Tanzania - Tiger Fish

Kilombero Mlimba

Come with us on the African fly-fishing adventure of your dreams. Stay in a luxurious tented safari camp, deep in the heart of the Tanzanian bush, on the banks of the River Mnyera. Here you will fish for the huge tiger fish that swim in its waters and those of the nearby River Ruhudji.

Almost by chance, our partners in Tanzania discovered that the rivers running trough their big game concession offer what is almost certainly the best fly-fishing for tiger fish available anywhere in Africa today. Tiger fish have the reputation of being the world's fastest freshwater fish. They are strong, aggressive hard fighting predators - once hooked spending almost as much time in the air as in the water. The fly caught world record tiger was taken here, and visiting anglers have a real opportunity of landing fish of over 20 lbs. The fishery is outstanding, to date the average size fish caught here being between 8 to 12 lbs. To put this in context, in most fisheries a tiger of over 10 lbs is regarded as a trophy fish!

The Fishing

Once it was realised just how good the fishing was, the decision was quickly made to keep it that way. Today angling is fly-only and a very strict catch and release policy is operated. All catches are registered as part on an ongoing academic study of the river. This can truly be said to be an exclusive destination; angling here is only available during the best few weeks of the year, and there is a limit of 4 guest rods per week.

The angling is divided between 5 different beats, three on the River Mnyera and two on the River Ruhudjii, and during your time in camp you will spend 1 day fishing each beat. The river Mnyera contains the most fish, while on the Ruhudji the angling is more technical but the fish are bigger.

Most of your fishing will be done from 16ft aluminium boats, fitted with 25hp outboard engines; 2 anglers share each boat and and are accompanied by a professional fishing guide. It is also possible to fish from the shore on one of the beats, which consists largely of rapids. Taking into account that this really is untamed Africa, when fishing from the shore anglers are accompanied by one of the camps professional hunters, just in case the local wildlife gets a little too curious!

You should bring a couple of class #9 or #10wt rods, with matching high quality reels with well engineered drag systems. You will also do well to have a range of lines including fast sinking, tropical intermediate and tropical floating with you. A full list of suggested fly patterns and what other gear to bring along will be supplied on booking.

In addition to tiger fish, catfish and bream will occasionally take a fly and may well feature in your catch. 

The Camp

Anglers stay in the Kilombero Mlimba hunting camp, on the banks of the River Mnyera. It is a traditional tented safari camp, built to cater for big game hunters. It can boast of a friendly and highly professional staff and an excellent level of service. All of the large, luxurious, insect proof tents are tastefully furnished in earth  tones, with furniture made from local hardwoods. They each feature two large single beds, en-suite bathrooms with a shower, flush toilet and hand basin. Hot water is freshly prepared in a donkey boiler each morning and evening. 

All meals are included during your stay in camp and they are served in a cool thatched dining area or under the African sky around a camp fire. The menu includes excellent Mediterranean and continental cuisine.

As you might expect from its location, you will have plenty of opportunities to see Africa's game animals while fishing here. Buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant are all common in the area, as well as a host of other wildlife. If you also enjoy bird watching, the bird life here is also magnificent. 

It is possible to arrange to bring along non-fishing companions to camp, and while you are in Tanzania and would like to see more of the country, we would be pleased to arrange big game fishing, a photo-safari, hunting or simply a weeks beach holiday. Remember our parent company is a market leader in the field of African travel, so please contact for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Departure from your home airport to connect with KLM's flight to Dar Es Salaam, where you will be met by a representative of our partner, Miombo Safaris, who will accompany you to the hotel where you will spend the night.

 Day 2: You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the domestic airport for your private charter flight to camp. On arrival you will be met by your guide and driven to camp.

Days 3 -7: Fly-fishing on the rivers Ruhudji and Mnyera.

Day 8: Return private charter flight to Dar Es Salaam domestic airport, from where you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 9: Transfer to the international airport for your return flight home.

Dates and Prices 

2009 - Dates available:

A few rods available for August and September departing in:

week 34*

week 35

week 38

Price per rod (in a group of 4 anglers):€3,900- ex. international flights.

Included in this price:

• 5 full days guided fly fishing
• 6 nights accommodation in a tented safari camp
• meet and greet in Dar es Salaam airport
• all transfers between Dar es Salaam and camp
• all meals in camp
• all transport while fishing
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Dar es Salaam
• laundry service in camp 

 Not included in this price:

• International airfares
• drinks in camp
• gratuities
• meals in Dar es Salaam

 *This is the first departure of the season and may incur a surcharge of US$ 438 p.p. if there are no hunters returning from camp to share the cost of the charter flight.

For more details please contact us: andrew@atlantik.dk