Weather Data Source: 30 days Botswana weather
No trip to the Chobe is complete without trying your hand at a fishing safari. A stay on the Zambezi Queen, one of the three Chobe Princesses or at the tented Ichingo Chobe River Lodge means you’ll be able to experience some of the best fishing Africa has to offer. Hook a tiger fish, or one of the many bream species, African pike, tilapia, catfish or upper Zambezi yellowfish as you explore mile upon mile of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers.
Thanks to our unique location, we offer excellent fishing safaris all year round – from the annual floods starting in March to the feeding frenzies in the winter months. Our highly knowledgeable guides, the tackle and bait we supply as well as well stocked cooler boxes make fishing in Africa an experience to remember.
Our rate includes all the conventional fishing gear you’ll need, such as rods, lures, lines, and reels. However, when it comes to fly fishing, the equipment varies greatly based on personal preferences. If you plan to engage in fly fishing during your visit, we recommend bringing your own gear, as we do not provide fly fishing equipment. This way, you can have a tailored experience that suits your preferences.
Please note: All tiger fishing done with the Zambezi Queen Collection is strictly on a catch and release basis only.
Choose to stay on board one of the Chobe Princesses houseboats or at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge, both of which offer smaller “tender” boats and greater flexibility when it comes to your itinerary. If you choose to stay on Zambezi Queen, we’ll do our best to accommodate a fishing trip wherever possible.
Book your stay on one of our Zambezi Queen Collection properties today to experience the unique magic of a world class African fishing safari.
| Month | River Conditions | Species | Technique |
| January | Frequent thundershowers continue to increase water levels, while strong flows from Angola and northern Zambia begin to flood the Impalila area. Rivers become somewhat murky during this period. However, fishing with weighted jugs and spinner-baits in the clearer reed beds result in plenty of summer bream catches. | Tigerfish, Catfish, Bream | Flyfishing, spinning |
| February | Fishing opportunities abound as water levels continue to rise significantly. Waterways such as the Kasai become deeper, faster and have been known to change the direction of their flow. | Tigerfish, Catfish | Drift-baiting, Trolling |
| March | While local rains begin to decrease, plenty of fishing opportunities remain in the higher water areas that were previously too shallow and rocky to navigate. Main channels are flowing fast, while back eddies and rapids provide thrilling results. | Tigerfish, Catfish | Drift fishing, spinning |
| March | While local rains begin to decrease, plenty of fishing opportunities remain in the higher water areas that were previously too shallow and rocky to navigate. Main channels are flowing fast, while back eddies and rapids provide thrilling results. | Tigerfish, Catfish | Drift fishing, spinning |
| April | As autumn sets in, temperatures begin to decline. Smaller channels and rapids still provide great fishing opportunities. Winter bream species, such Nembwe and Humpback largemouth bream, become more active in the deeper floodplain areas. | Tigerfish, Catfish, Bream | Drift fishing, spinning |
| May | The end of the rainy season arrives and the river begins to recede. Baitfish emerge from the floodplains and head for the main channels where hunting tigerfish await. Deep, fast-flowing water adds to the feeding frenzy, while fly fishing and spinning promise impressive yields. | Tigerfish, Catfish, Bream | Flyfishing , spin fishing, drift fishing |
| June | Beautiful weather makes June the perfect time to be out and about on the water. Baitfish continue to stream into the main channels as the floodplains recede and predator fish stalk the waters to great effect. Flyfishing and spinning yield fantastic results. | Tigerfish, Catfish, Bream | Flyfishing, spin fishing |
| July | The river level continues to drop, revealing new areas of floodplain. However, the water remains deep with strong currents, and fishing conditions are still excellent. Keep an eye out for sudden feeding frenzies. | Tigerfish, Catfish, Bream | Flyfishing, spinning |
| August | The water level is significantly lower causing the floodplain to the west of Impalila Island to dry up. A multitude of minnows and barbus species are flushed into the Kasai channel providing a feast for hordes of catfish. This makes for fantastic fishing opportunities. Tigerfishing is also very productive due to the feeding frenzies created by large numbers of barbel in the water. | Tigerfish, Catfish, Bream | Flyfishing, spinning |
| September | Flyfishing is at an all-time high. Shallow, rocky areas with highly oxygenated waters near the Chobe rapids and lower Mambova channels are teeming with Tigerfish, catfish and bream species. | Tigerfish, Catfish, Bream | Flyfishing, spinning |
| October | The end of October sees heavy rainfall in the main catchment area of the Zambezi River in western Zambia. During this time, the river rises slowly and fishing remains productive in the shallow, clear waters of Ichingo. Flyfishing in the Chobe rapids will also yield great results. | Tigerfish, Catfish | Flyfishing, spinning |
| November | Local rains increase oxygen levels in the water system, ensuring high fishing productivity. Flyfishing and drift-bait fishing are especially productive in the fast-flowing water. | Tigerfish, Catfish | Flyfishing, spinning, drift fishing |
| December | Brief afternoon thundershowers provide relief from the hot, sunny climate. The river will begin to rise towards month end, overflowing into the low-lying floodplains and providing a fertile breeding ground for various smaller baitfish. Drift-baiting in the main channel’s stronger currents rewards with excellent tigerfish opportunities. | Tigerfish, Catfish, Bream | Flyfishing, spinning, drift fishing |
