Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Mozambique/Maputo Elephant Reserve - Anyone been here before who would like to share some info?

Info I am looking for:

best routes to get there?
rates?
camping facilities available or self sufficient bush camping?

Fanus vra op moz info daar is baie mense wat daar kan help . Ek was al daar baie bebos gewees maar mooi

Fanus - If you see an elephant here you do not drive closer for a better view. You U turn and get the F$%k out of there. They have been poached for years and hate humans.

The local signs are warning signs showing them flipping cars.

If you still want to go I will post the details.

On the South African side Tembe is a much better bet. Stay at Utshwayelo in Kosi Bay and go to Tembe for the day. Supposedly the biggest elephants on the planet - You will see plenty and they are even calmer than Kruger's.

You can then also spend a day at Ndumo, visit Kosi Lakes, snorkel the reef in the estuary, do a turtle tour etc etc. We normally spend a day in Tembe if we are at Kosi and the weather is too bad to fish etc.

Can you camp at Tembe?

No camping at Tembe. Only an expensive lodge.

You can do the whole reserve in a day though and the best place to stay would be Utshwayelo (Google it) at Kosi Bay for a couple of days and do the other attractions as well.

If you want you could also do a day trip to the Maputoland park from Utshwayelo as it is right next to the border.

The other option is to camp at Ndumo which is the reserve next to Tembe and a couple of minutes drive.

You can check all the details for both reserves on the KZN Wildlife website.

Back to elephant reserve: i have heard about the aggresive elephants. I am however more interrested in the bush and bushcamping, 4x4 driving etc, than watching elephants.

There was no official camping in the reserve when I was last there and I would imagine that bush camping is not allowed. You could camp at Ponta do Oura or Ponta Malongane. Ponta Mamoli and Santa Maria (Hell's Gate) have no camping.

For what you are looking for Ponta Milibangalala campsite would probably be best.

All of the above are best out of school holidays and the road through the park and to Maputo can get very very interesting during and after heavy rains. Most would say that doing it as a single vehicle is not an option but you have a Patrol so WTF.

" All of the above are best out of school holidays and the road through the park and to Maputo can get very very interesting during and after heavy rains. Most would say that doing it as a single vehicle is not an option but you have a Patrol so WTF"

Yeah.... that road can be quite a load of fun... good and bad. I have traveled this road about 6 times over the years by ourselves, and either ( from Ponta du Oura ) taken the road to the right to catch the rusty but great experience ferry across the Maputo harbour mouth, or to the left up towards Matola and out at Komatipoort. If you have patience and are willing to risk some serious pot holes, then it is a great drive, especially if you go catch the ferry into Maputo town.

The road to the left that takes you up to Matola has a detour ( it may be finished now.... not sure ) where an old bridge was either destroyed or broken up to make way for a new bridge made us have to back track to find another route around, but with a good GPS system, there should be no problem.

Ideally travelling in 2 vehicles would be the best bet for sure.