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samuelwest
bambino
6 Posts |
 Posted - 03/02/2010 : 15:17:29
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Hi Mike and thanks again for a great and very helpful forum.
We, (a family of four kids aged 7+9) are planning to leave the cold and windy Cape Town winter and stay 3 months in Moz. Probably looking into someplace north of Maputo. Also we have an old Audi 2WD as our only car (no I cannot afford a 4x4) which will undoubtedly limit our driving around. Time: 1 May - end of July; 3 months.
1. Given the choice and all things considered where would you stay a couple of months with kids? We are not into fancy hotels but not backpackers or adventure campers either. A small but nice cottage/house would be perfect. We are also not primarily after superb diving etc, but more after just being there - experiencing the people and country.
2. Will it be warm, "beachy" or will we be using our fleece jackets and jeans?
3. 2WD - given that we have plnty of time do you think we could make it along the major roads in a gas guzzling Audi?
4. Should we go to Uganda instead? - our neighbors keep saying that it is the "real africa" that we so much want to experience (Cape Town is nice but is more Europe & California than Africa). Any comments on that?? Give me some good arguments! :-)
Looking forward to your reply. |
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mozman
Administrator
3361 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2010 : 05:34:11
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Hi
Firstly Moz with kids is great! (I have two boys aged 8 and 12 and they show me how to behave and would love to live in Moz). 1st May to end July a great time to be in Moz - little chance of rain, cool nights (15 - 20 degs on coast, 10-15 degs inland), warm to hot days. See answers after your queries. Note that I have lived and travelled in both Moz and Uganda (and southern Sudan which is the 'real' or perhaps surreal Africa).
1. Given the choice and all things considered where would you stay a couple of months with kids? We are not into fancy hotels but not backpackers or adventure campers either. A small but nice cottage/house would be perfect. We are also not primarily after superb diving etc, but more after just being there - experiencing the people and country.
MIKE: Look up www.casademar.co.za and ask Des and Mary to arrange a transfer from Quinta S.Antonio (Lindela) where you could stay for a while and leave your car while at Casa de Mar which is 4x4 only. Otherwise get hold of Ponta Morrungulo and ask Barbara whether she can do a long-term stay special. Also get hold of www.mozcon.com and see what they suggest and then post their advice so I can comment.
2. Will it be warm, "beachy" or will we be using our fleece jackets and jeans?
MIKE: Mostly warm and beachy but perhaps one cold front could bring in cool, windy and even wet day or two so bring the fleece just in case.
3. 2WD - given that we have plnty of time do you think we could make it along the major roads in a gas guzzling Audi?
MIKE: Plenty of places to go in an Audi and most roads have now been redone, but some stretches you will be crawling along - good Moz experience.
4. Should we go to Uganda instead? - our neighbors keep saying that it is the "real africa" that we so much want to experience (Cape Town is nice but is more Europe & California than Africa). Any comments on that?? Give me some good arguments! :-)
MIKE: Agree re Cape Town and yes Uganda is marvelous too but 3 months with kids will be stretching it. If things go pear-shaped in Moz at least home is just a drive away - no flight hassles etc.
Have you checked the PDF downloads linked top of this page?
Mike
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samuelwest
bambino
6 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 14:38:38
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Thanks a lot.
The info: "Uganda for 3 months is stretching it" finally tips us over to definitely heading to Moz. I will contact the recommended places and post any responses I get |
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mozman
Administrator
3361 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 07:59:48
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Look forward to keeping in touch.
Mike |
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samuelwest
bambino
6 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2010 : 06:21:39
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We ended up booking three weeks at: Casa De Mar. We got a good discount for the long term stay. And just as you recommended, we can leave our car in Lindela and get a 4x4 ride to the lodge. The lodge looks lovely on their site.
www.casademar.co.za
Once we're there we will plan and make arrangements to continue north.
Thanks again Mike for all the helpful info! |
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mozman
Administrator
3361 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2010 : 12:03:50
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Great to hear that you will be staying at Casa de Mar - will be a difficult place to leave!
Try to arrange a day trip to Inhambane every now and then to enjoy a lovely little town before it becomes re-developed and to prevent "Island fever" from setting in.
enjoy
Mike |
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samuelwest
bambino
6 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2010 : 10:57:06
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I promised a full report, here it comes...
Mike: thanks so very much for your advice and recommendations. Our trip to Moz has been fantastic much thanks to your recommendation to stay at Casa Del Mar just south of Inhabane - we got three of the best weeks ever at Casa Del Mar.
We left our 2x4 at Lindela and got a ride with the owners Des and Mary to the lodge. Stunning location, the beach (well even the entire area) for ourselves. The chalets are very nice and the staff very friendly and helpfull. We thought we might get island fever... but Des and Mary would not let that happen. We attended a Christening at the local church + party afterwards, a wedding in the rural village, drives on the beach, spear fishing,'Casa Del Mar Day'(ask them what that is), cashew roasting instruction, pub evenings, brick making, etc etc. They were the perfect hosts! After those three weeks it was very difficult to say goodbye and continue north.
On the one hand I want to tell the world about this pearl of a place and that they get overwhelmed with bookings so that this wonderful couple can continue to support the local community like they do. On the otherhand I also want Casa Del Mar to continue to be the uncrowded unspoiled paradise it is.
Samuel West
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mozman
Administrator
3361 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2010 : 14:58:24
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Thanks Samuel
Casa de Mar, 20km south of Tofo: www.casademar.co.za
and thanks for the report back - promise I won't tell anyone except the 2 readers of mozguide.
Mike |
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3 months in Moz
