Tigerfish – Yellowfish – Vundu
SEASON: Aug – Nov
DURATION: 7 Nights – 6 Days Fishing
GUESTS: 2-8
Dhalla/Samaki Camp – Tigerfish Safaris has over the past 8-years built a reputation as the finest Tigerfish fishery available to the adventuring angler. The trophy Tigerfish that call the Mnyera and Ruhudji River in South Western Tanzania rivers home provide unparalleled opportunities.
Fishing Dhalla/Samaki Camp – Tigerfish Safaris
The majority of the fishing is done off a drift boat. Your guides will have you focused on the river structure comprising of fallen timber, long sandbanks, steep drop-offs, and rocky outcrops. When conditions dictate sand anchors are deployed and the crew ties up to structure midstream to focus attention on specific stretches of productive water.
The Boats
All fishing is done off 18ft aluminum boats. The tender boats have been chosen for their application and are ideal for fishing the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers. All boats are fitted with 25-hp motors. Each boat caters to two anglers and their professional guide, as well as a coxswain. Boats have ample storage areas and seating for three people.
First aid equipment is available on all boats.
MNYERA RIVER
Guests have access to 40km of fishable waters on the Mnyera River. The Mnyera River changes character quickly over the fishable length. From rapids and pools in heavily wooded riverine forests on the upper reaches, the structure-rich middle sections, to the deep “outside bends” and clay banks of the lower reaches. The Mnyera is a tigerfish haven. Dhalla Camp is your base when fishing the Mnyera River.
This river receives very little fishing pressure and with controlled fly fishing practices in place will continue to do so. The system is also extremely rich in bait fish (mainly red-finned barbs). The combination of these factors has resulted in the population of tiger fish obtaining otherwise unheard-of sizes. Trophy fish in this system are measured above 15lbs.
Be prepared to have your Tigerfish paradigms shifted!
RUHUDJI RIVER
Situated in the neighboring catchment (one valley south of the Mnyera) lies the Ruhudji River. Guests fishing the Ruhudji River have access to 80km of fishable water. The river is rather different from the Mnyera. The Ruhudji is a more shallow river, with long sections of sandbanks with deep outside bends and pools in the lower reaches.
The river changes in its upper reaches to a narrow deep river, bordered by steep banks and heavily wooded forests as it enters the “gorge area”. Kilombero North Safari Samaki Camp is your base when fishing the Ruhudji River
Accommodation at Dhalla/Samaki Camp – Tigerfish Safaris
Dhalla Camp (on the Mnyera River) and Samaki Camp (on the Ruhudji River) offer the adventurous fly fisherman a unique African fly fishing safari. Tented bush camps and wooden cabins, ensure that the African safari experience is as much a part of this trip as the trophy Tigerfish you can expect to encounter.
The camps are not luxurious. Due to the seasonal floods, each camp is erected from scratch at the start of each season. What they lack in luxury, however, they make up for in comfort.
DHALLA CAMP (Mnyera River)
Dhalla Camp comprises of 4 wooden fishing cabins and a central thatched dining and lounge area. The Camp is the base for your stay on the Mnyera River. Each of the 4 cabins offers twin or double bed configurations. All cabins have a view overlooking the river and all cabins are en suite, offering a shower and toilet.
Fall asleep to the sound of a rasping leopard, and wake up with the rising sun and splashes of feeding Tigerfish, all from the privacy of your cabin.
The main central camp area hosts mealtimes, under a thatched roof and overlooking the river. This area contains a small library, lounges, electric points for charging cameras and laptops, and a comprehensive fly tying station.
SAMAKI CAMP (Ruhudji River)
This rustic bush camp is your base on the Ruhudji River. Samaki Camp, like Dhalla Camp, is erected from scratch at the start of each season.
Samaki camp comprises of traditional Safari tents, all en suite, with twin or double bed configurations. The riverside forest hosts the dining area. This being true, most meals are enjoyed under the stars on a beautiful sandbank in front of the camp. Samaki camp has no electricity.
Getting to Dhalla/Samaki Camp – Tigerfish Safaris
Guests should arrive in Dar es Salaam the day before their trip. Any delay prior to departure will cause the trip to be missed. It is as important to book return flights the day after arriving back in Dar es Salaam as again, any delays may cause international flights to be missed.
Itinerary
- DAY 1 – Morning Charter from Dar es Salaam to Camp. Welcome & briefing by the head guide. 4 anglers stay at Dhalla Camp, and 4 Anglers move to Samaki Camp. NO fishing on the day of arrival as guides/staff need this time for weekly admin. Tackle set up and camp orientation.
- DAY 2/3 – Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji
- DAY 4 – Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji. Samaki Guests return to Dhalla Camp this afternoon
- DAY 5 – Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji. Dhalla Guests move to Samaki Camp this morning
- DAY 6 – Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji.
- DAY 7 – Fish Mnyera/Ruhudji. Samaki Guests return to Dhalla Camp this evening.
- DAY 8 – Morning admin and charter to Dar es Salaam
- Travel time between camps is roughly 2 hours depending on road conditions. Rather than focus on the missed fishing time, we urge guests to enjoy this journey through the African bush and take the time to view game and landscapes that are as wild as they were thousands of years ago
Rates
POA Fishing Rates/person sharing
Excludes Return Charter Flight
*Activities include game drives and river trips arranged prior to the safari
Price Includes
- The transfer from the airport to the Seacliff Hotel on arrival.
- Transfer from Seacliff to the charter flight on the morning of departure.
- Transfer charter terminal to airport or Seacliff on arrival back in Dar es Salaam
- Return charter flights from Dar es Salaam
- 7 nights in camp – 6 days fishing on the Mnyera and Ruhudji rivers. Fishing times are sunrise to sunset.
- Access to 120km of waters
- Professional guiding
- All meals, accommodation, water, soft drinks, and limited beer.
- Boats and fuel
- Fishing licenses and concession fees
- Tanzania Government Conservation Levy
Price Excludes
- Flights to Dar es Salaam. Please request details on international flight schedules to Dares Salaam
- Visas USD 50-100 depending on passport (at time of publishing)
- Any hotel accommodation and meals in Dar es Salaam before or after the tour
- Wine and spirits. Please pack your own wine and spirits from duty-free.
- Beers over the allocated amount in camp
- Guide and Staff tips
Image Gallery
Extra Info
INOCULATIONS & DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Valid yellow fever inoculations are required. Please enquire with your local travel clinic.
Tanzania is a malaria area. Please consult your doctor for suitable prophylactics.
Valid passport and visa (obtainable on arrival)
COMMUNICATION
The main camp offers limited cell reception. Please activate international roaming to make use of the limited reception. There is no internet available in the camp. There is a camp sat phone for emergencies
CURRENCY
The Tanzania Shilling is the official currency. US dollars are accepted for most transactions. These foreign exchange departments are at the airport and your hotel.
ONLY CASH IS ACCEPTED IN CAMP. PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING ENOUGH TO SETTLE TACKLE, DRINKS BILLS AND GRATUITIES.
MEALS
The camp chef prepares all meals. Food is wholesome camp cuisine, all prepared in a bush kitchen. Due to the close relationship with the nearby hunting camp, guests also enjoy fresh venison during their stay. Early breakfast starts each day. Breakfast consists of tea, coffee, toast, cereal, and fruit, after which guests head to the boats. We break for a mid-morning snack on the river banks at around 10 am. Your guide will select a shady spot n the bank for lunch on the river each day. Dinner is served in the dining area or under the stars.
WILDLIFE
Buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant are common in the area, as well as a host of plains game species including puku, warthog, hartebeest, zebra, eland, and bushbuck amongst many.
The birdlife is exceptional with many rare and endemic species found in the area. Pels Fishing Owl, along with Palm-nut Vultures, Narina Trogans, Broad Billed Roller, African Fin
Foot and white-backed night heron all make this riverine environment their home. Twitches bring your binoculars and guide books.
