Tanzania – Lake Nyerere

Nyerere National Park is the largest national park in East Africa, more than double the size of the Serengeti. Lake Nyerere is one of the youngest lakes in Africa, created in the early 2020s when the Rufiji River was dammed at Steigler’s Gorge. The lake and the fishery it has created sit within the northern block. Not only is the fishing good, the fishery itself is something rare these days; it’s not been subject to commercial netting and has been barely touched by angling pressure of any kind.

Tigerfishing in virgin territory

The reservoir created by the dam is the fourth largest in Africa and the ninth largest in the world, extending more than 100km upstream and covering somewhere between 1,200 to 1,500 sq km depending on water levels. The wealth of nutrients released into the water after damming creates a dramatic bloom of plankton and algae, followed by an explosion of baitfish and then the arrival of predators that feed on them. In this case, the predators are tigerfish which grow quickly and in unusual abundance. Historically, reservoirs in similar settings have produced their most exceptional fishing during the first five to 15 years after creation. Fish caught by local fisherman have been recorded up to 30lb, with every chance they will grow even bigger in the lake.

Guests visiting Lake Nyerere are being given a very rare chance to fish a river system at the moment its biomass is shifting from a flowing river community to a lake-adapted one. Visiting anglers spend seven nights in camp, with six days fishing. Days typically begin fishing from first light to mid-morning, with the afternoon session running through until last light. Fisherman are accompanied by experienced guides and fish from sturdy aluminum boats with plenty of onboard storage and stable fishing platforms.

Comfortale tented lodge in a pretty setting

The lodge sits on the western shore of a peninsula that faces towards the eastern shore of the main lake. Nestled in ancient miombo woodland it’s a pretty landscape with plenty of shade. Accommodation comprises ten colonial-style guest tents raised on wooden decks above the forest floor. Each has an en-suite bathroom and is furnished with table, chair, dressing table and cupboard. The large Bedouin-style dining/bar/lounge tent will provide the heart of the operation. Just off the jetty is a ‘mudroom’ with cubicles for guests’ tackle and fishing clothing.

easy to include a safari add on

Guests will fly into Dar es Salaam, spending a night there before setting off on a private light aircraft for the 45 to 50 minute flight to the camp airstrip. From here it’s a game drive of around 45 minutes to an hour depending what is spotted along the way. It would be very easy to plan a safari add on to this spectacular fly fishing destination.