Planned holiday to Mozambique or Namibia
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:20 pm
Hows it everybody
I'm about to start planning my holiday for next year around about April/May. I am considering 2 options:
1. Mozambique - I have been to Mozambique about 12 years back. It was only a visit for three days and only went as far as Praia do Bileni which was very nice. The thing that most frustrated me was all the road blocks. It seemed as though each and every traffic cop wanted to extract some sort of "payment" (read bribe) from you even though all the rules of the road were being obeyed. I felt unwelcome and claustrophobic and in fact couldn't wait to get out of the country. I felt that I would never consider returning for a holiday there again. But as I said that was a while ago and things may have changed (for the better!). Then a couple of weeks ago I read in some or other magazine about a family who were on holiday there and almost ended up in gaol because their son who has a valid RSA learners licence was stopped while driving (Learners licences don't apparently count in Moz). It cost them a small "fortune" (read bribe) to bail them out of this situation. This leads me to think that things have not changed and a holiday there will be a most unpleasant experience. Can anyone offer an honest assessment of the situation there as far as this point is concerned. I would hate to spend 6-7 weeks under such circumstances.
2. The second prospect is a trip through Botswana, Caprivi, Kaokoland, Skeleton Coast, Richtersveld, West Coast to Cape Town and then back home along the garden route. Now I have been to Nabia on a few occasions but not to these specific areas (Ruacana, Epupa falls, van Zyls pass, Sesfontein, Torra bay etc) and I have found the people very friendly and of course
the language can be better understood (Afrikaans as opposed to Porragees)
I am sure that there are both positives and negatives in both planned trips but somehow the Namibia option looks better. Please any suggestions and advise will be appreciated.
I'm about to start planning my holiday for next year around about April/May. I am considering 2 options:
1. Mozambique - I have been to Mozambique about 12 years back. It was only a visit for three days and only went as far as Praia do Bileni which was very nice. The thing that most frustrated me was all the road blocks. It seemed as though each and every traffic cop wanted to extract some sort of "payment" (read bribe) from you even though all the rules of the road were being obeyed. I felt unwelcome and claustrophobic and in fact couldn't wait to get out of the country. I felt that I would never consider returning for a holiday there again. But as I said that was a while ago and things may have changed (for the better!). Then a couple of weeks ago I read in some or other magazine about a family who were on holiday there and almost ended up in gaol because their son who has a valid RSA learners licence was stopped while driving (Learners licences don't apparently count in Moz). It cost them a small "fortune" (read bribe) to bail them out of this situation. This leads me to think that things have not changed and a holiday there will be a most unpleasant experience. Can anyone offer an honest assessment of the situation there as far as this point is concerned. I would hate to spend 6-7 weeks under such circumstances.
2. The second prospect is a trip through Botswana, Caprivi, Kaokoland, Skeleton Coast, Richtersveld, West Coast to Cape Town and then back home along the garden route. Now I have been to Nabia on a few occasions but not to these specific areas (Ruacana, Epupa falls, van Zyls pass, Sesfontein, Torra bay etc) and I have found the people very friendly and of course
the language can be better understood (Afrikaans as opposed to Porragees)
I am sure that there are both positives and negatives in both planned trips but somehow the Namibia option looks better. Please any suggestions and advise will be appreciated.