Ponto de Oura & Ponto Malengane
Ponto de Oura & Ponto Malengane
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From Johannesburg in South Africa, you should go east towards the N2 highway. Your landmark towns are Ermelo, Pongola and Kosi Bay.
But if you travel from Durban (in SA) then just follow the N2 north - it ends by the SA border to Mozambique.
while driving to Moz, the funniest to me was the fact that the closer you get to Moz, the more rural the areas around you become, and then suddenly about 5 km before you get to the border- like an oasis - there is this ultra luxury air-conditioned clean garage and store! total contrast - but hey - what a blessing.
A visa costs between $8 - 16US - depending on weather you got it from an embassy or at the border.
to get to Mozz, you can use any vehicle, but inside Mozz you need a 4x4. You can park your vehicle next to the border for $2US or $3US per day and catch a lift with the locals for about $8US per person per trip, to your camp/village. The sand is very thick and soft, and difficult to travel on.
Ponto de Oura is a small village, 8km from the SA border. The accom vary from a 3star hotel to fairly comfortable camping facilities.
Ponto Malongane is a smaller village and is about 15km from the SA border. They offer 'luxury' bungalows - and similar camping facilities.
This is still a wild part of Africa.
take closed shoes,OK, so what do you need when you go there?
pillow and sleeping bag.
mozzie stuff
closed shoes and sandals. The first day I was there, I cut my foot, and spent the whole time there with a dirty painful cut - I could never keep it clean - a small plaster was just not good enough. (so take some firstaid kit with you!)
take enough cash: there are no ATM's in Mozz!
In each village there was 1 restaurant in the camping ground. Ponto de Oura has few nice bars/restaurants, and they even have a rather cool club to party at. My best was the attraction - 'Cell phone signal' - at the club.
We often had to climb the hills to try and get a signal for our phones. Finding a signal for your cell phone is part of your daily routine.
Scuba diving is very big over here. The facilites to learn are very good here too.
Accom varies between $12US to $15US pppd.
Food will cost you about $6US pppd.
Travel around the area depends on your own or that of the locals. Busses do not exist.
A word of advice, never wander off the road or walk paths. This country was at war for many years, and the posibility of landmines are still very real. You will notice the local african art is often reflected on the war, as their little statues often have a limb missing.
The wind was best at Ponto Malongane, because it is situated more north than Ponto de Oura. Ponto Malongane is situated in a smaller bay, and thus gets more of the crosshore wind - the North Easter. Knot 8 - 20
I went in June, and we had wind 50% of the time. I cant say the best time, but the worst time to go is in the midst of summer : between November and January. During that time there is no wind, and it is extremely hot and humid.
The water temp. was awesome! I only kited in my short wetsuit, and the waves can get very big.
At some places you cant see the rocks below you, which can be rather dangerous for obvious reasons, but also because the sea earchants on this coastline are deadly. Never go walking on the rocks without your shoes!
There aren't any local riders yet, but Im sure someone will soon become one.
As far as I know, you're lucky to find another kiter there...
No, not that I know of, just beware of the sharks, and keep your eyes open for schools of dolphins.
I did a downwind from Ponto Malongane to Ponto de Oura. The waves were very big, and it was a 6km stretch. I kept on wondering if the black below me were rocks or sharks. It was a great session!
soft sand, loads of space for rigging.