Safari Description
Mnyera, Ruhudji and Pitu Rivers in Kilombero
Starts and ends: Dar Es Salaam International Airport (DAR)
Visiting: Kilombero Valley
Pitu River extension – limited to just 2 Fishermen per trip
In 2022, a new river, the Pitu was discovered, offering virgin water, secluded up in the mountains where time has stood still. The river is different in every way to Mnyera and Ruhudji. It is smaller, intricate and much more intimate. To access this phenomenal piece of water is a mission and an adventure! It requires those willing to get closer to the wild with all the access to the river being by foot. This will be a “Walking fly fishing safari” through the foothills of some of the most beautiful water you can imagine. This trip will be offered exclusively to two guests per week on top of the standard package so clients will get an opportunity to fish both the Mnyera and Ruhudji as well as the Pitu for tigers using poppers, floating lines all on lighter setups. Running a 5wt through this is possible with a 6wt -7wt being ideal.
In addition, fish the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers
All the takes are incredibly visual, sometimes at your feet but never further than a full line away. This river also offers Yellow Fish and Vundu, all targeted by sight. Yellows are spotted tailing in pools. A dry dropper rig does the trick but one must get past the Frenzied Tigers who often attack the dry when you mend your line… This river is utter chaos, a privilege to experience and you could be some of the first humans to properly fish it!
Tanzania offers some genuinely unparalleled tiger fishing opportunities. The Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers are widely regarded as THE destination to target tigerfish in the 10 – 25lb range. Fishermen have a real opportunity of landing tigerfish of over 20lb, with shots at multiple trophy fish on a daily basis. In fresh water this is almost unheard of. Now combine this fact with the speed, strength, aerial antics and aggressive nature of the tiger fish, and dump it all in two rivers flowing through one of the worlds last true wilderness areas, home to big game, and then you may begin to get an idea of just how unique the twin fishing rivers of the Mnyera and Ruhudji really are.
Fishing techniques
The team practices comprehensive data collection, recording each and every fish caught and released. All fishing is conducted in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Fishing Guides are a dedicated team of international guides who make sure all guests experience world class guiding. Their commitment to sustainable and responsible fishing is respected worldwide and ensures all guests experience the best fishing that the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers have to offer.
Fishing is strictly “catch and release” with single debarbed hooks. No beat is fished twice in a week; areas where fish are spawning are strictly no-go areas, and there is no re-drifting of beats allowed.
The majority of the fishing is done off the drift. Here attention is focused on the river structure, which comprises fallen timber, long sandbanks, steep drop-offs and rocky outcrops. When conditions dictate, guides make use of sand anchors and tying up to structures mid-stream to focus attention on a specific stretch of water. All fishing is done off 18ft aluminum boats.
These rivers have received very little fishing pressure over the centuries, and with this controlled fly-fishing venture, will continue to do so.
Mnyera River, Tanzania
There are 40km of fishable waters on the Mnyera River. From rapids and pools in heavily wooded riverine forests on the upper reaches, the structure rich mid sections, courtesy of centuries of erosion and fallen trees, to the deep “outside bends” and clay banks of the lower reaches. The Mnyera, with its incredibly diverse river structure is a veritable tiger fish haven and one that all guests visiting this amazing river will appreciate.
Kwazi Camp is your base when fishing the Mnyera River.
The newly built luxury safari camp boasts 5 tents overlooking the beautiful Mnyera river. Each tent overlooks the opposite sand bank where buffalo and elephants are sometimes frequently spotted and crocodiles are seen almost daily.
Ruhudji River, Tanzania
Guests fishing the Ruhudji River have access to 80km of fishable water. The river is quite different from the Mnyera. It is a shallower river, with long sections of sand banks followed by deep outside bends and pools in the lower reaches. The river changes in its upper reaches to a narrow deep river bordered by steep banks and heavily wooded forests as it enters the “gorge area”.
Gwanta Camp is your base when fishing the Ruhudji River
This quaint camp is your base on the Ruhudji River. It is erected each season. Its location on the banks of the Ruhudji River allows access to these productive waters. Gwanta camp comprises traditional Safari tents,
Kwazi Camp (on the Mnyera River) and Gwanta Camp (on the Ruhudji River) offer the adventurous fly fisherman the ultimate African fly-fishing safari. Tented bush camps erected on each river ensure that the African safari experience is as much a part of this trip as the trophy tigers you can expect to encounter. Fresh produce is flown into camp each week with the group.
2022 Rates
- Double (pp) $13500
- Single $27000
* Activities include game drives and river trips arranged prior to safari
- World class unparalleled tiger fishing
- Fish the virgin Pitu River fishing grounds
- Walking / fishing safari through African wilderness
- Fishermen have a real opportunity of landing tigerfish of over 20lb
- 120km of river for fishing
- Professional international fishing guides with a known reputation in the fishing world
- Classic African safari camps
- Buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant are common in the area, as well as a host of plains game species including puku, warthog, hartebeest, zebra, eland and bushbuck amongst many.
- The bird life is exceptional with many rare and endemic species found in the area. Pels Fishing Owl, along with Palm Nut Vultures, Narina Trogons, Broad Billed Roller, African FinFoot and white backed night heron all make this riverine environment their home. Bring your binoculars and guide books.
Day | Activity |
---|---|
Saturday – Day 1 | Charter to Camp 2 Pax Client transfers to Ruhudji Camp |
Sunday – Day 2 | Fish Ruhudji |
Monday – Day 3 | Fish Ruhudji |
Tuesday – Day 4 | Fish Ruhudji – Leave for Pitu |
Wednesday – Day 5 | Fish Pitu |
Thursday – Day 6 | Fish Pitu morning – depart Pitu arrive New Camp in the afternoon |
Friday – Day 7 | Fish Mnyera |
Saturday – Day 8 | Fish Mnyera |
Sunday – Day 9 | Fish Mnyera |
Monday – Day 10 | Leave for Dar Es Salaam Monday Morning |