Holiday accommodation in Cape Town

Choosing holiday accommodation in Cape Town should not be done solely based on budget. The attractions of Cape Town are not all focused in the city centre in fact many are to be found outside the city limits. As public transport cannot be relied upon it is imperative that you know in advance what you would like to see and then choose your holiday accommodation in Cape Town accordingly. Like all cities that are popular with tourists there are several major attractions that can distract potential visitors from the real beauty to be found not far from the busy centre.

Cape Town is often seen in terms of, Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Cape Point and Camps Bay, and rightly so, they should be high on the list of things to see when visiting Cape Town they are not however the be all and end all of the tourist trail. There are many gems to be found not two hours outside of the city limits and when booking holiday accommodation in Cape Town it is important that you remember that getting to these places can be tricky and expensive, especially if it is just for a day trip. It’s worth considering your options for staying in these places for a couple of nights to give you the opportunity to explore them properly.

The wine routes around Cape Town offer a magical way to spend the day, if not two or three days. Whether it’s sampling the local plonk, exploring the countryside and indulging in some of the many award winning restaurants that litter the region your days will be full. The small towns in the region offer spectacular options for holiday accommodation. Cape Town will soon seem like a secondary thought on your itinerary after a few days spent in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. The region a couple of hours North of Cape Town also provides you with an opportunity to explore an area and culture that many tourists don’t know exist. During spring the fields around the town of Darling are transformed into an impressionist’s canvas as flowers, many of which are unique to the region bloom, covering the ground in a carpet of colour. This once a year explosion of nature is not to be missed if you’re in Cape Town at the time and by carefully planning your holiday accommodation in Cape Town you can ensure that you are nearby when it happens.

Public transport through most of South Africa is unreliable at best, so reaching the hidden gems outside of Cape Town may require a rental car. One doesn’t however want to waste days of their holiday driving from place to place. Planning your holiday accommodation in Cape Town properly can ensure that you are close to the places you want to see. Even if the attractions seem close to your holiday accommodation, a place like the Cape Point could take the best part of a day to see if you’re staying in the CBD. While the drive is lovely and well worth it, if one has evening plans or small kids it would be worth finding holiday accommodation on the southern end of the peninsula for a few day.

When planning your trip to Cape Town, holiday accommodation is obviously your primary concern with a little foresight and planning you can choose a place that will allow you to see the best of Cape Town.

Scuba Diving

One of my favorite pastimes is to go scuba diving. I learned to scuba dive in 1996 receiving my open water certification through "NAUI" later receiving my advanced certification through "PADI" and my nitrox certification through"SSI"

The feeling you get when you put on the tanks, strap on your mask, and buckle up your fins just waiting your turn to step off the boat is exciting. Your heart starts pounding with anticipation as you are going over you dive plans in your head. Did I forget anything? You are asking your self as you are rechecking your gear.

Finally you step off the boat and into the water as your head bobs under the water and back to the surface you turn and signal the boat you are okay and meet up with your buddy. You and your buddy does a final check on yours and his equipment before heading into your dive.

You slowly descend to the bottom where you come across some of the most colorful reefs you have ever seen. Then out of nowhere you see some beautiful fish that acts like you are in a zoo and swims all around you checking you out trying to figure out what kind of fish you are.

You realize that you are 60′ under the ocean with 100′ visibility you and your buddy seem to be the only humans in the whole ocean, completely weightless, you realize the worries of the world and every thing that had been bothering you is not even there. You have completely forgotten the whole world you left behind when you dropped into paradise.

You continue your dive as you and your buddy glide effortlessly over the reefs pointing out all the fish to each other and checking out all the different animals you encounter maybe even seeing a curious shark or two that don't even act like they notice you.

Then comes the part of the dive you have dreaded long before you ever got into the water. With great sadness you signal your buddy to slowly head to the surface to return to the world you left behind. Once back on the boat you put up your gear and already start dreaming of the next time you get to know real peace.

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Mozambique Introduction

Mozambique offers world-class accommodation, pristine beaches, adventure activities including fantastic diving, snorkelling, fishing, and a diverse culture with a trading history with China, Persia, India and Europe. Mozambique was known for its fine gold and ivory, as well as having been active in the slave trade. It is safe and despite its regained popularity, this warm-hearted country remains for the most part un-commercialised, and gives an open-armed welcome to those willing to explore its pleasures and treasures.

Mozambique is an enormous country, encompassing some 800 000 square km, with a coastline extending roughly 2 500km along the Indian Ocean in the southeast of Africa. At the northern-most extreme is Cabo Delgado province, including the Quirimbas Archipelago. A recently established National Park (Cabo Delgado Biodiversity Project) offers visitors both marine and land environments to explore. With top-notch diving, fishing and bird watching, this is a remote piece of paradise. Perfect for those wanting to combine solitude with an experience of a lifetime.

Travel further south into Nampula province to Ilha de Mozambique and one is transported back in time while exploring the former capital of Mozambique. This part of the coastline has been declared a "World Heritage Site" and is an architect's dream, with buildings made of coral dating back to the 16th century.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the best known beach destinations in Mozambique. One is completely spoiled for choice in terms of both accommodation and environs. Benguerra and Bazaruto islands are quite exclusive, and the entire archipelago boasts fantastic beaches, perfect diving, fishing conditions and amazing bird life.

In southern Mozambique is the capital, Maputo. Formerly known as Lorenzo Marques, this thriving, bustling city never seems to sleep! From markets to colonial hotels, promenades and bistros, this is a city worth exploring and enjoying. Just minutes away by boat is the Catembe Peninsula, with breathtaking views over the city and a delightful boutique hotel. Excursions to the nearby Elephant Park Reserve are now possible. Regular flights from various South African airports to Vilanculos, Maputo and Pemba make Mozambique a convenient and accessible destination, with the added bonus of visas being available on arrival for all nationalities. What are you waiting for?

Mozambique Top Attractions

Province of Cabo Delgado
Cabo Delgado is the most northern province bordering on Tanzania. The birthplace of Maconde, who have rich traditions and culture.

Pemba: Pemba is the main city of Cabo Delgado, a traditional old Mozambique fishing port offering pristine island scenery, scuba diving and world-class blue water fishing.

Quirimbas Archipelago: The Quirimbas are one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world. Dugongs graze in sea grass meadows, fish eagles perch in tall mangroves, turtles nest on white beaches, and humpback whales shelter their young in deep channel. The isle of Ibo located in the Quirimbas used to be an important island in Mozambique. Still today the hallmarks of a glorious past can be seen.

Quilailea Island resort rests in a marine sanctuary with Sencar Island. Quilailea is 12 kms from the mainland town of Quissanga and 55kms north of Pemba City by sea and 120 kms by road. The island is 34 hectares in area and lies alongside a deep 70 metres channel with direct access to the Indian Ocean.
Matemo and Medjumbe island resorts are further options for a stunning island holiday.

Vamizi - with its clear waters, abundant marine life and untouched coral reefs, is a tourist paradise.

Province of Inhambane
This province is one of the main centres of tourism today due to the existence of the biggest archipelago, Bazaruto. Inhambane is a fascinating town and worthwhile a visit if staying at the nearby hotels.

Praya de Barra (25 km from Inhambane town). Stay either at Barra Lodge & Flamingo Bay Water Lodge, where you will find unspoiled beaches bordered by the Inhambane estuary on one side and the sea on the other. Nestled amongst groves and coconut trees.

Bazaruto (and Benguerra) Islands: Sublime tropical isles off the Mozambican coast. Bazaruto and Benguerra island (formerly known as Benguela), the two largest, feature magnificent high sand dunes and green lakes inhabited by crocodiles; as well as lush coastal bush choked with indigenous birdlife. Specials include the Blue-throated Sunbird and Rudd's Apalis. World-class scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities await those who explore the coral formations around the isles. Excellent hotels and lodges exist on Bazaruto Island (Indigo Bay and Bazaruto Lodge) and on Benguerra Island (Marlin Lodge and Benguerra Lodge).

Vilanculos: Gateway to the Bazaruto archipelago 700 km north of Maputo. It lies on the mainland opposite the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago in the tropical Inhambane province. The area is lovely for hiking through untouched nature with an incredible bird life. The unspoilt and tranquil beaches are ideal for long scenic beach walks. The sea is calm and shallow in front of the lodge and ideal for swimming and paddling.

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Scuba Diving Mozambique

Bad Driving, Duck Hunting & Ponta Diving

Scuba Adventures Mozambique was formed purely as a result of a driving navigation error and a duck hunting expedition:

The story starts some 10 years ago, in Maputo, on the verandah of the Costa do Sol restaurant.

We were sitting having a beer, thoroughly pissed off with diving in Mozambique, and trying to find out the quickest route back to Sodwana.

I had spent the previous evening in the Polana Hotel, paying for 1 night’s accommodation more than my monthly bond repayment in SA.

We had also just aborted, long before schedule, a disastrous diving trip to Inhaca Island, marred by boats not working, $50.00 air fills, and hung over skippers who only launched when they got out of bed late and felt like it.

All we wanted to do was get back to Sodwana as soon as possible and enjoy some good, old-fashioned South African diving – comfortable, reliable and organized.

Attempting to reach the Kosi border post, which we heard had just opened, we took a wrong turn on the sand track which was then the "main road" down from Maputo, and which eventually brought us to the resort at Malongane, which had apparently also only just opened.

That night sitting in the pub and talking to Dave, the original dive operator there, I realized this was the same place I had heard about 15 years prior, on a duck hunt in Underberg, in the Natal Midlands.

One of the hunters, a very distinguished gentleman well into his seventies, noticed my dive watch and asked me if I was a diver. When I confirmed this, he told me he also used to dive and proceeded to relate to me his dive exploits and expeditions to the Red Sea, Barrier Reef and Mozambique.

It was an education and a truly remarkable story, especially if you consider that 30 – 40 years ago the dive industry was in its infancy and the domain of a few hardcore "Rambo’s" with largely homemade equipment.

Merely to dive in those days must have been a daunting undertaking. To travel the world to remote dive destinations that to day most of us can only dream about, an even greater and more noteworthy achievement.

During the conversation, I remember asking him which he considered the best dive site.

He gave me the name, which I had never heard before, and which I promptly discarded.

He explained that it was on the Mozambique coast just 5 kilometers North of the Kosi Bay Border, and urged me if at all possible to visit it – with the war it was obviously not possible.

Sitting in the bar with Dave that humid Mozambican night the realization suddenly struck – this place II had mistakenly arrived at, and the name I had heard so many years ago, were the same - Malongane.

With the Old mans recommendations in my head, and hoping to experience what he had experienced so many years before, I decided to put the Sodwana dash on hold, and booked on a dive with Dave. The next day dawned a typical Mozambique Summers day – hot, calm and with the sea like the proverbial lake.

Our first dive was to Riana’s Reef, aptly named after parts on the anatomy of a well-endowed lady DM that bore a similarity to the round coral reef clumps.

On descending it was immediately apparent the old man had not exaggerated. – This was definitely world class diving.

With our enthusiasm rekindled, and thoughts of Sodwana rapidly fading, we booked for the afternoon dive.

It was just as amazing as the morning dive. Towards the end of the dive I noticed a buddy pair had drifted far from the rest of the group, and were swimming over the sand. I swam over to call them and in the distance, rising from the sand, saw a huge dark shadow.

On closer inspection I found it was an isolated clump of Reef, encrusted with soft sponges and corals, and with more nudibranchs and egg cowries than I had evert seen before in one place.

A huge Brindle Bass skulked in a side arch, which, after finally swimming away, revealed a chimney column through the center of the reef. A pair of potato bass eyed us inquisitively from the opposite side, whilst their more colorful cousins, yellow belly and lyre tail rock cod slipped shyly between the ledges. Brightly colored tropical reef fish formed a living, shimmering halo over the entire outcrop.

At least 4 species of morays protruded from the cracks, mouths agape as if in shocked surprise at my rude invasion of this serene setting.

On my ascent a small black fin shark swam by, adding a dramatic ending to what must be one of the most exiting days of my life. (We called the site then Cathedral – regular Ponta divers today know it as 3 Sisters)

The day’s events made me start thinking of ways and opportunities to expand my dive travel business to Southern Mozambique.

After the holiday – with each dive as memorable as the previous – I was convinced that this area had a huge, unexploited tourism and business potential.

To cut a very long story very short as they say, and after much heartache, effort and money, Scuba Adventures Mozambique commenced operating from a reed hut at the back of the Motel do Mar, in Ponta do Ouro. .

Ponta in those days basically consisted of the Motel, Campsite, and 2 shops. The local population was a fraction of the size it is today, and very few people had skills, or could speak English.

The area had been ravaged, as had the whole of Mozambique, by 26 long years of bloody civil war, and which devastated this once vibrant holiday town. We found rifle grenades stuck in trees, and heard of landmine detonations in the village

There was a pioneering atmosphere then, a "wild west" feeling that was exciting and almost tangible.

As Ponta’s magnificent dive sites became known, and the pot holed road on the South African side to the border tarred, so did the influx of tourists increase. The local population grew dramatically and learnt English and new skills. Young people learnt to drive and repair vehicles, clean dive equipment and boats, and operate compressors. The average wages increased nearly ten fold. To support the growing demands of these tourists, and burgeoning population, infrastructure developed, - a shopping complex was built, with a bank, a supermarket, beach shops and Restaurant.

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National Parks of Mozambique

During Mozambique's civil upheaval, large-scale organized poaching systematically removed almost all big game from the bush. I've driven the length and breadth of Mozambique through seemingly pristine environments without spotting anything bigger than rabbits and rats, even at night. Mozambicans were reduced to hunter-gatherer status and in some areas even locusts and ants were harvested almost to extinction.

Birdlife has recovered to some extent but only the most remote areas offer the chance to view the 'Big Five' (on foot and with experienced guides, as wildlife is still persecuted by poachers from as far afield as Somalia).

Officially, the Mozambican government recognises wildlife's tourist potential, but legislation hasn't kept pace with developments and some colourful characters have been associated with failed projects that always seemed too detached from reality to succeed.

The late Earl J. Blanchard was feted by the authorities despite his Maputo Elephant Reserve project being ridiculed by respected environmentalists. Often, legitimate developers are sidelined by million-dollar-slinging 'cowboys'. Consequently even Mozambique's flagship NP, Gorongosa, can only offer a simple campsite with ablutions.

At Gorongosa, concessionaires are building a lodge at Bue Maria, but it's not yet finished. A fairly extensive network of roads has been re-opened but the Reserve can become inaccessible during the December to May wet season. There's a fair amount of game (a few lion and several small elephant herds) but the variety and beauty of the habitat and birds are the real attractions.

Maputo Elephant Reserve harbours around 400 elephants, which migrate between South Africa and Mozambique through rolling dune country. The birdlife is varied and abundant, but infrastructure is minimal and roads are very poor - 4x4 is essential. Camping is allowed at Ponta Milibangalala and Ponta Dobela, where there are wells, but the water needs purifying before drinking.

Remote enough to have provided refuge to around 12,000 elephant and the last of Mozambique's buffalo, sable and roan herds is Reserva do Niassa. Compania do Niassa has acquired the rights to develop this vast area. Although independent visitors are not encouraged, you can take your 4x4 on the five-day drive up to the government game-guard office at Mecula. You will be assigned a 'ranger' who must accompany you. The Jurege River, dry from June to December, provides excellent game viewing, but park and proceed on foot or the animals will be gone long before you arrive.

Although the Bazaruto Archipelago consists of five islands (in size order: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue), only Bazaruto and surrounding reefs are officially within the National Park. These waters are home to over 80% of all marine fish families of the Indo-Pacific. Resident Minke and Southern right whales ply surrounding seas alongside common, spinner and bottlenose dolphins and the highly-threatened dugong.

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Mozambique Diving

Diving in Mozambique

Diving in Mozambique in the warm, crystal clear Indian Ocean waters and its islands, is a thrilling and rewarding experience. Mozambique is one of the finest diving destinations in the world, with remarkably unspoilt coral reefs and an abundant variety of marine life that all levels of divers can enjoy all year round. Sea temperatures vary between 30°C in summer to 21°C in winter and the structure of the reefs offer pinnacles, overhangs, coral arches and much more.

Reef depths vary from 10m to 40m and offer good visibility and fantastic photo opportunities. Not only of the incredible range of coral but of over 6,000 species of fish. The reefs attract a variety of game fish while the coral is home to myriads of brightly coloured smaller fish including schooling banner fish, Moorish idols, butterfly fish, blue striped snappers, barred sweetlips, goldies, and trigger fish.

Mozambique diving is an excellent all year-round activity and a range of exciting and varied diving itineraries can be organized. Barracuda, manta rays, moray eels, sharks, huge schools of kingfish, giant lobsters, and numerous species of reef fish are commonly seen. The whale shark, the largest fish in the world which can reach lengths of up to 14m and weigh up to 15 tons, can be spotted between December and April.

Above the waves, dolphins are frequently encountered as are leatherback, loggerhead and green turtle. Humpback whales can be sighted between August and October while the lucky few may get to marvel at the sight of the rare dugong. Most lodges in Mozambique are pleased to welcome all levels of divers and lessons can be arranged for both beginners and intermediates.

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Mozambique 12-day Scuba Safari

Day 1: Barra Lodge Beach Resort – Inhambane

Arrive at Inhambane International Airport

Transfer to Barra Lodge Beach Resort

Lunch at the resort

Afternoon at leisure

Dive planning: late afternoon at Barra Dive Resort

Dinner

Evening at leisure

Barra Lodge Beach Resort offers 3 star accommodation right on the beach front. All rooms have mosquito nets and a fans. Attractions include a relaxing beach bar and restaurant with swimming pool. The Resort is located in Praia da Barra which is situated on a huge estuary just off the town of Inhambane.All dives are undertaken from the Barra Dive Resort, situated in the Barra Lodge Beach Resort. This means no transfers to and from the dive site. Everything is right at hand. The Barra Dive Resort is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center, thus internationally renowned for safety and professionalism.Divers have 14 major reefs to enjoy. One of the major attractions is a Manta ray cleaning station where scores of Cleaner wrasse attend to the Manta’s every need. Also in attendance are porcupine fish, Rubberlips, Potato bass, Triggerfish, Bull rays and Honeycomb moray eels. There are also luscious green Whip corals and circular big Plate corals to be seen, along with Pink fleshy coral and Orange sponges.

Day 2: Barra Lodge Beach Resort – Inhambane

Dive #1

Breakfast

Dive #2

Afternoon at leisure

Dive planning: late afternoon at Barra Dive Resort

Dinner

Evening at leisure

Day 3: Barra Lodge Beach Resort – Inhambane

Dive #3

Breakfast

Dive #4

Afternoon at leisure

Dive planning: late afternoon at Barra Dive Resort

Dinner

Evening at leisure

Day 4: Barra Lodge Beach Resort – Inhambane

Dive #5

Breakfast

Dive #6

Afternoon at leisure

Dive planning: late afternoon at Barra Dive Resort

Dinner

Evening at leisure

Day 5: Casa Barry Lodge - Tofo

Breakfast

Transfer to Casa Barry Lodge in Tofo

Dive #7

Afternoon at leisure

Dive planning: late afternoon at Tofo Scuba

Dinner

Evening at leisure

Praia do Tofo is situated about 20 km from Praia da Barra and share the same dive spots – 14 main reefs. The Casa Barry Lodge is situated in the town of Tofo and offers non-catering brick Casitas, the majority with sea views. All Casitas are equipped with mosquito nets, fans and a verandah. The Casitas are serviced daily.Tofo Scuba is within walking distance from the Casa Barry Lodge, thus ensuring effortless diving.Reefs closer to Tofo offers Crocodile fish, Lizardfish, Scorpionfish, Paperfish, Devil firefish, Fire Gobies, Trumpetfish and many more. Corals in the area consist of various kinds of hard corals such as Staghorn coral and Plate coral. Also soft corals including Porous coral, Thistle coral and Anemones. And don’t forget the Nudibranchs.

Day 6: Casa Barry Lodge – Tofo

Dive #8

Breakfast

Dive #9

Afternoon at leisure

Dive planning: late afternoon at Tofo Scuba

Dinner

Evening at leisure

Day 7: Casa Barry Lodge – Tofo

Dive #10

Breakfast

Dive #11

Afternoon at leisure

Dive planning: late afternoon at Tofo Scuba

Dinner

Evening at leisure

Day 8: Casa Barry Lodge – Tofo

Dive #12

Breakfast

Dive #13

Afternoon at leisure

Dinner

Evening at leasure

Day 9: Jeff’s Palm Resort – Guinjata Bay

Breakfast

Transfer to Jeff’s Palm Resort in Guinjata Bay

Dive #14

Afternoon at leisure

Dive planning: late afternoon at Palm Resort Pro Dive Center

Dinner

Evening at leisure

Jeff’s Palm Resort is an internationally renowned PADI Dive Resort and operates the Palm Resort Pro Dive Center from its premises. The Resort is located on the beach front about 25 km from Inhambane. With majestic sea views on the one side, and large coconut and cashew nut plantations on the other, it truly is a unique setting. Added benefits are a Portuguese restaurant and relaxing beach bar right on the beach front. Jeff’s Palm Resort offers spacious Cabanas, the majority with spectacular sea views. With 11 major reefs the diving is truly spectacular. Watch out for Manta rays, Devil rays, Barracuda, Yellow fin tuna and sometimes even Blue marlin. Also Batfish, Butterflyfish, Kingfish and Triggerfish.

Day 10: Jeff’s Palm Resort – Guinjata Bay

Dive #15

Breakfast

Dive #16

Afternoon at leisure

Dive planning: late afternoon at Palm Resort Pro Dive Center

Dinner

Evening at leisure

Day 11: Jeff’s Palm Resort – Guinjata Bay

Breakfast

Dive #18

Afternoon at leisure

Dive planning: late afternoon at Palm Resort Pro Dive Center

Dinner

Evening at leisure

Day 12: Jeff’s Palm Resort

Day at leasure

Day 13: Jhb

Transfer to airport at 9:30

Optional Activities:

Ocean Safaris & Snorkeling trips

Cultural tours

Inhambane tours

Beach volleyball

Kayaking

Ski-boats & Jetski’s

Spear fishing

Quad biking

Horse riding

Surfing

Dhow trip to Maxixe

Inclusions:

Breakfast

Dinner

18 Dives

Transfers

Flights Johannesburg-Inhambane (Mozambique)-Johannesburg

Accommodation

Full rental scuba gear

Exclusions:

Gear Rental at +/- R100/ Day

All beverages (alcoholic & non-alcoholic)

Optional excursions

Departure tax

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Scuba Mozambique