The Barotse Experience
Drifting down 140km of the Lungwebungu River in the Barotse Floodplains targeting trophy tigerfish and largemouth bream on fly and lure, we get to explore some of the most remote tiger fishing water available. Due to the size and remoteness of Lungwebungu, we never fish the same beat of the river for 2 days running and start the mobile safari 140km upstream of Lukulu harbour giving us about 30km of water of water a day to fish and explore. Spend your days drifting down this hidden river in Barotse working structures and drop offs for the trophy fish before arriving at a pre-setup mobile camp on a pristine white sandy beach. We start our fishing about 140kms up the Lungwebungu and finish in Lukulu harbour.
Ideal Dates
July – August 2021
Trip Duration
5 nights
People per group
6 – 8 people
Number of Groups
6 groups
What will you love about this fishing trip?
3 highlights from this fishing safari include:
1. Quality fishing
You’ll have 140kms of the Lungwebungu River to yourself which hasn’t been fished since 2016! AND whats better is that only 6 groups will fish it in 2021 so you are assured of targeting quality trophy tigers and bream.
2. Minimal Disturbance
This trip is only possible due to the fact that there are NO hippos on the Lungwebungu – it also has numerous sandy beaches and islands which make for perfect overnight stops.
3. Fully Mobile fishing trip
Our support team moves ahead of you each day to setup the next camp so the only thing you need to worry about is where to make the next cast!
Where does it take place?
This trip takes place on the Lungwebungu River in the Barotse Floodplains
Daily Itinerary: Day 1
The Barotse Floodplain Fishing Safari begins with an early morning departure from Lanseria (if using our charter) and after landing in Lukulu, Western Zambia, we cross the Lukulu pontoon and head off on the boats fishing up to main camp.
Daily Itinerary: Day 2 – 5
The days begin early with some proper coffee around the fire with oats porridge and rusks. We then depart our beach and fish the bends and drop offs of the Lungwebungu before meeting for a brunch in the shade of the gazebo on a beach near a shallow sand bar for a swim. We then continue downstream until we reach our overnight spot. The support team would have gone ahead and setup camp, bucket showers and toilets so we will arrive, enjoy a shower and drinks and dinner beneath the stars.
Day 6: Departure Day
Our last overnight spot is back at our main camp and depending on your departing time the next morning, we may be able to have a short fish around camp OR we head down to the harbour by boat.
What you need to know about fishing the Lungwebungu:
As we are a mobile safari, our primary means of targeting the trophy tigers and bream on this river is by spinning with lures, fly fishing or slow downstream trolling. The guides position and hold the boat by anchor and allow you to work flooded trees, mud walls, sandy drop offs or deep channels quietly, without disturbing the water or fish. Where live bait can be sourced, we will be able to offer drifting with live bait BUT this is dependent on bait availability whilst we fish. Trolling upstream is generally not allowed unless you have hit fish on the downstream drift as we aim to limit fishing pressure and spread our fishing across the river. Lures like effzetts, fat raps, afri jigs and rapala magnums are very effective as are flies such as clouser minnows and brush flies. Tigerfish of up to 20lbs have been caught on this river and can absolutely destroy tackle while bream up to 10lbs lie hidden in the structure waiting for accurate presentation to draw them out.
Available Space & Group Dates:
Space for 2 people in 2 groups are left for the Barotse Floodplains fishing safari
COST: R40’000 pps for the 5 night trip
*Includes CHARTER FLIGHT from Lanseria. (This can be removed if unnecessary)
Rates will Include: Return charter fiight, single accommodation, all meals, teas and coffee, laundry, unlimited guided fishing with unlimited fuel, rod, reel and line hire.
Rates will exclude: Flights and road transfers, drinks, broken or lost fishing tackle.
