The Eastern Sales team won the Voermol Team of the Year award so the team decided to spend the prize money on a weekend on Shayamanzi II, a houseboat which could accommodate the 10 team members. We arrived at Tiger Lodge on Friday morning. While the team members had a brief budget meeting, some of the ladies made good use of the Spa while the others sat around and chatted. We then had a superb lunch at the lodge before embarking on the houseboat at 2pm.
The houseboats at dock from Tiger Lodge
We were met at the lodge by some of the crew members who loaded our luggage into a panel van. The ladies were transported to the dock, while the men went to park the cars. They were then fetched and we all boarded the houseboat on the tender boats. Our luggage was brought over and we went in search of our cabins (all en-suite). There are 6 cabins on the second deck and 4 slightly larger cabins on the 3rd deck. These have windows which are almost at water level and are not for those who suffer from claustrophobia. The remaining 6 cabins are small, but so well designed that one doesn’t feel cramped. Each has a double sliding “door” which opens to give one the most amazing view of the dam and shore as you cruise. A bar and net prevent any accidental “man overboard”. We were greeted with a glass of champagne and a quick safety/introduction talk by Richard, the captain. We were fortunate to have a cabin on the second deck and after unpacking, went to explore while the crew got the boat underway.
The top deck is the dining, lounge and bar area with open deck areas at the front and back. There is an 8 seater Jacuzzi at the back of the second deck, with a small bar and braai. The front of the second deck houses the galley, a staff deck and the staff cabins are in the front of the 3rd deck. The 6 crew members comprise a chef, kitchen aide and the captain who along with the 3 others double up as cleaners, waiters and fishing/game guides. These guys were excellent.
The cruise out the gorge was delightful, with a stiff breeze blowing and over cast conditions. A few days prior to our arrival, they had let out 1m of water. Richard explained that this is done annually to flush the river system below the wall. The drop in water was very noticeable on the shore bank. The mind boggles at the amount of water over a 16 000 ha area that was released.
The gorge
How much the level of the dam dropped is visible as the whiter area.
When we hit the dam proper, the wind was quite a bit stronger with smallish waves. The captain headed towards the river and most of us went to our cabins for a nap after the long drive. It was so relaxing lying on your bed and watching the scenery go by. Naturally it wasn’t long and one was lulled asleep by the boat’s motion and gentle engine throbbing. On awaking, we went to the top deck, got a drink, did some game viewing and watched the sun set as we entered the river area. We saw rhino, buffalo, warthog, buck, hippo and lots of bird life. The boat moored just before the Inkwazi Lodge and as it was getting dark, we didn’t fish, just socialised before dinner. Everyone decided on an early night and by 9.30pm most of us were asleep.
The tender boats leave for fishing at 6am or game viewing at 6.30am. 2 boats left to go fishing, 1 went up river while the other (ours) towards the dam. The wind was blowing; it was overcast and quite choppy. We anchored on the east bank and baited up with sardine. It wasn’t long and my rod went off and I landed my first tiger. It wasn’t a big one, but it was a tiger! I was so chuffed. There were high fives all around and everyone forgot about being cold.
We hung around for a bit longer but there were no more bites, so our guide, Adam, decided to head for the western shore. Crossing the dam was not much fun. Scotty, Schalk and I had not brought windcheaters or warm tops so we got jolly cold
. After trying a few spots, we decided to head back as it was close to breakfast time. The crossing this time was beyond unpleasant. Tamara had brought a towel which she gave to me as a little protection against the wind and spray. Scotty and I tried to share it while Schalk looked like he had developed rigor mortis – his face etched with a permanent grimace, his hands clawed while we suffered the boat slamming down on the bad chop, covering us with spray. Once in the river section, Adam slowed down and we headed towards some rhino on the bank just after the campsite.
As soon as we got back to the houseboat, everyone bolted for a warm shower before breakfast. The houseboat had left its mooring and we ate breakfast watching the game on the shore. Richard, the captain, took a course down the eastern bank searching for the elephant.
Scotty and I lay on the bed watching the shore but not long and we were both fast asleep. We had lunch on the move and Richard moored just before the entrance to the gorge. Adam took us out on the tender boat for some fishing on the western shore, but not a nibble was to be had. Back at the houseboat, the guys had some action, with one chap losing a decent size tiger just before the net could get to him. The other tender boat had caught quite a few barbel in the morning, but nothing that afternoon. I stayed on the tender boat and carried on fishing while everyone else watched rugby. One of the rods went off and the tiger fish jumped out the water. I managed to get to it and reeled in another small fish. On dark I gave up and went to shower before dinner. This mooring did not have a power point, so we drifted off to sleep with the sound of the generator in the background. We had gone to bed at 8.30 and I woke when the generator went off – hard to believe silence can waken one. The sound of waves breaking on the shore woke us just before dawn. We could not figure out what caused the waves, as there was no wind and we had not heard a boat. We later found out a pod of hippo were on the other side of the boat, grazing on the weed and they had caused the waves.
Some of us wanted to go fishing again, so we climbed onto Rasta’s tender boat as Adam’s boat had been seconded for game viewing – the 3rd tender boat’s engine had given up the ghost and was out of action. Rasta took us about 50m from the houseboat to some weed beds. He said this area was the most productive for tigers. The smaller houseboat had moored here on Friday night and they had caught 10 tigers here. I had 2 hits, but missed them. Hendrik also had a good hit. The other guys wanted to go back but Hendrik, Rasta and I went back for some more fishing before breakfast. I asked Rasta to cast out my small rod, as I had broken off my leader and needed to trace up again. It was quite funny, me baiting up for the guide, as he did not know circle hooks. I saw him reeling in and it seemed as if he was bringing in a large bunch of weed. He gently pulled the line with his hand and next thing he landed this fish which looked like a sand gurnard. Can anyone identify it please?
I can honestly say this was the most enjoyable weekend that I have had in years. I highly recommend Shayamanzi houseboats and definitely want to go on them again, especially with my boys. The crew are so professional, friendly and the food was excellent. It was so relaxing and would have scored a perfect 10 if only we caught more fish. The guides said that the overcast weather was detrimental as the tigers come on the bite when the sun warms the water.
