7 Wonderful Natural Sights in South Africa

South Africa is a land of incredible natural beauty, boasting an array of breathtaking landscapes that will leave you spellbound. From towering mountains to sweeping grasslands, shimmering coastline to teeming wildlife reserves, the country is a veritable feast for the senses. Here are just 7 of the more popular wonderful natural sights in South Africa that you may want to visit while exploring the country.

1) Table Mountain

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is perhaps South Africa's most iconic natural landmark. This flat-topped mountain rises majestically above the city of Cape Town, offering incredible panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and hinterland. You can take a cable car to the summit for an unforgettable experience. Don't forget from Cape Town you are also just an hour away from some amazing trout fishing in mountain streams!

2) Kruger National Park

Lion Cub, Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, and home to an incredible diversity of wildlife including all of the big 5! Visitors can take guided game drives or self-drive through the park to spot lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and a host of other creatures in their natural habitat. The park also offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxury lodges to basic campsites. With this being one of the best places to visit in South Africa, it is worth noting that while you cannot fly fish within the park, you have some opportunities close by for you to cast a fly for some awesome fish such as the prized yellowfish and trout, not to mentioned bass.

3) Blyde River Canyon

Blyde River Canyon

The Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest canyons in the world, and one of South Africa's most spectacular natural sights. The canyon is part of the Drakensberg escarpment, and is characterized by towering cliffs, lush vegetation, and breathtaking waterfalls. Visitors can take a scenic drive along the canyon, or hike one of the many trails that wind through the surrounding wilderness. Again, with a fly rod in hand some wonderful fly fishing opportunities exist in the area should you wish to get your fly box out!

4) Cape Winelands

Winelands, Stellenbosch South Africa

The Cape Winelands are a picturesque region of rolling hills and vineyards, just a short drive from Cape Town. The area is renowned for its wine production, and visitors can sample some of the world's finest vintages at one of the many wine estates in the region. The Cape Winelands are also home to a number of historic towns and villages, each with its own unique character and charm. In and around the area one has the option of trout fishing, bass fishing, carp fishing to name just a few. From still waters to streams you have plenty of reasons to pack a fly fishing rod and cast for a few hours, a whole day, or even more.

5) Garden Route

Knysna Estuary, Garden Route South Africa

The Garden Route is a scenic stretch of coastline that runs from Mossel Bay to Storms River, and is one of South Africa's most popular tourist destinations. The route is characterized by rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and verdant forests, and offers visitors a range of outdoor activities, from hiking and cycling to surfing and whale watching. From our perspective however nothing beat the fly fishing opportunities that exist in the area. Throughout the coast one has the opportunity to target our favourite species to fly fish for: The Spotted Grunter. With the right guide or the right gear and some advice, you have a chance at landing one of these amazing fish or another salt water species that inhabit this section of coastline. Pack a 7 or 8 weight rod and cold water fly lines and some saltwater flies and you have a lot of fun to be had.

6) iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Hippo's are a common sight in the wetlands

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the most biodiverse regions in South Africa. The park encompasses a range of ecosystems, from pristine beaches to mangrove swamps, and is home to a vast array of wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, hippos, and crocodiles. This is one of the coolest places in South Africa, a place that still feels wild. Pack the 9 weight fly rod and explore the coast for all sorts of salt water fun. The town of St. Lucia is special and now and then Hippos can be seen roaming the streets!

7) Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg Mountains are a spectacular range that runs along South Africa's eastern border with Lesotho. The mountains are characterized by towering peaks, deep valleys, and crystal-clear streams, it is an outdoor enthusiasts paradise. Not only is there amazing hiking, climbing, horseback riding and a large range of accommodation on offer, there is also a vast area to explore and a lot of these streams contain wonderful trout and make for a dream fly fishing trip that will be enjoyed by the non-angling members of the group too!

These are just a small sample of some of the things one can check out while visiting South Africa. The wonderful thing is that in or around all of the places mentioned above, it is possible to find somewhere wonderful to cast a fly rod and enjoy some top class fly fishing in the most Southern country on the African continent. The wonderful range of sights and sounds means that fly fishing can be enjoyed by the avid fly angler while the family o non-fishing member can have just as amazing a time exploring the sight and sounds.

On The Fly Adventures (PTY) Ltd was established in 2019 with the simple idea of sharing the wonder of South Africa with travelers wanting to explore the place we love.

For more information you can contact us directly and we can start putting together a trip idea for you. Remember we are not a fly fishing travel company, we are a travel company for everyone, that happens to keep fly fishing in mind. Talk to us and we can plan you South African adventure.

www.onthefly.africa

Fly Fishing in South Africa: Top Saltwater and Freshwater Species to Target

South Africa is a world-class destination for fly fishing enthusiasts, offering a wide range of saltwater and freshwater species to target. Here are some of the top fish to catch on the fly in South Africa:

Saltwater Species:

1. Grunter - The Spotted grunter is a challenging and elusive species found in estuaries and tidal rivers in South Africa. They are known for their selective feeding habits, making them a challenging target for fly anglers. Successful grunter fishing with a fly requires careful observation and presentation skills, as well as an understanding of the fish's behavior and preferred prey.

2. Garrick - Also known as leerfish, these are a popular game fish found along the South African coast. They are known for their aggressive strikes and hard fights.

3. Kob - Also known as kabeljou, these fish are found along the coast and in estuaries. They are known for their hard fights and can be caught with a variety of fly patterns.

4. Yellowtail - This powerful game fish is found along the South African coast and is a popular target for fly anglers. They are known for their aggressive strikes and strong runs.

5. Kingfish - Several species of kingfish, including the giant trevally and the king mackerel, can be targeted with fly fishing gear in South Africa. They are known for their aggressive strikes and hard fights. These however are not something easily find and landed. This is a rare

Juvenile Garrick

Spotted Grunter, by Luke

Grunter beauty, Luke

Freshwater Species:

1. Yellowfish - The largemouth and Clanwilliam yellowfish are the two largest of the Yellowfish species and freshwater game species found in South Africa. Largies are found further north of the country and the clannies found in the Cederberg region. Unbelievable fish to be targeted on fly in even more unbelievable locations. There are a few other types of yellowish too. If there is a unique fish you want to find, endemic to the country, this is it.

2. Rainbow Trout - Although not native to South Africa, trout have been introduced into many rivers and stillwaters. They are a popular target for fly anglers and can be found in a variety of sizes. Rainbow trout can be found through the country and one of our favourite places to find them are the Cape Streams, just an hour away from Cape Town in the mountains.

3. Brown Trout - Brown trout were also introduced many many years ago and can be found in streams all over the country. For beautiful brown trout action on a fly rod in wonderful surrounds, the Drakensberg mountains are at the top of our list.

4. Bass - Both largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found in South Africa, and are often targeted by fly anglers. They are found in stillwaters and rivers throughout the country.

5. Carp - As funny as it sounds, there are some big Carp in the river, dams and lakes around the country and more and more fly anglers are going after these tham you would think! They are big and smart and pose quite the challenge on a fly rod.

A Day on the Cape Streams

Etymology of the Streams

Rainbow Trout of the Cape

Overall, South Africa offers a wealth of fly fishing opportunities for anglers looking to target a variety of saltwater and freshwater species. With careful observation, presentation skills, and the right gear, fly anglers can enjoy a thrilling and rewarding experience fishing for these top species in South Africa.

Get in touch with us now for us to plan your South African adventure. Remember, we plan full trips, not only the fishing. If you want a 2 week trip and only one day of fishing in between we can do that too as we are experts in travel in South Africa, not only in fly fishing.

www.onthefly.africa

On The Fly Adventures (PTY) Ltd, since 2019.

Fly Fishing Along The Garden Route, South Africa

The Garden Route is a wonderful, scenic, 300km route meandering along the eastern coast of South Africa's Western and Eastern Cape. It stretches from Mossel Bay to Tsitsikamma. With it's lush green vegetation and with the road hugging the beautiful beaches throughout the journey it is one of the most popular holiday routes for both local and international travelers.

Whether you fly fish or not this area is a must-see for anyone visiting South Africa. It boasts amazing natural beauty, excellent accomodation options in the wonderful towns along the route, and plenty of activities for all ages.

When it comes to fly fishing though, the area is quickly becoming one of the most attractive destinations to fish in salt water in South Africa. With local guides having cracked the code to fly fishing for the most prized species in the estuaries and off-shore, the fly fishing options have opened up tremendously.

Some of the species on offer include the mystical Spotted Grunter (Grunt/Spotty), Garrick (Leerivis,/Leerie), Giant Kob (Kabeljou), Bonito, Shad, to name a few. Fly fishing for these species in the incredible landscapes on offer is something truly special and rivals some of the most beautiful fly fishing destinations in the world.

With spectacular fly fishing guides offering awesome adventures wading through the estuaries or casting a fly from the boat off-shore you are guaranteed to have fun even though the landing of these often tricky to find and fool fish can be quite challenging. It makes the fly fishing experience even more rewarding when you finally land the fish you have been aiming for.

Other activities to consider while not out fly fishing include enjoying the local cuisine and wines of the area, swimming in the oceans, estuaries or rivers, kayaking, visiting the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary or Birds of Eden, Relaxing on the beautiful beaches, or simply lazing around and reading a book with a view.

If you are interested in experiencing this awesome adventure on the fly then get in touch and will curate the perfect trip to fit your needs and wants. We will find the right route, guides, and accommodation to fit any budget.

My favourite fishing experience is South Africa is without a doubt wading in the beautiful knee-deep estuaries, sight fishing for the stunning Spotted Grunter. Here is a picture of the first one I landed on fly and one I will remember for the rest of my life. Get in touch so we can try to get you on to yours.