Where to go and Fishing methods
Despite Uganda’s abundance of water bodies, the government does not effectively promote sport fishing. In actuality, water covers almost 25% of Uganda. Uganda is home to the largest lake on the African continent, Lake Victoria. The world’s longest river, the Nile, originates in Uganda. Lakes George, Edward, Albert, and Kyoga are also in Uganda.
There are excellent sport fishing chances in each of these bodies of water. Several of the most well-known fishermen in the world have fished in Uganda. Jeremy Wade, Zeb Hogan, and John Wilson from the National Geographic Channel are among them. There are more than 350 fish species in Uganda.
The Nile Perch and Tilapia are the two main species that are harvested for commercial use. Other fish species include Protoperus, Rastrinabola cat fish, lung fish, etc. Perhaps the biggest fish that can be caught in Uganda is the Nile perch. They are capable of weighing over 220 kg. They were brought to Uganda at the beginning of the 1800s and now rule the country’s seas.
The tiny tiger fish is frequently used as bait to capture the Nile Perch. With their robust jaws and keen teeth, tiger fish are incredibly hardy despite their stunning rainbow colors. Tilapia and lung fish are two more huge fish found in Uganda. The most popular fish consumed in Ugandan households is tilapia, despite the fact that the tiny silverfish is becoming more well-liked due to its high nutritional content.
Sport fishing is one of the most popular activities in Uganda and has grown in popularity since the early 1990s. Uganda. The middle class in Uganda and the indigenous populace have not really embraced this wonderful hobby. Sport fishing is a great way for friends to get together or for family time. To participate in fishing, one does not need to have any prior fishing experience.
The majority of the time, all one has to do is associate with seasoned fishermen who will impart some knowledge about the sport. As we will discover later, Lake Victoria and the River Nile are possibly Uganda’s two best fishing locations.
The primary means of capturing fish in these two well-known bodies of water is by utilizing live baits or casting lures to capture the Nile Perch, Tilapia, and Tiger fish. Seeing Africa’s renowned wildlife and taking in the breathtaking surroundings make fishing in Uganda a fantastic experience.
The journeys are made even more thrilling and daring by the potential to come across deadly animals like crocodiles. But safety comes first, and most of the time, armed rangers from the park offices accompany fisherman in case they come across hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, or elephants. Anglers avoid areas of lakes and rivers where crocodiles are present.
Sport fishing typically takes place over a few days, and it necessitates a strong passion for the activity as well as, of course, a certain amount of patience and physical fitness. Businesses and hotels can rent fishing equipment, including strong speed boats. Our gorilla trip could be of interest to you.
Uganda’s top spot for sport fishing
Lake Victoria’s Ssese Islands:
Fishing is one of the best activities in Entebbe, although the Ssese Islands, which are nearby, are a better option. One must take the ferry from Entebbe’s Nakiwogo landing place to Kalangala Island in order to get to the Sesse Islands. All 84 of the Ssese Islands provide fantastic fishing conditions. The best fishing spots in Uganda are rarely frequented, and many are virgin.
Although Lake Victoria is a year-round fishing destination, sport fishing is most effective from October to March. A speed boat is essential for touring the Lake’s numerous islands. The lodging establishments in Entebbe and Kampala can offer the Trolling with lures is the most popular fishing technique in Lake Victoria. Fly fishing is one method of catching tilapia.
The National Park of Murchison Falls:
The distance between this park and Kampala is 340 kilometers. You can take a chattered flight from Entebbe International Airport or drive to the park. The park’s air field is one of Uganda’s top fishing locations. Two significant waterfalls, Murchison and Karuma, are formed by the Nile River as it flows through the center of the park on its route to South Sudan. Of the two waterfalls in the park, the Murchison Falls is the most visually appealing.
The Nile water squeezes through two rocks to generate these Murchison Falls, which then burst 40 meters below the surface in a Mighty fall. When visiting Uganda, the Murchison Falls National Park is a fantastic location for fishing. Huge Nile perch, some reaching over 90 kg, are drawn to the tumultuous falls because they are rich in oxygen. The heaviest recorded weighed 108 kg. Tilapia, barbell, furious fighter, Angara, yellow fish, catfish, and tiger fish (Awaka) are among the species that call the stretch of the Nile River that flows through the park home.
Although fishermen can stroll to the base of waterfalls to throw their lines, boats are typically used for fishing along the river’s banks. Paara and Chobe are the two resorts that organize sport fishing in the Murchison Falls National Park. The top spots for fishing are at the falls’ base. One can choose to stand on the rocks at the peaceful downstream stretch of the river, where they can cast their line into the deep waters, rather than going directly close to the falls.
Additionally, there are a number of serene pools downstream that are separate from the main river and should be taken into account. Giant catfish, tilapia, and huge Nile perch can be found in the pools. You can opt to fish downstream to the Albert Nile by boat if you’d like to learn more. In order to find the Angara, you could even travel all the way up to Adjumani and Moyo.
The residents of Moyo and Adjumani love Angara dishes. In Murchison Falls National Park, sport fishing costs $50 per day or $150 for four days. Additionally, you would have to pay park admission fees separately.
The catch and release principle governs sport fishing at Murchison Falls National Park. Holding a 100-kilogram Nile perch near your chest or boat while snapping breathtaking pictures to share with your friends and the world is the ultimate reward.
By designating a highly qualified guide to lead the group, the two lodges make sure that fishermen are safe while in the water. They employ contemporary fishing methods and technologies. The option to go game fishing is another benefit of sport fishing at Murchison Falls National Park. Drives, chimpanzee hiking in the Budongo forest, or launching cruises to observe wildlife at the base of the falls.
Lake Mburo National Park:
One of Uganda’s best places to go sport fishing is Lake Mburo National Park. It takes three hours to drive there by road, making it the nearest national park to Kampala. The majority of fishing is done at Lake Mburo, the largest of the park’s five lakes. There are six major fish species in Lake Mburo. Here, tilapia are the most common species.
Since there are no crocodiles or hippos there, the Mazinga location is the ideal area to fish in Lake Mburo. One must pay the Uganda Wildlife Authority $15 for a fishing permit. It is required that you bring your own fishing gear. Because anglers can arrange for their hotel to prepare the fish as a meal, fishing at Lake Mburo is unique.
Sipi Falls:
Located in Eastern Uganda, the Sipi Falls are regarded as an excellent fishing location. The falls are situated on the slopes of Mount Elgon, near the Ugandan-Kenyan border. The rainbow fish, which weighs about three kilograms, is the species to watch out for the most.
You can see all the waterfalls and the nearby coffee farms in addition to the fish. One of the top two most alluring activities in the area is climbing Mount Elgon. In addition to the mountains and waterfalls, the landscape is simply too magnificent. There are breathtaking views of the expansive Karamoja plains from this hilly region.
Source of the Nile Jinja:
One of the greatest locations in Uganda for sport fishing is Jinja, the Nile’s source. The enormous Nile Perch is the most spectacular capture, but tilapia is also a remarkable catch. The Gandhi memorial, Mabira woodland, Ssezibwa Falls, white water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, quad biking, horseback riding, and local towns may all be visited after fishing.
Everything you should know about Ugandan sport fishing excursions In Uganda, sport fishing is done all year round. Should you intend to engage in sport fishing at the dry season is the ideal time of year to explore Murchison Falls National Park. Additionally, it is the ideal time to see Uganda’s animals and go fishing. In Uganda, casting lures or utilizing live bait are the primary sport fishing techniques.
For capturing the Nile Perch, casting lures is especially effective. The smaller Tiger fish is often used as bait like. To catch the Nile Perch and other larger species like Tilapia or lung fish, we suggest you use a road that is about three meters with either a multiplier reel or fixed spool. For the smaller species, a rod with a line of about 4 kilograms is enough. Sport fishing during the dry season can be difficult for fishermen.
It’s crucial to pack appropriate clothing, a tent, and sunscreen because the temperatures can get extremely hot. To prevent dehydration, try to bring extra drinking water when you go fishing. Insect repellent is also necessary to ward off mosquitoes and the dangerous tsetse flies. A camera to record your adventure, hiking shoes (for jagged rocks), sandals, and a binocular to see the water birds are other things to think about packing for your fishing excursion.
Remember to pack extra batteries for any devices that use electricity. If you are traveling during the rainy season, you should pack a rain jacket in addition to short T-shirts. Wearing a sweater will help you stay cozy in the chilly evenings. You may need to bring your medications and toiletries in a lightweight backpack when you leave your hotel or lodge.
Remember to pack a lunch, which may include salads, sandwiches, or hot dogs. You can also move while sipping beer, tea or coffee, soda, or water. Although they can be supplied when needed, it is advised that anglers carry their own preferred fishing equipment.
Rwandan sport fishing is not as advanced as Ugandan sport fishing.
Lodging while on a sport fishing excursion:
There are a number of lodging options available in Uganda for fishing excursions, ranging from low-cost to ultra-luxury hotels. How much you are willing to spend will determine your final decision. If you intend to Brovad Sand Lodges would be the ideal location for fishing in the Ssese Islands. Speke Resort Munyonyo near Kampala offers fantastic fishing excursions to the several islands of Lake Victoria. They even have a fishing pool of their own.
There are more than thirty places to stay the night when fishing in Murchison Falls National Park. Chobe Safari Lodge and Paraa Safari Lodge are the most well-liked lodges that provide fishing, as was previously said. Constructed on the banks of the Nile River, Paraa Safari Lodge is conveniently located near the top fishing spots.
Chobe Lodge provides excellent fishing and is also situated near the Nile. A popular choice among anglers is Chobe. Several of the biggest Nile the resident anglers at Chobe Lodge have caught perch. To transport fishermen to the best fishing area of the Nile River, Chobe Lodge offers top-notch fishing equipment, guides, and boats. During their fishing expedition, some fishermen may want to erect their own portable tents. While guaranteeing your safety in the wild can be difficult for anglers, this can be handled with the hotels at a reasonable cost. It’s crucial to pack appropriate clothing, a tent, and sunscreen because the temperatures can get extremely hot. To prevent dehydration, try to bring extra drinking water when you go fishing. Insect repellent is also necessary to ward off mosquitoes and the dangerous tsetse flies.
A camera to record your adventure, hiking shoes (for jagged rocks), sandals, and a binocular to see the water birds are other things to think about packing for your fishing excursion. Remember to pack extra batteries for any devices that use electricity. If you are traveling during the rainy season, you should pack a rain jacket in addition to short T-shirts.
Wearing a sweater will help you stay warm on chilly nights. You may need to bring your medications and toiletries in a lightweight backpack when you leave your hotel or lodge. Remember to pack a lunch, which may include salads, sandwiches, or hot dogs. You can also move while sipping beer, tea or coffee, soda, or water. It is advised that although they can be supplied when needed, fishermen still bring their preferred fishing equipment.
There are a number of lodging options available in Uganda for fishing excursions, ranging from low-cost to ultra-luxury hotels. How much you are willing to spend will determine your final decision. Brovad Sand Lodges would be the ideal location if you intend to fish on the Ssese Islands. Speke Resort Munyonyo near Kampala offers fantastic fishing excursions to the several islands of Lake Victoria.
They even have a fishing pool of their own. There are more than 30 lodging options available at Murchison Falls National Park for those who want to go fishing in the evening. Chobe Safari Lodge and Paraa Safari Lodge are the most well-liked lodges that provide fishing, as was previously said.
Constructed on the banks of the Nile River, Paraa Safari Lodge is conveniently located near the top fishing spots. Chobe Lodge provides excellent fishing and is also situated near the Nile. A popular choice among anglers is Chobe. Chobe Lodge resident anglers have captured some of the largest Nile Perch.
To transport fishermen to the best fishing area of the Nile River, Chobe Lodge offers top-notch fishing equipment, guides, and boats. During their fishing expedition, some fishermen may want to erect their own portable tents. The hotels may set this up at a reasonable price while ensuring that you are safe out in the wild.