 VARIOUS
DIVING OPTIONS
PONTO DO OURO - SOUTHERN MOZAMBIQUE
Ponta Do Ouro (Point of Gold) is famous from its coral reefs
and white sand beaches. Located in the virgin environment
of beaches and forests, it is a paradise for divers, kite
boarders, surfers and beach lovers. The main diving attractions
of this area are the 18 high quality offshore dive sites giving
you plenty of choice. Additionally Ponta Do Ouro is in close
proximity to the magnificent wildlife estate at Ndumu-Tembe-Futhi
in the Maputo Elephant Reserve, and is adjacent to South Africa’s
Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site.
You can search for Dolphins or Whale Sharks in Ponta Do
Ouro and once found you will be able to swim with these magnificent
creatures. Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles visit the majestic
white beaches of Ponta Do Ouro from October to December. A
simple beach walk could bring you face to face with a turtle
laying her eggs. Ponta Do Ouro is still untouched in terms
of tourism and a must for divers wishing to experience this
magnificent part of the world.
African Budget Safaris together with our local partner have
compiled the following Dive Packages:
OPTION ONE - LOW SEASON
(May, June, July - Excluding Public Holidays)
COST: R 3445
This package consists of the following:
• 3 nights accommodation in a Casita
• Brunch Daily
• 3 dives
• Daily equipment rental
• Return Transfers From Durban to Ponto Do Ouro
Dinner is NOT included as part of the package, however there
are 3 restaurants available in the town. (See General Information
Below)
OPTION TWO – HIGH SEASON
COST: R 4445
This package consists of the following:
• 3 nights accommodation in a Casita
• Brunch & Dinner Daily
• 5 dives
• Daily equipment rental
• Return Transfers From Durban to Ponto Do Ouro
Detailed Itinerary
Day One
Depart for Ponto Do Ouro from Durban at 10h00. Arrive
in Ponto Do Ouro at 16h00.
Clients will be checked into their rooms.
A Dive briefing is held every evening at 19h00
Day Two
Early Rise for the first dive at 07h00. Return to the beach
at approx 09h30.
You have the option of continuing with a second dive or having
brunch.
Day Three
Early Rise for the first dive at 07h00. Return to the beach
at approx 09h30.
Clients have the option of continuing with a second dive or
having brunch.
Day Four
Early Rise for the first dive at 07h00. Return to the beach
at approx 09h30.
Depart for Durban at 12h00. Stop in Hluhluwe for lunch. Arrive
in Durban at 18h00
NOTES:
• Pre and Post tour accommodation is advisable, please
contact African Budget Safaris for accommodation options.
• Additional days can be booked. Please contact African
Budget Safaris for rates.
• Extra dives can be booked while you are In Ponto
Do Ouro at a cost of approximately R210 per dive. Night
dives are available at R250 per dive.
• Other activities that can be booked for you include
the following:
• Kite Boarding Lessons -
3 Hours - R1050
• Surfboard Hire - per 1.5
hours – R150
• Boogie Board Hire - per
1 Hour – R100
• Dolphin Sightseeing Trip
– R220
PONTA DO OURO GENERAL INFORMATION
• Electricity and water
There is now municipal electricity in Ponta, normally lights
only are provided in most resorts, however we would suggest
that you pack a torch for emergencies. Water is normally supplied
from boreholes or it is pumped from a nearby lake. Bottled
water is available should you prefer.
• Fishmonger Restaurant, Petrol and Shops
There are 3 shops at Ponta selling basic foodstuffs and groceries,
because of the transport costs, prices are normally higher
than in South Africa, so it is advisable to take your own
foodstuffs if self catering. An excellent, cheap, local bread
"Pau" is baked fresh twice daily and is available
from the shops.
• There are also 3 restaurants in the small village,
as well as the restaurant at the Motel. The Fishmonger Restaurant,
is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the top seafood
restaurants in Mozambique. It is situated on the first floor
of the only little shopping centre in Ponta, and in addition
to the fresh fish and excellent seafood, they also serve perhaps
the best LM peri-peri chicken and crab curry, cooked in the
traditional Mozambique style, the best that you have ever
tasted.
Also situated in the centre, below The Fishmonger Restaurant
is a dive/beach shop, where snorkeling gear, bikinis, T-shirts,
sun tan lotion etc. can be bought.
• Health
The coastal belt of Mozambique is regarded as a Malaria area.
Please ensure that you consult your health professional for
precautionary advice.
• Currency - VERY NB: CASH ONLY - RECOMMENDED
Travelers Cheques, Credit Cards and Cheques are not accepted
anywhere in Ponta. All payments for meals, drinks, extra dives,
etc. must be made in CASH ONLY.
The normal currency in the area is South African Rands, but
US Dollars are also accepted.
DIVE KWAZULU NATAL SOUTH AFRICA
African Budget Safaris together with our local partner have
put together a fantastic SELF DRIVE package
for those divers who wish to explore the world famous Kwazulu
Natal coast. The Kwazulu Natal coast is one of the best dive
destinations on the planet and is characterised by warm waters
and an abundance of marine life.
Duration: 8 Days
Cost: R 7000 per person sharing (based on
2 persons)
R 9200 for
a single person
Price Includes: All accommodation (inc.
breakfast) based on 2 persons sharing: All dives (inc tanks,
weights, only - further dive equip. must be hired as required
at source). Self- drive options include Class S rental (VW
Chico 1.4 or similar), unlimited mileage, super cover and
personal accident insurance.
Price excludes: All International flights:
All meals and refreshments except breakfast unless stated
otherwise: All other dive equipment unless stated otherwise.
Park entrance and toll fees and guided game drives. Self-drive
options exclude fuel and all extras as per Budget rent-a-car
terms and conditions.
 Departure:
On request (Please
contact African Budget Safaris)
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Your tour starts as you are met at Durban International Airport
to be transferred to your first nights accommodation at in
the combined Hluhluwe / Imfolozi game reserve. Self-drive
packages begin as you collect your vehicle along with a detailed
itinerary with maps and easy to follow directions from the
car rental desk. You will spend the night at the award-winning
Hilltop Camp, situated on the summit of a forested hill with
fine views of the surrounding countryside. Dinner may be taken
in the a la carte restaurant (not inc.) and a night game drive
can be arranged as an optional extra.
 Day
2: Hluhluwe to Sodwana Bay
The morning begins with an early start as you explore
the reserve. The Hluhluwe and Imfolozi game reserves, with
their varying habitats, are amongst the finest and most rewarding
in South Africa. As sanctuaries for both, black and white
rhino, they also complete the big five with elephant, buffalo,
lion and leopard amongst almost 90 other species of mammal.
After a late breakfast / early lunch, you depart for Sodwana
Bay. Upon arrival at Sodwana you'll be introduced to your
hosts as you settle into your accommodation and plan your
dives for the following day. Located at the centre of a vast
marine reserve, Sodwana Bay lies hidden amongst the coastal
dunes at the northern edge of the St Lucia Wetland Park. Widely
regarded as the scuba diving capital of South Africa, the
dive sites of Sodwana Bay represent the some of the most southerly
hard coral reef systems in the world.
Day 3 & 4: Sodwana Bay - 2 dives
After a comprehensive briefing on the local reefs
and ecology it's time to hold on as the rigid inflatable duck
takes you through the surf of one of the most exciting launch
sites in the country. The dives sites (and there are many
to choose from) at Sodwana are renowned for their spectacular
and diverse coral communities. As well as attracting pelagic
species the reefs themselves hide some real treasures that
will keep any photographer diving to his last 10 bar.
Day 5: Transfer to Umkomaas (Aliwal Shoal)
A hearty breakfast will set you up for the day ahead
as you leave Sodwana Bay and head for the town of Umkomaas
and your next diving destination of Aliwal Shoal. On the way
you will pass the Hulhluwe - Umfolozi Game reserves and the
Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. 
Day 6: Aliwal Shoal - 2 dives
The morning starts with two dives in sub-tropical
waters of the South Coast. A wide variety of different dive
sites are available to choose from. Aliwal Shoal lies approximately
6 km offshore and is a magnet to many pelagic species including
sharks, manta rays, turtles and game fish. Sites such as Raggies
Cave and Cathedrals lie on the shoal itself while the wreck
sites of The Produce (1974) and Nebo (1884) remain relatively
well intact on the sand and offer excellent diving when the
current allows. In the afternoon you transfer to Shelly Beach
home to the world famous Protea Banks.
Day 7: Protea Banks - 2 dives
We meet at the launch site at 07h00 for the first of two dives
on Protea Banks. As with Aliwal Shoal, the winter months bring
large numbers of ragged-tooth sharks as well as the occasional
blacktip and Zambezi encounter, you may also be lucky and
find some sardine-run related activity. During the summer
months Zambezi (bull) sharks are the highlight of most dives
and sightings of tiger sharks are not infrequent. October
/ November sees the start of the hammerhead season and large
schools can be sighted periodically until the following March.
Whatever the season, Protea Banks seldom fails to impress.
Day 8: Tour ends
The tour ends as you transfer to Durban International
Airport for your flight out.
Transfers out are arranged according to your flight schedule.
We recommend that your outward flights be arranged for the
afternoon to allow approx. 24 hrs from your last dive. Additional
days may easily be arranged with a wide variety of activities,
accommodation and transport options to suit your individual
requirements.
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