Flying Adventure: Indian Ocean Coast – Day 4 (FQIN – FQVL):

It is day 4 on our tour and we decide to move onwards to Vilanculos and the Bazaruto archipelago. Vilanculos is about an hour flight further up north the coast from Inhambane.

As the weather forecast predicts uncertain weather for the coming days, we opted for Vilanculos, where we can refuel the aircraft and would also have the option to clear the border and fly back to South Africa.

But today is a beautiful clear day and we are looking forward to another scenic coastal flight.

Inhambane to Vilanculos

If you plan a trip to Inhambane, he would suggest that you avoid arrivals or departures on a weekend. The airport surcharges for a weekend service are a bit stiff. Do yourself a favor and avoid them.

Otherwise it is a swift process at the airfield and to get airborne. We remain again low level over the lagoon at Inhambane and then route along the coast to the Pomene National Park. It is a spectacular scenery.

From Pomene we route to the Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary and then approach Vilanculos airport.
The airfield is pretty busy this time of the year. But we are lucky to get a parking spot allocated on the main apron and do not have to carry our bags across half the airport.

Fellow readers know from previous posts that, it is his standard procedure to first stop at the Check In pub outside the terminal building when coming to Vilanculos. Needless to say then, that Check In is our first stop from where we arrange a transport to our lodge.

Vilanculos and Bazaruto Island

It does not take long until our shuttle arrives and takes as to the Bahia Mar lodge where we check in for the next 3 nights. Bahia Mar is a stunning place, with beautiful sea view rooms and direct access to the Vilanculos main beach. A brilliant place to spend a few days and explore Vilanculos and its surroundings.

We spend day 5 in Vilanculos and chill out at the many laid back places along the main beach and enjoying some delicious fresh seafood. He loves his thick cut rare steaks, but when you are sitting right at the beach where fishermen bring in their fresh catch, he prefers that fresh catch over an imported frozen piece of beef.

For day 6 we arrange a day trip out to the Bazaruto archipelago to explore the islands and snorkeling along the coral reef. The coral reefs are some of the least disturbed in this part of the Indian Ocean and snorkeling through them is truly stunning.

From Vilanculos main beach it takes about 45 minutes by speed boat to reach Bazaruto island. The archipelago consists of the main islands Magaruque, Benguerra and Bazaruto, which is the largest, and the Paradise, Banque and Pansy Shell islands. Together they form the Bazaruto National Park. The park provides amongst other species protection to the last population of Dugongs in the Western Indian Ocean. Unfortunately he has not spotted one yet.

Vilanculos to Nelspruit

The weather forecast for the next days does not look very promising for most of the southern Mozambique coast. We therefore decide to fly back to South Africa on day 7. Time to explore some of the Indian Ocean coastline in South Africa.

Vilanculos is a very convenient airport for immigration formalities. We get there just before noon and paperwork is sorted out quickly and smoothly. Within less than an hour from arrival we are airborne and on our way.

The interior towards the Kruger National Part is just flat open space. Not the most exciting for a relatively longer flight. The cloud ceiling is just at our flight level to safely clear the mountains into South Africa with some isolated rain cells along the route.

We arrive at Kruger International in the mid afternoon, refuel and clear through South African immigration. Being the only flight on ground, this is also a quick and simple process.

The leg from Kruger to Durban Virginia is another 3 hours flight. For today we are a bit late for that and do not feel like getting into a rush. We therefore book a room at the Southern Sun Emnotweni, which is conveniently located, close to the airport as well as some restaurants and pubs.
This is one of the advantages of an unplanned tour. One can take it as it comes without the pressure to be at a certain place and time. How holidays should be.