Mwambashi River Lodge - September-October 2008
Zambia

Tiger / Vundu Fishing Safari - as seen on tv

Mwambashi River Lodge
This lodge accommodates 16 guests and is situated 31 km into the Lower Zambezi National Park. Mwambashi is a "bush lodge" with the accommodation being Meru style tents (with en-suite facilities) on raised wooden platforms, each with a private verandah commanding breathtaking views overlooking the Zambezi River.

Only guests staying at Mwambashi 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, led by knowledgeable guides, include game viewing and bird watching in the National Park together with motorboat, walking, fishing and canoeing trips. Game drives are arranged to suit clients but generally leave very early in the morning in order to capture animals at first light.

Fishing at Mwambashi
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.

Tackle required: Tiger fishing
5/0 & 6/0 wide gape hooks for drifting Chessa fillets. Also required 2 x SSG swan shots.
Rods: 2lb test curve spinning rod with fixed spool combo or bait caster with multiplier & 30lb braid.

Tackle required: Vundu
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:

Friday: Depart Heathrow Airport 1915 - British Airways direct, overnight 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 (half hour journey) to Mwambashi River 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 - Mwambashi River Lodge

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

Cost: Price on request

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