Lagoamar - Gallery

LAGOAMAR

Your reliable, bona fide, “user friendly” partner in Mozambique

GALLERY

HELICOPTERS AND 4WD

LAGOAMAR´s director arriving from a trip
The best way to cover all areas of Mozambique is by chopper!

But many places also become accessible if you can drive a 4x4 vehicle!
For example, you will need a reliable 4x4 to go from Maputo to most areas in Matutuine district.

FROM MAPUTO TO ZITUNDO

From Maputo you take the ferry across to Catembe on the other side of the bay from where you get a panoramic view of the capital city.

In Catembe you see those people returning to Maputo relax with a cold beer while waiting (and waiting…) for the ferry boat!

50 kms after Catembe you cross Salamanga It has an old bridge over the Maputo river and overlooking the river there is an Hindu Temple worth a visit.

Maputo seen from Catembe

Ferry crossing to and fro Maputo/Matutuine

Catembe - snapshot from the road to ZITUNDO

Bela Vista is a short detour from the main national road. Bela Vista is a quiet orderly village, of some administrative importance, overlooking another bend in the Maputo river.

Bela Vista - capital of Matutuine district

From Salamanga to ZITUNDO you travel across part of the Elephant Reserve. From here onwards you are in 4x4 terrain! The road fluctuates with the seasons, from being a muddy passage with lots of almost impassable deep water holes to, at other times, being soft , sandy, dune-like terrain.

Adriano Cossa showing the car
after a field trip to ZITUNDO

THE PEOPLE AND VILLAGE OF ZITUNDO

ZITUNDO, apart from being administrative headquarters for a wide area, is also a kind of “must stop” place. It is located at a crossroads to Ponta Mamoli, Ponta Malongane, Ponta do Ouro and Mkuzi (Kwazulu) border post.

ZITUNDO, c. 1,000 inhabitants, has a small health post with a part-time nurse, a primary school built by “Helvetas” (the Swiss NGO), the administrative post, a small police station.

ZITUNDO main road

ZITUNDO main road and primary school

Road linking ZITUNDO to Ponta do Ouro

ZITUNDO police station and women carrying water

A view of ZITUNDO´s center
still lots to do for children and the village as a whole

Mr Michangula a friend and collaborator from ZITUNDO

THE PEOPLE AND VILLAGE OF ZITUNDO

Marula Festivals are held in the Marula fruits' honour throughout southern Mozambique, to celebrate the harvest from the fields in February.

The festivals usually take place at Chief's compound where special guests such as government and administrative officials, local business entrepreneurs, respected elders, make the list of guests of honour.

The Women make sweet unfermented marula beer as well as a stronger fermented version. Everyone is allowed to drink beer. There is also a much more potent marula firewater drink.

The festival gives people a sense of togetherness and belonging. The Chief uses these occasions to introduce special guests to the local community and to thank donors and investors who have contributed to the area and/or the festivities (contributing with a cow is one of the ways to prevent a hippo being killed for the festivities).

Very popular singer Joana Coana performing at Marula festival 2005

2005 Marula ("canhô") festival in ZITUNDO

ZITUNDO - Marula ("canhô") celebrations early 2005

LAGOAMAR´S LAND BY LAKE SOTIVA

ZITUNDO seats on top of a hill with land sloping down to Lake Sotiva. The lake measures about c. 3 by 2 kilometers and is about c. 25 kilometers from the nearest beach and resort: Ponta Mamoli.

Our land with lake view

Another picture with lake view

LAGOAMAR - getting water for the building work

ZITUNDO - first steps: making blocks for our first building

A makeshift shower in the bush

By the shore of Lake SOTIVA in ZITUNDO

THE INDIAN OCEAN

The Matutuine Indian Ocean coastline has extremely beautiful still unspoilt beaches.

Miles and miles of pristine beaches where turtles still come to lay their eggs, the sea is warm and full of coral reefs.

Beaches near ZITUNDO

POACHING

Constant poaching inside and out of the elephant reserve is difficult to control ...

Feeding a baby gazelle saved from poachers

RURAL MOZAMBIQUE

Traveling in rural Mozambique – even on work assignments – is always an adventure and a pleasure (if you are able to accept the local rhythm, enjoy nature without luxury, and appreciate traditional peasant hospitality).