Where To Go Fishing in Africa, Top Vacation Spots, Fishing in South Africa

The top fishing destinations in Africa include the Zambezi River in Zambia and Zimbabwe for tigerfish, Cape Town and Durban in South Africa for big-game saltwater fishing and freshwater trout, the Seychelles and Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago for offshore marlin and tuna, Lake Malawi for freshwater cichlids, Lake Nasser in Egypt for giant Nile perch, Uganda‘s Lake Victoria and the Nile River for sport fishing combined with wildlife safaris, Watamu and Zanzibar in East Africa for Indian Ocean sport fishing, the Gambia River for diverse freshwater species, and Cape Verde in the Atlantic for blue marlin. Africa’s coastline stretches over 30,000 kilometres, and its great lakes and river systems add thousands more kilometres of productive freshwater fishing. Whether you target saltwater pelagics, freshwater giants, or technical fly-fishing on mountain streams, the continent covers every style.

Fishing in Zambia on the Zambezi River

Many rivers and lakes in Zambia host big numbers of fish, making it a great place for sport fishing. The main draw is the tigerfish, and the Zambezi River is the principal venue. The Zambezi River provides some of the most historically significant tigerfish water in Africa, particularly along both the Upper and Lower Zambezi systems, and the river’s seasonal flood cycle strongly influences fishing conditions. Fishing trips are available year-round, but the best fishing is found in the dry season between May and November as the water levels start to recede, with tigerfish in particular fishing best from August to November. Lodge packages on the Lower Zambezi, such as those from Baines’ River Camp and Royal Zambezi Lodge, run on a strict catch-and-release policy. High-season lodge rates at Baines’ River Camp are priced at USD 895 per person per night, while budget-focused guided day trips start from around $150. When visiting Zambia for fishing, a side trip to the nearby Victoria falls makes for a natural addition to any itinerary, as the falls are accessible from Livingstone within an hour.

Fishing in South Africa at Cape Town and the Western Cape

The unique geographical position of Cape Town, cradled between two oceans, is a gift for anglers, and each season offers distinct opportunities, making fishing in Cape Town a year-round pursuit. The summer months from November to April are all about big game fishing, with warm offshore currents bringing large pelagics closer to shore, such as tuna and mahi-mahi, while inshore you can hunt for yellowtail, snoek, and Cape Salmon in Cape Town’s bays and estuaries. Blue, black, and striped marlin growing to over 400 kilos are available for anglers to target, along with mako sharks and more. Fishing charters out of Cape Town start from around USD $93 for inshore trips. Hout Bay is brimming with yellowtail and snoek as two of the area’s most prominent targets, while False Bay is another prime spot for the oily snoek. Fishing licences are required in South Africa, and everyone over the age of 6 in freshwater and 12 in saltwater needs one.

Trout Fly Fishing in Dullstroom and the Drakensberg

Dullstroom is known as South Africa’s fly-fishing capital, with crystal-clear dams and mountain streams stocked with both rainbow and brown trout, and the cool climate and well-managed fisheries make it a year-round fishing destination. The town sits roughly three hours from Johannesburg by road. Up in the high streams of the Drakensberg there is abundant food for trout, so despite the water source often being just a trickle, trout grow very large, with good trout fishing also found in the region around Somerset East in the Eastern Cape, the Cape Fold Belt mountains of the Western Cape, and along the Lesotho border. The dry winter months from May to September are generally best for trout fishing, though the activity is available throughout the year. Day permits at private fisheries typically run between $20 and $80, with guided half-day fly-fishing excursions averaging $50 to $150 per person depending on the property.

Saltwater Fishing in the Seychelles

The Seychelles is considered by many as one of the best saltwater fishing destinations in the world. The action starts right along the flats surrounding the islands in the archipelago, where close to shore you can fish for different kinds of trevally including giant trevally, as well as bonefish, milkfish, and bohar snapper. Giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, giant kingfish, groupers, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, and marlin are among the species you can target in Seychelles. For the outer islands, the Amirante group is exceptional. The Amirante Islands are one of the best destinations in the Indian Ocean to target Indo-Pacific permit on fly, and the flats are also home to species like bonefish, bluefin trevally, and giant trevally, with sailfish, wahoo, dogtooth tuna, yellowfin tuna, and marlin also on offer. The main season runs between October and May, and in Seychelles you can fish without buying a licence, though spearfishing is forbidden. Charters start from around €135 per person for half-day trips.

Big Game Fishing in Mozambique at the Bazaruto Archipelago

The Bazaruto Archipelago is one of Africa’s most legendary sportfishing destinations, especially for big-game anglers. Mozambique offers some of the last barely fished waters of the Indian Ocean, and the Bazaruto Archipelago is legendary for black marlin. The reefs and banks are 45 nautical miles out to sea, and the upwelling current brings in all the baitfish you can imagine, with yellowfin tuna, wahoo, marlin, sailfish, dogtooth tuna, and giant trevally being common catches. Marlin season runs from October to March, giant trevally are available year-round, and sailfish peak from April to August, with the overall best time being October to December. Coastal fishing runs $150 to $300 per day, while Bazaruto Lodge rates range from $400 to $1,000 per day. A Mozambique fishing permit costs around R1,100 per person on top of charter fees.

Fishing in Uganda at Lake Victoria and the Nile River

Uganda is one of East Africa’s top safari destinations, famously known for mountain gorilla trekking, and it is possible to have a combined safari with gorilla trekking, mountain climbing, wildlife viewing, boat cruises, and sport fishing, with fishing mainly done in Lake Victoria and on the River Nile in Murchison falls National Park. On Lake Victoria, fishing tours are open to different kinds of anglers including beginners and seasoned anglers, and tours range from half-day to full-day, with a night fishing experience also possible for keener anglers. In Murchison Falls National Park, the magnificent waterfalls double as a fishing location, and fishing there is done using lures or live bait, targeting larger species such as catfish and the gigantic Nile perch. Anglers who also want to track mountain gorillas can combine fishing with a Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, making Uganda one of the most diverse multi-activity fishing destinations in Africa.

Freshwater Fishing at Lake Malawi

Stretching 580 km down the East African Rift, Lake Malawi covers a third of Malawi and shelters more fish species than any other freshwater body on Earth. The lake hosts over 1,000 cichlid species, along with catfish, crustaceans, otters, and in some areas, hippos and crocodiles. The southern shores fall within the Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best time to visit Lake Malawi is during the dry season from April to November, when skies are clear and the lake is at its calmest and warmest. Anglers fish for the famous chambo bream alongside numerous endemic cichlid varieties. Fishing here is far more affordable than most African destinations, with guided lake fishing trips running from around $50 per person per day. The lake is frequently added as a relaxed post-safari stop on multi-country itineraries combining Malawi with Zambia or Tanzania.

Fishing in the Gambia River

The Gambia is among the world’s top fishing destinations, and anglers who have visited MacCarthy Island on the Gambia River can confirm the number of fish species available, with groups having caught tigerfish weighing about 21 lbs. Common species include sharp tooth catfish, tigerfish, guitarfish, red snapper, trevally, threadfin salmon, vundu catfish, and Zambezi pike. You can access the Bird Safari Camp by road or boat, and upon arrival you hire a small boat plus a professional captain, with a full-day boat hire costing between $100 and $150. The Gambia River is a relatively affordable option for anglers who want estuary and freshwater fishing combined, and the country’s compact size means you rarely spend long travelling between accommodation and fishing grounds. This destination suits anglers who prefer a relaxed, village-based fishing experience over luxury lodge packages.

Saltwater Fishing at Watamu and Zanzibar in East Africa

Watamu and Malindi are two of East Africa’s top fishing destinations, and deep water lies close to shore, allowing for short runs and highly productive fishing days, all supported by a long-established charter fleet and experienced skippers. The best time for sailfish is October to December, with marlin action starting

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