A Tiger Fishing Experience on the Upper Zambezi

Experience the famous Barotse tigerfish on our section of the Upper Zambezi

Spend 5 nights (or more) tigerfishing on the Zambezi River

This region of the Zambezi River offers remote, private water with numerous islands, rapids and deep channels to fish. The attraction to our stretch of the Upper Zambezi river is the fact that we are almost the only commercial operator here – you are unlikely to see another boat on the river here. We also have an incredible variety of fishing water available – rapids, gorge water, slow and wide pieces etc. 

AVAILABLE DATES

March – Early Jan

DURATION

5,6 or 7 nights

LOCATION

Western Zambia

group size

Max 10 people

TRIP OVERVIEW

A Typical Day on Zambezi

Each day will follow a similar routine, with aprrocimately 3 hours spent on the river in the morning and again in the afternoon. See a breakdown of your day below:

  1. 6.30am – 11.00am

    Early morning coffee around the fire followed by few hours fishing on the river. 

  2. 10.30am – 14.30

    Return to camp for brunch. Relax in camp, do some snorkeling, visit the Falls.

  3. 14.30 pm

    Afternoon high tea and then depart for afternoon session on the river.

  4. 17.30/18.00 pm

    Return to Lumbe for a shower and drinks around the fire followed by dinner.

Lumbe Pools Camp

Your accommodation on the Zambezi River

There are 5 open air chalets at Lumbe Pool Camp. Each chalet can acocmmodate 2 people in either double or twin beds. The lodge is solar powered we provide bedside lamps and charging points and donkey boilers provide your chalets with hot water. 

Scroll left or right see photos from the season ->

Travel logistics

How to get to Lumbe?

Option 1: Fly to Kasane or Livingstone

  1. Arrival in Kasane

    Arrival at Kasane or LVI Airport

  2. Collection + Transfer

    Our preferred transfer company will meet you and drive you to the Lumbe Pools Parking bay (opposite Lumbe).

  3. Arrival at the camp

    3. Staff management will meet you and transfer you by boat across the river to Lumbe.

*Travel time from Kasane: 4.5 hrs & from LVI: 5.5 hrs*

Option 2: Fly via Private Charter

  1. Choose the airstrip

    Chat to us about which airstrip to use.

  2. Collection + Transfer

    Upon arrival at the airstrip. you will be collected by our team and driven to the Lumbe Pools Parking bay

  3. Arrival at the camp

    Once at the Parking bay, you will be transferred by boat across the river to camp.

The Tiger Fishing Season: When should you go? 

Use thie guide to help plan your trip to the Upper Zambez.

MONTH

March / April

LIKELY CONDITIONS & CHANCE OF FISHING SUCCESS

Normally the water is rising and discolored with the odd storm still falling.

Fishing can be very productive with bait in fast moving water or fishing flies into flooded structure. Fish size varies through this period with smaller fish holding to structure.

MONTH

May / June / July

LIKELY CONDITIONS & CHANCE OF FISHING SUCCESS

Water is dropping, clearing but also cooling.

A temperamental time when the fishing is impacted by water levels, clarity and temperature. A time that requires a flexible approach to fishing switching between bait, trolling and spinning BUT also fishing over the midday hours as well. Fishing can be extremely productive near the rapids, especially with lures which are becoming more visible but cold fronts can put the fish off the bite for a day or 2. Generally fish in the 2lb – 11lb range caught.

MONTH

August / September

LIKELY CONDITIONS & CHANCE OF FISHING SUCCESS

Water low, clear and starting to warm up. 

Bait fishing no longer a consistent solution and fish responding well to flies and lures as the water temperatures rise. Double figure fish coming out more consistently although cold, windy days from late fronts can impact fishing. A very good time for lures and fly and fish from 2lb – 16lb are being caught.

MONTH

October / November

LIKELY CONDITIONS & CHANCE OF FISHING SUCCESS

Water low, still and very clear.

Early mornings and moving water are vital now as fishing can be tricky after weeks of hot, still days. Big fish are coming out but the number of the smaller fish caught start declining.

MONTH

November / December

LIKELY CONDITIONS & CHANCE OF FISHING SUCCESS

Water low, clear but some colour returns with first storms.

Our personal favourite time although the chances of rain disruption increases as you get closer to Christmas. However the storms seem to oxygenate the water and the system and fishing activity can be intense with our biggest fish of the season consistently coming out during this time. Big lures, fly and live bait all worth trying.

DATES & SEASONS

Lumbe Pools Camp is open from 1 March - 15 January

You can visit Lumbe Pools from March to mid-January but keep in mind that some of the activities will be better experienced at certain times of the year. Chat to us about what type of experience you're looking for and we can recommend when the best time to go would be.

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2026 Guest Reviews

What guests from the 2026 season have said so far:

7 april 2026

Top moment? The sleepout on the pontoon. It was amazing. Thank you for the attention to detail!

Eliza Van Vuuren

6 April 2026

A wonderful way to spend Easter! Delicious food, spectacular scenery. We could not have asked for more.

Rob & Jo Brown

12 april 2026

Magical, memorable trip of a lifetime! Service was exceptional. A bucket list trip and perfect place for families!

Mark & Taryn

Please note that camping is not permitted at Lumbe Pools. 

EVERWILD group

Lumbe is a part of the Everwild Group. Find out who Everwild is and what other camps are members here.

location & logistics

Lumbe is located in Zambia - on the eastern bank of the Zambezi 300 km from Livingstone.

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