-year war when the country was used as a pawn between the superpowers, and neighbouring countries, was followed by devastating cyclones and floods. Mozambique still has a way to go but it’s bouncing back. If there was an Oscar ceremony for countries, Mozambique would win the award for resilience and grace under pressure.

The beautiful beaches are fully operational, there are dive operators almost everywhere the reefs are easily accessible, and accommodation options range from backpackers and camping sites to five star extravaganzas. Most of the towns and cities are picking up slowly and there is a certain shabby chic touch to un-maintained art deco buildings decaying in style. The streets are lined with flowering trees and vibrant markets and small businesses. The main reasons most people visit Mozambique, though are to dive, fish, sun tan or indulge in yummy seafood. Mozambique is renowned for its succulent swimming prawns – although by the time most people see them they’re swimming in peri-peri sauce. (In case you’re wondering, swimming prawns are distinct from those rather squooshy things that hide out in the mud – and they taste muucch better.)

Ponta do Ouro
and Ponta Malongane, together just called Ponta and just across the border from South Africa, are very popular diving, fishing and surfing resorts. In the 1970s Maputo was they playground of southern Africa – balmy nights, Portuguese wine, prawns by the bucketful and wild Latin-African rhythms made this a party destination of note. It’s coming – with a bit more style and a lot more relaxed dress code.

In Maputo Bay is Inhaca Island – a little tropical paradise all of its own. Mangrove forests, lovely beaches, a good hotel, great diving and snorkelling, a small low key marine museum and a small village give it a special holiday air. There are good beach destinations all up the coast, but the more popular areas include the area around Inhambane, the Bazaruto Archipelago and, in the last few years, the far north, near Pemba.

You can drive into Mozambique from South Africa and the roads, while not exactly pristine, are passable in a two-wheel drive vehicle. The bus service is adequate but only for relatively adventurous travellers. There are international airports at Maputo, Vilankulos (near the Bazaruto Archipelago) and Pemba.

Article Source


Surfing Mozambique

"You have reached your destination," says the voice of our GPS system. We look around to see nothing but sand and desolation. "This can’t be right," says Anton, my boyfriend. It’s about 5.30pm. It is then that we see the closed gates of the Mozambican border post. We had been driving for the last four hours through rain and thick fog. This small detail, the time of border closure, is one we hadn’t considered. Our punishment was to spend the night in a nearby campsite called Utshwagelo. By 7.30 the following morning, the night’s downpour had calmed to a steady drizzle, but at least we were first in line.

Anton and I had been planning our camping surf trip for the last few months. Neither of us had been to Mozambique before and had no idea what to expect. We’d kitted out our 4x4 with all the latest gadgets and gear we thought we might need for the off-road trip. And so it was with our quiver of surfboards tightly fastened to the roof of our Mitsubishi Colt, boxes crammed with supplies, a fully stocked fridge and Jack Johnson playing over the radio, that we headed eagerly on towards Ponto Do Ouro.

The six-and-a-half kilometre sand track from the border to Ponto is a maze of tyre tracks with mostly two to six tracks to choose from at any time. Children ran alongside our vehicle, while men and women waved as we made our way through the little village ahead of our campsite. On arrival we were greeted by a man named Lucky who offered to help us set up camp. We warily accepted, but soon discovered this was a basic service much like car guarding is in South Africa. Lucky was also available to wash dishes, guard our camp, bring us fresh water and generally help out for about R50 per day. We decided not to be lazy.

While we were greeted by smiling locals and well-shaded camp sites, the surf was not so accommodating. The rain was still spitting, the wind howling, and the waves flat. Not to be defeated, we decided to take in the sights by exploring local villages. Not once were we approached by a beggar, although pirated DVDs were in abundance, as was firewood and fresh seafood.

On the outskirts of the village, overlooking the sea, we found remnants of houses abandoned before building was completed following the war of independence (1962—1975) and almost two decades of civil war ending in 1992. Not having roads to transport materials has slowed down development of this rustic settlement. Landmines, a common hazard in Mozambique, are also still a problem but as long as you stay within the tourist areas and drive along the designated sand tracks you should be safe.

Article Source

Mozambique Diving

The top 5 dive sites in Mozambique

Taking into account the rising cost of living, let alone the cost of your much deserved holiday, choosing a vacation destination in these times has become increasingly difficult. Hopefully this article will introduce you to a new holiday destination that addresses your sense of adventure without crippling your finances.

Southern Mozambique

The southern side of Mozambique is a haven for both divers and outdoor enthusiasts. Being just 7-8 hours from Gauteng, and even closer for those living on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, it is becoming even more popular now that no visas are required for South African citizens.

Ponta Malongane and Ponta do Ouro are situated on the southern tip of Mozambique. Ponta do Ouro is approximately 10km north of the Kosi Bay border post with Ponta Malongane just 5km further north and Ponta Mamoli another 10km from there. From the border post there are numerous small sand roads to the destination of your choice.

Southern Mozambique provides incredible diving all-year-round. This is mainly due to the fact that the winter temperatures are mild with exceptionally high temperatures in summer. This makes for good to excellent visibility throughout the year with water temperatures that range from 19-22°C during winter and up to 29°C during the summer months.
 
Everyone needs a place to stay, especially on holiday, but where you rest your head and feed your tummy depends on your taste, budget and the time of year. With many new developments and guest houses popping up in and around Ponta do Ouro and Ponta Malongane, the options are endless. Accommodation includes camp sites, self-catering chalets, lodges, B&B’s and dive camps. There are also quite a large number of dive lodges in the area.

The local dealers in town can provide for your basic needs, although it is advisable to rather stock up on the South African side of the border. Malaria is a risk and is more prevalent in the summer months so speak to your GP or pharmacist to find the best option for you – be sure to mention whether you’ll be diving or not. Remember to take your own first aid kit as the closest medical facilities are in Kosi Bay, and even then, they are not really state-of-the-art facilities. Diesel and petrol are available but also try to fill up before the border post. After all, it is another country and if fuel becomes a problem you might get stuck there (unless you don’t really mind extending your holiday). It is always best to take along bottled water as tap water isn’t always safe to drink – even in South Africa the tap water is becoming more and more suspect…

The launch sites in southern Mozambique are protected by big vegetated sand dunes on the land side which help to block strong winds and make for calm protected bays. The surf launch is weather depending and is usually quite easy with small waves, but the wearing of life jackets is compulsory with every launch from the beach. The dive sites already discovered cater for all dive certification levels and vary in depth from 6m to 40m. The reefs along this area are known for the exquisite coral, varied invertebrates and numerous game fish that frequent them, including Hammerhead sharks and big Potato bass. Turtle season runs from October to March and, depending on the species, eggs are laid above the high-water mark on the beaches from October to December – hatching takes place from December through to March. Regular sightings of Bottlenose and Hump-backed dolphins and huge Whale sharks are also highlights here.

Southern Mozambique really has something for everyone, whether you are diving or not. Below you will find some of the things that can entertain the non diver!

Article Source

Eco-Tourism in Mozambique - A Fresh Start


If you love isolated places, conservation, safaris or activities like fishing and diving, keep an eye on the remote Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, where one of Africa’s most exciting new eco-ventures is taking shape.

In an untouched area, the Cabo Delgado Biodiversity and Tourism Project will offer a rare combination of big game safaris and tropical coastal activities while funding comprehensive conservation and community development initiatives.

Aware of Mozambique’s enormous tourism potential, African travel expert Christopher Cox and wildlife vet Dr. Julie Garnier launched a search in 1996 for an area suitable for conservation and able to sustain a luxury tourism product. Cabo Delgado was identified in 1998. Thorough socio-ecological surveys were conducted by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and ecology experts before the concession was finally obtained in November 2001.

These surveys confirmed its exceptional biodiversity, with over 15 different land habitats, including endangered coastal forest. The area was largely untouched by Mozambique’s civil war, and viable game populations include Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog and several Antelope species. A marine survey revealed rare habitats such as sea-grass beds and found coral reefs that are among East Africa’s richest, with diverse fish life and endangered species including turtle, humpback whales, dugong and whale shark. The ZSL has since declared Cabo Delgado among its most important African conservation projects.

Funding for conservation and community initiatives will come from international donors and from luxury tourism. Visitor numbers will be limited, but the area is large enough to support five small eco-lodges, enabling guests to switch between inland, coastal and island habitats. The first two lodges will open in 2003, on Vamizi island and on the 35km-long mainland beach. In 2004 two lodges are planned for the 33,000ha inland area, where expert guides will lead game drives and walking safaris through diverse habitats including mangrove swamps, wetlands, coastal forest and acacia savannah.

A further lodge is planned for Rongui island, as a base for deep-sea game fishing. Guests at coastal lodges will also be able to scuba dive, join marine wildlife expeditions and explore nearby islands by catamaran or dhow. Within the concession is a ruined Portuguese fort and the historic island of Ibo is nearby.

An essential component of the project’s success will be the involvement of local communities (among Mozambique’s poorest). All have given their written approval and are set to benefit through skills acquisition, employment, small business initiatives and the creation of a community fund to provide assets such as schools, clinics, grinding mills and wells.

The receipt of direct financial benefits from their wildlife will hopefully motivate the local people to ensure its conservation. Community relations specialists have visited to ensure that what’s defined as a “Smart Partnership” between tourism, conservation and communities runs to the benefit of all.

Guests will be encouraged to visit and participate in conservation activities, including cataloguing terrestrial and marine fauna and flora, identifying human-wildlife conflicts and potential resolutions, evaluating the use of species socio-economically important to local communities and developing sustainable-use programmes. The project will also help protect adjacent areas by employing, training and equipping wildlife guards from local communities.

On the drawing board, the plans seem flawless. No doubt hurdles will arise during their execution, but if the finished product resembles the blueprint, Cabo Delgado should shoot into the top rankings of Africa’s eco-ventures.

Article Source
Scuba Mozambique

7 Day Mozambique Escape

Day 1

Arriving at the airport you will be met by one of our guides and transferred to you hotel. Maputo is an enchanting city of wide acacia lined avenues and tall buildings overlooking Maputo Bay and the Indian Ocean. One of the city’s more fascinating features is the remarkable wealth of architecture making it unique amongst Africa’s cities. Lunch at the famous Costa do Sol restaurant followed by an afternoon tour will give you the chance to experience the highlights of this fascinating city.

Day 2

Enjoying the early morning breeze we cross the Maputo Bay to Catembe and drive south to Salamanga with its impressive Hindu Temple. Crossing the Maputo and Futi rivers we enter the Maputo Elephant Reserve and head towards the coast. Enroute there is time to stop and view the wildlife and the extensive variety of birds found in this area. Elephant [est.200-300], crocodile, hippopotamus, red duiker, bushpig, vervet and samango monkeys all being spotted regularly. A leisurely lunch is served before making our way south to Ponta Mamoli. BLD

Day 3-5

Enjoy the private and secluded unspoilt beach, the bay a perfect spot for snorkelling, fishing, surfing and swimming. If however, you prefer not to get sand between your toes, lounge on the deck next to the pool sipping a cocktail just meters away from the bar and dining room. The Ponta Mamoli Dive centre offers wonderful snorkelling and diving expeditions with 10 reefs within 8km’s. The dive sites are some of the best in the world. The coral is untouched and in excellent condition, the fish life abundant. Swimming with dolphins and whales is also an option at certain times and for those inclined Ponta Mamoli now offers Deep Sea Fishing. The bay is also a favourite for salt-water fly-fishing. Land based activities include sunset cocktails at serene inland lakes, beach bon fires and hippo watching. Exciting lake canoeing trips, horse trails, shell spotting and bird trails keep young and old amused.

Day 6

After a relaxed breakfast, there is time for an early morning dive or ride, before heading back to Maputo and your hotel.

Day 7

Day of leisure in Maputo.

Minimum 2 clients

Included :

  • Transport by airconditioned 4×4 minibus
  • Lunch at Costa do Sol Restaurant
  • 4 nights at Ponta Mamoli Lodge
  • 2 nights 4 star Cardoso Hotel
  • City tour of Maputo
  • Entrance to Maputo Elephant Reserve
  • Meals as specified
  • Dolphin Swim [Conditions allowing]
  • Exclusions:

  • Visas
  • Airport Taxes
  • Airline surcharges
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Activities such as Diving and Horse riding
  • Article Source

    Maputo Travel Guide

    Maputo is fast coming into its own and is now considered an ideal destination for an exotic weekend adventure. Old buildings have been restored, new buildings are going up at an alarming rate and business is booming, and still retains a distinctly Mozambican charm. In a single weekend you can explore the cultural heritage of the city, relax on beautiful Inhaca Island, gorge yourself on the famous Mozambican prawns and – if you’re brave enough – venture into the legendary Mercado Xipamanine. Here’s our guide to getting the most out of 48 hours holiday in Maputo

    For the culturally inclined….

    Cathedral of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao
    Maputo’s famous cathedral, built in 1944 in dedication to ‘Our Lady of Conception’, is situated in Independence Square at the top of Av Samora Machel. Keep an eye out for the strong Portuguese Catholic influence in the awe-inspiring stained-glass windows and elaborate interior.

    Train Station on Praca Trabalhadores
    While train stations are usually a means to an end rather than a sightseeing destination, this particular train station is definitely worth a visit. The beautifully domed station was built in 1910 by Gustav Eiffel (he of the tower fame) and is considered to be one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.

    Keep an eye out at the entrance to the station for the curious monument to the soldiers killed in the Great War (1914-1918). The stone statue, which depicts a woman killing a cobra in a pot of boiling porridge, is the work of the Portuguese sculptor Rui Gameiro and simultaneously honours the fallen soldiers and a local woman who rid her village of a deadly cobra. Better than another cenotaph I guess!

    Casa de Ferro
    Ever heard the saying ‘people who live in the tropics shouldn’t build iron houses’?

    Nope? Neither had old Gustav when he came up with the highly impractical Casa de Ferro (Iron House), which he designed as a residence for the governor of the Portugese colony. Unfortunately the prefabricated iron building became (unsurprisingly!) unbearably hot under the African sun and the governor couldn’t live there.

    Jardim Tunduru
    Behind the Casa de Ferro lie the Jardim Tunduru (botanical gardens). At times a little overgrown, these beautiful gardens, which were designed in 1885 by the English gardener Thomas Honney, provide welcome shade on a hot steamy afternoon. Honney also designed similar gardens for the Sultan of Turkey and the King of Greece. At the entrance to the gardens you will find a statue of ’s first president — Samora Machel.

    Potter around a museum…

    Museum of the Revolution
    Situated on Av 24 Julho, this museum recounts the violent struggle against Portuguese colonialism in Mozambique. The history is fascinating, but be warned that all of the captions and texts are in Portuguese.

    The National Museum of Art
    Tucked away at 1233 Av Ho Chi Minh, the National Museum of Art houses an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures by famous Mozambican artists. The exhibitions include works by Chissano, Malangatana, and Naguib, along with a variety of temporary exhibitions.

    The Natural History Museum
    The Natural History Museum, which is housed in a beautifully restored colonial building, is situated near the Hotel Cardosa. While the building is definitely worth going to see, the museum displays will appeal to a rather specific audience — its main attractions are a large shark collection and a collection of elephant foetuses, showing the stages of development during gestation. Interesting…

    Do some shopping

    Mercado Xipamanine (Rua dos Imaos Roby)
    Don’t visit the Mercado Xipamanine — the largest market in Mozambique — expecting to find the usual selection of counterfeit trainers and plastic junk. Xipamanine is known far and wide as the place to stock up on capulanas (traditional multi-purpose cloth worn by women) and for its traditional medicine (curandeiros) section, where you can take your pick from animal parts, herbs and lucky potions.

    Saturday Craft Market (Praca 25 do Junho)
    Taking dried herbs and animals back through customs could be interesting, so for a few souvenirs make sure you drop by the Saturday Craft Market. Here you’ll find a wide-selection of handcrafts from carvings and jewellery to paintings and batiks. As the name suggests, it’s only open on Saturdays, so make sure to work this into your itinerary.

    Central Market (Av 25 de Setembro)
    Almost anything can be found at the Central Market: fresh fruit, veggies, curios, a steady supply of pickpockets… make sure your belongings are safely stashed on your person and don’t flash too much money around.

     Article Source
    Mozambique Diving

    Scuba Diving Holiday in Mozambique  
    by Emma Parker
    Mozambique, often referred East Africa's jewel hosts a plethora of undiscovered islands of are perfection - pure and simple. Mozambique often heard of in the news is only known to divers perhaps as one of the least explored scuba diving holiday destinations. Now that every Tom, Dick and Gary enjoys their scuba diving holiday in the Maldives or Mauritius for half-term, those who like to take their Indian Ocean 'straight up' (hold the plasma TVs) must look further afield. If you can live without the glitz and the golf courses during your scuba diving holiday, Mozambique has 3,000km of squeaky-soft virgin beach - about 2,997km of which is footprint-free. The underwater world is even more to dream about for your scuba diving holiday. 'Unspoilt' is more than just an idea here; you can see the pristine-ness, on coastline fairydusted with a rainbow of seashells: hundreds and thousands of them, exquisitely shaped and in every shade from blush pinks to the inkiest indigo blues. It's an awesome sight for anyone, as a scuba diver the sight creates a fluster of excitement for what is basking in the water below only to be discovered during the scuba diving holiday. This must have been what the rest of the world looked like before souvenir stallholders plundered the sands to make shell necklaces for shell-suited tourists. Mozambique's virginal state is cause for only muted celebration, however. There are no hawkers because there are no shops. There are no shops because there is no money. A civil war that raged through the 1980s denuded a destination that was once the continent's most glamorous playground. So the pure shores immortalised in song by Bob Dylan (although, apparently, he has never actually visited) became a forgotten paradise, just as mass tourism began to bite deep elsewhere. However if your willing to go to the edge of Africa for an experience that will stay with you forever, then giving up shops and cheesy souvenirs is a welcome price to pay for the scuba diving holiday of a lifetime. The upside is eco. Having slept through the big-hotel-building of its neighbours, Mozambique has woken up just in time to start from scratch, to a much more ethical template - as the great, green hope for responsible scuba diving holiday tourism. The country is sprouting stylish, environmentally-savvy lodges, each one garnishing its Robinson-Crusoe beaches with designer details and sustainable ideals that appeal to eco-warrior A-listers such as Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as honeymooners in search of the ultimate hideaway. Happily, it's a bit like having to choose between Daniel Craig and George Clooney during your scuba diving holiday - you can't really go wrong. In the far north are the seductive charms of the Quirimbas archipelago: 32 breathtaking bouquets of 1,000-year-old baobab trees, and creamy sands, wrapped up with mangrove ribbons and drizzled across Perrier-clear waters busy with incredible marine life. The villagers may be dirt poor (most live on 50p a day) but, as everywhere in Mozambique, they smile shyly as we saunter through streets radiating faded grandeur. Nobody begs. I stayed at Casa Lisa on my first night and from there I travelled to Tofo and stayed at Casa John (do you see the connection), the lodge is beautifully surrounded by the soundtrack of the ocean providing a unique serenity. I was told that i could leave my door and windows open when I slept, I had to anyway the lodges run an eco friendly program whereby all air-con is turned off at night. The best underwater buzz during your scuba diving holiday is the Bazaruto archipelago in the south, which also offers the (admittedly remote) chance to swim with one of only three remaining populations of dugongs - the strange 'sea cows' thought to have been behind a thousand medieval 'mermaid' sightings. Active Diving (http://www.activediving.co.uk/) offer guaranteed scuba diving holidays to swim with these amazing creatures in Mozambique as well as with Whale Sharks - the gentle giants of the sea. With a bit of hope and just a little luck, Mozambique will fare better than other newly developed scuba diving holiday destinations. The scenery certainly merits it; the citizens definitely deserve it; but, so far, only a few of us foreigners know about it. To find out more about diving holidays across Mozambique, The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.ActiveDiving.co.uk and quote: ART Author: Emma Parker (04/08/08)

    That's all for now on a Mozambique scuba diving holiday

    Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1088112


    14 Day Guided by Scuba Moz

    Between 1 and 14 December 2008, the owners of Scuba Mozambique will conduct an exclusive guided dive and safari trip to the best dive spots in Mozambique. This trip requires a minimum of persons and will be capped at 8. By driving through Mozambique you will see the country in a way that no fly in trip can offer you. You will find the true spirit and culture of Mozambique.

    Trip Summary

    • Meet in Johannesburg 

    • Drive to game lodge on Kruger border 

    • Spend 2 nights at Grand Kruger Lodge DBB 

    • Enjoy 1 full day safari in Kruger National Park with breakfast 

    • Drive through Maputo, Capital of Mozambique, on route to Inhambane 

    • Overnight half way at Casa Lisa, 60km past Maputo 

    Chalets Type A (8 chalets) 

    1 double bed, 1 single bed per room with mosquito nets. Bathroom en suite with hot water, and own veranda. 

    Breakfast English style teas/coffees 

    • Spend 7 nights at Coconut Bay Beachfront chalets (sleep 4 per chalet) 

    • Whilst at Coconut Bay enjoy catered for meals by guides 

    • Dives included whilst at Coconut Bay: incl full kit 

    • 2 x Ocean safaris at nearby Tofo (whale shark swimming) 

    • 2 x Dives at nearby Barra 

    • 6 x Dives at Jangamo / Guinjata (of which 2 are Manta Reef) 

    • On route back to Johannesburg we overnight 1 night in Maputo with breakfast 

    • Overnight 1 night at Grand Kruger Lodge or similar on return Dinner, Bed and Breakfast 

    • 4 Hour morning game drive at Kruger Park

    Back Up Package

    Should the trip not place as planned we can still offer a similar but slightly revised package. The main difference will be that you will have extra flights instead of the driving and that airport transfers will also be included. You will also be without a guide. The applied price will then be R17080-00 per person regardless of the number of people on the trip and the dates can be a bit more flexible if you like. This back up trip is designed especially for clients travelling from abroad worrying about loosing flights already booked.

    Rates

    Exclusive guided trip = Should we have 4 clients we are charging R27 906-00 per person. If there’s 10 clients we are charging R20 364-00 per person. 

    Back up trip = R17080-00 per person

    Article Source: http://www.scubamozambique.com/guided-dive.php?6

     
    Make a Free Website with Yola.