Chongwe river camp zambia

‘LUXURY TENTED CAMP WHERE EVEN THE ELEPHANTS

ARE PART OF THE FAMILY ............. FISHING AND SAFARI FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Africa-Angler.com is proud to introduce our fishing and safari trip at Chongwe River Camp.

Located at the confluence of the mighty Zambezi and its tributary the Chongwe River, which forms the western boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park.

Chongwe River Camp stands in a game management area that reaches a further 80kms west along the Zambezi. This means that although it is outside the 9unfenced) park boundary, the camp is still situated in a very productive wildlife area.

The tents at Chongwe are light, airy and spacious with either a single king-sized or two single beds. Each of Chongwe River Camp's nine standard tents is equipped with enough luxuries to ensure your stay in the bush is exceptional.

Cotton linens, local textiles and hand-crafted furniture blend seamlessly with organic fittings and fixtures, all designed to make the most of what Mother Nature has provided, including the incredible views. *There are private suites available on request for families or private couples.

Each has a large ‘outdoor’ bathroom with hot and cold running water, shower, toilet, vanity unit and dressing area with a wardrobe and full-length mirror.

The tents also have their own private verandas overlooking the river, making them an ideal place for relaxation and contemplation of Africa’s wonderful wilderness.

There is a large open sandy area on which the braai pit and dining areas lie.

There is an undercover bar and seating area for use during the rainy season.

A full choice of breakfasts is available from 5.30am onwards and your guide will be waiting for you once you are finished. There is a pool for guests to use and wi-fi is available in the bar area.

THE FISHING From the deep, wide upper Zambezi and the Chongwe River, whether using conventional or fly-fishing methods, there is something for everyone - beginner and experienced angler alike. While the undoubted champion of the area is the tiger fish, which grows to 20lbs in these waters, we also have Nembwe or Yellow Belly Bream, Redbreast Tilapia, Threespot Tilapia, Greenhead Tilapia, Pink Bream/Pink Happy, Green Bream/Green Happy, Thinface Largemouth, Humpback Largemouth, Sharp Tooth Catfish and the Giant Vundu Catfish.

The actual Chongwe River is well known for its good Bream/Nembwe population and guests are invited to go fishing in the evenings and bring back a fish or two for dinner. Sundowners and fishing, there’s nothing like it!

The annual rains in Decemver/January/February swell the Zambezi rivers, saturating the surrounding floodplains. The high waters that last through until March/April allow the fish to breed in massive numbers, replenishing the fish population for the year ahead. Once the water starts to recede from the floodplains, incredible numbers of minnows and small baitfish are flushed back into the main channels, which is an event the tiger fish take full advantage of. For this reason fishing is not only excellent in the traditional summer months, but has spectacular 'frenzies' in winter.

Chongwe River Camp e is renowned for their excellent fishing guides. Wellmaintained boats and engines are used for fishing and game viewing.

The complete flexibility that the lodge offers also means that you have unlimited access to fishing as an activity, as you can utilise your own private guide and boat in hours that suit you best.

While known for providing excellent lure fishing, Chongwe River Camp is a premier fly fishing destination and we encourage anglers to try their hand at fishing for tiger on fly.

TACKLE TALK We suggest the following gear for Ichingo and Ichobezi Houseboat Fishing/Safari trips: RODS AND REELS 2 x Medium-M/Heavy 6’6”-7’6” bait casting or spinning rods with bait casting or spinning reels with capacity of min. 120m of 50-60lb braid. These outfits will handle casting and using medium surface lures like Spooks and subsurface lures like minnowbaits, jerk baits and also for deep-jigging and deep-diving lures in the pools.

1 x Medium or Medium/Light 6’6”-7’6” spinning rod matched spinning reel with capacity for min.120m of 20-30lb braid. This much lighter outfit will give your arms and wrists a rest and will allow you to easily use jigs and smaller minnowbaits.

For fly fishermen, 7-9 wt fly rods should be matched with good, smooth drag system reels and loaded with a tropical, fast-sinking 200-300 grain, a tropical intermediate and a tropical floating fly lines, all with at least 100m of 30lb backing. Leaders are 1.5m-2m of 20-30lb straight nylon tied to a short piano wire trace and directly to the fly line. We advise a good pair of stripping gloves unless you want another lifeline burnt into your palm!! *Always bring spare line and a multi-tool.

VUNDU CATFISH RIGS Simple rigs with a heavier Tiger Fish baitcasting set-up or a more traditional a heavier Cat Fish rod and reel, matched with 80-100lb braided line, a 4-6 oz egg sinker, 1.5m of 80lb mono rubbing leader attached to a strong swivel at one end and a 8/0 - 12/0 circle hook on the other are all that is needed. This rig will also serve for Arapaima but with a large float no lead.

The hook is baited with either a whole small fish or fish cutbait and lobbed out into a deep hole. You do not need to strike when using circle hook rigs as the Cat will hook itself when running with the bait, with a 100% hook up rate in the corner of the mouth. Just raise the rod slowly, tighten the line and not striking for a good hook set!

LURES FOR TIGER FISH AND OTHER ZAMBEZI PREDATORS 5-6 x medium and saltwater Spooks and other small-medium cigar-shaped stick baits can used with a walk-the-dog, side to side, swishing action that ‘sways’ the lure like a snake across the water. This is a lure to be used when big Tigers are being really aggressive crashing on the surface. Change out the hooks with a 3/0 single wide-gap hook in the middle and a 6/0 one on a swivel and extra split ring on the back for better hook-ups.

2-3 x small Poppers can also work well and if used properly, they catch a good number of big fish. They should spit and gurgle and spray water in front, or pop. The best we have found is the Skitter Pop or the Chug Bug skimmed along the surface or quickly popped.

6-8 x small Minnow baits and crank baits will always work well in most situations and our choices are shallow running 4-6” Rapala X Raps, X Rap Sub Walk, Rattle Traps, Cotton Cordell Redfins and Yozuri Crystal minnows and Tobimarus.

4-5 x deeper diving lures like the small-medium Tail Dancers and X Raps can be cast out and worked in the deeper pools and drop-offs. Great lures for bigger fish in the depths, like below cascades and rapides.

4-5 x 16-22g Effzett single and double Copper Spoons and other bright spoons will sometimes catch more fish than plastic lures and flies. Work areas thoroughly with these lures at various depths until you find where they are. Great prospecting lures for all sizes of fish.

5-10 x ½ - 5/8oz bucktail jigs. Red/Black, Orange/Black, Firetiger and Red/Yellow are the best colours. These are worked like a jerkbait, ripped and not jigged vertically up or down. Cast to all likely structure and fast water channels and sand bars and also to the margins for Nembwe and other predators. *Sometimes it’s worth changing out hooks to singles at it can improve hook-up rates. Tiger fish has such bony mouths and singles can often catch more fish.

FLIES Normally anglers will use 7-9 Wt fly rods with interchangeable reels of floating, intermediate and fast-sinking, 20-30lb straight mono leader, a thin 6” wire leader and a shiny streamer fly. Tigers are everywhere in the system but love fast water, cascades, ends of rapids etc. and the glides below. Cast to rocks and structure and fast strip your fly back to the boat.

Tigers are angler-friendly in that they will not head straight for structure when hooked, but instead make blistering runs and jump all over the river in a real acrobatic show. Nembwe, tilapia, bream and sharptooth cats will attack smaller flies and lures also in many of the same situations you will find tigers in.

Fly patterns for Tigers and other Zambezi predators, in general, are either tied in 3-5” long-profile streamer flies with lots of flash in Deceiver, Clousers and other streamer patterns, with and without weighted eyes or even popper-type surface flies that provide plenty of noise and action on the surface Usually a fast strip is used on streamer flies and a series of gentle, constant ‘spits’ for surface flies. Don’t waste too much time on too elaborate fly patterns as they will get destroyed quickly, especially by smaller fish!! Go simple!

WILDLIFE AND SAFARIS Wildlife viewing and birding can be done from open vehicles, canoes or even while fishing. There is such an abundance of wildlife in the region and with Kudu, Water Buck, Buffalo, Elephant, Hippos, Gazelle, the list goes on and on …………..

Within the river itself, there are numerous hippos and crocodiles to add to the unending display of profuse wildlife that this region offers. In the dry season (June to October), incredible herds of elephant can be viewed.

After a hard day on the water, why not enjoy a sun downer drink whilst watching elephants playing in the water under an African sunset.

CLOTHES We recommend clients follow the list of items below to keep it simple and as lightweight as possible. Laundry is done daily, so only one or two changes of clothes are needed at camp. Clothes here in general are shorts or long pants, a shirt, a fleece in cooler weather and a hat!! One change of clothes can be used for travelling.

For travelling: 1 x pair lightweight shoes, socks, underwear, light jacket, 1 x light shirt and long cargo pants with pockets for documents, money, passport etc. This outfit can also serve as fishing clothes to save on additional weight.

For fishing and safari: 1 x wide brimmed hat or fishing cap with neck cape, 2 x lightweight shorts or long pants (zip-off’s are a good idea and can also be used as travel pants), 2 x lightweight, long or short-sleeved shirts with pockets (can also be used as travel shirt), 1 x pair of either CROCS, sandals or similar comfortable boat shoes, 1 x fleece, 1 x lightweight rain suit/jacket and 2 x pairs of polarised sunglasses (in case you lose one pair), 1 x pair light safari/trekking shoes.

OTHER RECOMMENDED GEAR It gets hot out there in the full sun, often over 90áľ’C, so come well protected with good-quality sun-block with at least 50-75 SPF. Lip cream is essential.

We fish in areas that have mosquito and other insect activity, so bring a high DEET content insect repellent just in case.

Bring any personal medications and allow for headaches, stomach upsets, fevers, infections, allergies etc. And also personal toiletries, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving gear etc. A small amount of talcum powder is a good asset in the jungle for those hidden, sweaty areas!

Reading books/magazines/Kindle, pen and paper for notes.

Small torch/headlight and spare batteries Camera(s), interchangeable lenses, batteries etc.

Binoculars Multi-tool

TRANSFERS, SCHEDULES AND COSTS Day 1: Flights usually arrive into the airstrip at approx. 2pm and from here it is a 10-15 minute drive to the lodge. Arrive and met by lodge manager who will give you an introduction to the lodge and show you to your rooms. You can opt to relax for the rest of the day, or head straight out onto the water with your private guide and boat for fishing and/or game viewing.

Day 2 onwards: Fishing every day, starting from 5.30/6am each morning. Arrange times with your private guides throughout the day and choose which parts of the river you wish to fish. Activities are included in your stay and you can choose at any time to have a break from fishing and join a game drive, go canoeing or take your boat for a game cruise on the river until sun down.

Final Day: Depart lodge in the morning by jeep to the airstrip, where you will board a small plane back to Lusaka.

COSTS: LOW SEASON: MAY, JUNE and 1st– 15th NOV: USD$550 pppn OR USD$3,300 for 6 nights and 5 days.

MID SEASON: JULY AND OCTOBER: USD$650 pppn sharing OR USD$3,900 for 6 nights and 5 days.

Single USD$850 pppn OR USD$5,100 for 6 nights and 5 days.

HIGH SEASON: AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER: USD$700 pppn sharing OR USD$4,200 for 6 nights and 5 days.

Single USD$900 pppn OR USD$5,400 for 6 nights and 5 days.

All costs are charged in US dollars and payments made in any other currency will be adjusted at the exchange rate at time of payment.

All costs above will be increased by Zambian law by 16% VAT (Value Added Tax).

A 50% deposit is required to reserve places when booking. The remaining payment is due 90 days before arrival in Lusaka.

Community charges and Park fees are charged separately and on site @ $50 per day pp.

Please note: yellow fever injections - recently it has become a requirement for people entering zambia to have a valid yellow fever certificate. This must be obtained before departing for Zambia or you will not be allowed to board the plane. The inoculation is valid for 10 years.

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