Tiger fishing on the Zambezi River

Wild and Exotic sample itinerary for tiger fishing on the Zambezi River 

Day 1: Arrive in Lusaka  International Airport and transfer for the private charter flight to Chongwe River Lodge, arriving in time for an early lunch beneath the shade of a towering mahogany tree. Afterwards enjoy a siesta in the comfort of your luxurious tented room or venture out onto the Zambezi River in pursuit of tiger fish with your experienced guide. Whatever your choice, you will probably want to return to the lodge in time to take a game drive in the late afternoon and search for elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard that frequent the nearby Lower Zambezi National Park, stopping at dusk to enjoy sundowners, before continuing your drive with the assistance of powerful spotlights that illuminate shy nocturnal mammals.

Days 2 - 3: The next two days will be divided between fishing, walking and game viewing - the ratio is entirely up to guests, who will have to make the difficult decision between watching Africa's largest and most beautiful mammals and casting for her most powerful and exciting fresh water game fish. For the adventurous other activities such as canoeing trips are also available - during which you paddle past pods of wallowing and grunting hippos and disturb crocodiles that slip silently into the water as they hear you approach.

Day 4: After a leisurely breakfast it is time to head downstream for three action packed days at Mwambashi River Lodge. The adventurous may decide to undertake this journey by canoe, or alternatively float and fish the thirty kilometres that separate the two lodges in a comfortable pontoon, stopping for a relaxed picnic lunch halfway. To transfer by road is the quickest option, which takes little more than an hour.

Days 5 and 6: Serious anglers may spend the next two days exploring the Zambezi with fly and bait fishing tackle, perhaps retuning for a long and leisurely lunch at Mwambashi Lodge, or alternatively enjoying a picnic on the river bank. As well as the colony of exquisite carmine bee eaters that nest in the sandy banks of the river just downstream from the lodge, you can also expect to encounter large herds of cape buffalo and  magnificent elephants wandering in and out of the gardens.

Day 7: You may not be as lucky as the Wild and Exotic representative, who witnessed a pride of seven lions capture and kill two large cape buffalo in the sandy, dried up bed of the Mwambashi River on the final morning of his research trip -  guides were alerted to their presence by the buffalo's stricken bellowing, clearly audible form the lodge's dining room at seven am - however this morning you will be faced with the difficult choice of deciding between a final fishing expedition or a last game drive in the stunning National Park. After the usual delicious brunch you are driven to the nearby Jecki airstrip for the flight back over the dramatic landscape of the Zambezi valley to Lusaka. On arrival you will be met by a representative of Chaminuka Lodge and driven to this comfortable lodge some fifteen miles from the international airport in Lusaka for an overnight stay. Here you can enjoy  tours of Chaminuka's private game reserve in an open-top safari vehicle, as well as riding walking, fishing and the use of all lodge facilities including tennis courts, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and billiard room

Day 8: An early breakfast at Chaminuka, before being driven back to the international airport in Lusaka and checking into your flight home.

Notes:

Sample itinerary. Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic's terms and conditions, a copy of which will be enclosed with your booking form.

Wild and Exotic fact sheet for recommended tiger fishing lodges  

Accommodation. Mwambashi offers 8 spacious permanent east African ensuite safari tents on raised decks overlooking the river. Accommodation at Chongwe River Camp consists of luxury tented chalets with en-suite bathrooms. Guests at both camps eat in a centrally located thatched dining room. Mwambashi River Lodge has a plunge pool for guests to refresh in during the heat of the day.

Activities: Although the stretch of the Zambezi between the two lodges is renown for an abundance of tiger fish and superb fishing, there is a wealth of other exciting diversions to enjoy. Game drives in open-sided four wheel drive vehicles are available for morning and afternoon excursions into the National Park, as well as night drives with powerful spotlights to illuminate rare nocturnal mammals. Guided walks into the bush are also offered. Many guests choose to spend a day exploring the river system by canoe with a picnic lunch, and an evening cruise aboard a comfortable pontoon to the backdrop of the setting sun is an experience not to be missed. Walking safari itineraries can also be arranged with sufficient notice.

Cash:  Guests may wish to have small denomination $US available for staff gratuity at their discretion.

Children:  Children under twelve years old cannot be accepted unless by special arrangement through Wild and Exotic.

Clothing List: A recommended clothing list will be sent on request, as will a list of recommended fishing tackle. A free laundry service is provided at both lodges.

Drinks: All cordials and sodas, beers, spirits and wines are included in the price. Ice and lemon is supplied for drinks. Refreshments are provided with all activities and excursions.

Duration: In order to fully appreciate everything that these two lodges have to offer we recommend a 6 night stay (3 nights in each camp), however you may stay for as long or short a time as you wish.

Game: The Zambezi River provides food, water and shelter for large concentrations of game, especially during the dry season from August - November when alternative resources have been depleted. The Lower Zambezi National Park is famous for the diversity and quantity of wildlife populations it supports, including big herds of buffalo and elephant as well as lion, leopard and plains game. Mwambashi is also well known for the pack of wild dogs that frequent the vicinity. The Lower Zambezi valley acts is home to over 300 different species of  birds, and a colony of gorgeous carmine bee eaters nests in the river bank just downstream from Mwambashi Lodge.

How to Get There: International flights to Lusaka, followed by an onward private charter or scheduled flight to the lodge, which takes approximately 45 minutes. Alternatively guests may transfer by road, however this is a five hour drive and not recommended. We recommend that guests who are booked on international flights departing early in the morning leave the Zambezi the previous afternoon and fly back to Lusaka, where they are collected and driven to Chaminuka, a comfortable lodge 45 minutes drive from Lusaka international airport.  

Location: Chongwe River Lodge is located on the banks of the Chongwe River. Mwambashi River Lodge stands in a glorious setting on the banks of the Lower Zambezi opposite Chikwenya Island. Both lodges are within the Lower Zambezi National Park

Meals: Dawn game drives or fishing outings are preceded by coffee or tea, bread and cakes with your morning wake-up call. A substantial brunch is served on return to the camp from your morning activity, and a light lunch in the early afternoon. Three course dinners with fresh ingredients are served each evening.

Safety: Both lodges are covered by Medical Air rescue services, who in the case of an emergency evacuation would use either Kayila or Jecki airstrip. There are medical aid kits for use in the boats and vehicles during activities and excursions, and a large medical aid and equipment kit (including oxygen) at both lodges. The managers are also paramedic qualified. Guests are strongly advised to take anti malarial medication before and after their stay.

Single Supplement: There is a single supplement at both lodges, however this may be waived at the discretion of the management and Wild and Exotic.

Terrain: Flood plain dotted with thorn and thick scrub, rising gradually to merge with the foothills of the Zambezi escarpment, whose rugged outline dominates the northern horizon. The mighty Zambezi River is the outstanding feature of the landscape as it carves its way seawards downstream of Lake Kariba, flowing through deep pools, shallow sandbanks and past thousands of islands. Many visitors to other African rivers are struck by the unusual clarity of the Zambezi's waters.

Weather and best time to visit: Both lodges are closed between November and April. The fishing can be very good from April onwards, however the optimum time frame is considered to be from mid August to the end of October. Game viewing is best later in the year, when conditions are at their driest and vegetation has died back. The cooler months of a Zambian winter run from May until September, with temperatures dropping as low as 12 degrees centigrade during July nights, although they hover around 27 degrees during the day. These "winter" months represent the best time to visit. Temperatures are warm by day (high seventies) and cool at night with clear blue skies, although the weather is often equally as pleasant in March and April. The temperature becomes very hot in November and the rains also arrive during the course of this month.