http://www.weg.co.za go! Drive & Camp^ September 2019 |^35
definitely not bend, unless you strike one
of many tree roots.IT’S OFF TO THE SEA with you, as there’s
no swimming pool here. The resort,
however, isn’t directly on the beach and
you must first cross the narrow sandy path
that serves all the resorts in Praia do Xai-
Xai before you can stick your toes in the
water. On the way to the beach, you’ll pass
the Lapulana curio shop next to Montego’s
entrance. It was closed during our visit,
but in peak season you can buy items such
as swimwear and handbags here.
You won’t need to wrestle with the
waves because the Chongoene Reef,
barely 100 metres from the shore,
calms the incoming swell
before it reaches the
beach. The reef teems
with the most beautiful
tropical fish but be super
careful when swimming
near the rocks – an
undertow sometimes
forms behind it, and if
you’re not a particularly
strong swimmer, you could get
dragged under.
There are, of course, fantastic angling
opportunities, but you will have to paddle
your kayak beyond the reef and cast your
line in deeper water if you want to catch
something to eat. There is also a natural
gap in the reef near the resort where
a motorboat can get access to open water.
In the summer months, when the
Mozambican coast gets really busy, Moné
opens the Breezo’s Beach Bar so you can
enjoy an ice-cold drink under your beachumbrella. Between June and October, the
coast is also visited by humpback whales
and the Montego Resort’s restaurant,
Pirates Point, has a high-lying stoep from
where you can watch them.
The most popular dish on the menu
is the Montego hamburger (R120) with
a massive 320 g beef patty. A bar serves
hard stuff, wine and several South African
and Mozambican beers and soft drinks.
Order a drink and enjoy your Montego
burger on the restaurant’s stoep
overlooking the ocean – you’ll have to
ignore the unsightly power lines between
you and the water, though. The restaurant
has free WiFi that is fast enough for you
to post holiday pics to your Facebook
profile. There are also board games,
including Monopoly and Rummikub in
the restaurant’s recreation area.THE ABLUTION FACILITIES for campers
are simple but clean and neat. One
ablution block is open all year round,
and when Montego will be getting a large
number of visitors, an extra ablution block
is unlocked.
The main block has two toilets, two
showers and two basins in the men’s
facilities. The women’s side looks identical.
Should you opt not to camp, there are 13
chalets ranging from double-bed rondavels
to six-bed family cottages, and you pay
R250 pp for all of them. It’s a laidback
resort that is often used by tourists as
a halfway stop when travelling from the
SA border to Inhambane, but it’s also
comfortable enough to spend a number of
days here. And yes, you could make it your
final destination.Briefly | Montego Resort
Campsite 40 stands – all on sand and under
trees – of which nearly half are level and large
enough for caravans.
Ablution facilities Clean but well-used
and cramped.Price R100 pppn plus R100 pn per stand.
Arrival and departure times 14:00
and10:00.
Contact 082 653 8197 (SA)or 002584207
1650 (Mozambique) montegomoz.co.za
[email protected]
Nearest town Xai-Xai, 21 km.
What does the road look like? Tar and a firm
sandy road.
GPS S25.10511 E33.76751go! Drive & Camp says You come here to
swim and fish. Don’t swim alone near the reef.