Whether you're looking for a relaxing weekend hideaway or a nature filled excursion, the Mudlark River Front Lodge offers you the best of both worlds. There are many activities to be enjoyed while on your country break, from laidback birdwatching to surfing the waves.

Mudlark River Front Lodge has definitely become a birdwatchers haven, with over 186 different birds seen around Mudlark Lodge. Walks along the river bank and through the fynbos are the choice walking areas for spotting the birds. Boats may also be hired to watch the estuarine birds on the various mud-flats and sand banks.

At Mudlark River Front Lodge there are many species in resident. The Blue Crane (S.A's National bird), Fork Oystercatchers (endangered), Fish Eagles, Herons, Sunbirds and Kingfishers are just some of the birds you can see. Get the opportunity to spot Whales while at Mudlark River Front Lodge. The annual migration of Southern Right Whales makes its way along the coast usually arriving in June and tapering off in November.

The Whales come to San Sebastian Bay to give birth and breed, so it is a hot bed of Whale action. The bay is an ideal area for Whales because of its slowly sloping bottom and the Estuary mouth. There are many viewing sites but the best are the low cliffs alongside Infanta village where the whales come very close.

This area is scarcely populated so you almost have the Whales to yourself. In 2003, 80 Whales and 51 new calves were spotted over the last 3 seasons. The most Southern Right Whales were seen in the bay. Dolphins can also be seen in the early morning on their way, hunting food.

Cast your line for prime fishing at Mudlark River Front Lodge. The Breede River Estuary is the Cape's Premier fishing estuary and one of the best in South Africa. The most common fish is the Spotted Grunter, which attains a weight of about 6 kilograms.

The Estuary is also known as 'The Home of the Big Cob' with the largest recorded size of 64 kilograms. These are not as numerous as in the past but are regularly caught during the season, from October to April. Garrick (leervis), Shad and Steenbras are also caught in numbers. The largest Garrick caught this year on fly was 21 kilograms (2004).

Fly-fishing is steadily increasing and many Garrick are caught along the sand banks ranging up from 300 mm to 1 metre in length. The best time for these fish is 2 days before spring tide. There is also sea fishing, rock, surf and ski boating. The target fish is usually Cob, Silvers and Dusky, which can be caught within a few miles from the mouth. Many reef fish are also available, not usually of a large size, but great fun can be had on light tackle.

The most common reef fish are Red Roman and Mussel Cracker. Yellow Fin Tuna make an appearance in February and stay until April. They are not huge; (about 20 kilograms) but arrive in massive shoals close to land about 2 kilometres away and provide excellent sport.

Mudlark River Front Lodge offers a charter service on the estuary and sea. They have a 520cc Supercat equipped with all safety equipment, G.P.S fish finder and Shimano tackle. Bait and snacks are provided. Tim, the skipper, has vast experience of the area having fished here for 20 years. He has also represented the South African Deep Sea Angling Association in International Fishing competitions on many occasions.

Mudlark River Front Lodge has 4 dinghies and 15Hp engines for hire for fishing or for exploring 40 kilometres of navigable water. The surrounding area has been identified by Nature Conservation as a Renosterveld Paradise. There are many other activities on the estuary and surrounding area to keep you busy.

Activities

• Surfing
• Canoeing
• Swimming
• Snorkeling
• Water Skiing
• Wind Surfing
• Horse Riding
• Spear Fishing
• Walks and trails
• Mountain Biking

Additional nearby attractions include De Hoop Nature reserve (home of the Cape Vulture), The Pont at Malgas, Bontebok National Park, Arniston, Cape Agulhas (Africa's Southern most point) and wine tasting at the Robertson Valley Wine Estates.