Zambezi River fishing for the novice or experienced angler is possibly as close as one can get to absolute perfection. But what can you expect to catch and how? What are the best times of the year and what are the potential dangers, if any?

As all anglers know, it’s not just about the catch, but about being in harmony with nature and its surroundings. Well, what better place to do this than on the Mighty Zambezi River?

It is constantly changing through the seasons, so one visit is never the same as the next, keeping you spellbound all the time. Wildlife and birds abound and for me nothing could be better than a day of fishing on the Zambezi River.

what you can catch

There are more than 75 species of fish that inhabit these waters. The most coveted of these is the tiger fish, well known as probably the best freshwater fighting fish in existence. It is a ferocious species that can grow up to 33 pounds (15 kg) in weight.

However, you can also expect to catch Vundu, Three Spot and Yellow-belly bream, Upper Zambezi Yellowfish and Barbel, to name just a few of the more common ones.

Vundu is a type of catfish and is the largest fish found in the Zambezi, and can grow up to 100 pounds. The beautiful yellow-bellied bream (Nembwe) reaches over 4 kg in weight and is very popular with fishermen.

how to catch it

Trolling and spinning with artificial lures for both tiger fish and bream are the standard methods used. Bottom fishing and drift bait (fillet or live bait) are also very successful methods.

Some of these methods obviously require the use of a boat, so unless you have your own, it is definitely advisable to take a tour with one of the quality fishing companies out there. Drifting slowly with the current and throwing yourself into the eddies often yields big fish. The really big tiger fish often hang out in deep water, so drifting with a chicken or fish fillet is possibly the best way to catch one of these monsters.

Fishing from the shore in the Zambezi National Park can be very rewarding if you can find the right spot for both fly and spin fishing. Sometimes it gives you that extra mobility to search for fish in exact spots, especially during the very dry season when you can crawl through the shallows or jump over rocks and throw yourself into the fast-flowing current.

Fly targeting tiger fish is definitely one of the most challenging and exciting experiences any fisherman can have. Heart-stopping blows are always followed by fantastic acrobatic aerial displays, as tigers dance across the surface of the water trying to get your fly out of their bony mouth (often successfully).

These tremendous fighters swim upstream all day and are extremely fit, their fighting is unsurpassed by any other fish, so catching them with normal tackle is exciting in itself, but catching one with a fly rod is amazing .

when to catch it

Tiger Fish and Nembwe are targeted throughout the year, but are particularly prolific from late May through December.

The rains usually start in late November, with the rain comes muddy water and lots of debris, as well as food. As the water level rises through January, many species of fish move into the floodplains to feed and breed. In May, the water levels peak and then begin to decline over the next several months until they bottom out again in November. It is as these water levels start to recede that one can have some really great fishing on the Zambezi.

The bait fish, usually around June, have to leave the safety of the flood plains and return to the main channel, these “bait balls” are followed by predators, and that is when a lot of action takes place and there is great fishing both with lure as with fly.

As water levels continue to drop, temperatures begin to rise and the water becomes crystal clear from August through November, there is excellent fishing for all species.

what to look for

The Zambezi is the real Africa, so there’s no escaping the fact that hippos and crocodiles live in these waters in abundance. However, experienced guides know exactly how to avoid these animals and leave them alone, so that both man and animal can enjoy this magical place. So don’t let these dangers stop you from going, better make sure you only go with someone who knows what he is doing.

If you are fishing the Zambezi from the shore, don’t stay on the river bank next to a deep water channel for long periods of time, keep moving every few minutes. But in all honesty, your biggest enemy here is the sun, the cool air blowing off the water lulls you to sleep and makes you think you’re not burning. So make sure you have a wide-brimmed hat, suntan lotion, and even long-sleeved shirts.

Mosquitoes won’t bother you during the day, but by dusk they come out in full force, so if you’re going to be in the water at that time, make sure you have some mosquito repellant with you.

The water in this section of the Zambezi above Victoria Falls is very pure and fine to drink.

who to go with

There are some fishing companies that operate in Victoria Falls. Boats and gear are available by the hour (minimum 2 hours), rates vary but you can expect to pay around US$50 per hour per boat and if you book three hours or more you get one hour free.