Immigration officials at the Lebombo border post say it is safe for South Africans to travel to Mozambique.

It follows reports that Mozambicans have warned they’ll take revenge on South African tourists and businessmen, for attacks on their countrymen in xenophobic violence.

The border post coordinator Henson Msongweni says the situation in Mozambique is very calm and quiet so people are free to go in and out.

Maputo, Mozambique, 29 May – Mozambique’s tourism minister, Fernando Sumbana, said Wednesday in Maputo that in 2007 the tourism sector in the country had attracted investment of around US$900 million.

In 2006 the sector saw investments of some US$600 million.

The tourism sector, according to the minister, is developing in a satisfactory way after seeing a recession during the civil war due to destruction of the country’s infrastructure.

O sector is now witnessing high levels of investment based on Mozambnique taking advantage of the Soccer World Cup taking place in South Africa.

Mozambique is expecetd to be visited by around 100,000 tourists during the World Cup and see revenues of some US$500 million.

The tourism sector posted revenues of US$280 million in 2007, as compared to US$163 million in 2006.

Currently some refurbishment and construction of airports is underway in some areas of Mozambique.

Mozambique and the World Bank’s lending arm, the International Finance Corporation, recently signed a U$3.1 billion deal for tourism projects along the southern African state’s 2,500 km (1,553 miles) coastline.

In a bid to give boost to the lucrative tourism industry in the African continent, South African Tourism along with the tourism boards of other countries in the Southern region of Africa are working at creating a ‘Uni Visa’ or Universal Visa for inbound tourists to countries in the region. This Universal Visa will enable them to gain access to countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania and Mozambique. It is being developed with the objective of breaking barriers between the nations in the Southern African region to promote tourism. The `Uni Visa,’ is expected to be in place by 2009.

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Rani Resorts owns Pemba Beach Resort, Indigo Bay Island Resort, Matemo Island Resort, Medjumbe Island Resort and Lugenda Bush Camp. Rani Resorts has perfected the talent of indulging guests in exotic and unspoiled locations in southern Africa. Rani embraces some of the area’s most stunning destinations – the jewel-like Bazaruto Island and Quirimbas Archipelagos, historical Pemba and the untouched wilderness of Niassa Game Reserve.Erectile Dysfunction, comprare kamagra online,

Each exclusive Rani property has been designed to world-class standards, each one reflecting the natural beauty of its surrounds. Their portfolio of well known properties includes island retreats off the coast of Mozambique, private game reserves on the African mainland and a resort on the Mozambican coast.
Holiday in Mozambique

Tofo is a small town with only a couple roads – it’s popular with South Africa holidaymakers, so there are a few dive schools here, a couple of hostels and resorts and a small market selling numerous tourist trinkets.
I decided to stay at Bamboozi, a very basic, backpackers place a few kilometres out of town and for the next week the most difficult decision I faced each day was whether to have dinner in the bar at the hostel or walk 10 minutes along the beach to Dino’s, the other restaurant.

General Management: Azura is delighted to announce the appointment of highly qualified management couple Jean-Francois and Nicola Crinquand who will start at the end of May. Jean-Francois is Relaix and Chateaux Hotel Management trained, the couple have significant overseas experience in managing luxury boutique hotels in remote island locations in the Caribbean, as well as in Africa and Europe. Most recently they launched and managed the exclusive 5 star luxury Jade Mountain in St Lucia, and also managed its sister property at Anse Chastanet (Conde Nast Traveller reader awards 2007, TOP 25 HOTELS, The Americas & the Caribbean).
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All would-be travellers to Mozambique are advised to read Justin Fox’s book “With Both Hands Waving” (Kwela books 2002).  Apart from many useful observations about how, and how not to travel in Mozambique, the book includes copious historical notes.  At the time that journey was done the smart tar road running west of Gorongoza crater had not been completed. 

Driving is on the left (except when dodging potholes). 

R1,00 = MTN3,10.  The standard note is MTN100 = R32 (about).  Most tourist prices are quoted in US dollars ($1,00=MTN25), to which the metacal is linked.

THE MAPUTO ROUTE: On our first visit in 2003 we decided to avoid border posts and travel from Johannesburg through Komatipoort and Maputo and then the long 2500 kilometer potholed road North.  4-wheel drive is quite unnecessary, but the potholes smashed our front shock absorbers.  The road is still not too good, but at least the terrible 100 kilometers between Rio Save and Nchope has been fixed.

THE ZIMBABWE ROUTE:

Zimbabwe road vista

The best and shortest road is the 600 kilometers through Zimbabwe via Masvinga to Forbes Post at Mutare; then down the Beira corridor through Chimoio, turn left at Nchope and then on to the new 300 km Gorongosa tar road to the Zambesi ferry at Caia.  Transit visitors to Zimbabwe may carry extra fuel which has been declared. In 2007 we experienced numerous unpleasant road blocks in Zimbabwe.  The latest unsettled election results can only make matters worse.  So, sad  to say, the Zimbabwe route should be avoided until things become stable again.

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MOZAMBIQUE

With so much hot air in the world of responsible tourism, it is a huge relief to be genuinely impressed by Nkwichi Lodge on the shores of Lake Niassa (Lake Malawi) in Mozambique.

First, the lodge itself: seven stunning thatch, wood and stone chalets hidden beneath the tree line, designed to be removed without leaving a trace; dinner under baobabs that have stood firm through 40 years of civil war and for 2,000 years before that; showers under the African sky; tiny coves of empty white sand along a freshwater lake famed for its snorkelling; and genuine peace in one of the remotest parts of Africa.

There are other places, perhaps, whose brochures could paint such a dreamy picture, but pitifully few that are so closely linked to the development of their local communities. Funding from the lodge has contributed to the neighboring Manda Wilderness Project, which — with the support and help of the local community — is turning 100,000ha of lakeside Mozambique into a community-owned conservation area.

Where decades of war and grinding poverty have destroyed the local ecosystem, tourism is now reason enough to nurture the area back to its prewar status as one of East Africa’s most ecologically abundant wilderness areas.

With support and funding from the lodge, a clinic and six primary schools have been built, basic medical training provided, and an agriculture project established to train 60 farmers in more sustainable methods of farming. Those farmers now provide fruit and vegetables for the lodge’s kitchen. The community seems to determine exactly which projects happen, and the support of the lodge — among others — makes much of it possible. An impressive partnership, but one you cannot visit without flying.

Details: www.mandawilderness.org

Nominated for Times Newspaper Green Spaces Travel Award by Alexia Woolsey, London