The past season at Makhangoa Community Camp delivered what this fishery has become known for — technical fishing, wild mountain landscapes, and weeks shaped as much by the experience off the water as on it.
The Fishing
From early-season high flows to the skinny conditions later in summer, anglers had to constantly adapt.
Dry fly sight fishing remained the highlight, with visual eats in shallow water rewarding patience, stealth, and presentation. When conditions changed, so did the approach, with nymph rigs and dry-dropper setups continuing to produce throughout the season.
More than anything, this was a season defined by moments rather than numbers.
Watching a fish rise in ankle-deep water.
Solving a difficult pool after hours of persistence.
Sharing stories around the fire after long days in the mountains.
One constant throughout the season was the quality of fish landed, with numerous yellowfish over 60cm brought to hand from November right through to the close of the season.
Camp life
The Makhangoa experience continued to steal the show.
Slow mornings in camp drinking more coffee than needed, mountain braais overlooking the valley, evenings around the fire, beer deliveries by donkey, picnics on the river, sundowners at the gin bar, and time spent with the local community all became memorable parts of each trip.
The newly upgraded kitchen and dining area also created an even stronger sense of shared camp life between guests and guides.
This season also saw the launch of the Motsoele Mobile Camp — a remote fly camp deep in the upper Bokong Valley.
Guests staying four nights or longer had the opportunity to spend nights ‘under the stars’ while exploring these far upper reaches in search of trophy brown trout and yellowfish.
The wilderness, isolation, and complete immersion in the Lesotho highlands became just as important as the fishing itself.
Not just about fishing
What continues to make Makhangoa special is what sits behind it all — a truly community-driven model where tourism directly supports local employment, conservation, community beneficiation, and infrastructure projects within the valley.
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, one of the biggest projects will be the complete rebuild of Motsoele Primary School Building/Class Room, a remote mountain school room that has become deeply connected to both camp and the guests who visit it.
For more information about visiting South Africa and travelling up to Lesotho to fish at Makhangoa Community Camp, please contact Charlotte Chilcott or Alex Jardine or call the office on +44(0)1980 847389.
