Safari Description
Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers in Kilombero
Starts and ends: Dar Es Salaam International Airport (DAR)
Visiting: Kilombero Valley
Tanzania’s Wild Fishing Adventure
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) $10400
- Single $16600
- Non-fishing Observer (pp) $5000
Observer Day Activities/person sharing* USD 125
Observer Day Activities/person single* USD 250
* Activities include game drives and river trips arranged prior to safari
Minimum 2 persons. Please ask for larger group sizes – discounts available.
- World class unparalleled tiger fishing
- 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.
Saturday / Day 1: Charter to camp (1 group transfer to Ruhudji Camp and 1 group stay on the Mnyera River – Mnyera rods fish afternoon)
Sunday / Day 2: Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji
Monday / Day 3: Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji
Tuesday / Day 4: Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji (Camp swap – guests will move between camps this evening)
Wednesday / Day 5: Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji
Thursday / Day 6: Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji
Friday / Day 7: Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji
Saturday / Day 8: Mnyera Rods fish morning session. Charter flight to Dar es Salaam
A minimum of 2 clients per slot must be booked or the single supplement rate applies