ACTIVITIES.
Angling:
The legendary tigerfish regarded by many to be the best freshwater gamefish in Africa, is the main species targeted by anglers visiting this section of the Zambezi. Well known for its aggressive strike, savage strength and spectacular aerial displays when hooked, the tigerfish, with its sleek silver-blue body, bone-plated mouth and razor-sharp teeth certainly lives up to its scientific name Hydrocynus vittatus which aptly translates to ‘striped river-dog’.
Although the tigerfish might be considered ‘king of the river’ the lesser royalty such as the nine sought after angling species of bream inhabiting these waters must not be forgotten as they are a worthy quarry in their own right providing the angler with excellent sportfishing opportunities. The ‘‘SHAMWARI” can be moored in close proximity to any of the renowned fishing localities such as False Mwandi, Mwandi, Greybanks, Golden Pond or Jo Jo’s, names which are synonymous with trophy size fish and where tigerfish in access of the magic eight kilogram mark are regularly boated. Fishing on ‘ones doorstep’ certainly eliminates travelling time and reduces fuel costs as anglers can be fishing at sunrise and return to the "SHAMWARI" for meals and again fish till sunset. Our competent and experienced river guides will ensure that you have every opportunity to enjoy a successful and memorable fishing experience.
Angling:
The legendary tigerfish regarded by many to be the best freshwater gamefish in Africa, is the main species targeted by anglers visiting this section of the Zambezi. Well known for its aggressive strike, savage strength and spectacular aerial displays when hooked, the tigerfish, with its sleek silver-blue body, bone-plated mouth and razor-sharp teeth certainly lives up to its scientific name Hydrocynus vittatus which aptly translates to ‘striped river-dog’.
Although the tigerfish might be considered ‘king of the river’ the lesser royalty such as the nine sought after angling species of bream inhabiting these waters must not be forgotten as they are a worthy quarry in their own right providing the angler with excellent sportfishing opportunities. The ‘‘SHAMWARI” can be moored in close proximity to any of the renowned fishing localities such as False Mwandi, Mwandi, Greybanks, Golden Pond or Jo Jo’s, names which are synonymous with trophy size fish and where tigerfish in access of the magic eight kilogram mark are regularly boated. Fishing on ‘ones doorstep’ certainly eliminates travelling time and reduces fuel costs as anglers can be fishing at sunrise and return to the "SHAMWARI" for meals and again fish till sunset. Our competent and experienced river guides will ensure that you have every opportunity to enjoy a successful and memorable fishing experience.
Bird Viewing:
Ecological zones such as riverine forests, riparian woodlands, grasslands and floodplains between Island View Lodge and Impalila Island provide ideal habitats for a prolific diversity of bird species amongst which are the real ’hotties’ that are enough to whet any birders appetite. Birds of special interest to guests travelling on the ‘SHAMWARI’ are Slaty Egrets, Goliath Herons, White-backed Night-Herons, Pygmy Geese, Lesser Moorhens, Allen’s Gallinules, Lesser Jacanas, White-crowned Lapwings, Long-toed Lapwings, Collared and Black-winged Practincoles, African Skimmers, Schalow’s Turacos, White-browed and Senegal Coucals, Giant and Grey-headed Kingfishers, Carmine Bee-Eaters, Bradfield’s Hornbills, Hooded Vultures, Ospreys, Bateleurs, Western-banded Snake-Eagles, Martial Eagles, Long-crested Eagles, African and Ayres’s Hawk-Eagles, Pallid Harriers and of course the ever present and vocal African Fish Eagles. Numerous heronries can be seen in the reedbeds and here Rufous-bellied Herons, Slaty Egrets, White -backed and Green-backed Night Herons, Purple Herons, Little Bitterns and numerous other heron species congregate to breed. Sheltered backwaters and lagoons can be explored by tenderboat and are the perfect localities to see African Jacanas , African Finfoots, Red-knobbed Coots, Common and lesser Moorhens, Purple Swamp Hens, Black Crakes, Spotted Crakes, Ballions Crakes, Lesser Jacanas and African Rails. Shimmering white sandbanks are populated by a variety of species of Lapwings, Plovers, Storks, Stilts, Sandpipers, Stints, Ducks and Geese and it is not uncommon to see flocks of African Open-bill Storks and Collared Pratincoles roosting here in their thousands. A special treat for birding enthusiasts are the numerous breeding colonies of Carmine Bee-Eaters to be seen along the river banks. These colourful birds arrive in mid August in their thousands to breed and can be seen at sunset roosting at their burrow entrances creating a kaleidoscope of colour. A visit to this wetland paradise where in excess of 430 bird species can be seen is a memorable experience.
Ecological zones such as riverine forests, riparian woodlands, grasslands and floodplains between Island View Lodge and Impalila Island provide ideal habitats for a prolific diversity of bird species amongst which are the real ’hotties’ that are enough to whet any birders appetite. Birds of special interest to guests travelling on the ‘SHAMWARI’ are Slaty Egrets, Goliath Herons, White-backed Night-Herons, Pygmy Geese, Lesser Moorhens, Allen’s Gallinules, Lesser Jacanas, White-crowned Lapwings, Long-toed Lapwings, Collared and Black-winged Practincoles, African Skimmers, Schalow’s Turacos, White-browed and Senegal Coucals, Giant and Grey-headed Kingfishers, Carmine Bee-Eaters, Bradfield’s Hornbills, Hooded Vultures, Ospreys, Bateleurs, Western-banded Snake-Eagles, Martial Eagles, Long-crested Eagles, African and Ayres’s Hawk-Eagles, Pallid Harriers and of course the ever present and vocal African Fish Eagles. Numerous heronries can be seen in the reedbeds and here Rufous-bellied Herons, Slaty Egrets, White -backed and Green-backed Night Herons, Purple Herons, Little Bitterns and numerous other heron species congregate to breed. Sheltered backwaters and lagoons can be explored by tenderboat and are the perfect localities to see African Jacanas , African Finfoots, Red-knobbed Coots, Common and lesser Moorhens, Purple Swamp Hens, Black Crakes, Spotted Crakes, Ballions Crakes, Lesser Jacanas and African Rails. Shimmering white sandbanks are populated by a variety of species of Lapwings, Plovers, Storks, Stilts, Sandpipers, Stints, Ducks and Geese and it is not uncommon to see flocks of African Open-bill Storks and Collared Pratincoles roosting here in their thousands. A special treat for birding enthusiasts are the numerous breeding colonies of Carmine Bee-Eaters to be seen along the river banks. These colourful birds arrive in mid August in their thousands to breed and can be seen at sunset roosting at their burrow entrances creating a kaleidoscope of colour. A visit to this wetland paradise where in excess of 430 bird species can be seen is a memorable experience.
Game Viewing:
On your journey downriver aboard the “SHAMWARI’’ you will be enthralled by the awe inspiring beauty of the majestic Zambezi River, lush riparian woodlands and vast floodplains teeming with birdlife, Water Monitors, basking Crocodiles and the ever present Hippopotami lazily passing the time of day in the deeper pools. Cape Clawless Otters
are often seen hunting the many fish species found along the shoreline.
From July to November herds of elephant are regularly seen foraging in
the reedbeds or drinking at the waters edge.
Day trips by tenderboats from the “SHAMWARI’’ to the Chobe Game
Park can be arranged. Cruise through the Kasai Channel onto the
Chobe River and then into the game park where an unbelievable
variety of wildlife can be seen. It is not uncommon to see herds of
Elephant, Buffalo, Sable and Roan Antelope, Kudu, Impala,
Giraffe, pods of Hippopotami, Crocodiles, Warthog and on occasion
Lions and Wild Dog.
are often seen hunting the many fish species found along the shoreline.
From July to November herds of elephant are regularly seen foraging in
the reedbeds or drinking at the waters edge.
Day trips by tenderboats from the “SHAMWARI’’ to the Chobe Game
Park can be arranged. Cruise through the Kasai Channel onto the
Chobe River and then into the game park where an unbelievable
variety of wildlife can be seen. It is not uncommon to see herds of
Elephant, Buffalo, Sable and Roan Antelope, Kudu, Impala,
Giraffe, pods of Hippopotami, Crocodiles, Warthog and on occasion
Lions and Wild Dog.
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A TRUE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE