Though Charles Norman Safaris is South African based, they offer few local offshore fishing packages. Being largely outside the tropics, South African gamefishing is confined mostly to the northeastern corner of the country, where harbours are non-existent and fishing is done with "ski-boats" -- fast but small twin-engined craft launched from shore through the waves. If conditions are not right, you can't launch. South Africans are happy to entertain themselves on the beach for days at a time when such conditions prevail, but this fishing is not reliable enough to offer clients traveling from far countries. There are two major harbours -- Durban and Richard's Bay -- on the east coast from which tropical gamefishing can reliably be arranged. In the extreme south, around "the fairest Cape in all the world," South Africa has excellent yellowfin and longfin tuna fishing, as well as possibly the world's best broadbill swordfishing. |  |
Broadbills are well protected in South African waters. No broadbill flesh may be sold, and anglers usually release any fish less than 100 kg (220 lb.) Overnight trips are necessary for broadbills, on large boats designed to handle the unpredictable Cape seas. The Eastern Cape coast, on both sides of East London, offers some great surfcasting, the main species being uniquely South African fish such as kabaljou, musselcracker, shad, garrick and steenbras. Inland, there are a number of trout lodges along the Drakensberg, the mountain range that separates the country's high interior and coastal lowlands; there are some browns but fishing is primarly for rainbows, usually in extremely beautiful mountain surroundings. A large, picturesque country with the best road system on the continent, South Africa also offers well-run wildlife reserves, superb golf courses, and specialities such as the famous Blue Train, the casino centre's of Sun City and the Lost City, and trips down working gold mines. |
