The cruise begins in the Northern area of the Lake where the Pongola River, which is the only water source feeding the Lake, enters. While the extreme Northern tip creeps into Swaziland and the rest of the Northern area and the entire Western and Southern banks are bordered by the Pongola Nature Reserve and the Pongola Game Reserve. The game reserves host many animal species which can be seen in herds from Shayamanzi's decks: White Rhino, elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, kudu, nyala, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, common reedbuck, red duiker, grey duiker, waterbuck, steenbuck, suni antelope, black backed jackal, hyena, cheetah, wild dog, cerval cat, warthog, bushpig, banded mongoose, legavaan, terrapin and the occasional siting of leopard which roam the slopes of the Lebombo mountains.
The muddy plains and reed banks provide excellent breeding grounds for the waterbirds which can be seen in thousands - Whistling Duck, Yellowbilled Storks, Spurwing and Egyptian Geese, Commorants, various Herons, Kingfishers, and several Fish Eagles.
Along the entire Western bank is the magnificent Lebombo Mountain range. One of the evening anchorages is a night in the Gorge. Here the Mountains rise either side of you, covered in indigenous cycads and ferns and where the glo-flies make a spectacular show along the shoreline.
Activities:
Two double pontoon tender boats accompany the houseboat on her cruise. These are used by the passengers to explore the Lake's secret coves for fishing or game viewing purposes and are skippered by the Shayamanzi crew.
Lake Jozini is the only water in South Africa where you find the ferocious fighting Tiger Fish, an African game fish, which sends you thrills as it jumps out the water, throwing his head from side to side trying to get off your line. Tackle and 12 rods are available for hire. Should you like to reserve live bait (tilapia) for your fishing excursions, this is an extra cost and needs to be booked by prior arrangement.
The Lake is surrounded by the Pongola Game Reserve and Phongolo Nature Reserve, which provide spectacular game viewing from the water's edge. The Reserves are teaming with a large variety of wildlife which can be viewed from the Shayamanzi decks or the tender boats.
The area is a birder's paradise hosting over 350 species of bush birds, raptors and water birds. Set against the Lebombo Mountains, the Lake becomes a breeding zone for cormorants, herons, ducks, storks and many more. Between May and November there is a fantastic hive of activity not to be missed.
Other land activities can be enjoyed whereby we link up with the surrounding lodge's and their game drives, elephant monitoring, rhino walks, gem stone trails, botanical mountain hikes, tours of the dam wall and half day cultural outings into rural Zululand.
Notes:
The prices are per day per boat, and depends on the number of people onboard.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation;
- Two 85 hp Tender boats;
- Diesel & Fuel;
- Fully serviced.
Price does not include:
- Meals, Tackle & rod hire, live bait, drinks, optional activities, gratuities;
- Rod Hire @ R75 per rod & tackle per day. Any tackle lost or damaged to be replaced;
- Live Bait @ R3 per fish. Live bait is dependant on availability.
(Shayamanzi does not guarantee to keep the bait alive).
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
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