Zambezi River and tributaries, southern Africa

Targeting tigers on fly is definitely one of the more extreme angling disciplines. Gut wrenching strikes followed by the all but compulsory aerial display, razor teeth and bony jaw all ensure any angler is kept honest when battling these magnificent fish. Although most of the time tigers are targeted subsurface with streamer type flies, when conditions allow there is not much that beats casting a surface fly, poppers and flippers, to charging wakes as these ferocious predators hunt bait fish in submersed vegetation.

It is useful to understand the distribution of tigers through the water column when targeting this species. Tiger fish will devour any fish up to 40% their own size, including their kin. For this reason tiger fish will generally stick with others of a similar size. African waters, similar to most wild places on our wonderful continent, are a dog eat dog (or more precisely striped water dog eat striped water dog) environment. For this reason one can fairly confidently predict the size of fish most likely to be caught in a specific area. Very roughly, larger fish occupy the relatively safe deeper water. Average size fish, not risking the deep water where there is a chance they will be eaten by their bigger brethren, inhabit the medium depth water. The smallest fish are unfortunately forced into the shallows where they seek shelter from their marauding cousins, while at the same time having to keep an eye out for avian attack from above.

Botswana

Botswana, with an area of over 500 000 km 2 , is larger than France. The grassy, thornbush-covered sands of A fine tiger caught in the upper Zambezi. the Kalahari cover two-thirds of it. In the north the magnificent Okavango Waterway, with its green and fertile plains, flows straight into this sea of sand, the Kalahari Desert, and vanishes.

Okavango River: Each summer, floods pour down from the highlands of Angola into the Okavango River and flow on through a vast network of narrow waterways, lagoons and broad expanses of the Okavango Delta. Tigerfish, nembwe, catfish, and African pike are targeted in parts of the delta where there is perennial water. Tigers are targeted all year round, but are exceptionally aggressive during the annual catfish run between September and November. Nembwe and other bream species prove more fruitful during the winter months from April to August. Large numbers of crocodiles, hippos and buffaloes reside in and around these waters. The famed Savuti and Moremi Parks encompass this African jewel in the desert.

Chobe River: The Chobe River forms part of the Northern border of Botswana and is a tributary to the mighty Zambezi. Its waters are similarly blessed with an abundance of fish species. Tigerfish, bream, barbel, and nembwe are plentiful here. As is the case with the Upper Zambezi, the Chobe river is best fished during the winter months when bait fish are flushed from the protection on the flood plains into the deeper channel waters.

Zimbabwe

Previously known as Rhodesia, Zimbabwe gained independence in the late 1970's. Zimbabwe is truly one of Africas' gems for both the sport fisherman and the wildlife enthusiast. Tourette Fishing will only travel through Zimbabwe when they feel it is safe and feasible. Tourette Fishing have not yet had to divert around Zimbabwe, and with the increasing availability of fuel and basic commodities, feel that future travel in Zimbabwe is looking positive.

For the angler, Zimbabwe can be roughly divided into two major fishing destinations, these being the Zambezi Valley, and the Eastern Highlands, which form the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Zambezi River: Both Lake Kariba and the Middle Zambezi can be fished from Zimbabwe. The Zambezi River forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. All angling on the Middle Zambezi takes place in and around National Parks, the world-renowned Mana Pools National Park being one of them.

Zambia

Zambia offers many pristine angling destinations. Lake Kariba, the largest dam in Africa, the Upper Zambezi, and the Middle Zambezi are all easily accessible whilst touring in Zambia. These destinations lend themselves well to some of Africa's most exciting and challenging fresh water fly fishing.

Namibia

Namibia has a technicolor landscape, a land of endless apricot dunes and glistening white flats, black-faced impala and crimson-breasted shrike. Cold winter months on the upper Zambezi and Chobe Rivers are generally the most productive times to target tigerfish.

A small strip of Namibian land wedged between Botswana and Zambia forms the Caprivi Strip. This northeastern sliver of Namibia is bordered on the north by the Upper Zambezi, and on the south by the Chobe River. At the most northeastern point of this strip, near Kazangula, the pale blue waters of the Chobe join the deep indigo waters of the Zambezi. It is at this point, on a small island in the middle of the river where the four countries, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia converge. Both the Chobe and the Upper Zambezi Rivers can be fished from within the Caprivi Strip of Namibia. The close proximity of the Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls make the Caprivi Strip a superb destination for the African fly angler and naturalist alike.

We offer a wide variety of trips for the different species of fish available in these regions. Trips range from 5 day fishing trips to 20 plus day safari and fishing adventures.

Clothing and equipment checklist -- Tropical

For info on inoculations you need check with the CDC.

Do you travel to the 4 corners of the world frequently?

We highly recommend an emergency evacuation membership for this trip. It costs well over $100,000 to be air lifted to a safe US hospital from many parts of the world. These services will not be covered by general travel insurance or medical insurance. We use GLOBAL RESCUE.

Pricing:

Please contact us for information on the various packages available and current pricing.

Species	Season
Tiger fish	All Year
Cornish Jack	All Year
Eastern Bottlenose	All Year
African Pike	All Year
Nembwe	All Year
Cheesa and Nkupe	All Year
Tilapia	All Year

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