Accommodation

Mozambique is fast becoming the vacation destination of choice again because of it’s beautiful beaches, tropical waters and great improvement of infrastructure, to name but a few reasons.

Faraway lodge has 6 and 10 bed houses high on the dunes between palm trees close to Barra beach, rated as one of Mozambique's best beaches.

We also have a camping ground with baraccas and palm trees for shade, with electricity points, ablution with hot water, a swimming pool and bar with restaurant.

Faraway have something to offer everybody. It is very safe for kids and activities include:-

- World class diving – who has not heard of the mantas and whalesharks?

- Excellent snorkeling around shipwrecks, reefs or in the lagoon.

- Great fishing, deep sea, bill, game , fly fishing or rock and surf.

- Spearfishing. Safe entry and exit points for spearos who will enjoy the good viz, warm water and plenty of game fish behind the reef.

- Dhow trips to pansy island or across the bay to Maxixe for a traditional Portuguese lunch with a good chance of seeing dolphins en-route.

- Just enjoying the beach and the warm safe waters.

- Horse riding, quad trips and coastal flights are also available in season.

- Whale watching with pods residing for 4 to 6 months a year

The purists consider this region to have the finest river and stream beats on the African continent. Basie Vosloo, a  founder member of the Barkly Wild Trout Association, can  offer you the very best. Dam fishing is also available.

Distances:
Johannesburg - Birkhall: 883 km
Aliwal-North - Birkhall: 150 km

30°54’16.80”S
27°46’53.44”E
Altitude: 1810m

CRAIGROSSIE TROUT LODGES
Self Catering Cottage Accommodation
in Clarens, Free State, South Africa

At the foot of the Clarens and the majestic scenery of Golden Gate, lie the spectacular trout waters of CRAIGROSSIE.

CRAIGROSSIE extends over 170 hectares and is perfect to stretch the legs and fill the lungs with fresh air. The farm is situated 10 minutes from the picturesque town of Clarens. Facilities such as restaurants, walking and hiking trails a challenging golf course, tennis and squash courts as well as a number of shops, art galleries and interesting curios can be found in the town.

We have 2 large trout dams - one of 4 hectares and the other 5 hectares in size which are stocked with brown and rainbow trout.

There are 2 pairs of lodges on the farm. The lodges known as Woodland & Lakeside are double volume comprising an open plan living/kitchen area a shower room and a bedroom downstairs. The upper floor has another bedroom with a mezzanine with 2 made up beds on it. The lodge Lakeside has the same lay out except that the bedroom on the ground floor is en suite and has separate shower room off the living area. Each lodge sleeps 4 privately and 6 maximum in twin beds.

The lodges known as Poplars & Mountain View, which are single storey are approximately 200 metres away from Lakeside & Woodland. Poplars is wheelchair friendly with ramps and wide doors for access. The shower can be accessed by a wheelchair. This lodge comprises spacious open plan living/dining/kitchen area. Two separate bedrooms, with twin beds in each, and a shower room. Mountain View has the same layout with the difference that the main bedroom is en suite with a full bathroom with bath, and shower. It has a double bed and its own private deck with sliding doors off the bedroom. Both lodges sleep 4 people privately and a maximum of up to six. The couches in the lounge can be made up as extra sleeping space.

All the lodges have fully equipped kitchens, with all utensils, micro wave oven, gas stove and hob and fridge/freezer etc. Each lodge has its own braai area and jetty.

Sorry, No Dogs Allowed!
All activities at your own risk.

Fishing in Bhanga Nek and Kosi Bay

When fishing Kosi Bay, the main target species in the Kosi Bay Lake system are Grunter, Kingfish, Rock Salmon/Red Snapper, Yellowfin Bream and pick-handled pike.
Fishing at Kosi Bay along the coast, one can expect to catch Kingfish, Red Snapper, Specked Snapper, lemon fish, rock cod, sharks and rays.

Grunter
Grunter love Kosi Bay because the first and second lakes have very healthy populations of sand prawns ( Cracker Shrimp), which they blow from the sand in the shallower area. Grunter are caught on sand prawn and sardine bait on light tackle.
The favorite way of fishing for grunter at Kosi Bay is long lining, which entails taking lines out from the shore using a boat or a kayak, dropping them in deep water and leaving the baits to soak.
Long line fishing at Kosi Bay sounds simple, but can result in huge line tangles if the lines are dropped incorrectly.

Kingfish
Kingfish are predatory fish and are caught in all of the Kosi Bay lakes and from the sandy and rocky shore at Bhanga Nek, Black Rock, Island Rock, Mabibi, Goby's Point and 9 mile point. Kingfish are caught on artificial lures including Rapalas and soft plastics including 'drop shot' lures. These lures can be trolled or cast in the Kosi lakes and cast while fishing from the beach or rocky shore.
Surface plugs also work well in the surf, but if there are any rocks in the vicinity, make sure your tackle can take the punch or you will be wasting your time and leaving a beautiful fish with a hook and line attached to it!
Kingfish are often seen feeding on sprats in the first and second lakes, but spook easily when approached by boat.
Livebait is obviously the best bait for Kingfish, and pouter, mullet and glassies all produce good catches. If you cant get live bait, use big fillet baits or sand prawn or crab.

Rock Salmon
Rock Salmon/Red Snapper, are caught mainly at night on live bait or smelly fillet baits. Rock Salmon like structure and can be targeted along reed beds at night in all three of the Kosi Bay Lakes

Fishing Spots

Kosi Bay Fishing - Lake System

The First lake (closest to the sea), is almost as saline as the ocean, and is up to 12 meters deep in places. Grunter can be caught from the northern and southern bank of the lake. Big Kingfish are caught on livebait in the first lake. Sand Prawns/Crackers can be collected by permit holders only. Bait permits are available at the KZNCS offices at Kosi Bay.

The Second lake is up to 18 meters deep in places, and one often sees Kingfish feeding on sprats along the drop-offs. Dense populations of Sand Prawns attract Spotted Grunter to the Kosi second lake. The reedbeds along the banks make for good Rock Salmon fishing at night.

The Third lake is the shallowest, but largest of the Kosi Bay lakes. Trolling Rapalas works for Ignobilis and Big-Eye Kingfish. Yellowfin Bream are caught on anchor or drift with sardine or sand prawn.

Bhanga Nek Fishing - Rock and surf fishing

Fishing at Bhanga Nek in the daytime is best off the rocky shelf, and into the deeper channels along the beach. About 4km north of Bhanga Nek, there is broken rock in the surf zone, good for reef fish, but big Kingfish are difficult to land there.
Fly fishing and dropshot fishing at Bhanga Nek produces good catches of Ignobilis, Three Spot Pompano, Green Spot Kingfish and Garfish.

Black Rock
Black rock, about 20km south of Bhanga Nek, has deep water off the front of the rock, but landing a big fish off the front is difficult because of the height above water level. The Black Rock Bay is excellent for fly fishing and offers sheltered conditions when the south west busters come through. A permit is required to visit Black Rock. These can be bought at Manzengwenya and the KZNCS offices at the Third lake.

Situated in the storm mountains.
Three bedroom lodge on the banks of a private dam.
Self catering (fully equiped) Meals could be aranged.
Pool table, bar and braai fecility's
Lots of fish

The lodge is situated on a 22 hectare property, part of the Lower Breede River Conservancy and nestles on the river bank about 2 kilometers from the tiny villages of Witsand and Infanta both situated on the opposite bank of the river mouth.
The Breede River is a fishing hot-spot with Kob of up to 50kg, Spotted Grunter, and Garrick up to 12kg regularly caught. As the angling is so good the Breede River is known as the "Home of the Big Kob".
Mudlark River Front Lodge offers chartered cruises. Whether it's the excitement of deep sea fishing or a leisurely sundowner cruise along the estuary you are after we can cater for your needs. We offer both river and ocean excursions.
Our boat is a 520C Supercat Mudlark equipped with all safety equipment, GPS, fish finder and Shimano tackle.
Both the estuary and the ocean in the San Sebatian Bay area offer superb fishing.
We offer superb Witsand accomodation in a beautiful and tranquil setting.

Esikhotheni forms part of the Pongola Game Reserve, bordering on Jozini Lake where exceptional Tiger Fishing can be experienced either from the shore, or by hiring a boat for a half or full day. Tigerfish in abundance within the lake, with Bream in the Mpeti Bay inlet.

Located in the rural heartland of the Kwazulu Natal midlands, lies Mt St Bernard Farm near Muden. We offer clients a spectacular flyfishing venue to catch Natal Yellowfish or Scaly. With a 5km stretch of the Mooi river bordering the farm, we have a very diverse structure of water which is home to some of the largest and most frequently caught Natal Yellowfish in the province.
We are priveledged to be able to fish the river for most of the year through, including the winter months where we have caught fish over 50cm in length. Our average size fish is between 40-45cm with our local farm record reaching an impressive 57cm. Often the 50cm mark is exceeded and this is the reason why Mt St Bernard Farm is a spectacular destination for any flyfishing enthusiast to test their abilities and indulge in some of the best flyfishing opportunites around.

Self catering, camping, as well as bed & breakfast accommodation on the banks of the Zambezi river at Kalizo Lodge. Tiger fishing and bird watching at its best!

Have a truly African Bush experience at this laid-back Zambezi Birding paradise & great family getaway, with boats and fishing. Get married in a traditional African wedding, breakfast on a sandbank in the river and generally enjoy the Zambezi experience. 

Kalizo has the best Tiger and Bream fishing on the river! This is a Fisherman's dream!  Superb angling opportunities for the 93 species which inhabit these waters, are on offer, while Kalizo Lodge is particularly renowned for excellent fishing. Tiger and BreamTiger fish of between 5 – 7 kg are not uncommon, whilst the current lodge record for this species is 8.2kg on fly and 10 kgs conventional fishing. Well equipped boats as well as rods and fishing tackle are available for hire and our experienced guides accompany guests to the best fishing locations on the river.

Twitcher's are always excited by the prospect of birding at Kalizo, with more than 430 species to be seen here.  Birdwatching and photography s an all year round pleasure with excellent opportunities to see the many different birds which inhabit the flood plains and surrounding areas.  A large breeding colony of Carmine Bee – eaters can be viewed from the river from mid-August to late November. Between April and December, the magnificent African Skimmers are a familiar sight, skimming low over the water, or nesting on the sand banks. A leisurely boat cruise is likely to reveal the ever present Fish Eagle, Herons, Kingfishers, Coppery Tailed Coucal. The endemic birds include the Shelly Sun Bird, Brown Fire Finch, and Hartlaub’s Babbler. The seasonal pools on the flood plains attract a rich variety of water fowl.  Lots more to do at Kalizo.

There are few places where sunsets are more spectacular than at Kalizo Lodge, and a sunset cruise on our spacious cruise boat is a very popular activity enjoyed by our guests. Quench your thirst after a busy day in the African Sun, whilst enjoying the spectacular riverine scenery and birdlife  and relaxing with an ice cold beer, or a refreshing glass of wine. You may also have the exhilarating experience of seeing the rivers more ancient inhabitants, the Hippopotamus or the Crocodile. From June to October, guests may be treated to the thrill of seeing elephants drinking at the water’s edge, or wandering through the Camp.

Whilst in the area, you should visit at least one of the local game reserves where you can see: buffalo, elephant, zebra, antelopes, hippo, crocodiles, lion, buffalo, giraffe, puku, while you may also see sitatunga, red lechwe, spottednecked otters, waterbuck, Roan antelope, Oribi, wild dog

Solitude, space and spectacular river sunsets are what visitors come to experience in this fascinating area with vast Flood Plains and rich bird-life. Kalizo is a great getaway for the whole family, so come and experience paradise with us on the banks of the Zambezi.
Accommodation

Kalizo Lodge offers the option of Self Catering Units, Dinner Bed and Breakfast, or Camping. We also cater for Conferences, Weddings, Workshops and Corporate Functions. Click here for more informationo on the accommodation offered