With a vast expanse of the river at your “front door”, the
campsites are well shaded by the Terminalaia, Natal Mahogany
and Acaica trees. Electric plug points are available for a nominal
fee at each campsite. Each campsite has its own braai area, while
a ladies and gents ablution facilities with hot water as well as a
communal kitchen is in close proximity to the campsite.
pride of lions moving through the area. The dung heaps provide
evidence of elephant activity, but I was assured that the property is
semi-elephant proof.
The lodge’s primary activities are fishing and birding. Moored
on the steep embankment in front of the lodge are nine fishing boats
(fibreglass and aluminium), a pontoon cruiser for birding enthusiasts
as well as 22 metre house boat, which sleeps 12. Within the 150km
of fishing water that Island View can offer you, tigerfish is king,
but complimented with nine bream species, including special upper
Zambezi icons such as the Thinface, Brownspot and Humpback
Largemouth bream; Nembwe; and the Green and Pink bream. More
common ones include Redbreast, Greenhead, and Threespot Tilapia
(which grow to massive proportions up here) and of course the hard
fighting if not pretty Sharptooth catfish. A rare and beautiful fish are
the African pike which inhabit these waters and are worthy adversaries
in their own right providing all-species anglers with excellent sport
fishing. According to Mike, it is best to fish for bream from June to late
December peaking in July and August, while tiger can be caught all year
except for March and April when the water levels are too high. Island
View are very conservation orientated (as evidenced by the format for
V o l . 21 # 1
their annual International Zambezi Classic event), and Mike encourages
catch and release while even prohibiting fishing right in front of the
main lodge where he nurtures large shoals of bream.
A “twitters” paradise, especially from September to December,
the bird life is colourful and abundant; boasting 435 bird species in
the area. One might get lucky and spot a rare species like the Shelly’s
sunbird.
On our ride in the pontoon we were provided with many scenic
photographic opportunities. Beaching on the white sand, we scrambled
up an embankment to get a view of the rivers expanse. The sand sung
as it slipped away from under our feet and had it not been for wood
fires and cattle in the reed beds it would have been difficult to imagine
oneself in Africa.
The lodge is open 365 days and can sleep thirty visitors. The fully
serviced accommodation is rustic, yet comfortable. Each thatched
bungalow has its own equipped self catering kitchen and freezing
facilities. Apart from two of the bungalows, all the others have ensuite bathrooms and hot water. Twenty-four hour 220v electricity and
plug points ensures that the overhead fans keep the sultry heat at bay
during the hotter months and hopefully any mosquito caring to dine
during your hours of slumber.
With a vast expanse of the river at your “front door”, the campsites
are well shaded by the Terminalaia, Natal Mahogany and Acaica trees.
Electric plug points are available for a nominal fee at each campsite.
Each campsite has its own braai area, while a ladies and gents ablution
facilities with hot water as well as a communal kitchen is in close
proximity to the campsite
Whether you are camping or staying in one of the bungalows,
you have the choice of bed and breakfast, full or semi board or self
catering.
It is not safe to drink the water from the taps; however you are able
to purify your drinking water at the lodges bar at a nominal charge.
Amongst other amenities, the lodge also provides tackle and has a
tackle shop that will tide you over with the basics, as well as stocking
basic baits (worms etc.) and providing tackle hire for those not too
serious anglers. Under the watchful eye of one of the lodge’s guides
(all boats come with driver/guide), the girls also got an opportunity to
cast a rod into the tempestuous waters of the Zambezi. I don’t know if
it was beginners luck, but much to their delight they landed a notable
catfish and a squeeker.
The swimming pool provided a safe haven to cool down in while
the T.V. lounge, snooker table and bar allowed one to catch up on and
reminisce about the day, especially the one that got away!
Af \