Although you shouldn’t need a specific day per year just to spoil the special man in your life, Father’s Day is definitely worth celebrating – and is a great excuse for planning a weekend away. As many men find fishing a relaxing and enjoyable sport, it’s a great theme to plan for a boy’s weekend, secluded getaway, or family stay.

Tillietudlem Game & Trout Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal

Set on 2,000 hectares in a secluded valley of the Inhluzane Mountain, Tillietudlem Game & Trout Lodge offers a unique eco experience for fishermen and fathers seeking a quiet escape. It offers some of the finest fly fishing waters on the Midlands Meander, with 4 spectacular trophy dams and the Eland’s River.  Guided fishing and fly fishing clinics are available.

Accommodation is available in 2 quaint lodges. Ogram’s Colonial House offers fully catered or self-catering options in 5 luxurious bedrooms, while Hlega Manzi Lodge offers self-catering in 4 bedrooms, with a large deck overlooking the waterfall and crystal-clear rock pools. Other activities include game walks, mountain biking, and birding. Find out more.

Fancy Free Fly Fishing Retreat, Mpumalanga

Fancy Free Fly Fishing Resort is located in Machadodorp and is surrounded by exquisite mountains and valleys for the ideal escape from the city. Dad can enjoy fly fishing for rainbow and trout, and bass fishing in a choice of 10 dams. Fishing lessons and hiring of rods are available.

Accommodation is offered in 3 self-catering log cabins (2 overlooking dams) with all the comforts needed for a quiet weekend away. Each cabin boasts an en-suite bathroom, lounge, dining area, kitchen, fireplace, and an outside boma where you can dine under the African sky. DStv is available, provided you bring along your own smart card and decoder. The more adventurous can stay in the Savuti Tent (for 2 – 4 people) tucked away in the forest. It offers a kitchen, en-suite bathroom, and an elevated wooden deck, overlooking the beautiful view of the surroundings. Other activities include mountain biking, birding, and a games room. Find out more.

Angler & Antelope Guesthouse, Eastern Cape

You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find Angler & Antelope Guesthouse nestled in the rural Eastern Cape town of Somerset East. Due to the Boschberg Mountain, this part of the Karoo enjoys an unusually large amount of rainfall, making it a fantastic spot for fly fishing enthusiasts.

The guest house offers a selection of accommodation options, from affordable self-catering units for families, to luxury rooms for executives. A delicious home cooked meal will stand you in good stead to enjoy a day of fly fishing. Fishermen will find a well-stocked fly fishing shop in the old confessional, and gather local knowledge from the REFFIS accredited fly fishing guide, Alan Hobson. After an eventful day, unwind while sampling the impressive Whisky collection, boasting over 40 different malts. Find out more.

How are you bonding with dad this Father’s Day?