AfricanOverlandTours.com BLOG

Paraíso

Welcome to the African Eden

Before I share my Mozambican experience with you, I kindly request that you pardon any trite descriptions or romanticized depictions of the country , because it is truly a place where clichés meet and no illustration can do justice to the relations and surroundings of Ponta D’ Ouro.
Ponto D’ Ouro is a coastal village on the southern tip of Mozambique. The official language is Portuguese and the currency is Metical, although you can also purchase with the South African Rand. As we entered the village the breath of Africa was exhaled onto us. Laughing children greeted us and helped us find our way to our lodging at Café del Mar, which is a restaurant and accommodation owned by a French couple, Dittio and Natalie. With the tangible hospitality, the inviting ambiance is only emphasized and the strong sense of carousing foreshadowed. The restaurant offers a gourmet selection of seafood and French delicatessens. More familiar foods are also available for those who wish not to hone a refined taste. The first evening we soon discovered that the festivities and the beating of bongo drums echo well after the rooster has crowed - life in Ponto D’ Ouro never stops.

The excellent food, zealous parties, exceptionally friendly people and breathtaking beach were only an appetizer to what was to follow: Scuba Diving in an inconceivable beautiful ocean. Ponto D’ Ouro boasts with a range of reefs, varying in depth and marine life. Once submerged, I entered a carnival of colour. Every dive offers a unique experience, including diving with sharks and exploring unusual and intricate soft and hard corals. There are a number of excellent dive charters. I dived with The Whaler, where professionalism and efficiency were always present. If you are an avid diver, I advise you to pay Ponto D’ Ouro a visit as soon as your schedule and pocket allow you.

For those who do not dive, there are Dolphin Encounter Tours, on which you are likely to snorkel with dolphins. I was fortunate enough to go on such a tour, where I had the opportunity to snorkel and interact with a shoal of approximately 35 dolphins. An experience that words cannot describe.

On exploring the village, I came across markets showcasing exquisite African crafts. The vibrant culture of Ponto D’ Ouro is evident in all aspects of daily life.

Once I arrived home, it felt like I left a piece of myself behind in Ponto D’ Ouro. Inevitably, the vivacious essence of Ponto D’ Ouro will always follow me until I return to the village healing from past struggles and flirting with a dazzling future.

December 2007

Henelle Holder

www.africanoverlandtours.com

For anyone heading into Cape Town I have a great adventure combo for you. Yesterday I spent just over 2 hours on the most amazing experience.

It was a combo adventure experience of going up in a helicopter for exhilarating ride over Signal Hill, past Lions Head down to Sea Point and along to the coast to Clifton and Camps Bay, followed by an hour extreme boat ride out in the ocean.

For someone like myself that isn’t the biggest fan of flying it was AMAZING being up in the helicopter. I don’t do height extremely well… but the only time I felt a little uneasy was when the pilot took a sharp turn and I felt my stomach drop. I had the words of donkey in Shrek going through my mind ‘I’m looking down!!!’

All in all the flight took 15 minutes and was a once in the lifetime experience that I will always remember.

After that, we head on a high speed inflatable boat (with 2 x 250 HP motors) out to sea for an amazing 1hr trip to Camps Bay and Clifton. All I can say is that I wanted the controls! it was a great adrenline rush with us all jumping up in the air with every wave we ramped!

The photo angles that you get looking back at the city and the Atlantic Seaboard are spectacular. Pulling up to Clifton beach is epic.

These trips can be booked from any of the operators at Quay 5 at the V&A Waterfront.

Enjoy the ride

Andrew

PS. I will add some pictures up on the facebook group escape 4 africa

www.africanoverlandtours.com

I spent the whole of Saturday in the Umfolozi /Hluhluwe Park ..its only 1 ½ drive from Richards Bay and we were there just after they opened the gate for the day. The weather was nice and cool unusual for December in Zululand . We saw everything except any of the big cats and elephants.The park is the greenest I’ve ever seen it and puddles of water to be found around every corner …..a beautiful site especially during one of the warmest and most humid months of the year. The Hluhluwe – Umfolozi Park lies in the heart of the Zulu Kingdom , where ancient trails lead through the thornveld and along the mighty rivers of Africa’s oldest established Wilderness area. This rich tapestry of natural cultural history still beats with the rhythms of Africa .

The Hluhluwe section in the North is characterised by towering grassland hills and diverse terrain and vegetation and is exceptional for its rich variety of bird and animal life . The Umfolozi section in the south is also a natural treasure store for fascinating fauna and flora , with species including the big five – lion , leopard, elephant , buffalo,black and white rhino , as well as blue wildebeest , zebra , giraffe, impala , waterbuck , reedbuck , nyala , kudu , bushbuck , steenbuck , duiker , warthog , cheetah , wild dog , hyena and many others . Over 300 bird species have been recorded here .

We stopped at Hilltop camp for some refreshments and although I am familiar with the view from Hilltop camp it still remains a breathtaking sight every time I see it. There is a lovely restaurant the only one in the park. They cater for breakfast , lunch and dinner however bookings are recommended …a meal with a view apopular outing amongst tourists and the local Zululanders. There is a curio shop with a wide range of curios , books , gifts, refreshments , snacks .

We packed a picnic basket and enjoyed a delicious brunch at Sontuli Picnic spot which overlooks the Black Umfolozi River. There are 4 picnic spots in the park Umbondwe – offers a view of the Black Umfolozi, Umgane – also offers a view of the Black Umfolozi. Mpila picnic site is situated within the camp surrounds where there are braai and toilet facilities .

This is a wonderful park for day visitors or for those looking to spend a couple of nights in the park itself. Umfolozi /Hluhluwe Park has the highest population of white rhino in Southern Africa you are almost guaranteed of seeing rhino each time you go on a game drive. Check out www.kznwildlife.com for more details.

Gelle

www.africanoverlandtours.com 

I just have tell everyone about a little place 2 hours from Cape Town called Beaverlac. We went to it this weekend and loved every moment.

I first heard about it from my dad who took my brother there about 20 years ago. It is a camping area located high in the Cedarberg mountain near Piketberg. The campsite is divided up into about 4 areas (so plenty of room). There is a shop that sells ice, wood, booze, etc which is great when the nearest shop is about a 30 minute drive away.

The big selling point to the area are the mountain pools with waterfalls that you can swim in. The first pool is only a 3 minute walk from the campsite and simply amazing. It is deep, has a 3 m waterfall that you can jump off and simply beautiful.

The area also has numerous hiking routes which lead up along the river. We walked for about an hour or so up the mountain and found numerous pools to swim in.

The place is perfect if you are looking for a quite weekend of swimming and hiking.

Getting There:

Drive out on the N7 from Cape Town. At Piketberg turn right onto the Porterville Rd. Drive to the end of the road (it’s a T junction). Turn left at the T junction and drive for around 2 km’s before turning right at the Cardow turn-off. The road will bend to the left and follow the base of the mountain. Turn right at the Dasklip Pass. Drive over the pass and turn left at the sign down to Beaverlac. (the road is gravel which adds to the adventure).

PS. There are huts to rent if you aren’t into camping.
PPS. Have a look at the Facebook group Escape 4 Africa for some great stories from Facebook travellers.