Equipment Hire

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.

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

Fly fishing only is permitted at Lake Naverone, and is available year-round on the 23ha lake and the 3 ha lower dam which are well stocked with brown and rainbow trout. In season, the 7km stretch of Umzimkulu River can be fished for wild rainbows. There is no rod fee and rods are available for hire; there is free tuition for beginners.

Try your skills on the lake or the river.

The lake and ponds both hold rainbow and brown trout, from smaller stock fish to magnificent specimens of 3kg and more. The Naverone angling record has stood at 3.75kg for some years, but Parks Board hatchery managers have netted fish of up to 4.5kg (about 10lb) for breeding. We stock with top quality wild spawn trout (80% rainbow, 20% brown) which, because of the near-perfect conditions at

Lake Naverone, grow rapidly from 50g or so at stocking, to around a kilogram within 12 months. They are also exceptional fighters, on account of their genetic makeup, so be warned that you should use at least a 6lb tipped, together with a decent length of backing, in case your fly tempts a heavier fish. Our 7km of rivers teem with wild rainbows, providing some of the best angling of its type in South Africa. The section of the Mlambonja River immediately upstream of our eastern boundary has been improved with stone weirs to retain more holding water for trout. These fish tend to be small, (mostly under 30cm), but they are superb fighters. Light tackle and fine tippets are advised

The river meandering through the property creates a number of excellent and exciting fishing spots, including the feeding of five well-stocked dams containing rainbow, golden, and the elusive brown trout. The pools below the 100 metre waterfall not only challenge the connoisseur to test his skills against wild trout, but is also home to breeding colonies of the endangered Bald Ibis. For the non-angler there is hiking, bird watching, picnicking, and above all, tranquility.

All our rustic, though luxury cottages are equipped with fireplaces and braai's with ample wood supplied, what more does a couple need to experience an enjoyable, quiet and tranquil romantic evening. Though the cottages are fully equipped for self catering and serviced once a day, catering, by prior arrangement, is available.

Guests may make use of the recreation facilities. Hiking, a short 4x4 trail to waterfalls, bird watching, rod hire and fly fishing tuition is also available.

GPS Coordinates:
a) At Reception:
S 25 deg 34.081 min E 030 deg 20.785 min

b) At Turn off onto the sand road:
S 25 deg 33.348 min E 030 deg 18.939 min

14 DAMS
5 WEIRS IN CATCHMENT RIVER
3 KM'S WILD RIVER

Our wide selection of waters are spread over our 500 hectare estate and offer fishing for the amateur to the professional.

We stock rainbow, brown and golden trout from 600 g to 3 kg

Fly fishing only.
Barbless hooks only.
Catch and release is preferable, provided that you know how.

Each cottage booking is inclusive of keeping 2 fish, all other fish kept will be charged for at R60.00 per kg.
Float tubes welcome.
Tuition available provided that you book this at least 7 days in advance.

Record catch:
October 2005
Dayanand Rajaram
3.2 kg Rainbow.

Set in what must be one of the best gardens in the Midlands, Fiddlewood offers the perfect place to unwind, away from the hustle and bustle, yet within five minutes drive of Howick and the freeway.

Jenni and Pete offer a warm welcome and, as seasoned travellers with several years experience in the hospitality industry, guarantee you a memorable stay.

There are five spacious, individually designed cottages, all of which boast fully equipped kitchens, private verandas, braai facilities, log fires and DSTV, although you will need your own card to access the full range of programmes.

Lakeside and Bergview both have two en suite bedrooms and, with the sofa bed in the lounge, will sleep up to seven people. Garden Cottage is ideal for the family with smaller children, being away from open water and sleeping up to five guests. Oriental and African, our thatched cottages, provide the perfect retreat for couples.

For those guests who prefer B&B in the main house we have two spacious, tastefully decorated, en suite rooms, all equipped with the little extras that ensure your comfort. Guests are also welcome to relax in our reading lounge, watch TV in the television room or socialise in our main lounge, which boasts a cosy log fire for those cooler evenings.

Next to the cottages is our sparkling, salt-chlorinated pool, which provides the perfect place to cool off on those hot summer days. We are also able to offer fishing in one of our dams (stocked with bass) and do have equipment available should you not have your own. Wild life abounds on our fifty acres (a mix of hay and woodland), with a variety of buck, the occasional monkey and a large selection of bird life.

Should you choose to stay for a few days, Fiddlewood is the perfect base from which to explore the locality. The area has plenty to offer with a selection of waterfalls, beautiful scenery and, of course, the famous Midlands Meander arts and crafts all on our doorstep. Slightly further afield, the Drakensburg Mountains and the Battlefields are little more than an hour’s scenic drive away. For the more energetic there are several golf courses, various water-sport activities, horse riding and walking all available locally.

Fancy Free plays host to no less than 9 well stocked trout and 2 bass dams and we offer good fishing all year round. Target trout ranging from 1kg to 3kg in the winter and bass up to 3 kg in the summer. Well appointed jetties and easily accessible shorelines offer comfortable, quality fly fishing to both experienced and novice fly fishermen.

Notes: All trout retained are charged at a rate of R75-00 per kilogram.

Our own on-site hatchery ensures that our dams are always stocked with quality fish.

We offer guided fishing and expert advice to anglers in the need of assistance.

Float tubing is allowed on all our dams. Rowing boats are available for hire.

Well stocked 18 trout dams. Stocked with brown, rainbow and golden trout.
Can hire all fly-fishing equipment from us. we have accommodation to rest the arms and a restaurant to sooth the stomach. what more do you need to an well equiped fisherman.

Fishing at the Mackerel Islands is something special. With so many different varieties of fish, the line action both onshore and offshore is what fishermen dream about. People come from all around Australia to experience the action and they rarely leave disappointed. Spanish Mackerel, Snapper, Red and Spangled Emperor, Queenfish, Coral Trout, Yellowfin Tuna, Cod, Sailfish and Marlin are just some of the quality fish you are likely to catch. Whether you’re after the feed or the sport, there’s something for all. Many visitors bring their own boat but for those who don’t, fishing charters are available from Thevenard Island.

West Coast Marine Fishing Charters:

West Coast Marine Fishing, together with the Mackerel Islands, offers memorable day fishing tours. Aboard White Lightening you will enjoy reef and pelagic fishing for species such as Red Emperor, Coral Trout, Rankin Cod, NW Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Sailfish, Tuna plus many more. Cruise in safety and comfort with your qualified skipper, who will put you in the spots and make sure you have a fishing experience that is truly unforgettable. Lunch, refreshments, a shaded deck area and quality bait and tackle are included and the charters depart daily. We also have half day whale watching tours and night fishing available on request. Fishing Charters are seasonal, running from April to October. A minimum of 4 people and a maxiumum of 6 is required for departure. Fishing Charters are available at $250 per person per day. A days fishing charter schedule will go something like this:

* 1 hour travel time to get to the good spots
* 4-5 hours of fishing until you have reached your possesion limits.
* 1 hour travel return to the island

The charter includes all fishing gear, bait and fish bags.
Fly Fishing the Mackerel Islands

Mackerel Islands, World Class Saltwater Fly-fishing

Very few places in Australia or in the world for that matter can produce the amount of saltwater action that can be enjoyed in and around the Mackerel Islands. A group of Islands off the Pilbara Coast out from Onslow some 1400kms north of Perth.

Fly Fishers have been known to catch as many as 20 species of fish or more during fly fishing trips to islands, including mega class fish, those any fly fisherman dreams of catching. Meter long Queenies are beaten to the fly by even bigger models, 25lb Golden Trevelly, and the ever-present, unstoppable Golden Trevallys’s have the ability to transform your 10wt or even 12wt rod from a four piece to a six piece in a second, it’s that sort of place. All the Islands and sand cays in the group produce quality fish, both from the shore and from a boat. Both options can produce sessions which would be hard to beat anywhere in the world.

Well-known fly fishing expert David Bell, a visitor to the islands, tells the following tale: I planned to walk around a small Island one afternoon. I allowed three hours to cover all the likely looking spots before the boat was due to pick me up. I managed to cover less than 500 meters. I was hooked up solid from the first cast, a hard fighting Trevor and from then on a smorgasbord of quality fish followed, mostly sight casting in crystal clear water. There was everything from Queenies, Blue fin, Golden, Brassy,& Gold Spot Trevor’s, Dart, Bream, Blue Nose Salmon, the list went on and on. The Mackerel Islands is truly is a special place, one I will gladly return to in the near future. Next time I may strike gold and hook up to Permit or even a Bonefish which are caught not too far away in Exmouth and Onslow. You never know your luck in a place like the Mackerels.

What Fly gear to take:

Shore based either 8 or 9wt rod with intermediate line should cover all the bases, from a boat 10-12wt rods with fast sinking line are the go you will encounter larger fish hanging on the drop offs so a fast sinking line will get you in the zone for the trophy fish which are there waiting for your fly.

Staying on Thevenard Island which is some 20 kilometres out from Onslow makes life very easy, it offers a wide range of accommodation options, which can cater for small to large groups. The general store provides all your daily needs with, fuel supplies available for your boat; they also have a restaurant and a pub, great food and great entertainment. The boat anchorage is suitable for all sizes of boats which are moored only meters from your bungalows. But the best thing about the Island is the Island crew who are all committed to providing a very high standard of service. Nothing is too much trouble.