DESTINATIONS

	RIO AZUL
	General Info
	Rio Azul is located on the banks of the Govuro River in Mozambique, overlooking the estuary and is about 2km from the river mouth. The Govuro River mouth is 130km north of Vilanculos. The Govuro River runs north from Vilanculos and past Inhassoro and enters the sea at Bartholomew Diaz point. Rio Azul is one of the few venues along the Mozambique coast where one can access deep water with strong currents close to the beach. The point at the river mouth has deep water right at the edge and big game fish move into easy casting distance of the shore to feed. The estuary offers many species of fish for light tackle fishing. There is abundant birdlife in this mangrove region as well as beautiful, unspoilt beaches to be explored.
	Fishing
	Rio Azul is unique in that it offers good quality estuary fishing, brilliant surf fishing and some of the finest offshore fishing in Mozambique. This venue is ideal for fishermen who enjoy a variety of fishing techniques from fly-fishing, to light tackle lure fishing, surf fishing and deep-sea fishing. The policy at Rio Azul is strictly catch and release. Bait will be available from the lodge at no extra charge to guests and will consist of: prawns, squid and fish. The lodge will endeavour to supply live bait whenever possible. The lodge has a 16ft Catamaran which is hired out at a charge of US$400 (10 hrs) US$300 (7 hrs) US$220 (5 hrs) and a 31ft Marlin Boat which is charged at US$650 (10 hrs) US$480 (7 hrs) and US$380 (5 hrs), boat hire includes fuel. Rand rates are also available. Estuary fishing: The boats that each room is supplied with are ideal for estuary fishing. The boats are Ali boats, like the ones used in the Okavango delta, fitted with a single 15 horse power Yamaha outboard motor. Each boat has a fish finder GPS unit, an electric trolling motor, a two-way marine radio, a spotlight, a laminated map of the estuary with fishing hot spots marked on it, a cooler box and a fold up sun cover. Guests will be given a course on how to operate the boat as well as the electronic equipment on board when they arrive. Guests will have the choice of hiring a local skipper for their stay should they wish to. The estuary is extensive and offers diverse fishing from trolling lures, to casting baits, lures and flies. Fishing the deep main channels is good for grunter, stumpnose, kingfish, queenfish, barracuda, sharks, brindle bass and rock cod. The mangrove channels are excellent for fishing for river snapper, ox-eye tarpon, skipjack, perch, estuary cod and small kingfish. The best form of fishing in the estuary is casting lures with light tackle from the drifting boat towards the mangroves or fly-fishing the same way. Some big fish are caught trolling lures in the main channels and also drifting in the main channels with live bait. Surf fishing: From the beaches of either the river mouth or the island anglers can expect such gamefish species such as kingfish, queenfish, king mackerel, springer and barracuda. For those who enjoy battling the heavies there are also sharks, sandsharks and rays. Other species that one can catch from the side are: Pompano, spotted grunter, bonefish, stumpnose, rockcod and various species of snapper. There are a variety of productive methods of fishing the surf, including: light tackle lure fishing, plug and spoon casting, fly fishing, bait fishing, live bait fishing and night fishing. On a pushing or high tide one can cast baits, plugs, spoons or flies at the point or from the island. On an outgoing tide it is productive to swim a live bait or a dead bait out with a balloon using the current too get the bait out a long way. This method is good for catching big kingfish, king mackerel and sharks. There are no rocks in the deep water around the point, so kingfish cannot cut you off and chances are good of landing fish once they are hooked, even on light tackle. Night fishing is excellent with bait, live bait or casting weighted Rapala type lures. Mostly kingfish, sharks and rays are caught at night, but it is also a good time to catch stumpnose, bonefish and springer from the beach. The lodge will arrange for a bonfire, and dinner to be served on the beach for those who wish to night fish and a fly camp with dinner, drinks and a fire can be set up on the island if guests would like to overnight there and fish through the night. Offshore fishing: Rio Azul offers some of the finest offshore fishing available in Mozambique. The lodge boats are skippered by experienced and qualified fishing guides, who know the area intimately. They use customised cats which are reliable, safe and comfortable to fish from. Launching from the estuary is safe, with no surf to negotiate. The boats have access to some exceptionally productive reefs that receive very little fishing pressure. Guests have the choice of trolling, plugging, jigging, fly-fishing or drift bait fishing for the game fish that occur in the ocean off Bartholomew Diaz. All species of Indian Ocean game fish from kingfish to marlin are caught in the area. Boats fish two clients at a time. The nearest reefs are a ten-minute run from the lodge, and reefs right up to 25 mile reef north of Bazaruto Island are accessible to the lodge’s boats. Tackle for offshore fishing is available and its use is included in the cost of daily boat chartering.
	Accomodation
	Accommodation consists of 6 thatched rooms with twin, three quarter beds and en-suite bathrooms. Each room has a wooden deck overlooking the estuary. Beds are equipped with mosquito nets. Each room has two hand wash basins with mirrors, a toilet and a shower with hot and cold water. Each room has its own boat for use in the estuary. The lodge boasts two villas each consisting of 3 bedrooms (all en suite) with an upstairs loft for children (up to six small children). Both villas have their own private pool. The main lodge area consists of a lounge, dining room and bar area with a big wooden deck in front and a plunge pool. There is a small shop that will sell items such as batteries, sun block, hats, lures, line and other fishing tackle. The lodge has electricity supplied by a generator and plug points for charging camera batteries etc. Each room has a digital safe to store passports and other valuables.
	Season
	Rio Azul fishes well year round.
	How to get there
	Fly daily from Johannesburg to Vilanculos with Pelican Air who now also fly from Nelspruit twice weekly. Flights from OR Tambo with LAM via Maputo on selected days are also an option. Then, road transfer from Vilanculos to the lodge. Self Drive is also an option for those with 4x4’s. It is 1600km from JHB & DBN / 11 hours drive from Maputo to Inhassoro. The distance from Bazaruto is approximately 50km, and the distance from Vilanculos by road 130km.
	Other activities
	The area offers some great bird watching with specials such as mangrove kingfishers and crab plovers. Also available are beach walks, kayaking, sundowner cruise on a local Dhow, trips to BD Island and snorkelling.
	Length of stay
	There is no minimum or maximum length of stay, but most people tend to book for at least a week.
	Capacity
	The lodge accommodates twenty adult guests. The lodge welcomes children.
	Docs required
	South African passport holders do not need a visa for Mozambique. International passport holders can obtain on arrival in Mozambique. Please ensure that your passports are valid for travel.
	Rates
	For South African residents, an all inclusive week package rate is approximately R18, 300.00 per person sharing. Their nightly rate is R2100.00 (R575.00 single supplement). Return road transfers from Vilanculos airport to the lodge is R400.00 per person. Airfare to Vilanculos costs between R3600.00 to R4800.00 pp return, and airport departure taxes are currently R915.00 - R1550.00. Please contact us for your detailed package cost.
	Included
	Package rates include flights, transfers, accommodation, all meals, unlimited use of estuary boats per room, use of sea kayaks, tea/coffee and snorkelling on request.
	Excluded
	Travel Insurance, Offshore fishing, all fuel used for estuary boats, beverages, gratuities, items of personal nature, etc.
	Special Notes
	South Africans no longer need a visa to visit Mozambique but foreign nationals will need a visa which can be obtained on arrival (US$29 pp), valid passports are necessary. Currency used at the lodge is South African Rand, US Dollars and Mozambique Metica. Please note that the lodge does NOT have credit card facilities, all extras payable in cash although credit card payments can be facilitated. Mozambique is a Malaria area. Please consult your GP or travel clinic with regards to precautionary medication. Groups - please contact us to for special package rates for groups of six or more. Tackle suggestion list available on request or with your detailed itinerary and travel vouchers. *CURRENT SPECIALS AVAILABLE UNTIL END AUGUST*