Maputaland Amble

Stats: 15km, Ride time 2 hrs, Overall time 3 hrs

All members of the group will meet the Detour crew at the SA/Mozambique Border (Farazella) by midday, clear the border into Mozambique and acquaint themselves with Fat Bikes. (The various travel options are detailed below)

This is the first taste of sand riding for many as the group rides the sandy tracks from the border towards the resort towns of Ponta do Ouro and Ponta Malongane.

This will be a slow amble to get into the swing of things and is sure to include a shebeen stop for the first of many 2M beers.

Once settled in to the Tartaruga Resort, most will take a quick dash to the beach before briefing over a 2M beer. Dinner (own account) is in a Malongane restaurant to enable all to get the exotic feel of the area.

Stats: 40 km, Ride time 4 hrs, Total time 5-6 hrs

In order to catch the best of the low tide, we’ll have an early breakfast and head north up the beach away from the resort of Malongane, so the further north we head, the fewer people we will share the beach with until it is just the group of riders and virgin Africa beaches.

In keeping with the recreational ride plan, we will stop to swim and snorkel when we see a nice bay or pool and enjoy the abundant sea life. While most rides are in winter, those who brave the heat in summer and get the timing right will see nesting turtles (October, November), their nests and if we are lucky, signs of hatchlings (January, February).

While the full ride is some 20km up the beach to Miguel’s ‘Mansion’, there is an option of a shorter ride turning inland at Coral Bay for an inland amble on sandy tracks through coastal forest and past inland lakes back to Tartaruga.

The energetic will ride to Miguel’s, leave the beach into coastal forest and join the sandy tracks for an extended inland ride back to Tartaruga in time for a late lunch.

Relaxing on the beach, going for a surf or fishing will probably be the most popular afternoon activity, but there are sure to be some takers for drinks on the deck overlooking the ocean.

Dinner will be a traditional Mozambican Peri Peri Chicken to top off a great day of beach riding.

Stats: 10 km, Ride time 1 hr, Total time 2 hrs

In keeping with the adventurous spirit of active leisure tours such as this, a Dolphin experience is one of the highlights. Having downed a quick cup of coffee the group will make their way to the beach to board a huge rubber duck and head out looking for pods of dolphin.

There is an 85% chance of sighting these magnificent creatures with most of the pods quite happy to interact with snorkelers. There is a wide range of dolphin reaction to humans from ignoring us through to definite interaction which is an unforgettable experience.

On return to the beach, there is opportunity for anyone interested to amble through Malongane to experience the eclectic mix of cultures, shops, curios, restaurants, etc., ideal for each to choose a spot for brunch/lunch (own account).

Around sunset, those who are keen take the Fat Bikes to the beach for a sundowner ride followed by yet another traditional Mozambican dinner, but this time all from the ocean.

Stats: 15 km, Ride time 2 hrs, Total time 3 hrs

We’ll reluctantly pack up after breakfast and head to the beach for the last time as we set off on a short ride to the SA border on the beach returning to Ponta do Ouro exposing all riders to the final bit of coastline in the area.

The ride will finish at the Ponta do Ouro Beach Bar where we’ll have a celebratory lunch (own account) and 2M or two before a quick shower and boarding the local taxi transfer back to the formal border and heading back home.