Egypt - Lake Nasser

Most British anglers can boast their biggest fish from Lake Nasser. The attraction is fighting one of the largest freshwater fish on the planet. To say that Lake Nasser offers a totally wild, challenging form of safari-style angling is an understatement. Many anglers have caught Nile Perch in excess of 100lbs, sometimes on their first trip, and the lake has produced several I.G.F.A All Tackle World Records up to 230lbs!

A boat safari is as close to the real meaning of the Kiswahili word safari as you are likely to find. These safaris are similar to the old African ‘Hemmingway’ style of safari where 4X4 vehicles are used for travelling, whilst large support trucks with the equipment and safari crew go on ahead to set up camps. These safaris are the same except boats are used instead of 4x4 vehicles. Safari units are made up of live aboard fishing boats which are supported by a mother ship which has a built in kitchen, dining and recreation area, toilet and shower; providing the requirements for a comfortable camp combined with the unique experience of being out in a real wilderness.

Fishing boats are designed for tough work in remote areas and are skippered by an experienced English speaking fishing guide. Each boat is fitted with long-range fuel tanks, a 12v lighting system, a fish-finder, scales up to 220lb and plenty of storage area in the cabin which has two full-sized single bunks. At night the cabin can be enclosed by canvas, providing a cozy sheltered sleeping area. The bow and stern decks provide an ideal casting or trolling platform and there is an all round deck for that quick maneuver needed when a big fish takes a dive under the boat.

The safari personnel are all Nubians who are a people with a rich and colourful heritage that dates back to before the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt and still, to this day, Nubians maintain distinct traditions, architecture, and their own language. Experienced staff are an essential requirement for a successful safari, we take this seriously, there is an excellent ‘esprit de corps’ amongst our Nubian staff, they are proud of the work they do and you can’t beat them for their spontaneous and genuine friendship.

Target Species

Nile perch are one of the largest freshwater fish in the world readily accessible to anglers. The Egyptian Fisheries Department has recorded a Nile perch of 176kg (392lb) found dying on the surface. A 78-year-old tea planter from India landed the biggest Nile perch we have caught which was reliably calculated to weigh some 250lb plus.

Tiger Fish abound in the lake, the most common being hydrocynus forskalii which can grow to 16lb. Tiger Fish are said to be related to the South American Piranha and just one look at their vicious teeth, leaves you in no doubt that they are savage predators. For sheer sport on light tackle they take a lot of beating. Not only is it a beautiful fish, but its ferocious elegance will excite any angler’s adrenaline. Fewer fish will give the angler such a fierce fight.

There are 18 species of Catfish in the lake, of which two are of interest - Vundu and Bagrus. Catfish can be caught whilst trolling but you have a better chance ledgering for them at night with bait. Catfish are worth targeting - if you hook a big ‘cat’ it will give you an unforgettable fight. Vundu catfish will run to over 100lbs although this is rare a good size Vundu would be in the 50 to 60 pound bracket.

What Can I Expect To Catch?

Fishing being fishing, who knows for sure; most anglers can expect to capture at least one Nile perch of 50lb plus. Beyond that, anything’s possible – perhaps even another world record? We do not like to promise Nile perch of 100 pounds plus - they are there and they are often caught.

Nile perch can be caught the whole year round, but like everywhere else some months are better than others. Broadly speaking, the year is divided into winter and summer seasons: January to end of June, and October to end of January. Good fish can be caught between July and September but the weather is seriously hot during these two months.

From mid March to the end of July the Nile perch can be found in shallow water because Tilapia, their principal prey, are spawning and then a huge population of Tilapia fry start growing up. This takes place in water between 10 to 20 feet which is good for shore casting and fly fishing.

During the winter months Nile perch are in deeper water, we believe they are feeding up getting ready for spawning sometime in January or February; year after year we tend to capture bigger fish during winter.

Choice of Safari

We operate two kinds of fishing safari, each offering slightly different options. Or, if you are just passing through Aswan and do not have enough time to come on a proper safari, we can arrange for you to come for a day fishing returning to your hotel or Nile cruise ship in the evening.

Lake Nasser covers a massive area, the lake is 550 km long, has a shore line of 7,844 km and a surface area of 5,250 km2. We have three start and end points for our safaris, Aswan, Garf Hussein and Abu Simbel please refer to the map at the bottom of this page. We carefully allocate different areas to each of our safari units to prevent overfishing in any one area. Almost 40% of our guests have been on safari with us before and when they return might have a preference as to where there safari starts or ends, we will do our best to accommodate these requests where it is possible.

International flights to Egypt and the internal flight to reach Aswan are not included in our safari prices. We will provide you with up to date advice aboutreasonably priced flights.

Lake Nasser Safari

These safaris are designed for anglers who would like to come on their own or with a friend and join in the atmosphere of a sociable camp with other anglers.

Weekly departures throughout the year, you can come on either a one week or two week fishing holiday. The fishing safari starts on a Tuesday and ends on a Sunday please refer to the following itinerary.

Fishing Tackle & Lures a comprehensive set of tackle and lures is available for hire from the African Angler. Details will be sent at the time of booking

You’re Holiday in Egypt if you would like to experience some of the ancient culture of Egypt before or after your fishing safari we will be pleased to help you arrange an itinerary.

Itinerary

Monday: Arrive in Egypt, a tour coordinator from American Express will meet you in the airport arrival hall and assist you through customs & immigration and then transfer you to your connecting flight to Aswan or transfer you to a first-class hotel for the night.

Tuesday to Sunday: If you have spent the Monday night in Luxor or Cairo you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Aswan, with an arrival time in Aswan of between 8.30 and 9.30am. An African Angler representative will meet you at Aswan airport and transfer you directly to the safari start point on Lake Nasser to start your fishing safari.

The next six days (or 13 days if you are coming for two weeks) will be spent fishing on Lake Nasser with all meals included whilst on Safari.

The safari ends on Sunday in the late afternoon when we will transfer you from the lake to Aswan for your onward travel arrangements. Overnight in a first-class hotel with breakfast is included.

Monday: Transfer to either Luxor or Cairo airport to connect with your flight home.

Safari Price

The Safari Price is per person and in addition to the fishing safari it also includes all your travel arrangements and hotel accommodation from arrival in Egypt on a Monday to departure on the following Monday.

Single Anglers pay for one place from the price band for 2 sharing a fishing boat; we will guarantee your place and then try to find a suitable partner for you to fish with. If we are not successful you will have the fishing boat for your own use.

Safari Discounts see below on this page.
Price Includes

• All transfers between airports, hotels and the safari start point
• Two nights in a first class hotels with a buffet breakfast
• Use of fishing boats for 8 hours a day with an experienced English speaking fishing guide; unlimited bank fishing
• Mother ship with cook and safari crew
• All meals are provided on a safari
• Government taxes and fishing permits

Not Included

• Hotel surcharge of £55 per person Christmas & Easter holidays
• Fishing rods, reels & lures, can be hired in Aswan
• Laundry, drinks and tipping

Nubian Safari

A Nubian safari consists of one or more fishing boats which are supported by a mother ship. This safari can start or end on any day of the year and can last for as long as is required which is ideal for anglers who would like to have the flexibility of deciding how long they would like to spend on safari.
You will have the exclusive use of a mother ship and its safari crew in attendance and you can make your own decisions about when to move camp and the pace you would like to set for your safari. Your fishing guide will show you the best fishing areas and you can decide on the tactics you would like to use. This safari offers a great opportunity for reasonably good anglers to do their own thing.
You will have the exclusive use of a mother ship and safari crew attending your fishing boats.

International flights to Egypt and the internal flight to reach Aswan are not included in our safari prices. Please contact us if you need advice with finding a reasonably priced flight to Egypt.

Fishing Tackle & Lures are included in the price for safaris operating from 2 to 4days. For safaris of 5 days and over details of hire costs will be sent at time of booking

Safari Discounts see Safari Prices below on this page.
You’re Holiday in Egypt if you would like to experience some of the ancient culture of Egypt before or after your fishing safari we will be pleased to arrange this for you.

Safari Prices

Arrival and Departure travel arrangements are not included in the cost of this safari. If you would like to include this package the cost is an additional £150 and £95 for a single room supplement.

The Safari Price is per person for each day or part of a day and the overall price is based on the actual date the safari starts. The prices are based on a minimum of two anglers on a safari.

Three anglers sharing a boat will each get a 20% reduction from the price of two sharing a boat.
Prices Includes

• All transfers from airports, hotels or cruise ship both to and from the safari start point.
• Use of fishing boats for 8 hours a day with an experienced English speaking fishing guide
• Mother ship with cook and safari crew
• All meals are provided on a safari
• Government taxes and fishing permits
• A comprehensive set of fishing tackle & lures is included for Nubian Safaris which are for 4 days or less

Not Included

• Fishing rods, reels & lures, these can be hired from the African Angler for safaris lasting more than 4 days.
• Laundry, drinks and tipping

Safari Discounts

Discounts apply only to the safari section and are not applicable to the Arrival and Departure package.

Father and Son: To qualify for a discount the son’s lower age limit is 10 years and the upper limit is 21. If the son is the second person in the boat he gets a 25% discount from the selected safari price. The Father pays the full amount under the price band for 2 anglers sharing a fishing boat.

Husband & Wife: The same discount applies as for the father & son (except for the age limits).

Family: The most economical way for families to come on a safari is to take the house boat and stealth boat combination. The family can enjoy the safari experience while the father goes fishing in the stealth boat. The father pays the full amount under the price band of the number of family members and the rest of the family get a 20% discount off the same price band.

Organizer: If a group of six or more full paying anglers book a safari together we will be pleased to offer a 30% discount to the angler who is organizing the booking.

Charter a Stealth Boat

Stealth Boat is the name we have given to our alternative fishing platforms which can fish areas more quietly and efficiently than is possible from our larger fishing boats. Whilst our bigger boats are also excellent fishing platform a stealth boat has the advantage of being smaller and less obtrusive. They can be quietly drifted or rowed over underwater promontories or past rocky drop-offs, allowing anglers to cast lures, or wobble dead bait without the commotion caused by a bigger boat.
Stealth Boats are glass fibre, powered by a 35HP engine and are designed for fishing. They accommodate two anglers, are skippered by an experienced fishing guide and can easily be towed by your fishing boat.
You can charter a stealth boat for your Safari for £40 per day or part of a day the charter must be for the full length of the safari.

DAY FISHING

Single day fishing trips are available on any day of the year. You will be collected from your hotel or cruise ship at 8.00am and transferred to your fishing boat for full day fishing. Return to Aswan at 4.30pm for a transfer back to your hotel or cruise ship. An experienced guide will captain the fishing boat and a quality packed lunch is also included. Each boat is provided with up to three sets of rods, reels and a lure box; NB lost lures must be paid for. On a day trip the fishing boats will comfortably carry up to three people, with 4 people two fishing boats will be used.

Cost per Person: 1 £150, 2 People £110 - 3 People £90- 4 People £80

Destination guide

It is important that you are fully briefed so you know what to expect on a boat safari. We will send you our destination guide on request or when you make a booking. This gives detailed information about safaris, guides, fishing methods etc.