Category: Market Stories

Good products and services can really help you achieve the most from your time spent fishing. We will not post a review if we feel any product is unsatisfactory, or not up to the job. In which case, our product reviews are more like content than advertising. We take the risk for you…and deliver the lowdown – in a thorough test drive type report.

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Most fun accommodation in Tofo

The most fun accommodation in Tofo

Most fun accommodation in Tofo

Most fun accommodation in Tofo award goes to Lalaland, right on the beach, just up the beach, from Praia do Tofo. The beach.

It’s fun for many reasons, but it has to be the quaint, elegantically rustic designed spaces all over Lalaland, where the feeling finds tenure. As you drive in, you can see how Lalaland came to be – yes, that’s the land rover Chad and Heidi arrived in. Parked right in the boma! The boma leads to the beach on one side, and the main building and kitchen on the other. It’s a great place – the many years of toil have paid off  – with absolute attention to detail and a good dose of pure style woven together. Other ingredients include friendly and helpful staffers, coconuts and things growing everywhere, hammocks and conversation areas, cool doggies (security)…

The gardens are filled with features and right in the middle, is the fire pit and boma. Where you can lose yourself completely on a starry night. The accommodations are a cool blend of bricks and mortar, and local materials, like reeds and chappas (corrugated roof sheets). The en suite bathrooms are roofed only by the stars and palm trees.

The beach out front goes for miles each way. A quick walk south puts you right in the mix – the Tofo Mercado. Colourful and vibrant, the beat carries through to midnight and beyond on most nights. There are many places to go, and many things to do, in Tofo town.

And during the day, putting to sea on one of many craft available puts you in the running for swim with a whale shark, or a dolphin, manta ray…or a cruise to the islands and back, under sail on a trendy and photogenic dhow.

Lalaland have a few of their own watercraft – great for catching the waves out front – Praia do Tofo has become a highly acclaimed beginner’s surfers beach. And another headland south is Tofinho (baby Tofo?!), which produces some class waves when it feels like it. A huge plastic paddle ski that can carry one to three people is also available, and can be launched and retrieved just in front of the lodge’s beach gate.

Leave only your footprints (c) LalalandNight time is the right time. The sun sets over Lalaland in Tofo, and the Natal Stumpnose come in close to hunt.The most fun accommodation in Tofo

For more information and to see more of why we call it the most fun accommodation in Tofo, click on over to lalalandafrica.com and look around!

The Sardine team can assist you with your dream holiday to Tofo. Drop us a line on umzimkulu@gmail.com and let us know your plan.

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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.

The huge Inhambane Bay. Whitesands to starboard, Linga Linga to port. Panzy Island dead ahead. Sunscreen causes cancer! Get your shade on instead!Drag netter in InhambaneThe literally private beach out front of Tofo Earth Lodge offers seclusion and safe bathing...and fish to catch!
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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 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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New owner at Tackle Box in Shelley Beach

New owner at Tackle Box in Shelley Beach

Craig, the New owner at Tackle Box in Shelley Beach, is stoked at acquiring the shop in it’s ideal location. Just up behind the Shelley Beach Ski-Boat Club, the shop is smack bang in the middle of the action.

Catering for deep-sea anglers chiefly, the shop has now expanded to include all the favourite forms of fishing on the lower south coast of KZN. With a wide variety of fresh bait to choose from.

The rock and surf fishing all around Shelley Beach is world renowned, with some spots you can cast right into the deep blue. The shad season has started up nicely and Craig is stocking a nice selection of shad and spinning type gear.

Fishing off the beach for shad - The Tackle Box in Shelley Beach has all the kit you need.
Fishing off the beach for shad – The Tackle Box in Shelley Beach has all the kit you need.

Pop in and check it out…right at the turnoff into the ski-boat base – you can’t miss it.

Or Call Craig on 078 713 6681 with any tackle related queries you may have.

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