Page 11 - Tigerfish 2024 TFZ

THE MIDDLE ZAMBEZI THE LOWER ZAMBEZI

FROM VICTORIA FALLS TO KARIBA LAKE KARIBA TO A WILDERNESS BEYOND

The Upper Zambezi River ends abruptly as it cascades over From beyond the dam wall at Lake Kariba we now enter
the magnificent Victoria Falls, this massive river is forced the section of the river which is known as The Lower
down a narrow gorge and eventually flows into the man- Zambezi, this section of the river offers fantastic big
made Lake Kariba. Lake Kariba was created in 1958 when game viewing combined with world class fishing. Most
the dam wall was finally finished; the “lake” took 5 years to large mammals that occupy the Lower Zambezi national
fill and has become a manmade inland “sea” supporting a park congregate on the floodplains including: buffalo,
vast array of wildlife species and fantastic dam fishing. Lake numerous elephants, lions, leopards and many antelope
Kariba is approx. 220kms long and in parts up to 40kms species plus crocodiles and hippos. Birdlife is prolific
wide! Since the lake was established a vibrant local fishing so if the fishing is a bit on the quiet side the wildlife will
industry has grown in conjunction. In the early years a keep you occupied until those hungry tigers go on the
major protein source, the Tanganyika sardine (Limnothryssa bite again!
miodon), known locally as ‘kapenta’ (fresh water white bait)
was introduced, Fishing the lower Zambezi is best during the summer
months between September and May but again the
This species flourished and by co-incidence happens to be a winter months can offer good catches depending on
favourite food source of our target species the tiger fish. The methods used to entice the ever hungry tiger to feed
tiger fish in Lake Kariba can grow up to 15kgs ( Zimbabwean and strike. Tiger fish and many species of bream are
Jennifer Daynes hold the record tiger fish that weighed in at common on this section of the river as well as huge
16,193 kilograms! ) as food is readily available. Vundu, a member of the catfish family.

TIGER GEAR GUIDE 2024 11