Island View, a mecca for anglers and birders alike

Well, owners Mike & Stephanie Cavanagh, together with son Garth and daughters Claire & Cindy, always were avid anglers. The family spent at least three weeks annually fishing various spots on either the Zambezi or Okavango Rivers. A particular favourite was to camp on the banks of a channel off the main Zambezi itself, overlooking Kalimbeza Island, between Katima Mulilo and Schuckmannsburg in the Eastern Caprivi, on property leased from the local and traditional authorities by a retired policeman and his wife. The latter enjoyed a bush life, living happily in very basic accommodation. Cavanagh Snr oft remarked to his host that, were they ever to move away, he would be keen to take on the property. And that happened in 2001.

Thus the Cavanagh family set about realising their dream; to provide a wide range of accommodation and catering options at affordable prices, aimed primarily at the SADC marketplace. Major building works, provision of water services and establishing gardens kept them busy, notwithstanding the great amount of bush clearance needed. And by early 2003, all the main guest infrastructure was completed; over the next eighteen months, with occupancies steadily rising, further hard work and investment saw the construction of a swimming pool, workshops, a bar and full office and communications infrastructure.

Island View now boasts ten chalets, providing accommodation for 26 guests. Some are en-suite, others sharing first rate ablution facilities; the chalets are all serviced daily, each has an overhead fan and full 220v power, whilst most have fully equipped kitchens & freezers. The camping grounds provide 5 individual sites, with space for 18 more guests. Each campsite has braii and power point facilities; there are ladies and gents ablution blocks and also a communal field kitchen. A most popular drawcard at Island View is the wide variety of choice on the catering side; all guests can opt for bed & breakfast, full board, or rather self cater or chose to combine self catering with some delicious meals as offered and prepared by their hosts.Even when the 2003/2004 season saw river levels at their highest for many years, with subsequent widespread flooding, their property - the highest piece of ground on the entire Namibian side of the Zambezi - was left virtually unscathed. Although road access was not possible for some time, transfers by boat were readily made to and from nearby Katima, just 30 km distant. Importantly, Island View's fleet of 8 craft - each capable of each carrying up to four anglers with a guide - have access to the Zambezi's entire 150 kilometre journey between the Wenela Rapids near Katima Mulilo and the Mombovo Rapids at Impalila Island to the east. Many local spots, including Tiger Alley, False Mwandi, Mwandi, Golden Pond and Jo-Jos are all renowned for their exciting fishing, with Bream in excess of 3,5 kg and Tiger Fish over 8 kg landed.

Tiger Fish, nine different species of Bream, Sharptooth Catfish and African Pike all provide plentiful sport. Contrary to widespread media reports that a total fishing ban had been imposed on the Zambezi at the beginning of the year - for the purpose of further investigating lesions developing on some river fish - Mike points out that the Ministry of Fisheries ruled that recreational fishing from charter boats could continue throughout this specially imposed close season, provided that a strict catch and release policy was adhered to. Four experienced guides - Garth Cavanagh, David, Kennedy and Cletus - will gladly impart their specialist knowledge.
Whilst as many as two thirds of visitors are keen anglers, the astonishing variety of birdlife hereabouts - with some 450 species recorded - attracts increasing numbers of guests too. Likely spots, seasonally dependent, should include Shalow's Turaco, Shelley's Sunbird, African Finfoot, Coppery-Tailed Coucal, Lesser Jacana, Rufous-Bellied Heron, Slaty Egret, White-Backed Night Heron, Giant, Woodland and Grey-Headed Kingfishers, and African Skimmers. The vast colonies of Carmine Bee-eaters that arrive in mid August to roost and breed along the river banks provide a sensational kaleidoscope of colour. Guests, who take advantage of the sightseeing river cruises on offer will see bountiful waterfowl too, and no doubt hear the thrilling, yet plaintive call of the African Fish Eagle. Host Mike, or the well-informed Cletus, act as birding gurus for guests. And wildlife is not to be forgotten either; many hippos and crocodiles frequent the local waters, whilst large numbers of elephants will often migrate from Botswana between July and October. It's a stunning sight to see them bathing in the channel right in front of the Lodge. Lion and cheetah are occasional visitors, as well as a small number of buffalo.

Apart from the birding and fishing, Island View makes a relaxing and central base from which to explore the Caprivi, and even further afield. Mike & Stephanie organise all manner of different activities, trips & transfers, including visits to the Chobe National Park in Botswana and the incredible Victoria Falls on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides. Something indeed for everyone at Island View, a fact endorsed by one extraordinary statistic: just six years after opening, 88% of all lodge guests already choose to return. That speaks volumes.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.islandvl.com

By Neil Digby-Clarke