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The Tugela Mouth |
Caravan Park |
Clean Ablutions |
Lapa by the Swimming Pool |
The Fisherman's Paradise |
Sun sets over the Tugela River |
Well equipped Games Room |
The small village of Tugela
was a name I had heard numerous stories of big fish and even
bigger sharks. So it was with great delight and anticipation that
filled me the day I arrived. The sky was cloudy, the wind
blustery, but even then the heat and humidity that struck me as I opened the
door of my air- conditioned car was staggering.
As I drove into the entrance
of the Tugela Mouth Resort I was greeted by the ever smiling and
cheerful JD Lotz, the owner, of this small but well appointed
resort. JD took me on a short tour of the grounds, guided me to my
chalet, and then left me to unpack and get settled. My first
impressions of a clean, well-kept resort, were that one could be
really comfortable here and if you were not careful you may not
wish to leave.
Other than the obvious
fishing that is available in and around the area, the resort
offers an assortment of accommodation types to suit all pockets,
from the camper, right through to your own private house or chalet.
The lush vegetation assists in ensuring that all of the camping
areas are fully grassed, well protected and shade is never far
away. Each of the camping sites has its own braai area, electric
powerpoint and light, and the two sets of ablutions and other
facilities (washing machines, dish wash areas etc.) are only a
short distance from you no matter where on the resort you are.
In addition to the various
types and styles of comfortable accommodation that this resort has
to offer, there are also a number of other onsite activites to
keep you busy, from the well appointed and exquisitely decorated
dry bar come lapa, to the swimming pool, the jungle gym and
trampoline, as well as some shady hammocks, all within a short
distance of each other. So while mum and dad relax in the shade
the youngsters can play safely nearby. Moving on from here there
is a large and spacious games room that has 2 pool tables, a darts
board, table tennis table, a number of video games and a TV, so
whether you want to get out of the heat of the day or a summer
shower, or keep an eye on that vital rugby or cricket match you
have a choice of a few pass times to keep you occupied.
One of the main reasons
people wish to visit the stretch of the Natal coast is the
reputably good fishing, whether it be deep-sea or surf fishing,
and with the resort only a short walk through the dunes to the
beach, and only a brisk stroll from the river mouth you have some
excellent fishing close to hand. During the time of my visit I
engaged in both surf and fly fishing, and although I considered a
deep-sea trip the weather was such that I opted out of a trip, but
next time..! For those of you who do not have your own boat there are a
number of charters available in the area, and all you need to do
is speak to JD at Tugela resort and he can put you onto the right
people. If you have your own ski boat, you can arrange with the
local ski boat club to use there launching facilities.
The fishing along this
beautiful part of the Natal coast is renowned to be amongst the
best in KZN, if not the whole country. From fishing the Mouth of
the mighty Tugela, to the long uninterrupted stretches of clean,
golden, sandy beaches you have a choice of many different species
of fish to do battle with, from the monstrous sharks and flatfish such a skates, sand sharks and edible species like Kingfish,
Grunter and River Snapper that inhabit the shoreline stretches
during summer, to the ever present Kob, Lobotes, the winter
Garrick and Shad that visit during the cooler months, to name but
a few of the species that can be caught. This stretch of coast has
something for every angler including the salt water fly-fisherman,
how can fish the river mouth area at high tide with the prospect
of mullet, Garrick, Kob and many more to tantelize you, while only
a short distance away you may find a fellow angler casting his
net for the ever present prospect of live bait. This coastline is
rich with bait fish, with schools of mullet and other small fish
often seen swimming within a short cast of the shore.
Although the village of
Tugela has a small rudimentary shop and bottle store, which sells
you basic needs, bait and a few hooks and sinkers, for your main
grocery requirements Mandini is only 15 or so Kilometers way, and
Stanger is 30 km away if you need any more specialized tackle,
there are a few reasonable well equipped stores in Stanger.
All in all the small village
of Tugela is a beautiful, tranquil and peaceful place to visit
that offers some great accommodation, fantastic fishing, and a
chance to get away from it all, in this village that has been left
as if time stood still as the Tugela Mouth Resort brochure says,
so the next time you want to get away from it all and fancy a spot
of good fishing mixed with a relaxing atmosphere, give JD a call and he can
help sort you out with all you need to have an enjoyable time.
FOR MORE COMPLETE AND UP TO DATE INFORMATION,
CONTACT
Tugela Mouth Holiday Resort
Tel (032) 458 4241 Fax (032) 458 4241
International Dialling Code: +27 32
E-mail:
info@tugelamouth.co.za
Website URL:
http://www.tugelamouth.co.za/
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