Pongola Poort Dam — better known as Lake Jozini — was built in 1972 on the Pongola River. It sits between the Lebombo and Obombo mountain ranges in northern KwaZulu-Natal and stretches roughly 16,000 hectares at full capacity.
A Wilderness Fishery
Unlike most South African dams, Jozini is surrounded by wild bush. Elephants drink at the shoreline, crocodiles bask in the shallows, and fish eagles patrol the air. You're fishing in a working ecosystem, not a stocked pond.
Hotspots
The river mouth, drowned forest sections, deep channels near the dam wall, and the narrow inlets along the western shore all produce consistently. Our guides rotate spots based on wind, sun and water clarity.
Access & Launching
Trips launch from the western shore near Jozini town. The drive from Durban is around 4 hours; from Johannesburg around 5.5 hours. Nearest airport: Richards Bay or King Shaka (Durban).
Species
Tigerfish is the headline species. The dam also holds bream (tilapia), barbel (sharptooth catfish) and other freshwater species, but Jozini's reputation is built on tigers.
