Casa Malcampo - Golfinho Tofo Mozambique

One of our smaller but equally inviting house, Casa de Golfinho, offers alternative accommodation. Casa De Malcampo is the ideal vacation destination if you appreciate the outdoors. This slice of paradise offers great beaches, surfing, fishing and diving all on your doorstep.

Email for Reservations: book@go.mozbookings.com

Casa Malcampo is situated in the idyllic Tofino, a picture perfect village on the temperate Indian Ocean with average water temperatures of 24C. Nearby Inhambane (10km East) offers lively street cafes, rich Mozambique culture, vivid markets and local fishing boats or dhows, which sell catches of fresh seafood up and down the shore.

Accommodation consists of three newly completed, light and airy beach houses. All with uninterrupted views of the sea, the famous Whaleshark Point, Tofo and Tofino Beach.

The area is one of the more established resorts in the Inhambane region of Mozambique. A combination of pristine swimming beaches and reefs that boast abundant sea-life (including the celebrated whale shark and manta ray) make it appealing to tanners and scuba divers alike. Tofo Beach has also become a favourite destination for surfers traveling to Mozambique.

Accommodation at Casa Malcampo - Golfinho, Tofo

One of our smaller but equally inviting house, Casa de Golfinho, offers alternative accommodation. Casa De Malcampo is the ideal vacation destination if you appreciate the outdoors. This slice of paradise offers great beaches, surfing, fishing and diving all on your doorstep.

Similar layout as the other houses provide three restful double-rooms and a comfortable dorm-style room with four single beds. Amenities consist of a luxurious interior bathroom and convenient outside shower and toilet. These elegant designs have an open-plan living area that extends out onto a timber deck, with an oversized wooden dining table. The sea views for which the property is renowned can be enjoyed from this and the above deck.

Facilities and Services
• Fully equipped kitchens and outside braai areas.
• Linen and bath towels provided (no beach towels)
• Each bed has a mosquito net.
• Serviced on a daily basis and personal laundry can be done at an additional cost.
• Three quad bikes that can be rented by prior arrangement. (perfect form of transport for the area)
• Can arrange for collections and drop off's at Inhambane Airport.

You don’t need a 4x4 to travel to Inhambane or Casa de Malcampo, you can reach it with a normal sedan vehicle. From Johannesburg to Tofo, an overnight stop in Maputo is recommended.

ACTIVITIES
Diving
One of Mozambique’s primary attractions is scuba diving. Tofo has 20 reefs in close proximity from which to choose, some of the more popular are Arena, Oasis and Manta Reef. In addition to seeing the diverse array of tropical fish, rays, eels, turtles and colourful coral; you stand a high chance of encountering a Whale Shark. At 12 metres, the Whale Shark is the biggest fish in the world and the pride of Mozambique’s waters. A gentle character and the fact that they live close to the surface, allows a safe approach by divers – ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Surfing
The Inhambane coastline has all the makings of a world-class surf-spot; an ideal mix of warm water, consistent swells, sandy headlands, reefs and often the only competition for wave breaks is dolphins.

There are a wide variety of spots in the vicinity, with the sand point at Tofo beach point being perfect for beginners and long-boarders. Neighbouring Coconut Bay features a splitting peak in the shore break. Southern Quissico has a hollow reef break with relatively difficult access.

Jangamo Beach (also called Guinjata Bay) has a crescent-shaped cove with a reef that can create right-handers that peel all the way to the shore. The waves around the corner at Tofinho draw the serious surfers, where a shallow reef ledge offers advanced surfers the ride of a lifetime. Surfing lessons are available in Tofo.

Whale Sharks in Mozambique
The whale shark is the biggest fish in the world; fully grown, it easily reaches 12 meters from head to toe. Despite its size, the whale shark is completely harmless, as this 14 tons giant feeds on plankton only.

They occupy the upper layers of tropical and sub-tropical waters. Without any motion, the current takes them adrift just beneath the surface, mouth wide open. Their enormous gills filter the plankton out of the water and any waste is disposed off by little parasite fish.

Their size, gentle character and the fact that they live close to the surface, allows a safe approach by humans. This experience, should you be one of the lucky ones with a mark on the 'been-there-done-it- list', is guaranteed never to be forgotten.

Mozambique is fortunate with its great numbers of whale sharks passing its waters annually. They are commonly known to be summer visitors. Numbers up to 25 are possible during boat trips, and in winter, April till November, chances of an encounter are considerable. In the winter of 2003, off the coast of Tofo, which is the place to spot whale sharks and manta's, at least one was spotted every single day. An incredible score. The biggest group noted in that season, 15 whale sharks at Tofinho Point just outside Tofo, were feeding on large quantities of plankton and stayed around for at least three hours.

Dining Out
Inhambane, which is a short drive up the coast, has a variety of street cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy lunch or dinner. Cuisine takes inspiration from the country’s Portuguese colonial past with plenty of fresh seafood and peri-peri – be sure to try the Mozambique-style spicy prawns! The vibrant little town also offers some simple but excellent shopping.

Fishing
Fishing enthusiasts may hire a boat and guide in Tofo village and pit their skills against the array of indigenous Mozambique sea-life. For the unsuccessful, local fishermen sell fresh seafood on the shore everyday.

Other
Other activities include spear fishing, horse riding on the beach, quad bike trails, sunset dhow sailing, lighthouse snorkeling and much more!

TOFINHO AND SURROUNDINGS
The charming village of Tofinho has a laid-back atmosphere and a reputation as a meeting place for relaxed travelers. A short distance away, Inhambane is a world heritage site, on the ocean side of the peninsula, distinguished by its colonial Portuguese architecture and splendid natural setting.

Tofo is an original fishing village, with locals still living the traditional way. Leggy chickens, pots balancing on hot coals, women with jars on their heads and hoards of excitable children; Tofo’s central craft market is worth a visit, and, if you haven’t mastered Portuguese, gestures and a smile works well for bartering.

Tofo has many smaller settlements dotted around with lots to explore. Ingenious indigenous buildings are constructed mostly out of palm. If offered, take the opportunity to try heady palm wine. Mozambicans are welcoming people who delight in sharing their way of life, from mat weaving to chopping open a coconut with a machete and sipping the sweet milk.

Tofinho is, apart from the great diving, a cozy village with a lovely atmosphere and it is rapidly developing into a meeting place for relaxed travelers. It's situated 20km from Inhambane, a world heritage site, on the ocean side of the peninsula. Tofo is originally a fishing village, its population still living in traditional manner. Go for a walk on the beach and check how fishermen bring in their catch of the day. Little settlements scatter around Tofo, all produced out of anything a palm tree has to offer. Given the opportunity, you must definitely try the local drink palm wine, produced from palm trees. As you explore the area, locals will welcome you and show you how they make mats from leaves, how to chop a coconut with a machete and how to grow cassava on sandy soil.

Scurrying chickens, pots on hot coals, women with jars on their heads and lots of kids; with no running water, electricity and sanitation most Mozambicans lead a simple life. In the centre of Tofo is a craft market and a few stalls that pass for the local super market. Unless you master Portuguese, all negotiations will have to be with hands and feet, though English is moving in rapidly nowadays.

As Tofo is becoming more popular, more restaurants and beach bars arise and more activities are offered. You can now go out deep sea fishing, take surfing lessons and race the beach on horse back. Excursions to Barra Point as well as Inhambane are worth while.

About Mozambique and it's People
Mozambique's major ethnic groups encompass numerous subgroups with diverse languages, dialects, cultures, and histories. Many are linked to similar ethnic groups living in neighboring countries. The north-central provinces of Zambezia and Nampula are the most populous, with about 45% of the population. The estimated 4 million Makua are the dominant group in the northern part of the country--the Sena and Ndau are prominent in the Zambezi valley, and the Tsonga and Shangaan dominate in southern Mozambique.

Despite the influence of Islamic coastal traders and European colonizers, the people of Mozambique have largely retained an indigenous culture based on small-scale agriculture. Mozambique's most highly developed art forms have been wood sculpture, for which the Makonde in northern Mozambique are particularly renowned, and dance. The middle and upper classes continue to be heavily influenced by the Portuguese colonial and linguistic heritage.

Under the colonial regime, educational opportunities for black Mozambicans were limited, and 93% of that population was illiterate. In fact, most of today's political leaders were educated in missionary schools. After independence, the government placed a high priority on expanding education, which reduced the illiteracy rate to about two-thirds as primary school enrollment increased.

Mozambique Passport & Visa Requirements
• South Africans must have a valid passport, but a visa is not required for a stay of up to 30 days.
• United States passport holders require a valid passport and a visa.
• British passport holders require a valid passport and a visa.
• Canadian passport holders require a valid passport and a visa.
• Australian passport holders require a valid passport and a visa.
• New Zealand nationals require a valid passport and a visa.
• Irish nationals require a valid passport and a visa.

Passport/Visa Note:
If coming for business or touristic purposes, a visa can be obtained on arrival valid for a maximum of 30 days, however it is strongly recommended that visitors apply for visas in advance due to frequent problems with the visa service on arrival. Visitors must have all tickets and documents necessary for return or onward journeys, as well as sufficient funds for their duration of stay. Any visitor who has been to a country where yellow fever exists must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival, or face vaccination at a cost.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travelers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Health and Medical

Yellow Fever
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.

Malaria
Mozambique Malaria: predominantly due to P. falciparum - exists throughout the year in the whole country. P. falciparum resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine - pyrimethamine reported.
Recommended prophylaxis: mefloquine.

It is recommended that visitors take precautions against typhoid, bilharzia, hepatitis and cholera in particular.
AIDS/HIV is prevalent.

Diseases caused by unsanitary conditions are common throughout the country, and untreated water should be considered unsafe to drink. Hospital facilities are generally poor and outside the major cities of Maputo and Beira medical facilities are limited. Comprehensive medical insurance is essential and it is recommended that visitors carry personal medical supplies with them

How to get there..

Getting To Inhambane - Driving Distances from:
• Johannesburg: 1 050km
• Kruger National Park (Crocodile Bridge Gate): 580km
• Komatipoort Border: 570km
• Maputo: 480km
• Vilanculos: 290km
• Beach (Tofo/Barra): 25km

Follow the N12 through Witbank, Middelburg and Nelspruit to Komatipoort Border. Fill up before border.

The road from the Border to Maputo is excellent. There is a tollgate a little way from the border. SA Rand, US Dollars or Meticais are accepted. Carry straight on until the outskirts of Maputo.

Turn left at EN4 Maputo sign. (Uni Lever and Bell Equipment on left hand side). There is another tollgate. Turn left at exit 81 to Xai-Xai. It’s a good idea to fill up at Xai-Xai from there follow the EN101 to Inhambane.

At the village of Lindela the road forks. Take the right hand fork to Inhambane. As you enter the town you will notice the bay on your left and the hospital and graveyard on your right. Turn right at the 2nd road after the graveyard.

It is a double road and there is a red and cream building (Agricultura) on the corner. Carry straight on until you see a green building (Pastelaria) on your left – turn right. At the stop street turn right and follow signs EN259 Praia da Tofo/Airports.

Please watch out for white stripes painted on Coconut trees before small bridge as these warn you of a bump in the road. Turn right at EN259 sign at Bar Babalaaz and drive towards Tofo. Drive straight until the rock quarry is on your right, and then take the second dirt/sand road to your right and drive for 1km along the coast. Turn right at the Casa Malcampo sign and continue down the road to the last complex on the left.

GPS location S 23°52'13.1" E035°33'07.8"

Flights From Johannesburg:
Flights are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Flights From Maputo:
Flights are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.