Over 354 fish species have been recorded in Uganda’s water bodies. The major commercial and common species include Nile Perch, cat fish� and Tilapia which are also the main fish targets of most tourists. Other fish species include Rastrinabola, Protopterus, lung fish, among others. The delicacy of these fish species is excellent while catching a Nile perch weighing over 210 kg is incredible.
Fishing – Murchison falls N. Park
Guides
Fishing along the mighty River Nile – Murchison Falls Park requires expert assistance, to ensure both clients’ safety in this adventurous destination, and the best opportunity for successful fishing. For this reason we recommend you contact us for specialist and experienced guides for any client groups coming here for fishing.
Getting there
Murchison Falls National Park is approximately 5-6 hours drive North West from Entebbe, via Kampala with the majority of the roads before reaching the park being tarred. Within the park there are murrum roads. Our fully inclusive trips include private transport with a driver in 4 x 4 vehicles which are comfortable and spacious, including room for fishing equipment!
Alternatively charter flights can be used between Entebbe and Murchison Falls National Park, at an additional cost which is provided on request.
Traditional Fishing Season
Fishing in Murchison falls N. Park varies from year to year as to which are the most successful fishing months, but generally it is accepted that the drier months of the year – January to March and July to October produce better fishing results.
Fishing area and conditions
Sport Fishing in Murchison Falls N. Park is currently conducted in the area at the base of the falls.� The fishing is either from the rocks on the bank of the river or slightly lower down stream in the pools from a boat. Access to the fishing spots is either by boat from a point further down stream or by walking down the gorge to the river from the top of the falls. It’s a long steep climb back up (around 45 minutes for a reasonably fit person) and hence most people tend to go fishing equipped for the day to avoid climbing up in the heat of the day.
The temperatures at Murchison are high (sometimes over 38 degrees C)� -� especially at mid day and anglers should be equipped with sun protection including sun tan lotion, hats and long sleeved shirts.� Tsetse flies also abound at certain times and we recommend trousers and long socks as well as insect repellant as protection against their bites.
Methods of Fishing / Equipment���������������������������
Fish caught on live bait / casting lures include Nile perch and various species of cat fish.� There are also a large variety of smaller species, (used as live bait), obtained by spinning including tiger fish. We recommend a rod between 11feet (3 meters) and 8 feet (2.4 meters) together with a fixed spool or multiplier reel.
For the smaller species a 7′ spinning rod with 3/5 kg line is adequate. Reels – For Nile perch and catfish any reel fixed spool or multiplier with 30-35 lb line (17kg) will do. It depends on personal preference and skill with a multiplier.� For tiger fish and smaller species any reel you can comfortably cast is suitable.
Accommodation
There are several facilities available for accommodation in the park -� which one we utilize will depend upon budget and requirements.� Prices quoted are based on utilizing Paraa lodge or Nile Safari Camp.� We are also able to offer client groups that prefer to camp (fit experienced anglers only), a mobile camp, which we will erect at the camp site at the ?Top of the falls? area above Murchison Falls .Due to the remoteness of the area power is usually by generator in the evenings and early mornings only at the lodges/camps.
What to pack
There are no shops in the National Park – all necessary supplies such as sun tan lotion, cigarettes, spare batteries for electronic equipment and cameras, and mosquito spray must be brought with you.� We suggest you bring as much sun protection as possible – hats, sunglasses, creams as it can be very hot. Hiking boots are best for foot wear, especially for shore fishing from the steep, rough rocks.� Lightweight and light colored clothes for fishing are best as they are cooler and the tsetse flies are less attracted to them. Long sleeves and long trousers are best, but avoid blue where ever possible as this color seems to actually attract the tsetse flies.� A light weight rain jacket and a sweater for the evenings is also recommended.
Optional / additional activities
There are various activities one can do after or before fishing. Game drives, Boat / Launch cruises and chimpanzee trekking can be arranged in conjunction with the fishing upon request.
Fishing – Lake Victoria
Our local guides are experienced and we have good boats / fishing equipments. According to local tradition the fishing season is October to March but fish are caught all year around because of the experience of our guides. Nile Perch.� From approximately 10-80kg in weight. Trolling with lures is the main method of fishing used.� You can also catch tilapia using fly fishing techniques. Tilapia are about 1-2kg in weight.
An 18 foot sea going ski boat with single foam filled hull, powered by a Yamaha 140HP outboard engine boat has a maximum seating capacity of 6 passengers plus skipper and a maximum of 4 people fishing at any one time (to avoid line tangling etc).� A fiber glass 24 foot long ?canoe? powered by a Mariner 60HP outboard engine is also available for smaller groups of 2-3 fishermen.
Equipment & Facilities on board
Our boats are equipped with an overhead sun canopy, rain suits (there can be a certain amount of spray when the lake is rough), electronic fish finder, GPS, mobile phone, life jackets, flares, basic first aid box and fire extinguisher on board for your safety. We also have a cooler box on board for cold drink storage.� Our skippers are experienced local guides who have a good knowledge of the lake as well as fishing. All equipment and lures for trolling for perch for up to 4 lines per boat are supplied, but anglers are free to bring their own, especially lighter equipment for tilapia.� Anything damaged or lost will need to be paid for before disembarkation.� Lures are between 20-25USD each if lost.
Day Trips – timings
They normally depart around 9.00 am or 1.00pm and return around 12.30pm or 5.00pm with a full day being approximately 8 hours on the water and a half day around 4 hours.� Fishing is done around local islands about a 45 minute boat trip from Entebbe.� The areas fished will depend upon the weather and how the fish are biting.� At certain times of the year the lake can be very rough with large swells and so then we tend to utilize the sheltered bays for fishing.� Lunch will be sandwiches, hot dogs, salad or similar served on board the boat moored in a shady spot in an island bay.� Beers, mineral water and sodas are available on board as well as tea and coffee.� Anglers are free to bring along additional drinks required.
Overnight Trips
The overnight trips are generally accommodated in a small, exclusive tented camp on Ngamba Island in the Kome Group of islands, and include accommodation and all meals whilst on the island.� Each of the four twin tents has an en suite bathroom with eco friendly toilet and hot water ?bush? shower.� A cash bar facility is available at the camp serving beers, sodas and some spirits and wine.� If clients have particular preferences please check with us beforehand regarding availability. Bottled water is also available. Solar power and a back up generator ensures the camp is lit in the evenings but we recommend that each person brings his own torch too.
What to bring on board
We suggest you bring as much sun protection as possible – hats, sunglasses, creams as it can be quite hot out on the lake (average day time temperatures are in the mid to late 20 degrees C). Strops or sandals are a good idea as you may well get wet feet – especially getting on and off the boat!� Insect repellent is a good idea. A camera if you’d like to capture ?the big fish? on film and a pair of binoculars if you are keen on birdlife.� As power and recharging facilities are limited, we also suggest you bring some spare batteries for your camera when staying for a few days. Light daywear such as T shirts and shorts are normally fine but we recommend a rain jacket in case of increment weather and a sweater or light jacket for cooler weather and the evenings. If you are staying overnight you will need your personal belongings – clothes, medication, toiletries etc for the duration of the stay ? and preferably packed in a small soft bag for easy packing on the boat (no hard large suit cases allowed).
