Fishing on Lake Kariba - 2
Time to hang up the "gone fishing on lake Kariba" sign and
bring the cold beers and bait
There are many other fish of interest to anglers on Lake kariba, in particular
several species of bream, or kurper
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.
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
The Bottlenose will give you an electric shock if you hold both ends
of the fish without drying it first.
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
Contact Us
by email:
 Tel: + 27 (0)31 762 2424 ask for Niki, Maxine or Carien
SKYPE - afrizim (S.Africa + 2 hrs) World Times office hours
We require: Your name, Date on and off board, No of passengers, Contact details
A provisional booking will be made and will not be confirmed until a deposit
on charter rate is paid.
Should a deposit not be paid the booking will automatically
be released 14 days from date of provisional booking
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