RIVER HAVEN LODGE- Kienes' Premier Destination
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Destination Overview
Located in Kahurangi National Park, River Haven Lodge is centrally located in the top of the South Island of New Zealand on the banks of the Mangles River, giving you access to over thirty rivers by car and another twenty rivers by helicopter.
River Haven Lodge works with four helicopter companies who literally land only steps from your cabin, to fly into this world class trout fishery. The lodge offers river front luxury log cabins with world renowned fly fishing guides at their specialty Brown Trout fly fishing luxury lodge. With views of Mt Olympus & Mt Owen (filming location for Lord of the Rings) the Lodge is in a peaceful location where you will awaken to the birds and the soothing sounds of the Mangles River.
Owned and built by Scotty “The Trout” Murray and his wife Leya, the River Haven Lodge provides the ultimate in fly fishing luxury. Scott, having spent over twenty years guiding, and Leya spending much of the same period as a meeting/event coordinator for Pepsi Cola, know how to provide both a great fishing experience and hospitality for their guests. We at Wild On The Fly have selected River Haven Lodge as it’s what we feel is truly a bucket list destination.
At a Glance
Target Fish: Brown Trout
Location: Kahurangi National Park, South Island NZ
Seasons: November through March
Nearest Airport: Nelson, South Island NZ
Electricity: 230 volts
Documents needed: Passport
Fishing Program
Lodge owner Scott Murray, a legendary guide in his own right leads the lodge’s fly fishing team of guides. His guides are considered to be some of the friendliest and most experienced in the country and all guides have between 15 and 20 years experience guiding in the South Island. Their experience and knowledge are beyond measure.
The guides are experienced in sighting Brown Trout as though they have a type of radar connection with the fish and they are wonderful with the most experienced or novice anglers. From fishing outside your cabin door to remote back country wilderness fishing, your guide can put you onto the fishing to suit your fitness and skill levels..
Some stream beds and banks are rocky and can be physically demanding, requiring longer hikes and some maneuvering over heavy boulders (especially with heli-fishing). There are other areas that are very easy to walk and offer great fishing.
Be sure to let Scott know how much walking you would like to do. Few others know the back rivers that you can access by helicopter than Scott. He tends to guide the helicopter pilot to those “special places” that he has scouted out over the years to give his clients an unforgettable day on the river.
Among the many rivers that are accessible from the lodge are: Mangles River, Buller River, Matiri River, Matakitaki River, Maruia River, D’Urville River, and Sabine River. By helicopter you can fish the Karamea, Mokihinui and Crow rivers.
Best Fly Fishing Seasons
November through March
Accommodations
The lodge’s guests have a choice of one of the riverfront log cabins or the Matakitaki ensuite in the main building of the lodge. The lodge provides the highest quality beds, complimented with Egyptian cotton sheets, goose down comforters and pure cotton quilts.
Air conditioning and heating with double glazed windows keep your cabin cozy. Rooms also include flat screen TVs. Each cabin includes an individual laptop computer that accesses high speed internet.
Every bath has heated towel bars to warm the softest cotton towels and demisters in the over-sized bath mirrors, so your lovely lady can do herself up, while you are in the shower.
360 degree verandas around the cabins provide cover, while the antler hooks offer a place for your waders and wet jackets, while a boot rack dries your boots. The Matakitaki ensuite room has two queen beds, a bathroom with spa tub, separate toilet and it’s own entrance.
On Site Amenities and Activities Include
Bar within a few steps of the cabins
Gourmet Food
Full kitchen in each cabin, including microwave, stove, refrigerator and all cooking utensils
32” Flat screen TV in each room
Laptop computer with free WI-Fi in each room
Fly Shop
Gym
Photography, bird watching, swimming, white water kayaking, hiking and helicopter tours.
River Haven Lodge is an all inclusive lodge with a full breakfast and three course dinners in the main lodge and a garden fresh healthy picnic lunch servide on the river with your guide.
Stop in the river Haven private bar after fishing for a cold drink and great bar food as well. All is included in one price (even house wine and beer), to put your focus on your main interest to catch Brown Trout
Getting There
River Haven Lodge is located about 75 miles (120 Kilometres) south of the Nelson, South Island NZ airport. You can either rent a car at the airport or arrange ahead of time for pick up and roundtrip transfer to the lodge.
Rates
(October 1st through April 30th)
Rates are per person double occupancy.
Includes: luxury accommodation, all meals; full breakfast, picnic lunch on the river, bar food upon returning, three course dinner, house wine & beer, use of our fly fishing equipment and 3 days of expert guiding. Double occupancy and share guide
Not Included: Fishing licenses/can be purchased at the lodge,
roundtrip transfers from/to Nelson airport: $310. NZ per person.
5 night fishing package: $2,657. per person
6 night fishing package: $3,199. per person
7 night fishing package: $3,779. per person
Early & Late Season “Special” stay for 5 nights and pay for only 4.
You get 5 nights luxury accommodation, all meals, house wine and beer, use of all facilities, use of gear and 4 guided days. Based on twin share accommodation. $3,520. NZ