The Upper Zambezi - Ichingo - Namibia

Dates available throughout 2008

The Zambezi is one of the great rivers of Africa. On the upper river where the boundaries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet, there lies the Island of Impalila at the eastern tip of the Caprivi Strip of Namibia. There too, the Zambezi's waters are joined by those of the famed Chobe, life stream of one of Africa's renowned wildlife reserves.

Ichingo:
The Zambezi is an extremely lush and incredibly fertile ever-changing watercourse, full of tree-clad islands, vast sandbanks where pods of hippos bask, rocky rapids, awesome waterfalls, secret channels - all providing spectacular sport. Whilst at Ichingo your days will be spent "doing battle" on the Chobe and mighty Zambezi rivers, linked by the papyrus-filled Kasai channel.

Accommodation is meru style walk-in tents/en-suite, with excellent cuisine and amazing hospitality. You can split your stay at Ichingo between the lodge and a luxury 'house-boat'. Angling on the main river is generally a comfortable pastime undertaken in 60hp boats that easily navigate a pair of fly fishers, allowing them to ply their trade over many miles of river. I say fly fishers, but the majority of anglers and visitors opt for spinning lures or bait fishing. With the experience of the lodge's guides and all but fly tackle provided, there is ample opportunity to savour the experience.

Fishing the Upper Zambezi:
There are 86 known species of fish in the upper Zambezi, though most are seldom seen and of limited value to the angler because of their size and the difficulty factor in presenting a lure or fly to them. Some will accept artificial lures and fly reasonably readily while, on bait, the selection is wider, for one never knows what will pluck at the end of the line.

Tiger Fish:
The tiger fish throws down a steely gauntlet, a fish that has a reputation of leaving gashes in the sides of lures such as Rapalas. It can, given enough encouragement, destroy a fly entirely. In Lake Kariba they have reached in excess of 30lb. At Impalila, lure anglers have landed them up to 20lb; the fly fishers up to 15lb.

Apart from tiger fish, the species of greatest interest are the various predatory largemouth bream, tilapia, 'happys', catfish and the aggressive African pike.

Tilapia:
The redbreast tilapia is one of the strongest fighters 'pound for pound' that you will find on a fly but anything over two pounds is a redbreast to be admired. The three spot tilapia is equally a fish to be pursued, attaining a good average size - around 2-3lb and anything over 4lb is unusual. Through September - March, tilapia will grab hold of a small red or yellow Mepps spinner and small diving plug.

Catfish:
There are few places in the world where a catfish is crowned in the beauty stakes and the ubiquitous sharptooth catfish is no exception. However one must give them credit as they provide some worthy sport.

Coarse Tackle:
Tiger fishing: Size 5/0 & 6/0 O'Shaughnessy or Owner hooks for drifting fish fillets
Mepps size 3 & 5 - gold, silver or red in colour, Rapalas (such as Super Shad Raps & J11 & J13)
Trace: 18" long 30lb wire trace
Rods: Light spinning - fixed spool reel combo or bait caster with small multiplier + 10lb line for the bream, a heavier spinning outfit/multiplier combo with 30lb braid for the tiger fish.

General:
Long nosed pliers, glove, fillet knife (packed in check-in luggage), powerful torch with spare batteries

What to take:
Despite the temperatures, it is wise to take long trousers and long sleeve shirts as well, to cover up in the heat of the day, if on the river. A waterproof jacket is advisable as the weather can be cool and a boat trip quite chilly. A hat and polaroid spectacles are necessary, as is sun block and insect repellent. An anti-malaria course is essential.

Cost: subject to availability

Prime season: Tiger - June/November
A 7 day guided fishing safari will cost in the region of £2,400, plus airport taxes.