Mozambique Marine Research & Whale Shark Conservation

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Trip code: MOWS

Adventure 4 out of 5
Relaxation 4 out of 5
Culture 3 out of 5

Trip Highlights

Learn about the amazing marine life of Mozambique
Bag yourself a PADI qualification
Snorkel and scuba whilst conducting your research
Spend your free time exploring the beautiful Mozambique
You may get the chance to work with whale sharks!

Trip Summary

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Into all things marine? Get stuck in on our marine conservation project in Mozambique and get the opportunity to gain a PADI qualification, conduct all important research on the local area, and if you're lucky- the chance to swim with whale sharks too!

On the marine conservation side of the project, you'll be gathering data on the beautiful coral reefs and whale sharks, and to get a closer look, you'll also scuba and snorkel off the coast of Tofo in Mozambique. The concerns of the project do change throughout the year, so check out our itinerary guide to get a closer look of what you'll be up to!

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When do I want to go?

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Dates of Departures	Duration	Price (Land Only)	Trip Status

What will I be doing?

The Project (2 to 12 weeks)
A Typical Day (2 to 12 weeks)
Different Times of Year (2-12 weeks)

The Project: 2 to 12 weeks

Next Leg

Destination info

Mozambique is set on the stunning indian ocean, so if you're looking for crystal clear seas, lovely hot weather and your own slice of paradise, this is the place to come!

The country is relatively undiscovered, so it's not full to the brim with tourists and tacky shops. Mozambique provides an authentic African experience, which is great to experience for yourself when you get some free time away from the project!

Location: Tofo area, Mozambique

If you're into all things marine, biology and sealife (as well as lovin' all things tropical and beach!) then this project is for you! There are so many elements that'll make up your time with us, so prepare yourselves- you're going to have an awesome time!

The whale shark component of the project involves joining boat launches (under the guidance of the project co-ordinator) on ocean safaris to snorkel with the whale sharks. You'll be taking underwater photos and getting stuck in gathering a load of information- including the GPS location, size and sex and an identification of the sharks, which is incredibly valuable in helping aid the survival of the speices.

You'll also help out on other parts of our marine project, which will vary depending on the time of year you choose to depart.

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Previous Leg

A Typical Day: 2 to 12 weeks

Next Leg

Destination info

Mozambique is set on the stunning indian ocean, so if you're looking for crystal clear seas, lovely hot weather and your own slice of paradise, this is the place to come!

Location: Tofo area, Mozambique

Although day to day activities will vary on the project, a typical day in the life of a volunteer working on the project might be:

07:30 – Wake up and have breakfast

08:30 – Data entry of the research from the previous day

10:00 – Walk over to the dive centre and get prepared for a Whale Shark launch. Jump on the boat and head out to sea to find Whale Sharks. On finding a Whale Shark, you'll start to snorkel- whilst gathering info and taking photos of the mammal. Photos enable us to identify individual sharks around the world!

13:00 – Lunch

14:00 – Depending on the time of year, you'll get stuck into your next activity.

15:30 – Work generally ends around 3.30pm, but this is flexible. Sometimes it can be later, sometimes it can be earlier- so be prepared to take everything as it comes!

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Previous Leg

Different Times of Year: 2-12 weeks

Destination info

Mozambique is set on the stunning indian ocean, so if you're looking for crystal clear seas, lovely hot weather and your own slice of paradise, this is the place to come!

Location: Tofo Area

June-August

During this three month period you'll help to monitor the numbers of humpback whales on their seasonal migration up and down the coast. (This involves beach based observation, and keeping your eyes peeled for these stunning mammals!). Although their numbers have increased, these whales are still vulnerable and your work will help provide some key information to help improve the conservation of the humpback in the future.

October-February

Over this period of time, you'll help monitor the progress of loggerhead turtles and in particular their nesting habits. Over the last few years, a large amount of loggerhead, leatherback and hawksbill turtles have nested on our beaches, but their nesting has declined dramatically recently due to poaching. We'll also patrol the beaches at night, and raise awareness by talking to the fisherman in the area.

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Trip Notes Download

To get a detailed PDF of information for this trip including full itinerary, country guides and travel advice on visas, money, insurance and the local weather, download our trip notes. By doing so you’ll also be kept updated on all the latest news, offers and stories on this particular trip. Happy reading!

What's included?

All accommodation
All meals
Pick-up and drop-off at Maputo Airport
PADI Open Water course (or advanced course, or research dives for an equivalent value)
Use of project equipment
Full support of the project coordinator
24-hour support number

What's not included?

All flights
Travel Insurance
Visas
Telephone, internet, extra food and drinks, weekend activities

Additional Information & FAQs

Minimum age

Minimum age of 17 years (with parental/ guardian consent), maximum decided on potential participants health and physical ability.

Accommodation

Volunteers are accommodated in a shared volunteer house. There are dorm style bedrooms, a kitchen upstairs and downstairs and a communal lounge. Bed, mattress, sheet and pillows will be provided (a sleeping bag is needed during winter i.e. May-August). There are communal toilet and shower facilities. You will need to do your own laundry by hand. The house is situated in Tofo village 100m from the beach. Tofo’s center is within 200m, where there is a market, some very basic shops, a few restaurants and bars and a number of beach activities available.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your programme price. Breakfasts generally consist of cereals and toast, lunches usually sandwiches and salads, whilst dinners will be a cooked meal. All meals are prepared by volunteers on a rotation basis.

Is this trip for you?

Please note that if you have a medical condition or injury, you may be required to obtain a 'Fit to Dive' letter from your Doctor to declare that you are able to dive with your condition. Please double check with our team as to whether a letter is required for you to participate in this programme.

Malaria Prophylaxis

Any volunteers taking LARIUM (including any of its derivatives i.e. MEFLOQUIN) will not be permitted to dive as it causes increased risks. You should advise your doctor that you are going on a dive holiday and request another suitable anti-malarial other than Larium.

Important information

If you are joining the programme for 2 weeks, you will need to already hold a diving qualification of at least PADI Open Water.

Dive accredited volunteers not requiring/wanting a dive course but who have NOT logged a dive within 6 months of beginning their project MUST complete a SCUBA REVIEW before they can participate in their research dives. The Scuba Review consists of a theory pool session and a practical dive. This can be done before the start of the programme or in Tofo with the dive centre.

The cost of a Scuba Review is 3400 Meticals (payable to the dive centre) or one programme dive plus 1900 Meticals (again, payable to the dive centre). This cost is NOT included in the program fee, and volunteers are liable to pay this amount to the dive operator on completion of the Scuba Review. Please note these prices are subject to change.

Volunteers must bring their dive cards with them as proof.

It is important to remember that Whale Sharks are wild animals and as such it is not possible to guarantee the number of Whale Shark sightings during each encounter or dive.

Scuba Medical

To take part in the this programme you will need to complete the following medical questionnaire; PADI Medical Statement. If you answer no to all questions then you will just need to take the form to the project with you. If you answer yes to any of the questions on page one or are over 45 years of age then you will need to get a doctors report to take to the project with you. Please note that if any circumstances change after the doctors report you will need a new report.

Advice & Safety

Throughout your programmes you will have the support and guidance of the programme co-ordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.

You will be assigned a personal travel advisor who will co-ordinate your programme with you. Feel free to contact them at any time before you go, or when you are on your travels.

In addition, you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.

FAQ

1. Do I need to have any diving experience?

If you are only staying on the programme for 2 weeks, you must already hold a PADI diving qualification. For programmes of 3 weeks or more you will do a diving course (either PADI open water or PADI Advanced Open Water) on the first week you are there. If you already have a diving certificate (PADI) you will get extra diving instead of the dive course.

2. Do you I need to take my own diving equipment?

No – they supply all the equipment you need, however you can take your own equipment if you prefer. If you have your own underwater camera and housing, you can also take this with you.

3. How much money will I need to budget for the programme?

Approximately £50 per week for snacks and drink will be enough. If you are planning on doing a bit of shopping in local Curio markets, you will need to budget more.

4. When is the best time to dive with the Whales Sharks?

The best time to go is between October to March.

5. Do I need special insurance to participate?

Our Adventure Policy will cover this programme. Please see our insurance pages for further information.

6. When is the Turtle season?

Typically the Turtle nesting season runs from November to February. Whilst the hatching season generally runs from December to February.

7. Will I need a sleeping bag?

Yes you will need to take a sleeping bag.

8. Are mosquito nets provided?

No, you will need to take your own mosquito nets with you.

9. Is there a safe/safety deposit box?

Yes, there will be one available for you to use.

DBS

This trip requires a Police Check to be carried out - please contact us for further information on how to do this.

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What will I see in Mozambique?

20 photos

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What other travelers thought

I've done this trip

Write review

Candy Stanley - November 2012

How would you rate your overall experience?

(10/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Life long memories, met some fantastic people. Very inspirational.

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(9/10)

Please rate the accuracy of your pre-departure information

(8/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(9/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(5/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(10/10)

Please rate your airport pickup (where applicable)

(10/10)

Please rate your in-country orientation

(10/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

There are many. The encounters not just with the whale sharks, but dolphins, humpbacks, mobula, small eye sting ray and sharks were mind blowing experiences. The diversity of the program which isn't limited to whale sharks only, is very interesting. I also enjoyed the opportunity to spend time at the local orphanage. Tofo is a very special place and real pleasure to spend time there within such a good community of people.

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

Take a memory card, mini drive with you to share and save images If you can afford one do take an underwater camera, as these are the experiences you would most want to catch someone had a go pro which was a really good quality compact camera If you have a phone with with Orange make sure you get your phone unlocked well in advance of your departure so you can get a Mozambique SIM card on arrival, they take 30 to 40 days in some cases

Is there anything else you would have liked to have added to your itinerary?

Not really there are a lot of activities to can organise for yourself, whilst Tofo is small and and easy paced place to be, there is a good social scene there. You are at the mercy of nature so at the beginning it was quite frustrating as there were no whale sharks for 2 + weeks, thanks fully they came back as well as the mantas.

Any other comments?

Just A Big Thanks To The Coordinators In Mozambique. The People Who Run The Accommodation Need To Get A Bit More Organised, They Are Hard/impossible To Reach When There Are Problems, In General Communication Lines Are Very Bad.

Would you travel with our company again?

yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Frank Cramer - October 2012

How would you rate your overall experience?

(9/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Unforgettable time. Met wonderful and interesting people, and made new friends.

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(10/10)

Please rate the accuracy of your pre-departure information

(10/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(8/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(8/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(8/10)

Please rate your airport pickup (where applicable)

(9/10)

Please rate your in-country orientation

(8/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

Snorkeling with whalesharks. To hear the humpback whales under water - on any time. To see the whales blowing, playing and breaching on the surface. Beautiful diving at the coral reefs with many different fishes.

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

Bring your old clothes, you can swap them or donate to poor people. Bring sweets for delighted children. bring pencils an notebokks for children - they need it for school. If posssibile bring your own underwater-camera for diving, you will see a lot of underwater creatures!

Is there anything else you would have liked to have added to your itinerary?

Any other comments?

Thank You For A Wonderful Time In Mozambique! It Was A Really Great Experience.

Would you travel with our company again?

yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Lizzie Thomas - July 2011

How would you rate your overall experience?

(10/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Incrediable, Loved every second and went back two months later. I'm a whale shark addict!

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(8/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(7/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(6/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(8/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

Learning to dive was amazing and the quality of instruction was impeccable as was the quality of the reef enviroments. The whale sharks are astounding and its such a privilage to swim with them.

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

Dont bring too many clothes - I spent most of the month in a Bikini - two pairs of shorts, one skirt and a few vests/T-shirts would be fine you do not need lots of stuff in Tofo! Take lots of rehydration salts, pain killers and diareeze - very hard to get in Moz. Bring a rash vest - the sun can be incredibly strong on the boat and there is no shade - also helps with Jelly fish

Would you recommend us?

Yes

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