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Accommodation Inhambane options

Accommodation Inhambane Options

A description of some of the types of accommodation Inhambane.

A few years back, the local government were keen on developing 5000 beds for tourism accommodation, in the province of Inhambane. A spate of lodges opened up. Some 4 Star, some self catering 2 Star stuff, and some backpacker spots.

At the top of the range, there are many options. Beautiful beach casas, or spotless city hotel living. There are also really remote spots, some are much quicker accessed by boat even. These grandiose and luxurious places charge top dollar, but to some, it’s worth every penny.

Then we have the string of beach lodges, some perched precariously close to the ocean or lagoons. Self catering with hot water and generator power, some are really well done and nicely run. Some aren’t. You can expect a well equipped kitchen, a swimming pool (another crazy requirement by the governo) and a nice all round, albeit very relaxed atmopshere. Very relaxed.

Backpackers are spoilt for choice and looking around can save you a pretty penny, or get you well upgraded. The backpackers were kind of the pioneers of the rejuvenated tourism vibe going on in Inhambane, and are still the lifeblood here. Great locations. Fantastic parties. Clean blue ocean with a myriad of things to do…ocean safaris, diving, fishing, touring, shopping, island hopping, overnight cruises.

Camping used to be a winner here in Tofo and in Barra. But the governo put halters on campers and only a few backpackers offer the cool facility now. And the odd lodge, but usually the further flung ones.

Private houses for rent have taken off as people are hooked up with holiday home owners, keen to rent their places out to tourists. This is a winner situation for travelers on a longer stay. Most of these type houses are jam packed in season, so the houses cannot be let out long term. Some great deals available.

All in all, Inhambane is still one of the coolest holidays available, in the world. The constant flow of travelers, the great weather, crystal clear warm water…and the many things to do and places to visit, bu land or sea, in Inhambane province, make it so attractive.

With the exchange rate so favourable, prices are like half they were a year ago, and things are hotting up tourist wise in Inhambane province. The government are trying to put in place measures to hench their fiscal disaster, but as of today, a Euro gets you 84 Mets. Two beers in the right bar. A Rand gets you over 5 Mets?! Party! For now anyway.

The gun toting crazies up north seem to like it there and whatever is going on, has absolutely no bearing on life in Inhambane at all. Except for the constant stream or incident reports from the independant news sources rattled about here, we hear nothing. Yet.

Contact us on umzimkulu@gmail.com if you need any advice or assistance with your Inhambane holiday plans.

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The Goodwave Surf Contest Returns To Durban Thanks To CellC

Press release

For immediate publication

8 September 2016

The Cell© Goodwave Surf Contest Confirmed For 2017


New Pier, Durban – In exciting news, the South African Surfing Legends is proud to present the Cell© Goodwave, set to take place at New Pier in Durban in 2017.

The Cell© Goodwave will once again present an alternate take on the way traditional surfing events are held, and will once again become the most popular and talked-about contest on the South African surfing calendar. The Cell© Goodwave tournament has many unique aspects and components that make it a thrilling yet unconventional surfing competition.

– It is an invite-only event. There is no other way to surf the event than by an invitation. The best 32 surfers in the country will be invited to compete, and 32 alternates will be invited as well.

– The event is a one-day event, with 4 man heats and a sudden death format. The event thus comprises fifteen heats of insane high performance surfing. It has a 1-year waiting period, with the call being made on the advice of surf forecasting guru Spike from www.wavescape.co.za

– There is a 48-hour heads-up call, and a 24-hour green light call. When the contest is called on, invited surfers from all over the country have to start flying in or driving in to get to the New Pier in Durban by 6am on the day. It’s a fairly short window, and should they not get there in time they will forfeit their spot to one of the alternates.

– The contest has jetski assist for all and guaranteed excellent surf conditions – usually the day of the year at new Pier, Durban, arguably one of the best beachbreaks in the world.

Jason Ribbink enjoying what New Pier has to offer © Kelly Cestari

– The entry into the Cell© Goodwave is one Rand per surfer, and the prize for first place is R100,000. This is the biggest first prize on the domestic surfing circuit.

– The competition will be hosted at California Dreaming overlooking New Pier on the Durban beachfront, with perfect viewing access for judges, commentators, attending media upstairs, and a safe place for the surfers downstairs.

– The South African Surfing Legends will present the event, and Jason Ribbink will be the contest director.

Barry Wolins from South African Surfing Legends has been hard at work at getting this event back on it’s feet, and is confident that it will be a resounding success. “I’m really proud of the fact that we managed to resurrect this contest,” said Wolins. “It’s the most exciting event on the domestic surfing calendar. With the South African Surfing Legends behind it we have a good team to run a world-class tournament. Big thanks to Cell© for coming on board and sponsoring the competition.”

“We’re very pleased to be involved with such an event,” said Wayne Merris from Cell©. “It is very unique in the world of surfing, and we’re confident that Cell©’s involvement with the contest will be long and fruitful.”

If you feel you should be considerd as a competitor for the Cell© Goodwave, send your entry request along with an image, a video clip or some words as to why you should be considered to info. All entries will be posted on the Goodwave Facebook page, so please ensure that you have the necessary permissions for accompanying imagery and video.

The selection criteria and process is at the discretion of the event organisers, and no correspondence will be entered into.

Cell© is the Goodwave 2017 headline sponsor

The Cell© Goodwave is presented by the South African Surfing Legends.

The Cell© Goodwave is powered by California Dreaming.

The event is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa.

The Cell© Goodwave – in loving memory of Lee Wolins.

For more information contact

info@craigjarvis.co.za


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Exploring the Bazaruto Archipelago 

Exploring the Bazaruto Archipelago

There is just so, so much to do and see, in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

But you need a boat.

And this is when you log on to fishbazaruto.com and get in touch with the team who are right there in Vilankulos. With boats aplenty.

Fish Bazaruto is captained by local guide and skipper, Duarte Rato. Who has amassed more hours out and around the Bazaruto Archipelago islands than even most of the fish out there. His main job is taming huge marlin and teaching them some manners before releasing them. His stern talking to’s have gained Duarte much respect in the world of marlin fishing.

Fish Bazaruto have recently expanded their fleet and have begun focusing on family and fun activities, to complement their sport fishing packages.

So now, whilst the manne are out fishing, the ladies and kids can cruise the villages and explore  the markets, ride a fat bike, cruise in a canoe…

Or take a boat!

Out to the deserted sandy islands and beaches, winding through crystal clear channels, sea life all around. Flamingoes. Rays. Maybe even a pod of dolphins will come say hi. The boat cruises are customizable and can include an island barbeque. Or snorkelling the sea grass for seahorses. Or catch and release fishing. Or just soaking up some well deserved vitamin D.

For an even more adventurous day, go on an ocean safari or whale watching trip (in season) and put yourself right in the thick of things. Marine wild life in these waters is world renowned. They even got dugongs!

So get in touch with Captain Duarte Rato via his content rich and feature-filled website on fishbazaruto.com

Enjoy the gallery!

The excellent photography by Captain Duarte Rato.

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Trout fishing in Lydenburg

Trout fishing in Lydenberg

Small stream trout fishing in Lydenburg (Mpumulanga, South Africa) is an exciting winter prospect. River caught trout are known to be far more voracious and cunning than their bigger dam raised counterparts. River trout are free range hunters that patrol the shallow flowing waters using their camouflage and stealth – to ambush prey.

Waking up early, very early – coffee and rusks to get you on the go. The sun – nowhere, but first light helps you make your way carefully, down to the river. Rushing waters and waking birds guiding you all the way.

Sneaking up to the river bank, ever aware, you imagine you can see the trout you are after, swimming in the clear current, just downstream. Stripping out some line, you carefully approach, your camo gear helping you stay hidden. Quiet steps. And you cast. A small, gentle, but accurate cast  – you only need a few metres most times. Your 2 or 3 weight fly rod, with floating line, and a short five foot or so fluorocarbon leader, is a cinch to operate. Your neat little Red-eye Damsel fly – deployed for the ambush. Mimicking a Dragon Fly Nymph.

Encouraging your offer to drift towards your prey, you start to twitch it as you retrieve your line against the flow of the lightening stream. As the fly reaches the small pool you thought you saw the fish in…

Bang! An explosion in the water right in front of you and your rod tip is violently jerked downstream and you set the hook! The sun is rising, the birds are cheering, and the fish are biting.

Dreams are coming true!

This is the time of the year, for this type of trout fishing action.

Trout fishing in Lydenburg…at Highland Run Fly-fishing Estate

In the Mpumalanga Drakensberg, 17 kilometres out of Lydenburg, is Highland Run Fly-fishing Estate. Tucked away tightly up into the Drakensberg mountains. With the trout filled Spekboom River flowing right through it. 5.1 Kilometres of pristine, crystal clear trout stream.

The nature-centric development of three lodges, on a grand piece of mountain range, available via shared ownership, is great opportunity, to realise stories like the above. It includes shared ownership of the land around the houses – so you are also contributing to the conservation of the area, by investing. And then reap the rewards of ownership in a unique and worthwhile project like Highland Run, by Dream Resorts, in Bryanston, Johannesburg.

Click on over to http://highlandrun.co.za to learn more about the project.

“You need only move in the direction of your fantasies, to experience them…” – Frenchie Fredericks circa 1970’s

Highland Run Trout Stream - trout fishing in Lydenburg
Highland Run Trout Stream – trout fishing in Lydenburg
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Trout estate investment opportunities at Highland Run

Trout estate investment opportunities at Highland Run

There are not too many trout estate investment opportunities like Highland Run, right now.
There are not too many trout estate investment opportunities like Highland Run, right now.

If you are looking for trout estate investment opportunities, Highland Run might just be the place for you.

Hidden away up in the Mpumalanga Drakensberg, modern luxury is combined with natural elements, to produce a beautiful getaway experience. And to top it all off, there are trout to be caught. The Spekboom River winds it’s way through the valley carrying with it – the highly sought after freshwater game fish. And table fish. Although catch and release is practiced diligently, a trout or two for the pan is permitted.

Wildlife abounds in the land around the houses. Which were redesigned to blend into their surroundings. Two have been completed and can be viewed, the third is on the go.

Shared ownership means that when you purchase at Highland Run, you are also purchasing part of the land around the houses. This means the land will be conserved in it’s pristine state, for future generations to enjoy. And in times where powers that are meant to be, aren’t quite coping, it’s great to be able to do something towards conservation, under our own steam. Investing in a development like Highland Run, adds to the many other successfully conserved areas of land, under private ownership, in the area.

From the Highland Run website…

“Forming part of the Mount Anderson Water Catchment Reserve, Highland Run is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many species of antelope and the elusive leopard.  Those able to tear themselves away from the five kilometres of rapids, riffles, runs, glides and pools, can hike and bike in the Reserve, in the company of over a hundred species of Highveld avifauna. The magic Spekboom Valley, accessed via a 17km dirt road near Lydenburg, still bears relics of its romantic gold-rush days”

 

Click here for more information.

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