Zambia - Ana Tree Lodge

This lodge accommodates 16 guests and is situated in the Lower Zambezi National Park. Ana Tree Lodge is a "bush lodge" with the accommodation being Meru style tents (with en-suite facilities) on raised platforms, each with a private verandah commanding breathtaking views overlooking the Zambezi River.

Only guests staying at the lodge are eligible to fish stretches of the river within the National Park, and because of this the fishing is spectacular. Where else in the world can you game view and fish simultaneously, sometimes just yards from a herd of elephants!

Activities include gameviewing by boat, day and night game drives, canoeing, birdwatching, fishing and river cruises. Game drives generally leave very early in the morning in order to capture animals at first light.

Fishing at Ana Tree Lodge

For angling enthusiasts this is a perfect tiger/vundu fishing location.

For the uninitiated the tiger fish is probably Africa's finest and most awesome game fish. For sheer aggression, pound for pound, it must rank as one of the world's most powerful freshwater species and the Zambezi is full of them! The tiger possesses a ferocious set of 18 large, triangular razor-sharp teeth enclosed in a bony head and has black/blue lateral tiger stripes with bright yellow & red caudal fin.

Tiger fishing:

• Rods: 2lb test curve spinning rod with fixed spool combo or bait caster with multiplier & 30lb braid. Anglers must take their own tackle.
• Hooks: 5/0 & 6/0 wide gape hooks for drifting Chessa fillets. Also required 2 x SSG swan shots.

Vundu fishing:

• Rods: 9’ uptide boat rod with multiplier reel (ABU 7000 ideal), with 30lb mono or 50lb braid.
• Hooks: 8/0 & 1-3oz bombs. Trace: 3’ long 50lb. nylon covered wire to alleviate bite-offs from tiger fish.

In the interests of conservation the lodge operates a catch-and-release programme

A typical day would be as follows: up at dawn for tiger fishing - back to the lodge for breakfast, followed by a further tiger fishing session until lunch time. Afternoon siesta prior to a mid afternoon to dusk tiger/vundu fishing session.

Itinerary: Sept - October

Friday:

Depart Heathrow Airport 19.15 - British Airways overnight direct flight to Lusaka

Saturday:

Arrive Lusaka 06.15. Once customs and immigration formalities have been completed and visas purchased you will be transferred by light aircraft to Ana Tree Lodge situated on the banks of the Lower Zambezi river. Afternoon guided fishing. Overnight all inclusive tented accommodation. All meals, laundry, drinks, guided fishing included

Sunday - Friday (6 days):

All day fishing - all-inclusive accommodation - Ana Tree Lodge

Saturday:

Early start! Charter to Lusaka to connect with day flight to London.

Prime Season: September & October are considered the best months for tiger fishing. At this time of year it is very hot in the Zambezi valley.