Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge
Home to record and trophy tiger fish
Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge is enviably placed in a beautiful part of the flood plain region of the upper Zambezi River in Zambia. This puts it in the middle of ‘Tiger Country’, one of the best places to catch the fierce tiger fish in Africa.
Perfectly placed in the heart of tiger country
Shackletons is a perfect venue for anglers of all levels to fish in a pristine habitat for Africa’s most spectacular and sought-after game fish. One of strongest kilogramme-for-kilogramme fighters, tiger fish attack from the side at speeds of up to 50kph, then turn their bait around and swallow it headfirst. The tiger fish’s ability to bite through a lure with their razor-sharp teeth makes them an extremely exciting fish to catch. Shackletons offer different kinds of fishing methods (depending on guests’ requirements, fishing conditions, and the time of the year): fly fishing, spinning, trolling and drift baiting. The boats range in size from 14’ to 26’ and accommodate two anglers and an experienced river guide.
The upper Zambezi River conditions around Shackletons change constantly throughout the year. The river rises for six months between December and May to form the Eastern Caprivi Floodplain. It then recedes between June and November. The tiger fish adapt their feeding habits according to ever-changing river levels, water clarity, water temperature, and food sources. Any time from March to December is a good time to catch tigers in the region.
The tiger fishing waters are less than 10 minutes from the lodge by boat and the angling day starts with breakfast around 5.30/6am. The morning session ends around 11am with anglers returning to the lodge for brunch. Boats set off for the fishing waters around 2pm, returning to the lodge at sunset. This isn’t a fixed timetable and guests can agree their own schedule with their fishing guide if they prefer to fish different hours.
Wonderful views of the magnificent Zambezi River
Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge accommodates 12 people in thatched, en-suite chalets with private teak decks overlooking the magnificent Zambezi River. The Van Togo bar, sundowner deck, lounge, library, open dining area, swimming pool and fire pit provide guests with unparalleled vistas of the Zambezi floodplain.
Besides being a premier tiger fishing destination, the upper Zambezi River is home to over 300 bird species that can be spotted at the lodge or by boat along the Zambezi River banks and in the tranquil river channels.
Remote setting on a very special flood plain
Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge is situated on the upper Zambezi River in south-western Zambia near the village of Mwandi (meaning place of ‘plenty fish’). The lodge is approximately 140km west of Livingstone (Zambia), 90 km west of Kazungula Ferry (Zambia / Botswana border), and 55km east of Sesheke (Zambia / Namibia border). The road transfer from Livingston takes approximately four hours, and around three hours from the Kazungula Ferry. The closest airstrip is Katima Mulilo Airport (MPA) in Namibia and is 90km from the lodge. The road transfer from here is around three hours (depending on border crossings).