A Guide To Fishing Holidays In Africa

A Guide To Fishing Holidays In Africa

Africa is surrounded on all sides by water – the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Red Sea & Atlantic Ocean, it has a coastline stretching for over 30,000 kilometres, and is home to some monumental rivers such as the Zambezi, Congo & Nile, all of which makes it one of the best destinations for a fishing safari. Travellers staying at a traditional safari lodge are often offered the opportunity to enjoy a few hours fishing safari as part of their stay, but the keen angler can take things further and dedicate their holiday to all things fish.

A fishing holiday in Africa offers a wide variety of opportunities for the angler from popper, jig & big game fishing, to shore or saltwater fly fishing.

Where to go on an African fishing holiday?

With such a wide range of habitats and environments, the angler has quite the choice of destinations to choose from when considering a fishing holiday to Africa.

Madagascar, and in particular the waters around the island of Nosy Be, are a mecca for saltwater anglers. The warm water channel found there is home to large numbers of reef and pelagic fish, including grouper, sailfish, king mackerel and dogtooth tuna, with popper and jig fishing the most popular methods of fishing enjoyed.

Across in East Africa, Tanzania may be most famous for its onshore safari delights, but its waters offer some spectacular big game fishing. Barracuda, dorado, sailfish and marlin are all popular catches, but the fanatical angler on an African fishing holiday will surely want to try to tame the challenge of the renowned fighting Tiger Fish, which are found in their greatest numbers in Tanzania.

Namibia is blessed with a vast coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, so harsh that it is known locally as the Skeleton Coast. These dramatic waters play host to a wonderfully rich marine life, with special mention to be made of the enormous Bronze Whaler Sharks. The area is home to the world’s largest population of these giants with shore fishing a popular way to wrestle with these mammoth creatures.

Whilst Mozambique is very much a new-kid-on-the-fishing-block, its Indian Ocean waters are home to phenomenal shore fishing and big game fishing, as well as perfect surf fishing. The big, big game target is marlin, with the shore angler invariably aiming to land barracuda, kingfish, pompano, king mackerel & ray. The non-angler can simply relax on some of the world’s finest beaches.

Those wanting to fish for just a few hours on their safari holiday can enjoy the sport at the Victoria Falls as well as in the Chobe area, where the legendary tigerfish lies in wait.

Moving further south, South Africa remains one of the leading destinations in which to enjoy an African fishing holiday. The expansive coastline borders the Atlantic & Indian Oceans, and indeed where the waters meet the renowned annual Sardine Run offers the opportunity for a truly once-in-a-lifetime African fishing safari. Elsewhere the tuna is king offshore, with various species of shark the main attractions for shore fishing.

Zambezi Tiger fishing holidays

Last but by no means least, is the most famous of all fish, and of all rivers – the tiger fish and the Zambezi River. Pound-for-pound, tiger fish are one of the strongest fighters, renowned for their strength, aggression & speed, and a Zambezi tiger fishing holiday is the ultimate for many travelling anglers.

The mighty Zambezi River, which flows for 1600 miles from Zambia through Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia & Mozambique until it reaches the Indian Ocean, is now the number one destination for tiger fishing holidays. In fishing terms, the river can be separated into the Upper, Middle & Lower Zambezi, with each section offering something different.

The type of fishing for tiger fish varies with the time of year, and it can include fly, lure and bait, with a Zambezi tiger fishing holiday possible year-round. Aside from the attractions of viewing wildlife on safari along the stretches of the river in Zambia and Zimbabwe, a tiger fishing trip can also include visits to the majestic Victoria Falls and to the extraordinary man-made Lake Kariba, where dam fishing is possible from the Kariba Dam. Fly fishing for tiger fish can be very hard work – early starts followed by hours spent perched on the front of a drifting boat casting heavily-weighted rods – but the rewards more than make up for the effort.

The right accommodation for your African fishing holiday

Wherever you’re planning to visit for your fishing safari, Africa Travel will make sure you stay in comfortable and luxurious accommodation that is tailored to your requirements. Our dedicated staff listen to each of your needs and preferences before recommending the best accommodation for you, which is always based on their own personal experiences.

Amongst our favourite properties catering for fishing holidays in Africa are Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge, Sekoma Island Lodge and Mutemwa Lodge in Zambia, and Kubu & Kwena Lodge, Ichingo River Lodge and Impalila Island Lodge in Namibia. A notable mention should also be made of Baboon Point Fishing Lodge in Namibia.

Why book your fishing safari with Africa Travel?

With over 30 years’ experience in creating tailor-made and bespoke holidays to Africa, there is no one more qualified to organise an unforgettable fishing holiday to this wonderful continent than Africa Travel. We have a wealth of specialist resources to help you book your perfect African fishing safari and as all of our staff have travelled extensively themselves you can trust that our personal recommendations will deliver the fishing holiday that you have always dreamed of.

Our years of knowledge mean that we can give personalised recommendations for your trip, including the best time of year to catch certain species, the best safari and fish-friendly places to stay, and the best fishing guides and experts to assist you.