{"id":74895,"date":"2025-10-20T09:05:03","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T09:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ewdr.com\/?post_type=inspiratie&p=74895"},"modified":"2025-10-31T13:22:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T13:22:44","slug":"travel-report-group-trip-to-bcss-mozambique","status":"publish","type":"inspiratie","link":"https:\/\/ewdr.com\/en\/dive-inspiration\/travel-report-group-trip-to-bcss-mozambique\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel report – Group trip to BCSS Mozambique"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Trip report - Group trip to research station BCSS in Mozambique<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\"\"<\/p>

Sebastiaan is co-owner of EWDR and often the first contact for the Netherlands and Belgium. He is also a fanatic diver. He has been diving for many years and has also visited several places. In September 2025 he traveled with a group to Mozambique to stay and dive for a week at research station BCSS. In this blog he tells you all about the trip: from the spontaneous mini-safari to everything they encountered underwater and what the stay on the special and quite remote island was like. <\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Our group trip to Mozambique began for everyone at a different place in Europe: some left from Amsterdam, others from Brussels. One of the participants had left a bit earlier and combined this trip with a week in Tofo, in the south of Mozambique. She later joined the group in Vilanculos, where we all eventually met to start this trip together. <\/p>

I myself flew with a friend and two others from Brussels. On the way out, we had a nice luxurious car ride, but on the way back we opted for the train – which turned out to be surprisingly doable. From Zaventem we took the direct train to Rotterdam, where we changed trains for Utrecht. That went smoothly, although we had to run at the end to catch the connection, otherwise we would have had to wait a bit longer…. <\/p>

Most of the group met in Johannesburg<\/strong>, where we had an overnight stopover. We stayed at the Tambo O.R. Lodge, near the airport – a fine hotel with spacious rooms, friendly staff and a good restaurant. In the evening we ate together, had a beer and got to know each other better. <\/p>

Since most of us arrived early in the morning and we didn’t fly through until the next day, we decided to do an impromptu mini-safari<\/strong>. Taking an Uber (surprisingly cheap and easy to arrange), we drove about 1.5 to 2 hours outside the city, where there are several small wildlife parks. There we saw lions, zebras, antelopes and even jaguars<\/strong>. Actually the entire Big Five, except for the elephants. A special start to the trip, and ideal for getting into the African atmosphere beforehand. There was also the possibility of doing a cultural tour in Johannesburg, but with the heat, hardly anyone really felt like doing that. The safari was a perfect choice: short, adventurous and a nice way to spend the first day together.<\/p>

By the way, the flights with Qatar Airways were excellent. Both on the way there and on the way back, we had short transfers in Doha, a modern airport with all the facilities you could wish for. Comfortable, efficient and exactly what you want on a long trip. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Flight from Johannesburg to Vilanculos<\/b><\/h3>

The next morning we flew on with SA Airlink, the South African airline, to Vilanculos<\/strong> – the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, <\/strong>where the BCSS research station is. The flight took about 1.5 hours and arrived punctually. <\/p>

The views along the way were stunning. We flew over parts of the Kruger Park, and as we approached toward the coast of Mozambique, we saw below us the first outlines of the archipelago. The turquoise lagoons, sandbanks and small islands came into view beautifully. Even from the plane you could see Benguerra Island<\/strong> – the moment when the vacation feeling really began for everyone. <\/p>

Upon arrival, a small van was already waiting to pick us up. The drive from the airport to the beach took about 20 minutes, partly on paved stretches and partly on dirt roads, past colorful houses and small stores – a first glimpse of Vilanculos village life. <\/p>

Then we had a short boat crossing. On the beach there were already several people ready to help with the luggage. The boat was just on the shore, so we walked a short distance through the shallow water to get into the zodiac. The bags were neatly helped aboard and within three quarters of an hour we were on Benguerra Island. <\/p>

The crossing was magnificent: the water is crystal clear and beautifully blue, especially when the sun is on it. Because the archipelago is protected between the islands and the mainland, the water is mostly flat and calm. Everywhere you see sailboats and fishing boats in the background – a relaxing ride overlooking one of Africa’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. <\/p>

On the way out we saw nothing special, but on the way back we were lucky enough to spot dugongs<\/strong> – a rare experience. With a little luck, dolphins<\/strong> also swim with the boat. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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