Nkonkoni Fishing Camp is situated within the Pongola Game Reserve in the beautiful Pongolapoort Biosphere. The camps are located close to the southern shores of the Pongolapoort Jozini Dam, in the bird sanctuary part of the biosphere, and overlooks the western escarpment of the majestic Lebombo Mountains and the endless savannah woodland of northern Zululand.
Property Facilities:
Each chalet also has a private outdoor shower, a bathroom with either a Victorian or a spa bath, a separate toilet, a private boma with braai facilities, use of a central boma with DStv, fire pit and additional cooking facilities and use of a communal splash pool.
Area Information:
Mkuze is a small town situated about 11kms from Nkonkoni and the closest town at which to purchase provisions. It is also the name of one of Zululand’s waterways (the Mkuze River) that meanders across the southern expanse of Maputaland, eventually feeding into the St Lucia wetlands.
In Mkuze, at the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain, one can visit the lovely, 4 star Ghost Mountain Inn. Top class meals can be enjoyed looking out on their glorious gardens. They also have a spa offering a range of skin and body treatments in a tranquil environment as well as a pool and bar area. www.ghostmountaininn.co.za
The Pongolapoort Dam, with its variety of wildlife, is referred to as a mini-Kariba and some of the animals which may be seen include elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, giraffe and many species of antelope.
In Room Facilities:
Accommodation is offered in self-catering Chalets and Safari Tents. Each chalet sleeps up to four guests, is air-conditioned, and equipped with a fridge-freezer, mini stove and oven, cutlery and crockery, linen and bath towels.
Each Safari Tent sleeps up to seven guests and is equipped with fans, a fridge-freezer, cutlery and crockery, linen and bath towels. Each tent has its own private bathroom facilities with an outdoor shower and toilet, a private boma for cooking with a two-plate gas cooker and braai facilities, use of a central boma with DStv, viewing deck, fire pit and additional cooking facilities, as well as use of a communal splash pool.
Attractions:
The dam is also home to hippos, crocodiles and of course, the fighting tiger fish. The dam covers approximately 16,000 hectares, with a river stretch of approximately 5 km. Fishing takes place from boats and we support the catch and release method.
FISHING AT NKONKONI
The Pongolapoort Dam is the only dam in South Africa which is home to the fighting Tiger Fish. Live Tilapia, chicken hearts or chicken livers are recommended bait, however some anglers also find a variety of lures and spinners effective. Fishing takes place from boats, as the shores are home to a variety of wildlife. Tiger fish can be caught all year round although fishing is best during the warmer months.
TIGER FISH BONANZA
The annual Tiger Fish Bonanza is held in September on the Pongolapoort Dam and attracts anglers from all over the country.
SODWANA
From Mkuze, Sodwana Bay is about an hour’s drive on a dirt road or about an hour and a half’s drive on tar. Sodwana is rated one of the ten best diving sites in the world and perhaps the finest marlin fishing region in the world. This coastline is a major breeding ground for loggerhead and leatherback turtles which come ashore in summer. The marine section harbours an enormous variety of fish including marlin, sailfish and tuna. Rock and surf anglers can expect to engage in a tight line with queen fish, garrick, kingfish, grunter and shad to name but a few. Sodwana Bay also offers other activities such as snorkelling, quad biking, surf safaris, seasonal turtle and whale watching, sunset fish BBQ’s and micro-light flights.
TEMBE ELEPHANT PARK
Elephants roamed freely in this area until it was proclaimed a Park in 1981. Tembe Elephant Park is a 300 square kilometre reserve between Zululand and Mozambique. Tembe is accessible by tar road but you need a 4x4 to drive in the park. The Big Five are found at Tembe, lion, leopard, black and white rhino and buffalo, as well as more than 340 bird species and myriad other animals and plants.
