Ponta do Ouro Accommodation.

The Ponta do Ouro Accommodation is best accessed through the Kosi Bay border. The border is approximately 630kms from Jo’burg and 460kms from Durban and is open 7 days a week (08h00 to 17h00). Between the border and the hotel a 4x4 vehicle is required due to the soft sandy roads. Should you not have one; a border transfer can be arranged. Your vehicle can be left at the parking lot just before the border at a charge of R30.00 per day. The parking lot is privately run and secure.

Please allow ample travelling time to get to the Border before it closes as road conditions aren't always good and can slow journey time down considerably. There are often potholes, lots of trucks and also cattle in the road. Recommended travel time from Jo'burg to the Border is 7 - 8 hours HOWEVER... with the current road works the journey can easily take 9 hours and worst case scenario up to 10 hours. These road works have been around for a good few years and will still be a factor for some time so please do take note of travel time.

Should you be coming from Maputo it is a 100km journey from Catembe and takes approximately 3 hours depending on the road condition. It is a sand track and can get very wet in rainy season. From Maputo a ferry can be taken across to Catembe (it takes cars and people).

At the border post you will need:

• 3rd party insurance, plus temporary import duty of R150.00 for your vehicle.
• Temporary import license should you be towing a boat/trailer/wet bike etc. This will be in the region of R80.00.
• Car registration papers. If you do not have these, any document that proves your ownership of the vehicle you are driving will suffice. E.g Licence disc document
• A letter of permission from your vehicle insurance company stating that you may take your car into Mozambique and will still remain covered whilst there.
• A visa (Please check with the Mozambican embassy whether your nationality requires a visa). South African Passport holders DO NOT require visas. If you do not have time to apply for a visa before your trip you can buy one at the Kozi Bay border at a cost of R750.00. Please note that this is at their sole discretion.
• Please make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Mozambique.
• Visitors are exempt from paying import duty on personal effects, sporting and recreational equipment and food and consumables as follows: 2.25 litres wine, 1 litre spirits, 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250 ml eau de toilette, 50 ml perfume.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Ponta do Ouro is classified as a low risk malaria area - please speak to your GP regarding the necessity of precautionary medication. You will need to pack mosquito deterrents such as Tabard, Peaceful Sleep, Doom coils etc.
• Although it is possible to buy basic groceries in Ponta do Ouro it is advisable to take your own meat from home as well as any luxury food items you may need.  There is a liquor store and water, juices and soda drinks can be bought in town.
• The local market sells basic fruit, vegetables, dry groceries, peri-peri sauce and bread.
• The water in Ponta do Ouro is not fit for drinking and can at times have a brownish colour and rusty smell. This water is fine for showering etc but bottled water should be used for drinking.
• There is a curio market that sells lovely handmade products. Please be aware that the SA government  prohibits wooden items to be transported across the border and so goods are often confiscated at the border post.
• Other items that may be confiscated at the border when returning to SA are: Fruit, vegetables, meat and fish.
• South African Rands, Mozambican Meticais and US Dollars are accepted in town. Credit cards are widely accepted however there are often problems with Mastercards. VISA cards are preferred. There is a bank in town square with an ATM.

It is compulsory for any South African vehicle, caravan or trailer to have a ZA sign displayed when it crosses any of the borders. The ZA sign must be placed on the rear of each vehicle, caravan and trailer in a visible position and may not be within 150mm of the rear number plate.

When travelling in Mozambique with a vehicle in tow, you are required to display a set of blue & yellow warning triangles. One triangle must be placed on the front right bumper of the vehicle and the other on the rear of the vehicle towed.

When travelling with any South African registered vehicle in Mozambique you will need to have a set of red warning triangles in your possession.

Regulations as follows:

• Each side of your triangle must be 500mm long and 50mm wide, with a thickness of roughly 5mm.
• The triangle must be uniformly-covered in red reflective material.
• The back of the triangle must either be uniformly white, or have a 5mm-wide white border.
• The edge of the triangle must be yellow.
• The reflective surfaces must be well-maintained.
• The triangle must be visible from at least 100m in the presence of light.

It is now compulsory for motorists to carry the reflective jackets when travelling to Mozambique. Your reflective vest must be made from polyester and it must be closable at the front and adjustable on all sides. The vest must be equipped with polyvinyl reflective strips, no less than 400mm wide, in yellow or green on the front, to the sides, and on the back of the vest. The vest must be worn when at the scene of a car accident, when repairing your vehicle on the side of the road, and when reloading cargo that has fallen from your vehicle on to the road.

• Things to do in the area:
• Diving (which, of course, is what Ponta do Ouro is known for).
• 4X4 Scenic Route - go for a drive through the dense pristine dune forest, enjoying the bird life, on soft sand tracks - don't underestimate the challenges that this route offers you.
• A walk along the beach might bring you face to face with a turtle laying her eggs (from October - December).
• Dolphin or Whale Shark search - once found you will be able to swim with these magnificent creatures.
• Maputo Elephant Reserve is some 50km north of Ponta Do Ouro - the Elephants are very shy. There are also Duiker and other small antelope.
• Deep sea fishing - catch the big one. Use your own boat or make use of a fishing charter. Get your license from the maritime office in town.
• Enjoy a tasty meal at one of Ponta’s restaurants or watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand. Please remember that most resorts and restaurants do accept credit cards (unless they are offline) but it is still recommended that you take a sufficient amount of cash along. There is a bank in Ponta do Ouro (BCI Fomento). Rands and Meticais are accepted at all establishments in Ponta do Ouro.
• Come and enjoy our beaches, where you can have "fun in the sun" in uncrowded,
  unspoilt surroundings… all year round!
• *Southern Mozambique is considered a low risk malaria area – please consult your GP for advice on precautionary medication.