MontyPython
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Trip report.
Ponta Malongane Mozambique
Hi all.
I have just returned from my first dive trip to Ponta Malongane in Mozambique. Mozambique is situated on the South East coast of Africa. Feels like redundant info as its only a 7 hour drive from where I live but it makes it sounds so much more exotic.
But, do not be fooled Ponta Malongane is my Paradise; as I doubt I will ever see Fiji, or the great barrier reef, as there is quite a couple of years worth of sight seeing left for me in the waters of off the east coast of Africa. (the reefs of the east coast of Southern Africa has more fish species than the GBR 93% to 74% if I remember correctly)
Ok, I think I just confused a lot of people here. I think I might have forgotten myself where I wanted to start, so Ill start at the beginning. Again I think
Ponta Malongane is an easy, 7.5 hour drive from Johannesburg South Africa. Be warned though that the last 20 or so kilometers from the Kosi Bay border post (to cross into Mozambique) into the dive camp takes a further hour, and should ONLY be attempted with a 4x4 or 4x2 (diff lock). This 20km stretch is a bumpy 2 track sand road and chances of getting stuck is extremely high.
We got stuck 30 meters from the border post to the cheering of all the other divers crossing into the country. A big embarrassment but great fun as everybody, after making fun of us, helped to dig, pull and push the Bakkie (Afrikaans for pickup truck Pronounced: bhakey) out of the sand. We were on our way again in 15 minutes. The rest of the way in you need to know your driving skills, as getting stuck in the sand here might mean quite a long wait for another car to come past and hopefully offer assistance or drive on to find someone that can tow you out. Cell phone reception is sparse and international roaming is highly recommended, even for South African Locals as the signal from across the border can only be picked up on top of signal hill. (between Ponta Do Ouro and Ponta Malongane 4x4 again needed to get up here)
Arriving in the dive camp you again need to show your passport, more for formality sake than anything else, but make sure you did get it stamped at the border post, South Africans do not need visas, but all other countries currently still require a visa for entry. (things can get confusing at the border post and no one is really going to stop you if you just drive through. Do not get caught though and do not try to get back into South Africa as customs on the SA side are ever more thorough.)
The Malangane Camp lays nestled under lush trees between a +/- 40m high dune and the ocean. All camp sites and chalets are within 150m from the beach, and ample ablution facilities are provided for those not staying in the on-suite chalets. Hot showers and flush toilets there is no roughing it here 
I brought along my own tent to camp in for the 3 nights, this is the cheapest option and with an inflatable mattress (my own), very comfortable. The only time I spent in the actual tent was for sleeping, so money well spent. Tent camp sites are booked at roughly 8 people per stand, being it 8 people in one tent or 8 tents with one person each. Stands are large and shaded by trees and have an electrical output that can be used for lights etc. No kettles or hairdryers allowed though, as this trips the power supply.
Other accommodation options include:
Renting a tent these tents are pre-setup and have 2 mattresses supplied bring your own bedding. Rented per person sharing.
Renting a log hut small 2 person log huts with electricity and beds. I think there are 4 person huts as well.
Chalets these if I remember correctly sleep up to 6 people and are available with on-suite bathrooms and without.
Security in the dive camp is not an issue at all. Although it is common sense not to have valuables lying around, the locals that work in the camp take pride in there work and undesirables are kept away from the area.
You can enlist the services of the locals as camp-help. They are extremely willing and trust worthy. They will do anything from carrying all your heavy gear around to making beds. By word of mouth I heard they ask R30.00 (30 South African Rand) per day, but for the amount of work they do I suggest no less than R50. for overseas visitors this should work out to about USD7 or GBP5 per day at current exchange rates. Not just a bargain but you are also creating a job.
The dive camp and communal area is a huge Lapa (thatched roof wooden building). This houses the dive planning area dive shop recreational area and large communal kitchen.
The kitchen has all the pots, pans, cutlery and crockery that you might need to use, for free. Please do not take it back to your camp though as lots of tables are provided where you can have your meals in the Lapa, and there are only that many to go round. Gas stoves are provided in the kitchen where you can cook meals. Washing up the dishes is done by the locals, and for this, some help clearing up your table, a friendly smile and any leftover food (especially at the end of your trip) goes a long way to repay them. Monetary tips is just as much appreciated.
Oh, there is also a restaurant where the delicacies are prawns and really real Portuguese chicken. They also bake fresh bread daily but this should be picked up early as they go fast.
Dinner time is actually a very fun time as everybody congregates in the kitchen and communal area and swap stories. After diner especially, groups and strangers alike normally get together to play board or card games.
There is also a well stocked bar with a deck overlooking the ocean, the Mozambique beer compares vary favorably in both taste and price to those available in the SA market. Spirits and wine is also served. Payment is cash only. SA Rand is accepted throughout this southern part of Mozambique and is the preferred currency.
vv .....Continued in Next Thread vv
Ponta Malongane Mozambique
Hi all.
I have just returned from my first dive trip to Ponta Malongane in Mozambique. Mozambique is situated on the South East coast of Africa. Feels like redundant info as its only a 7 hour drive from where I live but it makes it sounds so much more exotic.
But, do not be fooled Ponta Malongane is my Paradise; as I doubt I will ever see Fiji, or the great barrier reef, as there is quite a couple of years worth of sight seeing left for me in the waters of off the east coast of Africa. (the reefs of the east coast of Southern Africa has more fish species than the GBR 93% to 74% if I remember correctly)
Ok, I think I just confused a lot of people here. I think I might have forgotten myself where I wanted to start, so Ill start at the beginning. Again I think
Ponta Malongane is an easy, 7.5 hour drive from Johannesburg South Africa. Be warned though that the last 20 or so kilometers from the Kosi Bay border post (to cross into Mozambique) into the dive camp takes a further hour, and should ONLY be attempted with a 4x4 or 4x2 (diff lock). This 20km stretch is a bumpy 2 track sand road and chances of getting stuck is extremely high.
We got stuck 30 meters from the border post to the cheering of all the other divers crossing into the country. A big embarrassment but great fun as everybody, after making fun of us, helped to dig, pull and push the Bakkie (Afrikaans for pickup truck Pronounced: bhakey) out of the sand. We were on our way again in 15 minutes. The rest of the way in you need to know your driving skills, as getting stuck in the sand here might mean quite a long wait for another car to come past and hopefully offer assistance or drive on to find someone that can tow you out. Cell phone reception is sparse and international roaming is highly recommended, even for South African Locals as the signal from across the border can only be picked up on top of signal hill. (between Ponta Do Ouro and Ponta Malongane 4x4 again needed to get up here)
Arriving in the dive camp you again need to show your passport, more for formality sake than anything else, but make sure you did get it stamped at the border post, South Africans do not need visas, but all other countries currently still require a visa for entry. (things can get confusing at the border post and no one is really going to stop you if you just drive through. Do not get caught though and do not try to get back into South Africa as customs on the SA side are ever more thorough.)
The Malangane Camp lays nestled under lush trees between a +/- 40m high dune and the ocean. All camp sites and chalets are within 150m from the beach, and ample ablution facilities are provided for those not staying in the on-suite chalets. Hot showers and flush toilets there is no roughing it here 
I brought along my own tent to camp in for the 3 nights, this is the cheapest option and with an inflatable mattress (my own), very comfortable. The only time I spent in the actual tent was for sleeping, so money well spent. Tent camp sites are booked at roughly 8 people per stand, being it 8 people in one tent or 8 tents with one person each. Stands are large and shaded by trees and have an electrical output that can be used for lights etc. No kettles or hairdryers allowed though, as this trips the power supply.
Other accommodation options include:
Renting a tent these tents are pre-setup and have 2 mattresses supplied bring your own bedding. Rented per person sharing.
Renting a log hut small 2 person log huts with electricity and beds. I think there are 4 person huts as well.
Chalets these if I remember correctly sleep up to 6 people and are available with on-suite bathrooms and without.
Security in the dive camp is not an issue at all. Although it is common sense not to have valuables lying around, the locals that work in the camp take pride in there work and undesirables are kept away from the area.
You can enlist the services of the locals as camp-help. They are extremely willing and trust worthy. They will do anything from carrying all your heavy gear around to making beds. By word of mouth I heard they ask R30.00 (30 South African Rand) per day, but for the amount of work they do I suggest no less than R50. for overseas visitors this should work out to about USD7 or GBP5 per day at current exchange rates. Not just a bargain but you are also creating a job.
The dive camp and communal area is a huge Lapa (thatched roof wooden building). This houses the dive planning area dive shop recreational area and large communal kitchen.
The kitchen has all the pots, pans, cutlery and crockery that you might need to use, for free. Please do not take it back to your camp though as lots of tables are provided where you can have your meals in the Lapa, and there are only that many to go round. Gas stoves are provided in the kitchen where you can cook meals. Washing up the dishes is done by the locals, and for this, some help clearing up your table, a friendly smile and any leftover food (especially at the end of your trip) goes a long way to repay them. Monetary tips is just as much appreciated.
Oh, there is also a restaurant where the delicacies are prawns and really real Portuguese chicken. They also bake fresh bread daily but this should be picked up early as they go fast.
Dinner time is actually a very fun time as everybody congregates in the kitchen and communal area and swap stories. After diner especially, groups and strangers alike normally get together to play board or card games.
There is also a well stocked bar with a deck overlooking the ocean, the Mozambique beer compares vary favorably in both taste and price to those available in the SA market. Spirits and wine is also served. Payment is cash only. SA Rand is accepted throughout this southern part of Mozambique and is the preferred currency.
vv .....Continued in Next Thread vv
I still can not find words to describe the amount and variety and species of fish there is. Being a noob to the ocean I can say that I found Nemo, and Dory and angelfish and starfish, and sting rays and other rays. My prize finds were the Moray Eels, it is amazing realizing that you are not looking at it through the glass window of an aquarium. Here you are, in earths aquarium. Pass the tissues
I wanna go back.
