Flying Adventure: Mozambique Zimbabwe – Day 1 (FAWB – FAKN – FQVL):

Time to start our flying adventure to Mozambique and Zimbabwe. We will visit some remote islands along the coast of Northern Mozambique and then some off-the-beaten-track National Parks on the way back to South Africa. Our planned route is outlined below:

Flight from Pretoria to Vilanculo

It’s a chilly morning in Pretoria. Winter is not his favourite season to be in South Africa. But by this afternoon, we should be in much warmer and milder climate. Vilanculo on the Indian Ocean coast is the destination of the day. A well known and convenient entry point into Mozambique.

The weather is cold, but clear. The weather charts show zero clouds along our route and only some scattered clouds as we get closer to the coast. Looks like a great day to go flying.

The winter months have very stable flying conditions over the South African interior. It is often a combination of a stable high pressure system and a temperature inversion. Visibility can however be poor during these months, as smog from fires and other sources of heating and pollution persists in the lower layers of the atmosphere due to the stable airmasses.

As there has been some rain in the recent days, the air is clear and we enjoy beautiful views as we fly out to Kruger Mpumalanga, where we stop for a light breakfast, fuel and immigration.

Our second leg is taking us over the interior of Mozambique direct to Vilanculo on the coast. It’s a fantastic day to fly today and always a stunning scenery when approaching Vilanculo.

There are two reasons, why he prefers Vilanculo as an entry point to Mozambique. Firstly, it’s much more convenient and relaxed to clear customs and immigration compared to other airports such as Maputo. And secondly, there’s the Check-In pub right outside the terminal building to enjoy a cold beer after all formalities are cleared. Needless to say then, that Check-In is our first stop.

Relaxing in Vilanculo

After a few beers at Check-In we transfer to the Vilanculos Beach Lodge, where we will stay for the next two nights. The Beach Lodge is outside of town, but still well within walking distance and as the name implies right on the beach. The chalets are very well maintained and equipped and the service is great. It is definitely a place to return on a future trip.

Day 2 was planned for a trip out to the Bazaruto archipelago. After breakfast as we head out and check for boat operators that was still the plan. But as it was around 10 AM the tide was too low to sail out from the main beach as all boats were grounded. He did not check the tide times the day before. Why would he anyway. He is a pilot not a sailor and there’s no tide in the air.

But we didn’t mind waiting and made ourselves comfortable at one of the beach bars. By the time the tide came back in and a fridge full of beer had been downed, time had also remarkably progressed. Too late for a trip to Bazaruto. Time instead to relocate to another bar further down the beach.

But from both places we had beautiful views on the Bazaruto archipelago and a totally relaxing day at comfortable mild temperatures. That’s how winter is supposed to be.