Coming out of a time of uncertainty, turbulence, and turmoil, get hooked on an adventure with tiger fishing in the Chobe River – what more bait do you need?
Avid fisherfolk and anglers arrive from around the world to battle with the extraordinary, notorious African tigerfish, known for their speed, agility, and razor-sharp teeth. The mighty Chobe River flowing through Angola, Namibia, and Botswana is a life source for the landscape. Travelling here certainly makes for a bucket list trip.
In the stillness, you can watch elephants, antelope, crocodiles and kaleidoscopic birdlife, and listen to the call of the majestic fish eagle as it swoops over the ripples. ‘During the annual floods at the beginning of the year, the floodplains are saturated upriver, resulting in the river replenishing its fish stocks with fingerlings,’ says Kate Powell, General Manager, Marketing, Sales and Reservations for the Zambezi Queen Collection. ‘The tigerfish take full advantage of the extra food which can create incredible tiger frenzies during the winter months.’
Adventures await on the Chobe River
You can cast your line and hook a big one while staying at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge nestled on Impalila Island in Namibia. The best time to fish in the Chobe is from June until August and October and November are also great months to catch tigerfish on the run.
Another exciting catch to make on the Chobe is the enormous catfish or barbel. In addition to these Chobe fish, the African pike, carp, and Zambezi yellowfish are also worth looking out for.
All tiger fishing done with the Zambezi Queen Collection is strictly on a catch and release basis only.
Photographic safari destination
The iconic Chobe River
Ideal for the photographic aficionados, keep your camera ready to capture the famous wildlife of Botswana and its exquisite landscapes. The golden light is simply spectacular, so hop aboard the Zambezi Queen Collection’s photographic safari boat with custom-designed swivel chairs that give you greater stability and 360-degree views for a wider range of subject matter and you’ll have your own experienced safari guide who’ll help you find that perfect shot.
Get a bird’s eye view
Custom designed swivel chairs for 360-degree views
Hop on board a tender boat for a guided birding safari. This will mean many hours spotting birds such as African skimmers, rock pratincoles, and the African finfoot as well as cattle egrets, fish eagles, open-billed storks, lesser-striped swallows, pied kingfishers, and the striking carmine bee-eater.
Are you game?
Experience unique water-based safaris on the Chobe River and get up close and personal with huge herds of elephants plus buffalo, lions, crocodiles, zebra, and more that are drawn to the water. Game viewing on the Chobe River is at its most exceptional from March to November when the weather is drier and the animals are more mobile as they search for food and water.
Summer and spring also offer unique opportunities as you witness the landscape burst into life after the first rains of the season.
Take a bite out of history
Credit: Joachim Huber/Flickr Commons
Discover one of Africa’s most ancient Baobab trees, otherwise known as the ‘Tree of Life’ when staying at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge. This remarkable Baobab is 2000 years old, and if you dare you can climb to the top where you can see the junction of four countries – Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The best part? SADC guests qualify for a discounted rate of 50% for travel with the Zambezi Queen up until 31 March 2022.
Go fish!
For more information, visit their official site here.
Pictures: Supplied
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