MOZAMBIQUE DEEP SEA FISHING

GENERAL INFORMATION

Charles Norman Safaris market Bazaruto Lodge and Indigo Bay on Bazaruto island, about 400 km north of Maputo and 20 km offshore: Benguela Lodge and Marlin Lodge on Benguerrua Island (next door to Bazaruto, separated by a kilometre-wide channel), Inhaca Hotel on Inhaca island, which lies at the mouth of Maputo Bay, 35 km across the Bay from Maputo and Ponta Malongane, 19 km north of the RSA/Mozambique border.

VISA - required for all passport holders needed and must be applied for at least ten working days before departure. The Mozambique tourist office in Braamfontein (011-339 7281) processes visas. You can either apply direct (R85) or we can do it for you (R110).

MALARIA - malaria precautions are essential.

SCUBA DIVING - full scuba diving facilities are available at all destinations.

FISHING SEASONS

The Summer months from October to early March are main Marlin time, with January & February probably being the top months. December/January can be unbearably hot. Sailfish are present during these months, but they also usually appear off Bazaruto and Benguerrua Islands in large numbers in July/August. Most general gamefish species are present year round, esp. king mackerel ('counta), kingfish and queen mackerel (Natal snoek), though warm-water types such as wahoo and dorado are uncommon during the winter months.

Rock and surf fishing is consistent year round, with Bazaruto being the top surfcasting destination and large Ignoblis kingfish the main species sought, either on live bait or casting tackle; big surface poppers are the most successful lure. Very big springer, bonefish, stumpnose, pompano and barracuda are also taken all year from the surf, along with skates, rays and sharks, mostly blackfin.

BAZARUTO LODGE, BAZARUTO ISLAND...

... is 35 km long, has beach vehicles, and for that reason is especially good for rock and surf anglers. For deepsea anglers, main marlin waters are directly off Bazaruto north point, which means much closer to Bazaruto Lodge than Benguela Lodge. Bazaruto Island Lodge consists of central dining room and bar, with pool, right on the beach. Accommodation is in thickly thatched A-frame bungalows set along the beach beneath coconut palms, most en suite, with fans. Electricity, hot and cold running water but no air-con.

BAZARUTO PRICES

Return flights ex Jhb or Durban cost R2 100 + R20 SA airport tax per adult. 50% for children and 10% for infants. Metavia Airlines fly to and from the islands on Tue and Fri. The flight is from Jhb or Durban to Nelspruit and then to Vilonculos to clear customs and onto the islands. Bazaruto Lodge: From 01 Dec '97 to 30 Nov 98, accommodation at Bazaruto Lodge costs US $112 pps or $155 per single. Children under 12 stay free if sharing with parents.

These rates include dinner and breakfast, tea/coffee, laundry and government taxes. Medrescue insurance is compulsory and cost R7 pp pn. A minimum booking of five nights is required over Christmas and Easter. A seven night/eight day half board package costs US $1 209 per adult sharing, US $1 510 single plus SA departure tax of R20 and R49 pp medrescue. It is also possible to do three nights/four days and four nights/five days - call for prices.

BAZARUTO FISHING & DIVING

Bazaruto's boats are seven-metre Cobra-cats, very wide, comfortable for four anglers, powered by twin-90 hp motors. Boat rates are US $160 per day, US $105 per half day. Beach vehicle rates are US $50 per day, US $35 per half day. Neither include fuel which is $1.30 pl. This additional cost can add approx R400 to a full day's fishing.

Hires on Bazaruto do not include tackle. Bring your own, or hire at the lodge: Marlin rig - approx R75 per day, other tackle (including surfcasting) between R30 and R45 a day.

Scuba diving charges; from $35 for close dive sites to $45 for long distance boat dives. Snorkelling, water skiing and Dhow sunset cruises are also available at $5 per activity

BENGUELA LODGE, BENGUERRUA ISLAND...

... offers luxury accommodation in thatched chalets on stilts just off the beach beneath a narrow strip of tall coastal forest; the only such forest on any of the islands, which is mostly scrub-covered. As a result, Benguerrua island has excellent birdlife around the lodge.

There is a central dining room and bar area. Benguela Lodge has no pool, but does have permanent water in front of the lodge, even when the tide is out (as opposed to the sandflats in front of Bazaruto lodge at low tide). The island has 7 km of sea frontage, but only one beach vehicle (not generally for public use) which makes beach fishing very difficult; the lodge is too far from this sea frontage to walk.

BENGUELA PRICES

High (25 Mar - 06 May '98, 20 Jun - 25 Jul '98, 12 Dec - 10 Jan '98.

Mid (04 Mar - 25 Mar '98, 25 Jul - 31 Oct '98)

Low (10 Jan - 04 Mar '98, 06 May - 20 Jun '98, 01 Nov - 12 Dec '98)

Seven night packages (incl. return flights ex Jhb or Durban, SA airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, tea/coffee, transfers, Med Rescue insurance and a CNS shirt) Fri/Fri or Tue/Tue are R6 950, R6 460 or R5 970 per adult sharing in high, mid and low seasons respectively. Children sharing with parents pay R3 500 (high), R3 255 (mid) or R3 010 (low).

Four night packages, Fri/Tue are R5 270, R4 946 OR R4 626 per adult sharing in high, mid and low seasons respectively. Children sharing with parents pay R2 658 (high), R2 498 (mid) or R2 338 (low). It is also possible to do 3, 10 and 11 night packages. Prices for these packages and for single rates on request.

Prices exclude: Mozambique visa, Mozambique airport taxes and bar bill.

BENGUELA LODGE FISHING

... Benguela boats are twin-engine, 7 metre AceCats, at R113 per hour, which includes 4 x 30lb boat rods, but not terminal tackle (ie. lures, hooks etc) Fuel @ R4.50 per litre, used also

NOT included -- to be settled directly with the lodge, as with bar bill.

Not as good for rock and surf as Bazaruto, though one can cross by bot from Benguela lodge to the northern point of the island or the southern point of Bazaruto and fish from there, in the gap between the islands.

An excellent place for kingfish in particular. For light tackle and fly fisherman we think Benguela Lodge has more to offer; easy access to the gaps between Bazaruto/Benguerrua and Benguerrua/Magaruque, where one can usually count on finding gamefish feeding. In the past couple of years more marlin fishing has been done out of Benguela Lodge, with good results, than from Bazaruto Lodge, in spite of Bazaruto being closer to the traditional marlin grounds. The continental drop off lies some 20 km out from sea directly through the gap between Bazaruto/Benguerrua islands, with good general game fishing all the way out.

MARLIN LODGE, BENGUERRA ISLAND...

... is situated on the northwestern side of Benguerra island at flamingo bay. This up market lodge is the latest addition to the Bazaruto archipelago. Accommodation is in chalets overlooking the ocean.

MARLIN LODGE PRICES

Getting to Marlin Lodge involves a flight on Metavia Airlines from Jhb to Nelspruit, then onto Vilonculos to clear customs and onto Benguerra island. Return flights cost R1 900 + R19 dep tax per adult and R950 + R19 per child. Accommodation costs US $150 per person sharing or $175 per single per night to 01 June 1998, then $200 per person sharing per night or $300 per single per night from 01 June 1998 to 01 June 1999. Children up to the age of 3 yrs stay free and children up to the age of 14 yrs pay 50% if sharing with parents.

Prices are fully inclusive of meals, tea/coffee, laundry and Mozambique tax.

Excluded: bar, travel insurance, scuba diving and all motorised sports.

MARLIN LODGE FISHING

Marlin Lodge have three ski-boats: Pacemaker (5.55 m), Lambada (5.55m) and Aristocat (5.75m) these three take a max of three anglers and cost R179 per hour or R1 074 for a full day (8hrs). These rates include Mozambique tax but exclude fuel at $1.20 per litre.

Catalina is a 10m T-Craft which can take up to six anglers and costs R601 per hour pr R3 604 for a full day (8 hrs). This rate is fully inclusive of fuel and 4 light, 2 medium and 2 marlin rods and terminal tackle (lost or damaged tackle is charged for at current replacement rates).

Marlin Lodge also has a 5m semi-rigid rubber duck which costs R85 per hour or R509 for a full day. Fishing tackle is not included but can be hired at the listed price. Fuel is excluded and costs $1.20 per litre.

INHACA ISLAND...

... lies 35 km directly off Maputo, is about 7 km long, has a particularly good rock-and-surf fishing area at the southern point, (Santa Maria/Hell's Gate) where Inhaca is separated from the mainland only by a 300 metre wide channel. But this is far from Hotel, which means you must go by boat, which can (usually) be safely beached on the inside edge of Santa Maria, very close to surf-casting area. It is a good idea to have a boat as the 300 metre channel separating Inhaca

from the mainland at this point can't be properly fished from the shore. There is no fishing in front of the hotel, the water is too shallow, but Portuguese Island, which lies some 300 metres directly off the hotel, has some good surfcasting; good place to spend the day with a picnic hamper and an ice-box.

The hotel chalets are situated amongst the coconut palms in a serene, tropical setting with rustic interior, two single beds and bathrooms en-suite with hot and cold running water.

Meals can be had at the hotel or at Lucas's restaurant in the village next to the chalets.

INHACA PRICES

Getting to Inhaca involves an SAA flight from Jhb to Maputo which costs R680 pp plus SA dep tax of R63. Charles Norman Safaris recommend Thu or Fri morning departures and returning on either Mon, Thu, Fri or Sun in the afternoon. The ski-boat transfer from Maputo harbour to Inhaca costs US $50 pp (which includes a meet and greet service at the airport and transfer to the harbour). The hotel accommodation is US $85 pps or $116 per single. Children under 12 sharing with parents (max of 2 children) stay and eat free. If children stay in their own room, they pay full adult price. The accommodation rates are valid to 31 Nov '98 and include a buffet breakfast, dinner and govt and tourism taxes. During peak season (15 Dec '98 to 15 Jan '99, there is a min stay requirement of five nights.

INHACA FISHING & DIVING

Letoni handle the water sports centre. Fishing rates are currently $225 per boat for a full day hire plus $1.30 per litre of fuel. Dives cost $50 for the first dive and thereafter $30 or $40 per dive depending on how far the reef is. These rates incl. use of cylinder and weight belt.

Also available are snorkelling trips, water skiing, jet skis, para sailing, tours to Portuguese island, tours to Santa Maria island, Tractor rides to the lighthouse, Tractor rides to the Maritime museum, salt water swimming pool, Tennis court and conference facilities. It is possible to do a seven night/eight day trip (Thu/Thu or Fri/Fri), a three night/four day trip (Thu to Sun or Fri to Mon) and a four night/five day trip (Thu to Mon). It is not essential to have any boats at all, but without boats, there's nothing much to do at Inhaca. Hotel is set on inland, protected side of the island, far from "real" beaches, apart from Portuguese Island some 500 metres directly off hotel beach. Hotel beach is all right at high tide, pretty empty at low. All good beaches/snorkelling/fishing too far away to walk; you basically must have a boat to enjoy Inhaca. The tap water on the island is not drinkable and you need to purchase bottled water.

INDIGO BAY, BAZARUTO ISLAND ...

... Indigo Bay (previously known as Sabal Bay Lodge) re-opened in April under new management, Three Cities Hotels. The lodge is still undergoing renovations which will be carried out slowly and unobtrusively and are due to be completed in January 1999.

Indigo Bay is situated on the western side of the island of Bazaruto, across the mainland from Vilanculos (600 kms north of Maputo). It offers exclusivity with accommodation in individual, en-suite, sea view chalets. Full scuba diving and water sports facilities are offered by Bazaruto Scuba & Sail and a professional fishing operation is run by Rod Cross.

INDIGO BAY PRICES

Flights to Indigo Bay are with Metavia Airlines, who fly to and from the island twice a week (Tue & Fri) so it is possible to do a short trip of four nights or a seven night trip. Flights cost US $420 (R2 092) pp return + R20 SA dep tax ex Jhb. Compulsory Medrescue insurance is R20 pp per stay.

Accommodation in High Season (1/4 - 15/4, 26/6 - 21/7 & 23/9 - 5/10/98) is R500 pps pn inclusive of all meals and govt taxes (R400 pps pn low season). Single accommodation is R600 pn (R500 pn low season); children under 12 yrs pay R250 pn (R200 pn low season) if sharing with adults, in their own chalet. 3rd adult in Chalet is R375 pn (R300 pn low season).

Indigo also have two bungalows which sleep eight people in four bedrooms. The bedrooms all lead off a central lounge area, have two bathrooms and are ventilated with ceiling fans. Cost: R285 pp (R250 pp low season) with all meals (minimum of six people). Ideal for groups of divers/anglers.

A seven night package to Indigo Bay is R5 632 pp in high season (R4 932 pp low season). Includes return flights ex Jhb or Dbn, SA departure tax, Medrescue insurance, seven nights accommodation with all meals and a CNS travel bag.

A four night/five day trip (Fri to Tues) is currently R4 132 pps or R4 532 per single in high season and R3 732 pps or R4 132 single in low season.

INDIGO BAY FISHING

Fishing is from custom built boats with experience skippers. Boat hire is US $20 per hour per boat per day (minimum four hrs) plus fuel at US $1.00 per litre. Boat hire can be pre-booked and paid for in Johannesburg but the fuel is paid for directly at the lodge. Charles Norman Safaris can offer a special package with a minimum of four fishing days.

For the non-fisherfolk, there are a variety of activities to keep you busy at Indigo Bay, other that suntanning on the beautiful beaches or swimming in the fresh water swimming pool. There is a diving operation at the lodge, snorkelling, sundowner cruises, landrover safaris, Catamaran sailing trips, birdwatching and walking trails which are highly recommended. The island has a number of inland lakes which are worth a visit. Hobby Cats and parasails are available for hire.

PONTA MALONGANE ...

... lies 19 km north of the border, on roads that require 4 x 4. Or, by prior arrangement you can be collected at the border, and your vehicle left there in safe parking.

The resort is set on a sheltered bay, in dense milkwood coastal dune forest between a sand ridge and the ocean; the forest and the high ground behind the resort offer shelter from any wind. Malongane consists of self-catering chalets and rondavels (serviced daily), camping and caravan sites, a tented "village" for the Scuba diving operation, and several ablution blocks with flush toilets and hot showers. A restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner (A'la Carte). All sites are within 200 metres of the ocean, and most are far closer. There is electricity and piped water, and a restaurant with bar and TV room. The forest brings with it mosquitoes, so please take LOTS of mosquito, creams, sprays, coils etc. Other than fishing and diving, snorkelling and bird watching are also popular.

The border is open seven days a week from 0800 to 1700. R20 is charged for a temporary import license & R85 for third party insurance on all motor vehicles. R12 is charged on each passport. Do not forget your car registration papers.

PONTA MALONGANE PRICES

Rondavels (2 bed, no linen/kitchen or bathroom) - R154.00 per rondavel per night with breakfast

Rondavels (2 bed, linen and bathroom but no kitchen) - R160 per rondavel per night

Rondavels (4 bed, fully self catering) - R340 per rondavel per night

Chalets (4 bed, fully self catering) - R340 per chalet per night

Chalets (5 bed, fully self catering) - R400 per chalet per night

Chalet (6 bed, fully self catering) - R480 per chalet per night

Prices include 13% government tax

Transfer from border to Ponta Malongane - R50 pp return (min 2 pax).

Car security at border - R10 per vehicle per day.

DIVE CAMP PRICES

Large two-man dome tents with electrical lighting. Comfortable matresses are provided and the tents are serviced daily. Take own bedding and towels. Self catering facilities comprise a central kitchen complete with fridges, freezers, preparation and eating utensils. The kitchen is serviced and dishes washed. The restaurant and ladies bar do provide cooked meals.

Tent R130 per tent per night

Five dive package - R550 pp (including tanks).

Limited gear available for hire - must be pre-booked. Minimum two divers required to launch.

Breakfast and dinner - R60 pp pd (fore pre-booked catering)

Excludes Mozambique divers tax R20 pp

WINTER DIVE CAMP SPECIALS - Three nights accommodation and five dives

Mid-Week (Mon/Thu) - R535 pps. Week-end (Thu/Sun) - R635 pps.

PONTA MALONGANE FISHING

At present, Ponta Malongane has only one professional fishing boat for hire, a seven metre Acecraft, which costs R1 500 for a full day charter inclusive of fuel and a variety of deep sea fishing tackle. Pre-booking is essential.

Price are subject to change without notice. $ Currency Exchange $