A gallery of pics by Tracey and Paul Saayman whilst recently in Vilanculo…that depict exactly what Vilanculo Gamefishing is all about.
We were lucky enough to fish 6 days out of 11 – and thank goodness for the breaks in between!
The billfish were being a bit picky with us. We were targeting them between seasons really, but had three come up altogether, with two having a go at the same lure – but both missing! But the bycatch (as Duarte calls it?!), had us working hard with sweat dripping time and time again.
Vilankulo, Vilanculo, Vilankulos, Vilanculos, or Vilancoulos?
There are probably more spellings for this tiny gem of a coastal town, in Inhambane Province, Southern Mozambique, but these are the one we know of.
The partial featuring of the word “Vila” within the towns name, led me askew as to what it means, in Portuguese (as usual). What could “Coulos” mean? A quick look leads to “colon”. I asked around. And got that loosely, very loosely, Vilancoulos means house as far away as your colon?! This was by some local Rhodies who have colonised the place.
A bit of Google set me straight.
Chief Vilankulo is whom the town is named after. And the area is called Vilanculos.
And it’s not that far. In an aeroplane!
From JHB, Vilanculos is a lovely 2 hour or less flight, that sweeps you in and over the Bazaruto Archipelego for magnificent views, on most days. Depending on your scheduled flight, you may even be treated to a landing and take off at Inhambane Airport, in the middle of another, far more sandy Archipelego. Eye candy.
Once you are in Vilankulo, Captain Duarte Rato is a phone call away and he will see you out there making the most of your sojourn to paradise. Duarte runs FishBazaruto.com and can get you aboard a huge marlin chasing boat or a sunset chasing dhow – whatever suits your requirements and your crew/family.
Combining an ocean safari with an island barbecue, or your sunset cruise saves you a whole session with which to plan something else. Like shopping a storm up through the markets, or exploring the natural habitats like the wetlands, filled with avian splendour starting with the flamingoes.
So while one bunch are out there catching fish, the ladies and kids can comb beaches and snorkel – all meeting up later for a fish braai on an island somewhere.
Click on over fishbazaruto.com where you can access a string of articles, pages, video and blogs on all things Vilankulos and Bazaruto.
Vilankulo, Vilanculo, Vilankulos, Vilanculos, Vilancoulos – it’s all the same out on the ocean!
