The Namibian coast, renowned as the Skeleton Coast for its haunting beauty and solitude, is regarded as one of the best fishing grounds in the world. The cold Benguela Current, originating in the Antarctic, flows parallel to the shoreline and carries a vast amount of nutrients that support and sustain a diversity of fish. Due to this abundant food source these waters also attract a variety of sharks, which can be caught from boat or the shore. This four day fishing package includes two days of boat fishing and two days shore fishing, ending off with a traditional “beach braai” (grill) along the beach of the Atlantic Ocean. Beach / Shore days may be alternated subject to weather conditions.

All transfers, 5 nights accommodation with breakfast, lunch packs, fish barbecue, fishing gear + bait as well as the guidance of a qualified skipper and angler.

 Boat information

·     All boats used are fully surveyed, comply with all safety requirements and are registered with the Namibian Tourism Board.

·       All boats are fitted with radio and navigational equipment.

·      All skippers are highly experienced fishermen and are in possession of a valid skippers license

·       All boats are Catamaran Ski Boats and differ from 22 – 28 feet in size.

·       All boats are fitted with a toilet for your convenience

 FISHING INFORMATION

Bottom fishing: (all year round)

·        Fishing is done in depths of 2 –15 meters very close to reefs.

·        Includes lunch pack, a cool box with beer and soft drinks and all bait and tackle

·        The fish you catch are yours to keep, but sharks will be released.

 Deep Sea Fishing: (October to January)

·      Fishing is done in depths of approximately 100 meter-deep waters +/- 25km from the  shore

·       Includes lunch pack, a cool box with beer and soft drinks and all bait and tackle

·       The fish you catch are yours to keep

Beach fishing:

·       Fishing takes place from the shore, distances traveled can vary between 8 km to 120 km along  the coast.

·      Includes lunch pack, a cool box with beer and soft drinks, all bait and tackle and a beach braai at the end of the second day 

You are picked up at your accommodation in Windhoek and transferred to Swakopmund. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure or enjoy optional activities such as quad biking, dune boarding and paragliding. You can also visit the Swakopmund Aquarium, which opens a window to the wonders of marine life found in the cold Benguela Current. Here you can observe some of the fish species you may encounter in the days to come. In the evening enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in Swakopmund.   

On both mornings your skipper will pick you up at 08h00 at your hotel, to board your fully equipped fishing boat. Over the next two days you will challenge the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, to hook fish such as kabeljou, black tail, steenbras and catfish. The different bait used consists of black and white mussels, redbait, pilchard, prawn, squid or crayfish, which your skipper will advise in given areas. Beware not to fall over the side of the boat when a Coppershark or Spotted Gully Shark suddenly takes your line – these ferocious fighters can keep your pulse racing and your muscles aching for hours on end! You return to shore at around 16h00 to discuss the days fishing over a cold beer while looking forward to the next days of angling. 

The next two days you will fish one of the richest marine populated coastlines on earth. Your fishing guide will collect you at your hotel at 08h00, to proceed by 4x4 vehicle along the beach. Usually various areas are tested before hitting the right fishing spot, the most famous areas being  “Sara se gat” (Sara’s hole) or Skilpadgat (Tortoises hole). During the day you try your luck to hook fish species such as kabeljou, steenbras, galjoen, blacktail and catfish. If you think your arms are being ripped out and your feet leave a deep trench behind you, you can be sure that the end of the line has caught the attention of a Coppershark – the ultimate challenge for the keen fisherman! The Namibian record to date for this shark weighs in at 176 kilograms, but other shark species such as the Spotted Gully Shark, the Cow Shark or the Houndshark will test your patience, strength, stamina and endurance.  Close to sunset is “lines up” time, at the end of the second day you can experience a traditional Namibian “beach braai”, where you can savour some of the “catch of the day”, but will also be spoilt with grilled oysters and a variety of other Namibian seafood specialties. Reminisce about the past four days while saying “cheers” to your fishing guides around the huge campfire. In the late evening you are transferred back to your hotel.

Tour Summary

 FISHING THE CAPRIVI

This fishing package can be booked as a fly-in safari or incorporated into a self-drive itinerary. Northeastern Namibia is a diverse wetland on converging rivers, floodplains, waterways and bushland. Accommodation consists mainly of luxurious lodges offering excellent fishing opportunities, abundant wildlife, outstanding birding and cultural encounters. During the nine-day safari you will fish all dominant rivers that form the Kavango Region and the Caprivi Strip.

 Included in this package:

9 nights accommodation with breakfast, 2 dinners,  lunch packs, all fishing gear + bait as well as the service of a qualified fishing guide, transfer to Victoria Falls.

PLEASE NOTE:

Predatory tackle (spinning tackle) is the preferred option of most anglers on the river systems of Northeastern Namibia. A steel trace to any tackle is essential as Tigerfish abound. Crank bait lures and spinners seem to have the most success throughout the year when the water is clear. However, during the rainy season (November through to February) the influx of water from the Angolan catchment area turn the water murky. During these times "drift bait" or live bait fishing will produce better results. However, when the waters recede out of the flood plains, during March to May, the fishing generally picks up as the river water level sinks. These conditions are highly variable from year to year and are directly influenced by the amount of rainfall, flooding cycles and climatic conditions in the immediate area as well as in the Angolan catchment regions.

Fishing is based on catch, photograph and release  

Boat information:

·          All boats used are fully surveyed and comply with all safety requirements

·          All skippers are highly experienced fishermen

·          All fishing trips include lunch packs and a coolbox with drinks (drinks not inclusive) 

Your fishing adventure starts out at the western edge of the Caprivi Game Park, where your lodge is situated on a high bank overlooking the Okavango River. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the afternoon of the first day (optional) to explore this magnificent area. Early the second day you enter the Okavango River with a fully equipped boat and an experienced guide for a full day fishing experience. The Okavango River is home to over 80 different fish species and is one of the very few rivers in the world with no exotic or introduced fish species. One species, which will definitely give you a memorable fight includes the top predator of all river systems, the Tigerfish. Other fighting species, some of them delicious, include the Nembwe, the Three Spot Tilapia, (nearly as tenacious as the Tigerfish) and the Thin-faced Large Mouth and the Humpback Largemouth, which fight like bulldogs that they resemble. The Sharp-Tooth and Blunt Tooth Catfish rely on their enormous weight to make catching them difficult, while the African Pike also fights like a small Tigerfish. Three other fish species, that are not predatory and therefore need to be caught with other tackle such as worms, include the Greenhead Tilapia, the Redbreast Tilapia and the Purple face Largemouth (rare). It is also possible to catch all these fish species in the other river systems that we visit. In the late afternoon you return to your lodge for dinner.  

 After breakfast you travel east via the Caprivi Game Park to the Kwando River, which forms the natural boundary between Namibia and Botswana. Apart from being one of the main hot spots for birding in Southern Africa, the river also offers outstanding fishing opportunities for Nembwe and other Bream species. In the early afternoon and the following day you go on a game/fishing cruise along the waterways of the Kwando River on a fully equipped boat with all fishing equipment, experienced guide and cold refreshments. After sunset you return to your lodge for dinner. In the afternoon of the second day, you may choose to visit a traditional Caprivian village, where you can explore the traditions and culture of these natural people that have inhabited the area for centuries. 

On your way to your next lodge, you stop in Katima Mulilo to visit the local fish market where a variety of fresh and dried fish is sold. A short drive takes you to your lodge, which offers you angling opportunities for 93 fish species living in the Zambezi River. Kalizo Lodge is particularly renowned for excellent Tiger and Bream fishing. Tiger fish between 5-7 kgs are not uncommon, whilst the current Lodge record for this species is 8.2 kgs on fly and 10 kgs conventional fishing. Well- equipped boats and experienced guides accompany guests to the best fishing locations on the river, rated by sport anglers as some of the finest fresh water angling on earth! Your guide will introduce you to conventional fishing techniques, and will also bring you into good fly-fishing areas if you so wish. While fishing, enjoy the multitude of animals and birds that have made this paradise their home or see indigenous fishermen catch their dinner the old fashioned way. Lunch and cold beverages will be enjoyed on the boat, and in the late afternoon you return to your lodge for dinner. 

After breakfast you travel into Botswana via the Chobe Game Park to Kasane. From here you are transferred by boat to Impalila Island, situated at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers. If you are traveling by plane, you will land directly on Impalila Island. In the afternoon enjoy a fishing excursion or a game cruise along the Chobe National Park. This park boasts the highest concentration of elephants in the world and is the home to a huge variety of other mammal and bird species. Fishing is done on the Zambezi River where the Tiger Fish can reach a weight of 10kg! The options at your lodge are endless and are all included in your package: Besides excellent fishing opportunities on the majestic Zambezi River, you can enjoy a mokoro trip (dug-out canoe), scenic walks on the island, outstanding birding opportunities and game cruising along the Chobe National Park. You also have the opportunity to visit a local fishing village situated not far from your lodge. In the evenings you return to the lodge for dinner under the African night sky. 

After breakfast you are transferred to Kasane, from where you either continue your holiday, or transfer to Victoria Falls for your outbound flight.

Other options:                Continue to Victoria Falls for Vic Falls Packages.

 Tour Summary

Alternative accommodation may be used