Things You should know while planning a Trip to Mozambique
WHAT TO PACK:
When travelling to Mozambique, bring everything you require with you. You cannot purchase any basics what so ever once you have left Pemba. Most people make the mistake of taking along too much clothing. Pack comfortable, casual and semi-casual clothes. Your luggage is restricted to 15 kilograms for all light air craft flights and for space on the dhow. We recommend that you utilize old or inexpensive luggage. Suitcases are NOT suitable. You may use a small/ medium sized soft bag or rucksack, provided that it has no frame.
A dry bag is also a very useful item to keep your passports, camera’s, medication, and such items you can’t get wet.
VITAL ITEMS TO PACK:
- We advise you bring your own personal snorkeling mask and snorkel. We do provide fins – but for those who are pedantic about their own fit please travel with your kit.
- You require all of your own personal toiletries, a simple first aid and medication whilst on safari.
- We also recommend that you bring a personal supply of favored snacks, nuts, sweets, energy bars / drinks, chocolate. Anything that you would normally like to eat or drink in between meals. (Essential for those clients travelling with children or teenagers.) These items are impossible to source in Mozambique (and if available are often stale or out of date)
- Your own personal head torch (s) and a hand held torch with an adequate supply of batteries is essential. If you are a night time reader please bring an adequate supply of back up batteries so you can read at night by head torch.
- We highly recommend that you utilize easy to dry when wet and UV / sun protection outdoor adventurer clothing that are readily available in camping and outdoor outlets. These do not need to be expensive brands, and simple cotton clothing that allows you to swim, wade, drip dry and move easily in hot humid weather works just as well.
- Adequate HIGH FACTOR sun block protection to last for the whole holiday (you will need to reapply every few hours as the tropics are hot and you cannot purchase once you leave Pemba) We suggest that you take along the following useful items:- Plasters/band aids, aspirins/ pain killers, anti-diarrhea pills (consult your pharmacist for advice), throat lozenges, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, anti-malaria tablets, re-hydration powder sachets, eye / ear drops, after sun, moisturizer, personal items like tampons etc., soap and soap container, toiletries, (i.e. toothbrush and paste, razor, shampoo, deodorant etc.) Please avoid clothing resembling military / army uniform (i.e. combat jackets, cap / trousers). Please dress appropriately and respectfully when visiting communities, villages and towns. (No bikini tops or excessive bare skin when in villages)
FLIGHTS TO PEMBA:
If you are picking up your flight tickets at Johannesburg International Airport, please have your reference number available and redeem your tickets at the SA AIRLINK OR LAM check in Counter.
IF TRAVELLING VIA MAPUTO ON LAM:
It is approximately a one hour flight from Johannesburg to Maputo. Whilst on board ensure you receive and complete a Mozambique entry form. On arrival in Maputo, disembark the plane taking all your hand luggage with you. Your luggage in the hold remains on board. Cross the tarmac following the signs “transito”. On entry into the terminal, queue up to receive your boarding card to Pemba. Ensure you have the stub from your boarding card from Johannesburg to Maputo to give to the LAM staff. You may not be in the same seat for the next leg of the journey.
Whilst in the queue your passport and completed landing card will probably be collected by an official and taken to passport control. Once you have your new boarding card to Pemba proceed round the corner to passport control. Once completed go through the door marked “transito/transfers” and back to the plane.
ARRIVING IN PEMBA:
You will arrive at Pemba International Airport in the Cabo Delgado province of northern Mozambique – the gateway to the Quirimbas Archipelago. Disembark the plane and walk across to the small Pemba arrivals room. If you are booked on a direct flight to Pemba (i.e. not via Maputo) you need to clear customs and immigration formalities in Pemba before leaving the arrivals area. If you have flown via Maputo you will normally have cleared formalities there.
Once you have collected your luggage and cleared formalities you will be met by a representative of Ibo Island Lodge. In the unlikely event you are not met, please call Lutfiyyah Davids on the numbers given at the top of this document. Depending on your routing and the time of your air / road transfer to Ibo Island, you will either be escorted to the plane / vehicle, or to the waiting room. If there is no immediate connection, you can opt to take a transfer to the Pemba Beach Hotel via their bus, or if time allows take an optional city tour of Pemba.
*All transfers, day facilities, city tours, drinks or meals ordered in Pemba or at the hotel are to your own account and must be settled directly before departure to Ibo Island.
RESTRICTIONS AND IMPORTANT NOTES CONCERNING LIGHT AIR TRANSFERS:
Please note that there is a strict restriction of 15 kg per person of SOFT luggage including hand luggage. If this is not adhered to, the pilot may leave the bags behind.
In an effort to keep the cost of the air transfers reasonable, the lodges in the region co-operate to share daily schedules. The rate you have been quoted is therefore ‘a seat in a plane rate’ rather than a charter rate. Private charters are available on request at the time of making your booking with central reservations.
The final flight schedules are usually only confirmed on the day of travel. Occasionally there are changes in the planned scheduling and routings, resulting in a delay. These are factors out of the control of Ibo Island Lodge as all transfers are operated by a third party.
*Any increases concerning flight transfers will be to the clients account.
* All flights are subject to standard aviation safety laws and weather conditions.
ROAD TRANSFERS – MUCOJO / ARIMBA FOR THE START OF SOUTH BOUND MOBILE SAFARIS:
There is an approximate 3 hour road transfer from Pemba airport to the start of the safari. Clients are met by a representative on arrival at Pemba International Airport. They are assisted with customs and immigration formalities and shown to the transfer vehicle.
The road transfer takes us inland through simple and authentic Mozambique villages and rural bush often with giant baobab trees and lots of bird life. Dependent on your routing you will also travel through parts of the Quirimbas National Park. The road is a dirt road and the transfer gives you your first chance to catch a glimpse of traditional Mozambican life.
ON SAFARI AND IN GENERAL:
Be Flexible! Operational uncertainties can sometimes impose unplanned changes to the suggested itinerary. Due to the nature of the destination all clients must accept that their itinerary may differ from that published or discussed.
Please remember that the itinerary suggested has to remain flexible and will depend on local day to day conditions. Travelling in Mozambique is sometimes unpredictable. By the very nature of travelling on a mobile dhow safari in remote areas, there are sometimes unforeseen challenges to overcome and clients should have a taste for adventure. Unforeseen problems such as, but not limited to: sea conditions, weather, mechanical breakdowns and similar can delay and change the schedule of the suggested itinerary.
VISAS AND PASSPORTS:
Important Note: It is your sole responsibility to verify all visa and entry requirements with your nearest Mozambican consulate or embassy for up to date information.
VISA’s must be obtained before travel to Mozambique except for citizens of the following countries: Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
ENTRANCE FEES & TAXES
Clients will be required to pay the Quirimbas National Park Entry Fee (one off payment at the first Quirimbas property) and Ibo Development Tax *Subject to change. These rates will be included in your safari cost. Consult with your safari consultant at the time of booking for more details
MONEY AND CREDIT CARDS:
Official Currency: Metical (MT) = 100 centavos. US Dollars are accepted on Ibo but only notes from 2008 onwards Local currency is preferable and must be purchased before you travel.
Traveller’s cheques cannot be changed in Pemba.
There are no ATM’s at Pemba airport
ATM’s in Pemba town are often off line
There is unique Ibo jewellery and local crafts to buy on Ibo Island as well as the settling of extras and activities on your bill. Please take adequate cash with you, and note that there are no facilities what so ever for drawing money once on the islands.
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST MALARIA AND YELLOW FEVER:
All travelers to malaria-risk areas must take precautions against this disease. Please visit your health care provider 4-6 weeks before travelling to discuss all required vaccines and precautions.
Travelers entering Mozambique from any of the 43 countries where yellow fever is known to exist must present a valid certification of vaccine against this disease. See www.travel-images.com/health-yellow-fever-areas.html
HEALTH AND PRECAUTIONS:
Any one participating on an adventure safari must be in good health. Please note our terms and conditions for further information on this. Please inform the company in writing about any medical problems or allergies. This is essential and will be treated confidentially. Be sure to inform the staff on safari if any medical conditions get serious whilst travelling.
LANGUAGES:
Portuguese is the official language in addition to many African languages.
CLIMATE:
SUMMER: October – March WINTER: April – September The average temperature for Mozambique is a balmy 28ºC all year round. The climate varies slightly according to the regions of the country. The coast experiences a sub-tropical climate while the northern parts of the county are tropical. Generally, the hot rainy season is from December to March. The average temperature at this time along the coast is 30º C (89º F). Inland, temperatures are slightly cooler, but conditions are more humid. In the dry season, April to November, temperatures along the coast average 27ºC (80ºF). You are advised to pack a high factor sunscreen.
DRINKING WATER:
All drinking water at Ibo Island Lodge and on board the dhows and in our mobile tented island camps is treated. Beware of any other water! Good personal hygiene on safari is essential. Wash hands as often as you can, and always before eating – and please remember water is precious in Africa.
