Uganda Fishing Safaris

" I turned to see a dorsal fin emerging from the water, an erect fin with spines as thick as knitting needles. Then a broad silver back followed, and we were looking at rows of scales bigger than golf balls. Slowly but with apparent ease, this monster fish moved along the side of the rock against the current. vacationtechnician.com Uganda Fishing Safaris

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"...the most exciting morning's fishing that I have ever known!" -John Pellegrino USA

We knew that we were looking at a Nile Perch, but a perch larger than anything we'd seen before, from the size of the dorsal fin and broad hack moving slowly past just two metres away, we knew we were looking at a fish in the 100kg class.

It was so close that we could have gaffed it - though that would have meant an instant and fatal swim; anybody falling into the Nile below Murchison Falls and somehow surviving those awesome currents would not get past the monster crocodiles waiting in calmer water further downstream.

In my right hand I held two of our 14kg boat rods which we'd brought from the lake, in my left, I carried a bucket of live bait we'd stopped and caught in a small feeder stream on our way to the falls. That, in itself, had been quite an adventure; in that bucket swam not only several species of bream or kurper but also various strange catfish and bottlenose type fish that don't exist in our part of the world.

One of the rods was already rigged with a 6/0 hook tied directly to a double trace of the 14kg nylon, so I quickly grabbed a half kilo bream, slipped the hook through its dorsal fin and dropped it virtually at my feet, just where the giant perch had now submerged.

The fish swam for perhaps two seconds and then came a thud I felt right through the slack line. I flipped the Penn reel into free spool and watched in amazement as the line moved slowly upstream. Whatever had taken my live-bait was now casually cruising through that current in search of another snack... "

This adventure turned into what the prodigiously experienced John Pellegrino describes as "...the most exciting morning's fishing that I have ever known". Having landed some magnificent specimens, he concludes by pointing out that the most memorable strike of the day was one that "...just for a second felt rock solid before my double line came flying back to me."

Now's your chance to go fishing in Uganda and write your own vacationtechnician memory...

Fishing Nile Perch in Uganda with vacationtechnician.com

Join vacationtechnician in Uganda to fish for one of the largest and most voracious fresh water predators on this earth, the Nile perch. Lake Victoria and the Nile are famed for this fish and many of the world records, including largest fish, have been obtained in Ugandan waters.

This fishing itinerary will give you the best of both worlds:

• calm lake fishing in the idyllic waters of Lake Victoria's tropical Ssesse Islands.
• the thrill of fishing the Nile in the dramatic setting of Murchison Falls.

Our boat, Mrs. Stanley, is 27- ft made in Canada with a 180 HP inboard diesel engine ensuring we get where we want to be quickly. A big sun canopy is a necessity for the equatorial sun. We have rod holders, fish finders, all lures and tackle, and the experience of navigating the sometimes unpredictable waters of Lake Victoria.

Lake Victoria - Ssesse Islands
Exotic is the only way to describe these islands. With over 80, this is the largest grouping of islands on the second largest lake in the world. The islands are covered with tropical rainforest, fringed by white sandy beaches and dotted with traditional fishing villages. The main sporting fish to be caught off the islands is Nile Perch, with fish over 50 Kgs being caught frequently and reports of 100Kg catches!

In addition, fishing for Tilapia in the evening with light tackle can be extremely rewarding with fish up to 5lbs.

Accommodation: Bukasa Guest House on the privately owned Bukasa Island has one of the most beautiful views over the islands. It is simple but provides clean accommodation with hearty meals. Andrew Lutaya the owner of much of Bukasa Island is an extremely friendly host and is extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of these islands.

Island Camp, on the larger more populated Kalangala Island is also popular with fishing clients. Accommodation consists of tents and wooden cabins set on the edge of a beach.

Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls is famed for the 7 metre gorge where the Victoria Nile is compressed from 50 metres before plunging off the edge of the Western Rift Valley into a pool 43 metres below. In so doing the most intense cauldron of white water is created and is exactly where you will be fishing! Below the falls the current runs fast and big, the water is full of oxygen and so the fish are extremely powerful, famed for their intense fighting ability, arguably the most powerful perch in Africa.

We will be fishing with rapalas and live bait known to be the most successful for large perch. Fishing other species can be rewarding including extremely large catfish (up to 50 Kgs), which can be caught on dead bait and several other species, caught on small maps and the fly.

Murchison Falls is also famed for its wildlife. The waters where you fish teem with hippos and crocodiles whilst lions, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and many other species are easily seen in the park.

Accommodation: The Nile Safari Camp will form your base in this park. It is an attractive mix of cabins and tented camps set on the bank of the River Nile. The rooms are extremely comfortable and the facilities are good, including a swimming pool to cool off after a hot days fishing.

Fishing in Uganda - 7 Day Itinerary

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Day 1 Depart early on Mrs Stanley for the 5sesse Islands. Fishing through the afternoon and into the morning.

Overnight at Bukasa or Kalangala Island (Full Board).

Day 2 Fishing among the beautiful Ssesse Island. Overnight at Bukasa or Kalangala Island (Full Board).

Day 3 Return to Entebbe by boat and then fly by small private chartered aeroplane to Murchison Falls National Park.
Overnight at Nile Safari Camp (Full Board).

Day 4 Fish on the River Nile by boat below the world-renowned Murchison Falls. Overnight at Nile Safari Camp (Full Board).

Day 5 Fish from the bank up to the Chobe side of the Nile with over 50 excellent fishing pools teeming with fish.

Overnight at Nile Safari Camp (Full Board).

Day 6 Return to Kampala.

Overnight at Sheraton Kampala Hotel (B&B)

Day 7 After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe airport for your flight home.

The boat has seating for 12 passengers, a large sun canopy, and is equipped with all the necessary gear for fishing on Lake Victoria.

Other non-fishing possibilities for a boat trip include:

• Overnight trips to the Ssesse Islands that boast gorgeous tropical settings with sandy beaches, small fishing villages and untouched rainforest.

• Mountain Gorilla Tracking Safari add-on.

• Trips to the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

• Evening sundowner cruises along the quiet bays and small islands.

• Longer day trips to further islands.

• Alternative transportation to either Jinja, the source of the Nile and/or Entebbe.

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03/14/04 22:30 GMT Uganda World Watch Advisory vacationtechnician.com

A ban on smoking in most public places took effect in Uganda March 12, 2004. Penalties in effect. Ugandan authorities imposed a smoking ban in all public places March 12. Smoking is prohibited in restaurants, educational institutions, bars and other places where people gather. Fines will range between USD 10-50.