How to Get to Ibo

By Road from Pemba:

 

Via Metuge: 125 Km: Take the main road out of Pemba and turn right on the Metuge Road to Quissanga. This is a dirt road with many dips, difficult or closed during rainy season. Enquire beforehand on the condition of the road and its bridges.

 

Via Bilibisa: 250 Km (Alternative and better road):  Take the main road out of Pemba and turn right on tar road to Mocimboa da Praia. Next turn right at the Bilibiza turn-off  Intersection signposted by a big ADPP sign. At the end of this road turn left at the T junction. This road is 100km longer but mostly tarmac, and passable in all seasons.

 

For Both routes: From Quissanga, drive on to Tandanhangue. You can park for a small guarding fee (50-100 Mt per day) at the car park across or before the mud flats. In Tandanhangue harbour (Baobab beach) you can negotiate your passage on a dhow or motorboat with one of the local captains. Prices range in between 50 and 100 Mt. Our small motorboat can come pick you up for 1000Mt for a 6 pax boat. The cross over by motorboat takes about 45min. A sailing dhow can take anything between 1 and 5 hours. 

 

Boats leave only at high tide, so you will have to be patient if you arrived a few hours too early. Currently works have been undertaken to make your waiting period more comfortable, a small ‘shop’, toilet and shaded space is now available. Be warned, Tandanhangue has a lot of mosquitoes. You will need to wade to the boat, so be prepared to get wet.

 

Do as locals do, Ask price before you get in. Price difference sailing dhow- motorised dhow. Sailing dhow more romantic but can take a whole deal longer to get to your destination! Poling through shallow water, hoisting boom, lateen sail, enjoy the ride. You might see dolphins along the way or an African Fish eagle. Short cut through mangroves will bring you straight into the small harbour of Ibo.

 

Local transport: Chapas leave early from Paquitequete (Pemba) on a daily basis.. Elaborate!!!

 

By Boat

 

Our Cargo boat supplies us once a week from Pemba. The Cinco Portas Boat is a comfortable 14 meter motorised boat skippered by an experienced crew. Price for one way passage is 35USD per person. The boat trip takes about 12 hours and takes you past part of the Quirimbas Archipelago. It is possible to snorkel (bring your own gear!) whilst we offload cargo at the Quililea island marine sanctuary. Or you can throw out a line and catch some fish on the way…  

 

The Cinco Portas Boat leaves Pemba every Saturday morning. Remember to bring plenty of water, a pic nic, fruit and snacks for on the way. The time of departure is depending on the tide so check with the captain. The boat returns to Pemba every Wednesday.

 

It is also possible to negotiate passage on a sailing dhow to or from Pemba, or Pangane. For this you must go to Paquitequete or Pangane port yourself and negotiate with a dhow captain yourself. We, nor anybody else, will get in between you and the captain. Price depends on how good you are at negotiating and if there is a boat leaving or not.

 

An indication of charter price of a dhow at the time of writing this 2000mt Ibo Pangane and 3000mt Pemba Ibo. Winds blow generally from the south from June to August and from the north from November to January.  With good winds this is a most agreeable and adventurous way to travel… However: No fixed fee applies, no departure is guaranteed, no schedule applies, no life jackets on board. Please do not pay upfront. Arrival depends on the wind direction and force. It can take a day to 3 days, so take plenty of water and food.

 

By Plane

 

Flights Pemba- Ibo or Ibo- Pemba can be organised via the Kaskazini booking office (www.kaskazini.com). Departure time of the flights depends on which plane has seats available.

 

 Cinco Portas Pensão