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Zambezi Fish Species Lake Kariba -2

Types of Fish found in Lake Kariba Africa

There are many other fish of interest to anglers on Lake kariba, in particular several species of bream, or kuiper

Red Breasted Tilapia (Tilapia rendally)

This pretty looking fish is commonly known as a 'pinkie' and was introduced into the Lake in the late 1950's. Seldom exceeding a kilo but a hard fighter often encountered in large numbers.

In Lake Kariba the Nile bream (Oreochromis niloticus) is now also being taken by anglers.

Redbreasted-Tilapia-tank

KARIBA TILAPIA (Oreochromis mortimeri)

Known in South Africa as the blue kurper this fish was mistakenly known as a Mozambique bream and were called 'mozzie's, until it was found that the Mozambique bream was only found in the Zambezi River below the lake and beyond the dam

CHESSA (Distichodus schenga)
NKUPE (Distichodus mossambicus)

The chessa and related nkupe are both rough-scaled, small-mouthed, broad-bodied fish renowned for their strength, speed and stamina. Both exceed six kilos and are usually caught on earthworm and small hooks, but will also take fish fillets

PURPLE LABEO (Labeo congoro)

A river fish living in the estuaries and feeding on algae

HUNYANI LABEO (Labeo altivelis)

Commonly called a "Pink Lady" this fish enjoys similar habitat and feeding preference to that of the Purple labeo

CORNISH JACK (Mormyrops anguilloides)

The strangest fish of the Zambezi system must be the Cornish jack, largest of the "snoutfish" family. Usually taken on worm or fillet bait, Cornish jack attain 15 kg but are weak fighters. The closely related but smaller bottlenose (Mormyrus longirostris) is usually taken on worm

Cornishjack

The Bottlenose will give you an electric shock if you hold both ends of the fish without drying it first.

Zambezi Fishing Safaris

Time to hang up the "gone fishing sign and bring the cold beers and bait

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Competitions

The annual Kariba International Tigerfishing competitions takes places every year at the beginning of October at lake Kariba.
This is a 3 day event and anglers are organised into 4 person teams.

For those wishing to try their hand at tigerfishing or other game fish click here for hotels, fishing lodges and boat hire

Fishing gear and Bait

Kariba Town (dam wall side of lake Kariba)
Clients must provide their own tackle, or alternatively may purchase fishing tackle from the harbour, which stocks a large range of fishing tackle and fishing accessories. Worms can be purchased along the Harare - Kariba road from road side sellers.

Hire of Fishing equipment and Bait - The current rate to hire a rod, reel and line is Rands18.00 [US$3] per rod per day and ZAR16.00 per tackle packet. Each packet contains 2 x Tiger Traces, 4 x Bream Hooks and Sinkers and when available 2 x Floats. Bait is ordered when ordering your drinks.

Lake usage fee: U$ 10.00 per passenger. US$5 for South Africans. (This will cover a period from 2 - 7 nights). This is best paid in US$ to avoid exchange rate hassles

National Parks Fishing permits cost a further approx Rands 8 per person per day.

Binga Side ( Vic falls side of Lake Kariba)

Bring your own gear as the houseboats only supply basic gear.
Bait such as Kapenta both dry and wet and worms are normally supplied with the full catering option

Massess is now an illegal commodity according to National Parks with large penalties if found on the boat

Safari Specials

Game fishing in never complete until you have fished the beautiful waters of Lake Kariba. People from all over the world come to these waters to fish for one fish alone, the ferocious tiger fish.

Good fishing occurs throughout the year, however during the rainy season between October and February, it is extremely hot and humid, and not for the faint hearted.

We offer a number of self-catering resorts at Kariba and Binga as well as a very large selection of houseboats from either end of lake Kariba