4x4 Route Botswana - Tiger Fishing
- DURATION6 night/ 7 day adventure (tented accommodation)
- INCLUDES 3 meals daily, camping gear, entrance fees, camping fees, guide, radio’s
- EXCLUDED transport, fuel, things of a personal nature.
- EMAIL US info@aquavitaeadventures.co.za
TAG A TIGER: TIGER FISHING BOTSWANA
Tour date
12 – 18 October 2008 (88)
19 – 15 October 2008 (89)
26 October – 1 November 2008 (90)
Once a year around the month of October, the northern canals of Botswana's Okavango Delta begin to bubble and boil with activity. This unique, natural phenomenon is known as the Barbel Run, and is an occurrence that is unique to this part of the world. The feeding frenzy starts as the water level of the mighty Okavango River starts to drop, which brings small fish from adjacent flood plains into the River system.
This in turn draws millions of barbell that go after the smaller fish, which subsequently attracts birds, crocodiles and Africa's most vicious fresh water predatory fish - the Tiger fish. Come and join us for five days of 'catch and release' Tiger fishing in these beautiful surroundings.
Fishing undeniably has a degree of luck involved, but past experiences have shown that there is a lot more to fishing than just that. In a big barbell run we have had up to four bites per cast and have landed up to a phenomenal 280 Tigers between four boats in just three days! Everyone, including our lady participants, has landed fish weighing between two and six kilograms.
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We have, in typical 'Tiger' fashion, hooked and lost up to a thousand fish in three days, and many lures are destroyed and steel traces are bitten through - all within a short space of time. However, there are so many fish for the taking - the excitement is electrifying, the feast fantastic.
As far as tackle is concerned, we will supply lists and advice notices closer to the trip dates. For those who do not wish to fish, included in the program are day visits to Tsodillo Hills in your own vehicle and a visit to the wonderful Mahango Game Reserve.
Ladies and children are more than welcome to join in the fun, as we would love to have the whole family along to share in all the excitement. Join us and experience this amazing phenomenon.
Your tour leader is an experienced nature conservationist and adventure guide. He will impart a wealth of biological, cultural, historic and fishing knowledge.
Making use of aluminum powerboats, with only four anglers allocated to each boat to avoid crowding, we will cruise the canals searching for bubbling water and flocks of waterfowl, sure signs of "a run".
Three meals a day will be prepared by our experienced bush chef in his mobile kitchen, with fresh salads, potjiekos, braais and many other surprises appearing on the menu. The good old "koffie pot" will be on the fire from six till late.
Though our bush-camp may be rustic, you will at all times be safe, the crew will spare no effort to make you comfortable, provide you with good wholesome food and, most importantly, see that you have a good time.
ItineraryDay 1
We meet at the campsite near the town of Sepupa on the Delta's western panhandle,
which will be our home for the next six nights. Your tents will be pitched and ready
upon your arrival.
This beautiful campsite is situated on the banks of the Okavango River, and has a small plunge pool and inviting Hawaiian-style pub. Clean, flush toilets and hot water showers provide basic comfort. You are welcome to bring your own drinks or you can support the resident bar.
Over dinner on the first night, prepared by our excellent chef, we will discuss the program and activities for the next few days. Our crew will share their knowledge of how to land, retrieve and photograph the tigers you will catch, and how to return them to the water.
Days 2 - 6:
These five days are spent on the canals in spacious, motorized aluminum
speedboats with excellent skippers at the helm. We usually depart early
in the morning with four fishermen per boat and return for lunch and a siesta.
The group goes out again in the late afternoon to fish and to enjoy some sundowners
on our way back to camp. The boats and skippers are at our disposal all day, so those
who wish to stay out a little longer can easily be accommodated.
There will be 4-wheel drive outings on two of these days for those who need a little break from all the fishing. On one of the days we will follow a sandy two-spoor track to Tsodillo Hills to view some of the 3 600 Bushman paintings for which the area is famous. The other outing takes us to Mahango Game Reserve in Namibia for some game viewing. The reserve boasts almost all the species of big and small game, excepting rhino, as well as a huge variety of bird species.
Although we release all the Tiger fish that are caught, you may keep the fish that you wish mounted. Please make arrangements with a South African taxidermist before you leave on the trip - you might just catch an 8kg Tiger!
Day 7:
Sadly, after breakfast, we have to say goodbye and head on home.
As this is not a 4x4 adventure, you may want to consider flying up, feel free to contact us for further details.