Believe it or not, Ponta do Ouro Mozambique which is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Mozambique is only a 5 Hour drive from Durban and a mere 6 hour drive if you're travelling from Johannesburg. All you need is a group of good mates, a car or two, booked accommodation and you're on your way to an exciting and unforgettable holiday in Ponta do Ouro Mozambique! Oh, I forget to mention that you also need a passport of course but the benefits about being South African, is that you don't need a visa to cross the border into Ponta do Ouro Mozambique whereas if you aren't South African then don't stress, you can quickly organize a visa for a couple hundred South African Rands at the nearest airport but try not leave it for the last minute!
Long que at the Kosi Bay Border Post going in to Ponta do Ouro Mozambique
Getting to Ponta do Ouro Mozambique:
"Oh but how do I get there if I don't have a 4x4, what now?!"
Yes yes, don't fret, that issue ain't an issue nowadays because a very clever man in South Africa came up with a business plan to make life very convenient for all of us who don't own fuel guzzling 4x4's with super select, mud terrain tyres and lifted suspension! On the South African side of the Ponta do Ouro / Kosi Bay border there's a safe parking bay called Skelm's Parking where visitors to Ponta do Ouro Mozambique can leave their vehicles for a small fee (about R40 / day) during their stay in glorious Ponta do Ouro Mozambique, but remember that the Kosi Bay Border Gate is not in Ponta do Ouro Mozambique. Yup, there's still a 20 minute 4x4 drive to Ponta do Ouro (hence why you have to park your little 2x4 vehicle at Skelms) and for those who aren't travelling in a 4x4 can either pay for a transfer from the Kosi Bay Border Gate to Ponta do Ouro (there are 4x4's that are generally available at the border to provide this service) or you can try arrange a pick-up transfer with the lodge / resort that you are staying at in Ponta do Ouro (a service some of the lodges at Ponta do Ouro offer their guests).
There is however some very important information that you need to know before you leave, "Before" being the operative word. Do not get yourself in a predicament where you drive hundreds of kilometers to find that you don't have all the documents that is needed at the Kosi Bay Border Gate! The "vrou" (wife / girlfriend / "ball and chain") won't be impressed! SO, best get organized and make sure you take everything that is required at the Kosi Bay Border Gate and to make this nice and easy for you, just click here to print "what-is-required" (print the pdf document that will open in a new window) or click the PDF icon at the bottom of this article. So print it, frame it, laminate it, do what you want with it - just make sure you understand what is required a the Mozambican Border Gate to Ponta do Ouro!
Getting excited!? Well you should be because you are about to organize an awesome holiday for all your friends and family! Yup, you will get an extra stamp on your passport - yay!).
Awesome things to do in Ponta do Ouro Mozambique:
"So what fun activities are there to do in Ponta do Ouro Mozambique?"
Deep Sea Fishing and Scuba Diving enthusiasts are in for a real treat! Whether or not you bring your own Deep Sea fishing gear and scuba diving equipment, there are enough charters in Ponta do Ouro Mozambique to literally make you seasick! Which is a good thing because these are some of the activities that makes Ponta do Ouro so popular and special! Ponta do Ouro offers Scuba Divers more than 15 beautiful dive sites to explore but if you have never dived before or are a beginner, then you can book diving lessons with qualified PADI instructors at various dive lodges in Ponta do Ouro and before you know it, you're already spotting whale sharks (when in season) from off even some of the shallowest dive sites in Ponta do Ouro for beginners. So there are no excuses! Off-shore reefs at Ponta do Ouro attracts all the big game fish allowing for an endless action packed deep sea fishing experience!
If you own Quad Bikes, BRING THEM! It's such a fun and convenient way to get around Ponta do Ouro and not only for that reason but there are various scenic Quad Bike trails and Quad nature trails to enjoy in and around Ponta do Ouro. If you don't have your own Quad Bike to tow, then you can hire one but you're going to have to dig a bit deeper in your wallet to enjoy this fun activity. Nevertheless, everything in Ponta do Ouro is pretty much within walking distance including shops, pubs & bars, restaurants, dive & fishing charters, ATM's and Ponta do Ouro's beautiful beach which is usually littered with beautiful bodies and hundreds of holiday makers soaking up the sun!
Indulging yourself with a bit of Portuguese influence:
Now for all those beer enthusiasts that put Castle Lager on the pedestal and pitty other beers (or lagers for that matter), then I suggest you step down a bit this holiday, put Castle Lager aside and try some of the local Portuguese beers. I can almost gaurentee you after test tasting some of the local Portuguese beers (especially 2M which is pronounced 'dosh-em' and Laurentina) your taste buds may just reconsider what they like most and perhaps your all time favourite may just drop to second best!
Tipo Tinto Rum to make the popular mix R&R (Rasberry & Rum)
Putting beers and lagers aside, there is another local favourite holidays makers 'rave' about back at home and that is, Tipo Tinto Rum or better known as R&R (Rum and Raspberry). This is a strong mix served at pretty much all of the beach bars in Ponta do Ouro and is bound to loosen the limbs and trigger your party mood which usually ends up on the dance floor at Pinto's near the local Market. Ponta do Ouro has a fantastic atmosphere at night - not just for the partygoers but also for the hungry tummies! There is a good selection of restaurants to dine at, where you can indulge in delicious seafood, steaks, Portuguese half chickens, burgers, salads and much much more!! So the night is your oyster in Ponta do Ouro - choose how you'd like to spend it! Any way you do it, even if it's a good old family braai (barbeque) at the camp, you'll have an absolute blast!
Those Darn Mosquito's and Malaria prevention in Ponta do Ouro:
Now as much as some may think that if you have so many RnR's, 2m's and Gin & Tonics, it'll stop the mosquito's from biting reducing the risk of catching Malaria! Well well, I don't know who says this but this is certainly not true and I'm very confident that Myth Busters will agree! Put it this way it's not like the old tobasco advert we've seen on T.V. (and NO, tobasco is also not a prophylactic). Jokes aside, although Ponto do Ouro is not a high risk malaria area, we still have to take pre-cautions and it's recommended that you visit your nearest 'quack' for a prescription of anti-malaria tablets. Don't go visit your doctor the day before you leave for Mozambique because most anti-malaria courses need to be taken a couple of days or even a week prior to entering a malaria area. The most effective and common anti-malaria tablets on the market today is either Mefloquine (Mefliam) or Doxycycline (Doxitab) which both require a prescription (Click here for more information on Anti Malaria Medication for Mozambique). Along with your anti-malaria tablets, don't forget to also take Insect repellent sprays, mosquito Coils, light long sleeve tops and bottoms to further prevent bites and the risk of catching malaria in Mozambique.
Ponta do Ouro Summer Holidays in Mozambique
Start Planning your Holiday in Ponta do Ouro:
Ponta do Ouro is certainly a paradise away from reality and not too far off the beaten track. A bit of preparation which is quick and easy and you're on your way to an unforgettable holiday with friends and family! After patiently reading this article, your next step is to start enquiring for Ponta do Ouro Accommodation. Click here to find Accommodation in Ponta do Ouro and also note that Ponta Malongane is 7km North of Ponta do Ouro and Ponta Mamoli is a further 10km. So don't forget to look for Ponta Malongane accommodation and Ponta Mamoli accommodation in those areas too if you're battling to find availability in Ponta do Ouro.
