8 Days Zimbabwe wildlife and Fishing Safari
8 Days Zimbabwe wildlife and Fishing Safari
World famous fishing in safari environment, Zimbabwe offers some wonderful fishing opportunities, and one of these is catching the amazing tiger fish in the Zambezi River. The tiger fish (Hydrocynus Vittatus) is an indigenous fighting fish with beautiful silver scales, black stripes, red tinged tails and ferociously sharp teeth!
The Zambezi River with its 40 species of fish stretches 2574 kilometres starting in Zambia and travels through or past Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and finally Mozambique as it enters the Indian Ocean. Pound for pound tiger fishing is known by anglers to be one of the most exciting to catch, one well known and popular fishing area is Lake Kariba. This colossal manmade lake has a rich ecology with many fish species such as kapenta (an introduced small whitebait type fish (Limnothryssa miodon), chessa, Cornish jack, parrot fish, nkupe, vundu, barbell, several species of bream and Nembwe.
Safari highlights
- Victoria falls
- Hwange national park
- Matusadona national park
- Tiger fishing on Lake Kariba
Detailed safari itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Victoria Falls airport
You will be met at the airport and driven to this beautiful camp, situated on a private concession in the Victoria Falls National Park, just 15 minutes by road from the majestic falls themselves. Elephant Camp is a mid-sized tented camp with 12 rooms spread across a hilltop overlooking the park. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and expansive views of the surrounding bush.
Day 2: Full day exploration of Victoria falls
After morning breakfast you will choose from wide range of safari activities from canoeing, boat cruises, horse riding and helicopter flights showcasing the cascade and its surrounds. The interactive experience with elephant and cheetah offer an unparalleled chance to have a personal encounter with these elegant creatures. There’s no extra charge for activities such as game drives, nature walks, birding tours and bush meals on request in the camp’s private concession in the Victoria Falls Park, an area home to elephant, buffalo, lion and more.
Day 3: Drive to Hwange national park
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest reserve and an important wilderness area, attracting an estimated 30,000 elephants in its dry season. Just a three hour drive from the iconic Victoria Falls, it acts as a convenient safari addition to one of the most sought-after sights in all of Africa.
Day 4: Morning walking safari and evening game drive in Hwange national park
Walking with a Zimbabwean guide yields wonderful rewards – you may not see the big-name predators, but you will learn a multitude of lesser-known facts about the bush that are easy to overlook on the back of a vehicle. Night drives can also be productive, giving you a chance to see the nocturnal wildlife – from hyena to porcupines, aardvark to bush babies.
Day 5: Drive to Matusadona national park
Matusadona National Park is a wild and remote, well known for its big game (especially elephants, buffalo and hippos) and is perhaps the best tiger fishing destination in Africa. Boat trips on Lake Kariba (which is really a massive dam on the Zambezi River) are really Changa’s biggest draw. You’ll find great game viewing (hippos, crocs and elephants) and bird watching on-board. Combined with tiger fishing (you might catch some bream or catfish too) and a trip to Sanyati Gorge for spectacular scenery and you has an exceptional water-oriented experience.
Day 6: Full day Tiger fishing
The Tanganyika sardine, otherwise known as the ‘Kapenta’, was a major source of food for people around the lake, and still is today. This species also happens to be a favourite food for the tiger fish. With such an abundance of prey, the tigers of Kariba can grow to over 14kg, providing remarkable fishing opportunities for anyone who likes a big fight on their hands.
Day 7: Full day Tiger fishing
There are many splendid fishing locations on Kariba, but one of the best is surely the Sanyati Gorge, where steep cliffs rise on either side of the gorge for 13km up from the lake. In other parts of the lake you’ll find fish eagles watching over as you cast out your line, elephant and antelope grazing on the lush growth along the waterline, and in the clear, unpolluted waters of the lake itself, the tiger fish are waiting.
Matusadona offers fully-catered fishing charters on the lake as well as the opportunity to experience the general magic of Kariba in style and comfort. Enjoy big game viewing alongside Matusadona National Park, the cosy cabins and fine cuisine while searching out the best fishing spots on the lake.
Day 8: Charter flight to Victoria Falls
You will be chartered to the airport for your onward journey.
Trip includes
- Park entrance
- Vehicle, guide and fuel
- Fishing boat and permits
- Game drives and walking safari
- Domestic charter flight
- Enroute meals and drinking water
Trip excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and hotels
- Zimbabwe tourist Visa
When to book this safari package
We recommend 1 year in advance allowing us secure fishing boat and permitting.
Best time for fishing in Zimbabwe
Best time to fish in the upper Zambezi is from May to September when the water is clear and the fish can see the bait/lure or fly depending on your preferred method of fishing.
