Tiger Fishing on the Zambezi
Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge is situated in Zambia on the mighty upper Zambezi River near the village of Mwandi (the Lozi word meaning ‘a place of plenty fish’).
The Ideal Tiger Fishing Venue
Shackletons Lodge is home to record and trophy tigerfish, bream and catfish.
Shackletons Lodge is the home to record and trophy Zambezi tiger fish, bream and catfish.
Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge is the ideal venue for fly fishing, spin and lure anglers of all levels to fish in a pristine habitat for Africa’s most spectacular and sought-after game fish, the fierce tiger fish.
Tiger fish, the so-called ‘striped water dog’, are one of strongest kilogram-for-kilogram fighters. Tiger fish attack from the side at speeds of up to 50 kph, then turn their bait around and swallow it headfirst. The tiger fish’s ability to bite through a lure with their razor-sharp teeth makes them an extremely exciting fish to catch.
Trophy-sized bream
Shackletons Lodge also offers a wide variety of trophy-sized bream and tilapia species, including: Nembwe, Thinface and Humpback Largemouth Bream; Redbreast, Threespot and Greenhead Tilapia; and Pink and Green Bream.
If you enjoy a deep and strong fight, then you can target one of the Catfish species like the Sharptooth that weighs up to 20kg.
Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge runs fishing boats, ideal for fly fishing, ranging in size from 14’ to 26’. We fish two anglers per boat. Highly experienced river guides accompany you on your daily outings to hunt this wonderful variety of fish on the magnificent Zambezi River.
We offer different kinds of fishing methods (depending on guests’ requirements, fishing conditions, and the time of the year): fly fishing, spinning, trolling and drift baiting.
We provide guests with fishing tackle (except fly fishing tackle) suitable for catching all these types of fish, including the fearless tiger fish. Guests are also welcome to bring their own fishing tackle.
Shackletons promotes a catch-and-release policy to preserve the precious fish resources of the pristine upper Zambezi River. We do however allow fish to be removed from the water to be weighed and photographed – provided the fish are handled carefully.
Tiger Fishing in March to December
Any time from March to December is a good time to catch tiger fish at Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge. The upper Zambezi River conditions around Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge change constantly throughout the year. The river rises for 6 months of the year (December – May) to form the Eastern Caprivi Floodplain (also known as the Southern Barotse Floodplain). It then recedes for the other 6 months of the year (June – November). The tiger fish adapt their feeding habits according to ever-changing river levels, water clarity, water temperature, and food sources. Likewise, we change our preferred tiger fishing methods (trolling, drift baiting, spinning and fly fishing) throughout the year to ensure you get the best tiger fishing action on the Zambezi.
Months of the year
Tiger Fishing in March to December
Minutes
From the lodge to fishing waters by boat
Anglers per boat
Accompanied by experienced river guides
Pounds
The weight of some of the tiger fish
A Typical Tiger Fishing Day in Zambia
The tiger fishing waters are under 10 minutes away by boat from the lodge.
- Meet in the central lodge area just before daybreak, around 05h30 – 06h00 (depending on the time of the year) for Continental breakfast (cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt, coffee/tea and rusks/biscuits).
- Depart for the tiger fishing waters on the Zambezi at daybreak.
- Return to the lodge at around 11h00 for brunch.
- Relax at the swimming pool, central area or in your chalet for a few hours.
- Depart for the fishing waters at around 14h00, or earlier if you wish.
- Return to the lodge at sunset.
- Freshen up and enjoy a few drinks before dinner at 19h30.
Alternatively, you can go tiger fishing whenever you prefer – just arrange this with your river guide. You can leave whenever you want (as long as it is not before daybreak) and return whenever you want (as long as it is not after sunset).
So you can go out early in the morning, return for a revitalising brunch, and go straight out again until sunset. Or you can just go tiger fishing from dawn to dusk if you wish.
Experience the Best Tiger Fishing in Africa
Join us for an exotic, memorable and fun Zambezi tiger fishing expedition.