Fishing the Zambezi—Where to Catch the Action in Zimbabwe

WRITER: WILD ZAMBEZI PHOTOGRAPHY: TIGER SAFARIS, SPURWING ISLAND, FINS FISHING SAFARIS, TAFIKA FISHING SAFARIS

he hot spring-summer months of September, October and November provide the best sport-fishing along the Zambezi River—especially for those wanting to pit their strength and skill against the fierce-fighting African tiger fish. The wonderful, wild stretches of this river, a shared border between Zambia and Zimbabwe (including the inland sea of Lake Kariba), have become a favourite for sport-fishermen and women from all over the world. They also provide excellent opportunities for recreational fishing holidays and family getaways. This isn’t surprising—for two main reasons.

Firstly, this part of Southern Africa has one of the best climates in the world. During the best fishing months, the sun shines every day and a cool breeze on the river or the lake cools the heat as daytime temperatures rise. Evenings are balmy and sublime.

Secondly, much of the Zambezi River frontage (especially within Zimbabwe) lies within wilderness and wildlife areas which are protected either as national parks or protected safari areas. So, while you are out enjoying your fishing in the best climate in the world, you can also have the most wonderful wildlife sightings.

The African tiger fish (Hydrocynus vittatus) is a voracious predator which attacks with vigour, hence the huge, sharp teeth, and this makes for exciting sport. They prey mainly on other fish, but there are records of them jumping out of the water after swallows passing in flight! Their beautiful, heavily-scaled, silvery bodies are strongly marked with horizontal black stripes and their fins are a deep orange-red colour. They are usually caught using live bait or lures, but are increasingly sought after by experienced fly-fishing enthusiasts. As they grow larger, these fish are difficult to land

because of their aggressive nature and sharp teeth, but they are also extremely sensitive, and may die if not carefully handled and quickly released after catching.

In line with current ecological trends, most of the sport-fishing along the Zambezi and on Lake Kariba is carried out on Catch and Release principles. There are some very useful conservation guidelines produced by the Lower Zambezi Catch and Release Initiative which also provides advice on how to minimise the injuries caused to fish by hooks. For more information see: www.wildtracks-zambia.com

Apart from the well-known tiger fish, the Zambezi areas are known for other fantastic catches.The vundu (Heterobranchus longifilis) is a large species of catfish found widely in rivers and other freshwater habitats of sub-Saharan Africa, including Lake Kariba. Vundu are a protected species and so they, too, are caught on a Catch and Release only basis. These monsters can reach up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) in length and up to 55 kilograms (121 pounds) in weight, and require considerable strength and effort to land.

There are a number of other sport species to be caught in the Zambezi River including Cornish jack (Mormyrops

anguilloides) and nkupe (Distichodus mossambicus). The eastern bottlenose (Mormyrus longirostris) which has an elongated snout and a tiny mouth is a popular catch during the rainy season months (December through April).

And of course there are others, including several species of catfish, the most common being the African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) locally known as ‘barbel’, and many species of freshwater bream. Also tilapia, which are delicious to eat and extremely popular with fishing enthusiasts of all ages, especially on Lake Kariba.

Learning how to fish can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable outdoor experiences for children. There are plenty of family-friendly options along the Zambezi in Zimbabwe for youngsters to learn to fish with their parents and/or an experienced and patient fishing guide.

Upstream of the Victoria Falls, there’s good tiger fishing in the wide, calm stretches of the Zambezi River near the ‘four corners’ border at Kazungula, as well as further down along the shores of Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park where there are several safari camps which provide fishing as an activity. Unfortunately, illegal netting from the heavily populated Zambian shore opposite these protected areas has impacted on fish populations and stronger conservation measures are required. The area below the Zambezi River gorges downstream of the Victoria Falls is very popular for fishing (all species)—with a wide variety of specialised fishing camps around in the Sidinda, Deka Mouth and Msuna Island area, before the river flows into Lake Kariba. In the upper (western) reaches of the lake, Mlibizi and Binga are both centres of fishing and boating activity. Lake Kariba is well known for its sport fishing. The annual Kariba Invitation Tiger Fishing Tournament, held every year in October, has long been an extremely popular event on the angling calendar, attracting teams from all over the world. For recreational fishing and family fun, it is hard to beat a few days aboard one of Lake Kariba’s houseboats. The staff on board these comfortable cruising vessels are often experienced fishermen and are happy to share their skills. In and around the Matusadona National Park on the lake’s southern shore there are a number of safari camps which offer fishing as a major activity and almost all have experienced fishing guides.

But it’s not all about tourism. Indeed fishing is a way of life for many people living along Lake Kariba’s shores. The Tonga people who fished the Zambezi before the dam was constructed in the 1950s now depend on the lake’s abundant fish resources for their livelihoods. The introduction of the small Lake Tanganyika sardine (locally known as

kapenta) to Lake Kariba in the 1960s provided a thriving commercial fishing industry which employs many local people in the area, as does the more recently introduced commercial bream farm at Kariba.

In the narrow gorge below the Kariba Dam wall, the Zambezi’s rocky terrain with fast-flowing waters provides excellent fly-fishing opportunities and the wider stretches towards the border town of Chirundu and beyond are very popular with tiger fishermen. A number of fishing camps dot the shores of both sides of the river at this point, the area between Chirundu and Mongwe being particularly rewarding for fishing by boat on the Zimbabwean side.

The use of motorboats is restricted on the Zimbabwean bank of the Zambezi River in the vicinity of Mana Pools National Park (although bank fishing is permitted), so most serious anglers choose to fish the Zambezi from a variety of safari camps with boat launching facilities further downstream in the Sapi and Chewore areas.

A relatively new multi-day river-based boating safari, which runs between Chirundu and Kanyemba, is an alternative and adventurous option which is proving extremely popular with angling families. Together with Mana Pools, Sapi and Chewore form Zimbabwe’s largest, protected, UNESCO World Heritage Site area. And, since Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park lies right opposite, the protection of species is high and the fishing and wildlife viewing here is superb. ■

IF YOU’D LIKE MORE INFORMATION about where to go to get the best fishing along the Zambezi in Zimbabwe, the Wild Zambezi travel information website provides searchable listings for specialist fishing opportunities and camps all along the Zambezi River. Visit: www.wildzambezi.com