Mkambati

Hi, As a regular visitor during the 90's and early 2000's could you please confirm where one can fish at Mkambati. It appears that fishing restrictions have been imposed of various areas which were previously unrestricted.

Regards

Ross

No fishing is allowed between the eastern bank of the mouth of the Mtentu River and the western bank of the mouth of the Msikaba River, including the tidal portions of the two rivers.

Hi

My family has been going to mkambati for almost 25 years.There is no place like this. We go every year for 3 weeks and every year it feels like we have been on holiday for 2months. Its the most relaxing and entertaining holiday.I have been going with my parents for many years, i remember all the hoidays as if it was yesterday and growing up as a child most of my friends use to think i was stupid to think that going on holiday where you have to take everything with you was so not a hoilday for a child, they use to say a holiday is a place where you need to go movies ,shop and sit on the beach with loads of people breathing down your neck, i dont think so,Waking up in your small neat and practically rondovel every day with the sea at your door step and the peacefulness of you and your family enjoying the out door life can never be replaced by any other holiday. I met my husband at gwe gwe in 2002 and then years later i got engaged on a very special rock over looking the stunning veiws of gwe gwe and in 2007 we spent so time at gwe gwe on honeymoon to. So for me and my husband it really is a special place to go every year. Next year we will be taking our first child on holiday with us and new memories will be added to our family holiday that is made up of lots of fishing cooking, birthdays and games. If i had one wish ,my husband and i would love to run and maintain the up keeping of gwe gwe and mkambati.

Is fishing allowed in the Msikaba river ? Can you use motorized boats on the Msikaba river ?

No fishing is allowed between the eastern bank of the Mtentu river, and the western bank of the Msikaba river, including the tidal portions of these 2 rivers.

So that means no fishing in the Msikaba.

I don't know about motorboats in MPAs, but seems unlikely. Check www.fishingec.com - they may be able to answer that.

On reading the posts, am I correct in assuming that effectively there is no fishing in Mkambati anymore. Very sad, as I grew up on those rocks with a rod in my hand, and was hoping to allow the same for my kids one day!!

Sadly, that is correct. Just a couple of weeks ago some local tribes people at Dwesa were fined for subsistence level catches.

I spent many years as a young boy growing up on the Pondoland coast , From Mtanvuna in the east to Coffee bay in the west .
We lived in Kokstad and often went to places like Mkambati , Msikaba & Luplatana which Because of the roads or should I say the non existence of a road , only a grass track to follow sometimes in the dark would take us about 8 hours if u did not want to break your bakkie's shocks . It was all part of the holiday. One had to make sure that you brought all your stuff , If you left the paraffin behind , you would be in deep ........
For us kids on the back of the bakkie , you would have swallowed a couple of Kg's of dust. When you got there , you really appreciated your holiday.
The other things that make me excited about being in the bush are :
No Cell phone coverage , No Electricity , no crowds , you got to appreciate your luxuries at home , You want to bath , well go and make the fire under the drum outside and in a couple of hours , you had some hot water .
Lighting was mainly Colman Lamps or gas lamps , so It was early to bed , early to rise ,

This is my life , If I could take early retirement , this would be my home , just rough as it is .

I would like to write a book one day , any one interested in doing the same

I am quite a regular visitor for the last few years and you are allowed to fish at Mkambati. Approx. 1km either side of gwe-gwe and south of point cottage from black rocks along the beach to msikaba river can be fished, there are designated posts/pillars erected at these points.

Sorry to be pedantic, but the MPA (Marine Protected Area) is from the west bank of the Mtentu river to the east bank of the Msikaba.

Effectively, there is NO fishing allowed in the Mkambati reserve; but one can travel the short'ish distance across the Msikaba or Mtentu rivers and fish freely.

Hi Jeff

Who are you , Who do you work for ?

The info you have is incorrect . I have been going to Gwe Gwe for 30 years including last year . This area is outside the demarcated zone as the white markers advise.
Suggest you update yourself with current info
given by the Parks Officer at Mkambati

Regards

Jono Mundell

No it is not incorrect.

No recreational or subsistence fishery activity is allowed within MPA's.

What the EC Parks officer at Mkambati let you get away with and what is nationally legislated are evidently 2 different things. It is possible that they have a special exemption from the DG of MCM (I'll check in the morning. But I seriously doubt it.)

From my experience, EC Parks are a law unto themselves, anyway. But usually not in a good way!

FYI:

Govt Gazette No. 21948 (29 December 2000)

(9)
The Mkambati Marine Protected Area in the Eastern Cape Provinceis the area between the high-water mark and a line $ix nautical miles seawards of the high-water mark, and between, as northern boundary, a straight line (135* true bearing) drawn from the northern bank of the mouth of the Mtentu River, and, as southern boundary a similar line drawn from the southern bank of the mouth of the Msikaba River including the tidal portions of these two rivers.

Incidentally, I do acknowledge that you're also correct that there are beacons indicating controlled fishing zones. However those are contrary to the MPA regulations, and the INTEGRATED RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN for Mkambati indicates that they intend to remove the beacon below Point Cottage.

See page 32:
http://www.ecparks.co.za/management-plans/Mkambati%20M%20Plan_Draft_LJ.pdf

Not sure when that will happen, as the document is not dated; but do also be aware that EC Parks are not the authority in this regard. In recent months MCM compliance were fining subsistence fishers at DWESA for fishery activity in an MPA.

As far as I can tell it is still illegal to fish in MPA's; but while the parks officials allow it at Mkambati, I say go for it and enjoy. And good luck!

Sadly, I believe SA is over-regulated in many areas, and some laws are way too draconian.

(I am not affiliated to any of these concerns, and speak in my own capacity as a nature lover with a limited grasp of some of the complexities.)

It seems that there is lots of confusion regarding fishing at Mkhambati Gwe-Gwe rondavels. Is fishing allowed and if so could you please provide a map with the fishing areas in the Mkhambati reserve.

Hi there, we want to visit you guys, do you have camping available? If yes what is the tariff?

If not we need self catering for 4 adults and 2 baby's under 3 year of age.

Regards

Frans

As far as I know.

Please telephone or mail the contact at the top of this page for clarity.

Morning Jeff

I can confirm , camping is not allowed at Mkambati

You can camp at Msikaba , accross the river from Mkambati

All the Best

Jono Mundell

Hi,
Would I need to rent a 4x4 to visit in late March? Or would a high clearance 2x4 get the job done?
Thanks!
Michelle

Hi , When i was last there {June 2010} a 2 x 4 was ok

Advice : Take it slow in the reserve

Hi folks,
My Dad (Tiny) and Mom (Glynis) managed Mkambati in the mid/late 80's. Unfortunately, both have passed, and I'm in the UK, but I still love reading about all the news. So glad that TEM has been halted, for now.

Mkambati still has fond memories for me, spending school holidays there. Can you imagine! I really hope that it's not becoming too commercialised? Its exclusivity is the biggest attraction. Jono, you seem to know the reserve rather well. Maybe we'll meet someday?

Regards to all at my 'Heaven on Earth' - Mkambati

Paul Lewis

P.S. Is Christine, the chef at the Lodge, still there?

Paul , sorry I have taken so long to reply ..... Most of my family come out of various places in the Transkei , My Grandpa & my dad had fingers in many pies , mainly the Bakery in Lusikisiki & Kokstad , and a clothing business in Kokstad called RR mundell's ... As kids we spent most holidays at Mkambati , Msikaba , Luplatana , Port St Johns to name a few ..... I battle with all names , suppose you would know the Moffat's

I hope to build a website on my life in the good old transkei , many stories & many beers

I was last there in June 2010 . Normaly we are a group of +- 5 couples , we have been going there every year for a month at a time for +- 20 years ... staying at Gwe Gwe . In the old days the railway bus used to come to Mkambati , driver would sleep over at Gwe Gwe , my dad & his mates hike a lift with the bus driver , spend a few days & go back with the bus to kokstad

Anyway , I have plenty photos , , send me your email address & I will forward a few

Yeah , when you come out to sa , give me a call .... Will send you my contact details when I receive your email

My email address = stajo@polka.co.za

Dear Michelle,

We plan to travel to Mkambati this January, but we will be going with my 2x4 VW Polo... How is the access road to Mkambati? Do you think we will be okay with my car?

Your advise will be greatly appreciated!

Celeste

Hi Celeste

Did you say BY CAR .......... ?

This road is not ideal for a car ...... U might make it going VERY SLOW .... but the road in the reserve is worse .

I would not recomend a car at all ,,,, My friend was their in Sept ..... but who knows maybe they graded the road

All the best

Jono Mundell
079 879 5544

The directions given above up to Flagstaff indicate that after the turnoff to Holy Cross Hospital the road is gravel i would like to confirm that the road is now surfaced up to Mtontsasa Police Station which is a distance of about 30km from R61.

My last trip to the area was on 25 December 2011.

Thanks for the information!

You were there in December... How was the road condition of the gravel portion from Mtontsasa Police Station to Mkambati reserve? Would a slow driving 2x4 manage?

to Celeste and Kim

I am from Holy Cross but reside in DBN. In recent months I have travelled there in a sedan. I haven't ventured beyond the police station and not to familiar with the remaining +- 30km to Mkambathi. I am excited to see all the comments and interest in this countryside and hope that you can give positive/constructive feedback on your return.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of assistance and hope that the EC Tourism contacts will be able to assist both queries.

Hi,
I have tried all the phonelines but did not get any answer!!(or alternative Cell No's)

Can anyone assist me with info of any accommodation for 2 nights 9&10 January,(mon&Tue)at Mkambati or GweGwe???

Thank You
Jurie Human
0833020581

Hi all. We spend an awesome 2 weeks there from 2 Jan 2012. Rains have washed the roads in the reserve a lot and some of the pools and corrosion are deep now. I suggest nothing less than a 2x4. Definiely not suitale for a sedan unless you want to carry all you own for the last 2km. The road is tarred to the Police station beyond Holy Cross. The road is "OK" from there to the Makabathi gate. But watch out, now and again a few deeper gullies across the road need one to slow down. On the whole the road is fine though. Rondavels now have Gas powered fridge and freezers, and each have their own gas stove and gas showers :) The communal kitchen apparently burned down in 2011 and has been rebuilt but is locked and empty. Not much successful fishing was had by all during the 2 weeks in Jan. Enjoy

Thanks to all the advice from you all.

We took the plunge and went to Mkambati Gwe Gwe Rondavels with my 2x4 VW Polo 1.9TDi. The gravel road from Holy Cross to Mkambati gate is okay. From the gate to Gwe Gwe is some 5 to 7 km for which you preferably need a car with better ground clearance! :) But we made it. You have to drive really slowly (it took us almost 2hrs from the gate to the rondavels) and must choose your line carefully at the rocky portions of the road to avoid leaving bits of car behind...

But it was completely worth it. The place is beautiful! I hope to be back soon...with or without a 4WD.

Hi all
I am very excited to hear that despite the poor conditions of the roads we are still getting your support for this almost forgotten countryside. The poverty, literacy and unemployment levels are very high and I hope that my community will benefit from your contributions. I was also in the area last week and it is an absolute pleasure to see the interest levels I noticed a convoy of bikers while there.

This region is also rich in history and hosts an annual event in commemmoration of Pondo people who were massacred at Ngquza Hill otherwise known as the Pondo Revolt. This event is on June 6 and it would be nice to have you in attendance.

I hope to hear from all of you soon, and I guess the budget for the gravel roads will eventually be made available so that we can all get there easier.