Jozini Dam Info: Tiger Fishing, Camping & Bookings
Written by a fisherman for fishermen — practical notes for planning a trip to Jozini Dam, including camping options and tiger fishing highlights. Send us your dates and we’ll confirm availability quickly.
Prefer WhatsApp or email (no phone calls
needed).
What to send us on WhatsApp:
- Dates
- Number of people
- Preferred style (camping / chalet / self-catering)
- Budget range (optional)
Fast WhatsApp confirmation and clear next steps.
- Tiger fishing information & seasonal tips (wet season notes included)
- Camping at the northern and southern ends of the dam
- Facilities listed (ablutions, slipway, electricity, small jetty)
- Wildlife safety notes (hippo & crocodiles occur in the lake)
- Things to do: boat game viewing, Mkuze Game Reserve, Pongola Game Reserve
Overview
This web page has been set up by a fisherman
for fishermen and contains useful information and services for
anyone planning a fishing trip to the Jozini Dam.
Here you will find tiger fishing information, information about different accommodation options, boating safety information and some rules and regulations so that you don't accidentally have trouble with the men in green uniforms.
Here you will find tiger fishing information, information about different accommodation options, boating safety information and some rules and regulations so that you don't accidentally have trouble with the men in green uniforms.
Key highlights
- Camping options at both ends of the dam (north near Golela, south near Mkuze)
- Fish Eagle Campsite noted as a wet-season tiger fishing base (Nov–Apr)
- Facilities listed: hot water ablutions, slipway, electricity, small jetty
- Planning notes include wildlife awareness and basic boating safety references
Location context: Jozini Dam lies on the south
western side of the Lebombo mountains on the Elephant Coast,
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Camping & Site Details
Jozini
Camping and Tiger Fishing
If you are planning a camping and fishing trip to Jozini Dam,
camping is possible at the northern and southern ends of Jozini
Dam. Camping at Jozini is the best way to experience the area
and its wildlife and fishing. Very nice camping sites and
caravan sites with slipways to launch boats from are
available.At the northern end, near Golela at the Swaziland border, the Phongolo Game Reserve campsite is situated near to where the Pongola River flows into the Jozini Dam. This part of the Dam offers a huge variety of options for tiger fishing and angling for other species such as Tilapia and Catfish.
At the southern end of Jozini Dam, near to Mkuze, the southern Jozini Dam Campsite (Nkonkoni Campsite) is situated below the cliffs of the Lebombo mountains, near to the Pongola River Gorge. The area to the right (east) of the Jozini Dam campsite offers deep water angling. To the left (west) of the Jozini Dam campsite there are also weed beds nearby on the southern and western side of the Jozini Dam.
Camping at Jozini Dam for tiger fishing in the wet season, from November to April is better at the Fish Eagle campsite at the southern end because the water is cleaner furthest from the Pongola River. Fish Eagle has good ablutions, electricity and hot water showers and is situated close to the dam.
The campsites at Jozini Dam are basic but offer comfortable camping and are situated perfectly for nature camping access to good tiger fishing areas and also good game viewing, as the areas around Jozini Dam and the campsites are protected areas with big game including elephants, rhino and buffalo. Hippo and crocodiles are common in the lake and one has to take care!
Camping Facilities:
Clean Ablution blocks with hot water
Slipway
Electricity (Bring own extension chord)
Small Jetty
Camping and Accommodation Info and Reservations:
Tel: 082 857 3363
Important notes (for safe planning):
- Hippo & crocodiles occur in the lake — keep a safe distance from the water.
- Bring an extension lead if you plan to use electricity at your stand.
- Slipways are available — confirm launch arrangements with your dates.
Quick booking reminder
Send your dates and number of people and we’ll confirm availability quickly.
Rates / Availability
Rates can change seasonally—WhatsApp us your dates for the latest.
Send dates + number of guests for options.
Getting There / Directions
Directions are not listed on this page. If you message your dates and where you’re coming from, we’ll share the most practical route tips for your plan.
Helpful Local Support
- Quick response and clear communication
- Planning help for choosing north vs south end of the dam for your fishing style
- Safety-minded advice for boating and shoreline awareness
Peak season fills early—message us to check dates.
Book / Check Dates
Message us your dates, number of people, and preferred style (camping / chalet / self-catering).
No phone calls needed — WhatsApp + email preferred.
The Jozini Dam
The Jozini Dam lies on the
south western side of the Lebombo mountains on the Elephant
Coast and covers a total area of 16 000 ha, making the Jozini
dam the third largest dam in South Africa. The Jozini Dam was
originally build to irrigate over 80 000 ha of farm land on
the Makatini flats, supporting products such as sugarcane,
cotton, maize and various sub-tropical fruits.
The water levels of Jozini Dam remained below 12% until in 1983 when the cyclone Demoina floods filled it in 3 days! . All the fish which inhabited the Pongola River now thrive in Jozini Dam, both endemic yellow fish, barbel, tilapia and tiger fish as well as exotics such as black bass and carp. Jozini Dam is the best tiger fishing destination in South Africa with tiger fish of 5 - 10 kg being caught regularly these days now that the fish populations in the Jozini Dam are well established.
The water levels of Jozini Dam remained below 12% until in 1983 when the cyclone Demoina floods filled it in 3 days! . All the fish which inhabited the Pongola River now thrive in Jozini Dam, both endemic yellow fish, barbel, tilapia and tiger fish as well as exotics such as black bass and carp. Jozini Dam is the best tiger fishing destination in South Africa with tiger fish of 5 - 10 kg being caught regularly these days now that the fish populations in the Jozini Dam are well established.
The Jozini Dam is often
compared it to Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe and has become a
fantastic destination for game viewing and water safaris as
farmers convert huge areas of land around Jozini Dam back to
its original natural state. The main attractions around Jozini
Dam include tiger fishing and game viewing, especially since
the return of elephant herds.
Other wildlife in the area includes, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, kudu, bushbuck, steenbok, hyena, cheetah, wild dog, cerval cat, warthog and even the occasional sighting of leopard, which roam the Lebombo mountains.
Other wildlife in the area includes, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, kudu, bushbuck, steenbok, hyena, cheetah, wild dog, cerval cat, warthog and even the occasional sighting of leopard, which roam the Lebombo mountains.
The Jozini Dam’s muddy banks
and reed beds are home to a variety of birds, and over 350
different species have been recorded, including the white
faced whistling duck, darters, yellow billed storks, Egyptian
geese, long tailed cormorants, grey herons, kingfishers and
fish eagles.
Jozini Dam Camping Reservations
WhatsApp
082 857 3363 Email
jenny.reservations@vodamail.co.za Jozini Dam Camping Reservations
Jozini Dam Camping - Things to do
Things to do while Camping at Jozini Dam
Tiger fishing in Jozini Dam and Below the dam wall
Game Viewing by boat
Visit Mkuze Game Reserve
Visit the Pongola Game Reserve
Related Links
- Fishing accommodation – self-catering options near Jozini Dam
- Fishing accommodation – lodges close to the water
- Jozini Dam camping page
- More tigerfishing information
Things to do while staying at Jozini Dam
- Tiger fishing in Jozini Dam and below the dam wall
- Game viewing by boat
- Visit Mkuze Game Reserve
- Visit the Pongola Game Reserve
