The Mozambican Government has announced an increase in visa fees for tourists to Mozambique with immediate effect. This comes as a result of the introduction of the biometric system - currently enforced at Maputo (Malavane) Airport and the Komatipoort border. The cost of the visas has increased to US$ 82.00 per person, however, at only these 2 points of entry at this time.
The increase apparently kicked in on the 6th of July when tourists obtaining visas at the Mozambique borders were charged USD 82 pp (or the USD equivalent of ZAR 600 based on that days exchange rate).
A representative from INATUR (the Mozambique tourism board) confirmed they were also taken by surprise as nothing had been communicated to anyone before the price change. She also reconfirmed the increase of border visas and said it was a permanent increase.
It appears the increase is currently only applicable at some borders. Most airports are still working on between USD 25 and USD 30 pp as they don't yet have the technology required for the new visas.
It is however confirmed that the remainder of the country will follow suit - dates of implementation to be advised.
European embassies and consulates have also advised no increase on their current rates so its better for clients to obtain their visas in advance if at all possible
Friday, 16 July 2010
Monday, 7 June 2010
Marlin Lodge - Stay 5 nights and only pay for 4!
Stay for 5 nights in luxurious accommodation at the Marlin Lodge and enjoy their pristine white beaches, exciting activities like diving and fishing and sumptuous cuisine. You only pay for 4 nights and we give you the fifth night complimentary, this is both for sharing and single stay.
The above includes: All meals, teas and coffees, non mororised water sports, a dhow cruise, guided island drive, selected soft drinks and all bottled water.
Valid: 1 February 2010 – 10 December 2010 (excluding month of April). Group bookings are excluded.
All bookings subject to conditions of reservations and availability, applicable room rates apply.
Tanzania and Mozambique open their first connection by road.
The picturesque north of Mozambique is receiving increasing number of tourists, but till now it was only possible to access this area from Tanzania by the river, with a pirogue. The construction of a new bridge shall now make the access easier.
This is one of the least developed borders in the entire region, in spite of the two countries being members of the most important commercial and political block of Africa, the SADC. Up to now, the connection by road between these two countries had seemed unnecessary from an economic perspective, but the growing tourism industry is changing this perspective, as tourism starts opening this untouched region.
This is one of the least developed borders in the entire region, in spite of the two countries being members of the most important commercial and political block of Africa, the SADC. Up to now, the connection by road between these two countries had seemed unnecessary from an economic perspective, but the growing tourism industry is changing this perspective, as tourism starts opening this untouched region.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Stay Aboard Rani's Broadbill Catamaran
Rani Resorts has launched “Broadbill”, a specialised fishing boat, in Pemba, northern Mozambique.
The 42-foot catamaran comes with safety gear, tackle, lures and bait. There are three double cabins on board, as well as two bathrooms and air-conditioning. The boat is available for fully catered charters and has an 800 nautical mile range. The captain and crew have been trained to find the best fishing grounds based on sea and weather conditions. Broadbill offers live-aboard boat trips to the popular game fishing destination of St Lazarus Banks, an underwater mountain rising from a depth of 2,3km to within six metres of the surface.
Combinations of island hopping and fishing trips are also on offer. Guests can request video camera footage and coverage of the fishing action, while individual photos can be printed on the boat to take home.
The 42-foot catamaran comes with safety gear, tackle, lures and bait. There are three double cabins on board, as well as two bathrooms and air-conditioning. The boat is available for fully catered charters and has an 800 nautical mile range. The captain and crew have been trained to find the best fishing grounds based on sea and weather conditions. Broadbill offers live-aboard boat trips to the popular game fishing destination of St Lazarus Banks, an underwater mountain rising from a depth of 2,3km to within six metres of the surface.
Combinations of island hopping and fishing trips are also on offer. Guests can request video camera footage and coverage of the fishing action, while individual photos can be printed on the boat to take home.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
New Flight Routes.
Linhas Aérias Moçambicanas (LAM) has asked Mozambican authorities to grant the airline several new routes, including Maputo to Cape Town, Tete to Johannesburg and Nampula to Nairobi.
This comes as the airline has been gradually modernizing its fleet, phasing out old B737-200s and replacing them with Bombardier Q400 and Embraer-190 aircraft. LAM is acquiring six new planes, four of which have already arrived. The frequency of the airline’s inter-provincial flights has thus improved and it has added a route to Luanda.
By the end of 2010, LAM hopes to resume its intercontinental flights to Lisbon. Currently, the Lisbon-Maputo route is operated by TAP and through a code share deal LAM is granted some of the seats on each flights.
According to LAM financial director Jeremias Tchamo the airline will be faced with new competition as TTA Airlink launched its Johannesburg-Maputo flights on February 14. “LAM’s monopoly on the main domestic routes is also about to end with TTA-Airlink signaling its intention to fly from Maputo to Tete, Maputo to Nampula and Maputo to Beira in the near future.
This comes as the airline has been gradually modernizing its fleet, phasing out old B737-200s and replacing them with Bombardier Q400 and Embraer-190 aircraft. LAM is acquiring six new planes, four of which have already arrived. The frequency of the airline’s inter-provincial flights has thus improved and it has added a route to Luanda.
By the end of 2010, LAM hopes to resume its intercontinental flights to Lisbon. Currently, the Lisbon-Maputo route is operated by TAP and through a code share deal LAM is granted some of the seats on each flights.
According to LAM financial director Jeremias Tchamo the airline will be faced with new competition as TTA Airlink launched its Johannesburg-Maputo flights on February 14. “LAM’s monopoly on the main domestic routes is also about to end with TTA-Airlink signaling its intention to fly from Maputo to Tete, Maputo to Nampula and Maputo to Beira in the near future.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Diving at Benguerra Lodge
One of the most striking aspects of diving the reefs off Benguerra Island is the sheer unspoilt beauty and the variety and abundance of marine life. While kitting up on the boat, before you even begin your dive, you could see batfish surfacing, a turtle rising to take a breath before diving again, a curious whale shark turning towards the boat (inspiring you to momentarily abandon your dive gear to snorkel with the biggest fish in the ocean).
Once under water exotic reef fish abound – schooling bannerfish, moorish idols, butterfly fish, blue striped snappers, oriental and barred sweetlips, boxfish, goldies, trigger fish and numerous others provide movement among the diverse beautifully coloured corals and sponges. Your dive buddy could be obscured for a few moments by hundreds of fusiliers shoaling through the coral crevices. Or it might take a while for you to recognise a giant moray, due to sheer size. Ribbontail rays try to hide on the sandy! bottom; Devil rays glide effortlessly along, swooping down occasionally to rub their undersides on the sand. Schools of kingfish are attracted to the reef's food supply and circle divers bubbles before moving off on their hunt. Turtles can be seen sleeping under a ledge or feeding on a sponge, ignoring divers in favour of indulging in a tasty meal. White-tip, black-tip, gray reef or giant sleeping sharks may be seen in a cave or patrolling the perimeter of the reef. Hearing a whip like crack indicates that a grouper has seen the divers and has made a hasty retreat through the wall of slender sweepers surrounding its hideout. At the safety stop, you may have a batfish keeping you company.
The Bazaruto Archipelago's protected waters is also home to the last viable population of dugong in the western Indian Ocean and, if Lady Luck is on your side, your diving experience may be rounded off by the sighting of one of these elusive mammels - as was the case with clients in December 2009!
Once under water exotic reef fish abound – schooling bannerfish, moorish idols, butterfly fish, blue striped snappers, oriental and barred sweetlips, boxfish, goldies, trigger fish and numerous others provide movement among the diverse beautifully coloured corals and sponges. Your dive buddy could be obscured for a few moments by hundreds of fusiliers shoaling through the coral crevices. Or it might take a while for you to recognise a giant moray, due to sheer size. Ribbontail rays try to hide on the sandy! bottom; Devil rays glide effortlessly along, swooping down occasionally to rub their undersides on the sand. Schools of kingfish are attracted to the reef's food supply and circle divers bubbles before moving off on their hunt. Turtles can be seen sleeping under a ledge or feeding on a sponge, ignoring divers in favour of indulging in a tasty meal. White-tip, black-tip, gray reef or giant sleeping sharks may be seen in a cave or patrolling the perimeter of the reef. Hearing a whip like crack indicates that a grouper has seen the divers and has made a hasty retreat through the wall of slender sweepers surrounding its hideout. At the safety stop, you may have a batfish keeping you company.
The Bazaruto Archipelago's protected waters is also home to the last viable population of dugong in the western Indian Ocean and, if Lady Luck is on your side, your diving experience may be rounded off by the sighting of one of these elusive mammels - as was the case with clients in December 2009!
Monday, 11 January 2010
THE VILLAS AT BENGUERRA LODGE
The Villas at Benguerra is an extension of the award winning Benguerra Lodge, which is an established luxury lodge that has been around for over 20 years. The fantastic addition to the property embraces Benguerra's unique blend of safari chic with Arabic flair and grandeur, while emphasizing privacy, warm intimate hospitality, fine service and pristine beauty. The Villas offer their guests sophisticated barefoot luxury on secluded white beaches in an unspoilt natural environment all infused with the classic East African safari experience.
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