Tigerfish

Self catering, camping, as well as bed & breakfast accommodation on the banks of the Zambezi river at Kalizo Lodge. Tiger fishing and bird watching at its best!

Have a truly African Bush experience at this laid-back Zambezi Birding paradise & great family getaway, with boats and fishing. Get married in a traditional African wedding, breakfast on a sandbank in the river and generally enjoy the Zambezi experience. 

Kalizo has the best Tiger and Bream fishing on the river! This is a Fisherman's dream!  Superb angling opportunities for the 93 species which inhabit these waters, are on offer, while Kalizo Lodge is particularly renowned for excellent fishing. Tiger and BreamTiger fish of between 5 – 7 kg are not uncommon, whilst the current lodge record for this species is 8.2kg on fly and 10 kgs conventional fishing. Well equipped boats as well as rods and fishing tackle are available for hire and our experienced guides accompany guests to the best fishing locations on the river.

Twitcher's are always excited by the prospect of birding at Kalizo, with more than 430 species to be seen here.  Birdwatching and photography s an all year round pleasure with excellent opportunities to see the many different birds which inhabit the flood plains and surrounding areas.  A large breeding colony of Carmine Bee – eaters can be viewed from the river from mid-August to late November. Between April and December, the magnificent African Skimmers are a familiar sight, skimming low over the water, or nesting on the sand banks. A leisurely boat cruise is likely to reveal the ever present Fish Eagle, Herons, Kingfishers, Coppery Tailed Coucal. The endemic birds include the Shelly Sun Bird, Brown Fire Finch, and Hartlaub’s Babbler. The seasonal pools on the flood plains attract a rich variety of water fowl.  Lots more to do at Kalizo.

There are few places where sunsets are more spectacular than at Kalizo Lodge, and a sunset cruise on our spacious cruise boat is a very popular activity enjoyed by our guests. Quench your thirst after a busy day in the African Sun, whilst enjoying the spectacular riverine scenery and birdlife  and relaxing with an ice cold beer, or a refreshing glass of wine. You may also have the exhilarating experience of seeing the rivers more ancient inhabitants, the Hippopotamus or the Crocodile. From June to October, guests may be treated to the thrill of seeing elephants drinking at the water’s edge, or wandering through the Camp.

Whilst in the area, you should visit at least one of the local game reserves where you can see: buffalo, elephant, zebra, antelopes, hippo, crocodiles, lion, buffalo, giraffe, puku, while you may also see sitatunga, red lechwe, spottednecked otters, waterbuck, Roan antelope, Oribi, wild dog

Solitude, space and spectacular river sunsets are what visitors come to experience in this fascinating area with vast Flood Plains and rich bird-life. Kalizo is a great getaway for the whole family, so come and experience paradise with us on the banks of the Zambezi.
Accommodation

Kalizo Lodge offers the option of Self Catering Units, Dinner Bed and Breakfast, or Camping. We also cater for Conferences, Weddings, Workshops and Corporate Functions. Click here for more informationo on the accommodation offered

Fish was caught with a 14cm Rapala Floating Magnum (Perch) on a Shimano Callisto bass reel, using 15lb Double X Platinum Plus line.  All fish were released.

Your itinerary will be tailor made to best suit your needs and interests.

The houseboat is moored at a different location each night. Two tender boats accompany the KubuQueen and these are used to explore the channels and lagoons in the area.

One of the world's finest freshwater fighting fish inhabits these waters and guests have the opportunity to go out on the tender boats to try their hand at hooking into the mighty Tiger Fish.

Nature Walks can also be conducted on some of the larger islands found along the river.

Guests:
Maximum 6 Guests accomodation on board. Up to 12 guests incorporating accomodation in bedded tents on islands (safari style).

Accomodation:
2 Cabins with double beds
Upper deck - Open Air bedroom with 2 single beds (mosquito nets provided)
Seperate toilet and basin
Comfortable lounge area and bar as well as dining area
Fully equipped kitchen and bar
2 swampcruiser aluminium fishing tender boats in tow

Crew:
Greg Thompson
Kate Thompson
1 deckhand

Length:
12 metres.

Engines:
Powered by 2 60hp, 4 stroke Mariner Outboard Engines.

Speed:
7 knots.

Power:
12/220 volt systems.

Mooring:
Shakawe Village, The Panhandle, Northern Botswana.

GAME FISHING SAFARI:
Opt for either half or full day professionally guided fishing safaris by motorized boat on the Komati River. The main species targeted is the mighty tiger fish, which is known for its supreme fighting spirit and is pound for pound regarded as the premier fighting game fish in the world.
• Conventional tackle
• Fly fishing for tiger fish

Fishing conditions weren’t great as the water was high and very murky. We tried numerous drop offs and had a few takes but to battled to make them stick. I was fortunate enough though to land 2 tigers with the one being a nice 4.5kg and the other well, it was a baby... still, fish or no fish it was just great being on the awesome mighty Zambezi for the day.

ANGLING:
Island View Lodge is ideally situated to offer anglers the opportunity to fish 140 Km's of spectacular unspoilt Zambezi River from the Mombovo rapids at the tip of the Caprivi to Katima Mulilo in the north.The legendary Tigerfish regarded by many as the finest freshwater game fish in Africa is the main species targeted by the majority of anglers visiting Island View Lodge.

Renowned for its aggressive strike, savage ferocity and spectacular aerial displays when hooked, this worthy adversary with its sleek silver blue body, bone plated mouth and razor sharp teeth certainly lives up to its scientific name "Hydrocynus vittatus" which aptly translates to "striped river dog". Although the Tigerfish might be considered "King of the river" we must not forget the lesser royalty such as the Thinface, Brownspot and Humpback Largemouth Bream; Nembwe; Green and Pink Bream; Redbreast, Greenhead, and Threespot Tilapia; Sharptooth Catfish and African Pike which inhabit these waters and are worthy adversaries in their own right providing anglers with excellent sport fishing

Island View Lodge has available all the necessary facilities such as a fleet of well maintained boats, experienced fishing guides, a well stocked tackle shop, rod and reel hire, earthworms and fresh bait, lunch packs, liquid refreshments and most importantly we possess the knowledge and expertise to ensure that you fish the most productive locations on the river in search of that trophy specimen.A visit to Island View Lodge is a unique never to be forgotten experience with memories of leaping Tigerfish, spectacular sunsets, golden sandbanks, basking crocodiles and crisp star lit nights forever etched in your memory. Experience It!!

BOATING:
Our well maintained fleet of boats can be hired on a hourly half-daily or daily basis. All boats are hired with an experienced guide.

RIVER GUIDES:
Our experienced river guides will assist and advise on the best angling methods, bait selection and locations to fish.
Experience the thrill of angling at renowned spots such as False Mwandi, Mwandi, Tiger Alley, Grey Banks, Golden Pond and Jo Jo's.

Why fish at Sekoma?

We offer a mouthwatering choice of fishing in the Zambezi and Chobe rivers as well as the Kasai channel, providing a range of magnificent fishing opportunities.

Sekoma Lodge operates from the Zambian side of the Mambova Rapids on a stretch of river that experiences an annual flood. This flood brings growth and rejuvenation to the system. Every year the Chobe and Zambezi floods on to its many floodplains, thus creating a self-sustaining "stocking" system - everything from insects and crustaceans, to fish using the flooded plains to breed and feed.

The Chobe and Zambezi River Systems are true Paradises, teeming with wildlife, birdlife and an enviable range of fish species. It is an ideal venue for the adventurous angler, no matter whether he is conventional, lure or flyfisher. Here tiger fish, large tilapia, colourful bream species, catfish and African pike can be pursued. The hard-fighting tiger fish, which is world renowned for it's fierceness, has earned the reputation of being one of the world's toughest freshwater fish to subdue.

Fishing methods vary, with flyfishing and lure fishing being the predominant methods used. The largemouth bream and tilapia species, namely the Nembwe (Olive bream), Thinface largemouth, Humpback largemouth as well as Threespot- and Redbreast tilapia take artificials readily. One can also probe the lesser visited backwaters and lily-pad bedecked lagoons in search of the many vegetarian species of bream, such as Greenhead tilapia and Pink happies.

Tiger fish are caught mainly by flyfishing and artificial lure fishing, but in April, when the river is high and often discoloured, the Lodge does allow some bait fishing with circle hooks.

Angling on the main river is undertaken on either fibre-glass bass boats or spacious aluminium boats which have been modified for flyfishermen with snag free carpeted decks. Sekoma has eight boats in its fleet which are powered by 55hp motors. Boats can take a maximum of two fly fishers and four lure anglers at any time.

In the low water season, from mid-September onwards through to December are able to much access the untouched rapids and riffles around the island with canoes as well as the main river. A definite must. Angler can be eye-to-eye with spectacular sporting fish.

DELTA DAWN CAMPSITE, is a shaded wonderland with lawns and well appointed campsites for self erected tents or roof top tents. There is a bar, restaurant, viewing platforms with built in boma and 5 bedded self cater units for those that do not have their own tents or equipment.

SELF CATERING UNITS!!
The self cater units are erected on raised platforms with flood plain views and separate ablution blocks with hot and cold running water and flush sanitation. These units are fully serviced and all linen is provided except for towels.

Excellent tiger fishing except for July and August. Bream, pike and barbel throughout the year. The barbel run starts anytime from mid-September and can continue throughout November. Spin fishing tackle is available for hire and a full stock of lures and spinners are on sale.

Jan (the owner) has been stocking the Bosloopspruit for many years now and we are very anxious to see whether the "wild" trout will withstand the pressures from predators such as otters, cormorants and fish eagles. The dam is well stocked with rainbow, brown and golden trout.

Alternatively the Komati river on the farm provides excellent opportunities for the catching of the indigenous small scale and large scale yellowfish.