Since time immemorial dolphins have captivated the hearts of men and woman the world over. In Ponta do Ouro on the southern most shores of Moçambique, our hearts have been captivated too. Join Africa’s longest running wild dolphin swim program for a purposeful holiday. Programs are scheduled throughout the year and cater for families, honeymooners, solitary seekers and holistic workshops!
For the past 17 years Angie Gullan has been swimming with a pod of wild inshore bottlenose dolphins that go by the scientific name of Tursiops aduncus. During the mid 90’s she was honored to be able to share the space of this gregarious species who welcomed her into their watery realm. Although that first encounter was brief, it triggered a response that what was soon to become a lifelong commitment to the well being of dolphins.
Educational and ethical practice have been the foundation of encountours since its inception and participants gain a special insight into the realm of the wild dolphins of Ponta through an program that identifies dolphins as non-human persons. Bo, a now adult female introduced Angie to the concept of conscious interaction between dolphin and man in 1999. Since then she has identified a number of dolfriends who choose to socially engage with participants. Bouts of circle swimming, direct approaches and trust allows us to observe the dolphins in the most intimate way. One on one in the big blue…..
Participants follow the DCA in-water code of conduct that was formulated in collaboration with the Natural History Museum in Maputo and other experts in the field. This creates a safe space for both human and dolphin to socially engage and limits the potential stress caused to the dolphins.
As part of our long term commitment to the wild dolphins, we have been active in promoting the sustainable growth of dolphin tourism in the area. Our sister non-profit organization DCA was established in 98 as our conservation, awareness, research & education arm. This has resulted in the consistent collecting of data for the natural history museum in maputo as well as the creation of a photographic fin id program were some 250 semi/resident bottlenose dolphins are recorded. The operations’s work has greatly contributed to the Partial Marine Protected Area that was proclaimed in 2009.
Encountours are structured and run over a minimum of three nights and set. Encountours are offered at different venues, each chosen for the unique atmosphere and attentive service.
Please contact us for updated encountour diary.
Contact
| Address | Dolphin House in the Village Square - Ponto do Oura | |
| Contact | Angie Gullan | |
| Telephone Moz | +258 84 330 3859 | |
| This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | ||
| Website | ||
Gallery
Rates & Dates
ENCOUNTOUR SWIM WITH PROGRAM
Tours offer a four day journey with the wild dolphins of Ponta, specially designed for in-water observations. The program is structured and guided by DolphinCareAfrica’s on-site biologist Diana Rocha and program founder Angie Gullan. Programs include pre-training with snorkeling & swim code of conduct, interesting conservation & research based presentations, tribe t-shirt, images downloads, membership to DCA & daily encounters with the dolphins. Programs include three nights lodging in Ponta and most meals depending on venue and set dates are available to meet the minimum launching requirement of four. A self lodging option is available.
Three nights bed and brunch & two dinners @ R3340 Olar * high season rates apply
Three nights bed only self catering venue @ R2400 @ Planet Scuba
EnCOuntour only - self lodging @ R1500
*R3510 from Sept 1.
SURFARI PACKAGES
Surfari sessions include an interesting and informative educational pre-launch briefing followed by ~90mins boat trip to observe marine mammals (with hope of swimming with the dolphins of Ponta), whale-sharks and snorkel over shallow reef (subject to conditions & season).
Four nights bed & brunch & two surfari sessions R2000
Four nights bed & two surfari sessions R1920
Casual surfari self lodging @ R300 p/p
Casual 3 surfari self lodging winter special @ R800 p/p
VOLUNTOUR PACKAGE from R9000 one month
An extended stay with the dolphins while getting involved behind the scenes with various projects undertaken through DolphinCareAfrica. One can expect to have regular interactions with the wild dolphins of ponta throughout the month, assist with the photo id project amongst other research and conservation based activities. Programs include lodging, basic meals, field trips & supervision. Ideal sabbatical retreat, gap year getaway, photographic & knowledge based holiday.
Thirty nights uncatered R9000
Thirty nights full board R11 500
ENCOUNTOUR DATES (limited to 12)
*Long weekends are NOT conducive to good encounters due to increased tourism pressure on our dolfriends. Please try and book out of these peak long weekend dates. We understand that sometimes it is not possible however must stress its not called silly season for nothing:-)
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upcoming encountours 2010 |
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04 to 07 July @ R3850 07 to 10 July @ R3850 11 to 14 July @ R3850 18 to 21 July @ R3340 21 to 24 July @ R3340 |
03 to 07 October @ R4240 10 to 13 October @ R3510 13 to 17 October holistic retreat 20 to 23 October holistic retreat 24 to 28 October @ R4500 |
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01 to 04 Aug @ R3340 05 to 08 Aug @ R3850 08 to 11 Aug @ R3850 25 to 28 Aug @ R3340 |
31 to 03 November @ R3510 07 to 10 November @ R3510 17 to 20 November @ R3510 |
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01 to 04 Sept @ R3510 08 to 11 Sept @ R3510 15 to 18 Sept IBCU weekend TBC* 26 to 30 Sept @ R4240 * International Beach Clean-Up - all hands needed! |
05 to 09 December @ R4500 12 to 15 December @ R4240 19 to 23 December @ R4500 23 to 27 December @ R4500 29 to 02 Jan @ R4500 or four night d/b/b and two dolphin surfari’s - R3440 |
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encountours 2012 |
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04 to 08 January @ R4500 09 to 12 January @ R3850 16 to 20 January @ R4240 02 to 05 February @ R3510 06 to 09 February @ R3510 13 to 16 February @ R3510 16 to 20 February @ R4240 20 to 23 February @ R3510 12 to 15 March @ R3510 18 to 21 March @ R3850 21 to 24 March @ R3850 26 to 29 March @R3850 |
02 to 05 April TBC 06 to 11 April * TBC 16 to 19 April TBC 18 to 21 April TBC 23 to 26 April TBC 27 to 02 May * TBC 21 to 24 May TBC 28 to 31 May TBC |
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