fly  &  fresh  water  fishing

Kenya offers a wealth of opportunity for the experienced (and aspiring) fisherman. Kenya’s diverse countryside provides areas of scenic beauty that offer fly fishing for trout or trolling for Nile Perch. All this combined with world-class game viewing and first class accommodation makes for a luxury holiday for which Kenya has become so famous.

Lake Turkana - Park Info

This rugged and scenic lake offers a fantastic opportunity for fishing for Nile Perch, Tilapia and Tiger Fish, both from the shore and by boat. A fishing safari to Lake Turkana is a real adventure as the logistics involved for a safari to the Lake are a huge undertaking (“A Jade Sea Expedition”). It is a minimum of two full days traveling by road over very rough terrain in 4wd vehicles to reach the Lake.  The most sensible, quickest and comfortable way to get there is to fly in by private air charter. As the lake is so huge, you have to keep a careful eye on the conditions as by afternoon if the wind pick up it can get very rough.  This trip is a once in a life time adventure.

Lake Victoria (Kenya)

Lake Victoria situated in Western Kenya, is the second largest freshwater lake in the world covering an area of 69,485km square. The boundaries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania bisect the Lake. This great lake has romantic associations as the source of the River Nile, ever since explorers such as Speke and Burton came to the area at the end of the last century.

Based on one of the islands within Kenya waters, you can spend time exploring this area and have the opportunity to troll for enormous Nile perch in fibreglass boats approximately 20ft in length with outboard motors. Boats are equipped with deep sea fishing rods and lures, if you wish to try for these fish on fly, you will need to bring your own equipment. Along the shores you can cast for tilapia in the early evenings. Both fish make delicious eating.

The friendly Luo community fish along the shores in their colourful canoes and sailing dhows, at night the lake sparkles with lanterns of the hundreds of night fishermen. People are welcome to visit their villages where the night’s catch is set out to dry in the sun and larger fish are smoked.

Mount Kenya - Park Info

Lake Rutundu is situated on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, at 3100 meters, just above the forest line, surrounded by alpine moorland, a home for unique bird life and vegetation. Rutundu is not only a nature lover’s paradise, but is also an ideal spot for fishermen and hikers. Both Lake Rutundu and Lake Alice (3,550 meters), a two-hour walk further up the mountain, are stocked with rainbow trout, and provide excellent opportunities for fishing. 

The walk to Lake Alice is a true test of stamina, the final haul to the crater rim is steep, but in no time the pain melts away as the extraordinary blue of Lake Alice unfolds beneath you. Batian, Nelion and Lenana form a dramatic back drop. Casting is a challenge at the northern end of the lake because of the steep bank behind. At the southern end of the lake there is a shingle beach and casting is very much easier. One has to watch out for the weather and once the sun disappears over the ridge the temperature drops sharply.

Lake Ratundu is much smaller and deeper, the water is not so clear and the trout, for which there is no shortage, are more difficult. The attraction of this lake is the punt that can be paddled around, and there are also 3 casting platforms. The average catch is 2 to 3lbs, with larger fish reaching up to 6lbs.  (It is not everyone who can claim to have caught a trout within 5km of the equator.)  Previous experience in fly-fishing is not necessary. Bag limit is two trout per group, so most fish are released.

The Aberdares - Park Info

Aberdare National Park offers some of the finest trout fishing in Kenya. Dubbed ‘Scotland with lions’ its clear tumbling streams with mossy overhangs and shady bends, run through peaks which are often shrouded in mist, moors and banks of tussock grass. The brown and rainbow trout found in these streams are not indigenous to Kenya and trace their origins back to Lock Leven in Scotland, from where they were first imported into Kenya in 1905 by Lt Colonel Ewart Grogan. Grogan arranged a consignment of Loch Leven Ova, Brown and Rainbow, to be shipped to Mombasa. The Ova were then sent by train to Nairobi where they were packed in ice and loaded onto ox wagons to make the journey to Nyeri.  From there the Ova were hauled up to the heights of the mountains and introduced into the Gura River. Subsequently a number of trout hatcheries were established by the Kenya Fisheries Department and Ova were imported from countries as far a field as Australia and England.  Today the waters of the Aberdares, Mt Kenya and Cherangani Hills are restocked with fingerlings.

The best fishing areas are generally found above the 2,000m level.  It generally goes that the higher the altitude the smaller the fish. The three main rivers for fishing in the Park are the Amboni, the Chania and the Gura rivers. Within the Park anglers must engage the services of a KWS ranger. It must be taken into consideration there is every chance of blundering into one of the many dangerous animals, especially buffalo who lurk by the river banks, so fishing here is not for the feint hearted.

Galana Ranch, Amboseli Selengei, Shaba/Samburu, Sarara and Kalacha    Amboseli Rates 

There are a number of safari outfitters who organize bird shooting safaris in Kenya.  Kenya Wildlife Service applies strict licensing, seasons and bag limits.  Kenya’s vast tracts of wilderness provide exceptional bird shooting opportunities which can be combined with a luxury game viewing safari.  Sand grouse are standing shoots, from singles to huge flocks these birds are extremely testing.  Guns are positioned at distances from the water where they come to drink, commensurate with the shooter’s ability.  Ground birds are ‘walk up’ or rough shoots, which include helmeted and vulturine guinea fowl, yellow neck spur fowl and crested Francolin.  These birds are always a challenge, chasing them through the bush at high speed on foot, but well worth the effort as they are very good eating. 

Bird shooting safaris are tailor made.  All documentation can be done in advance.  Firearms can be imported, but it is much simpler to rent shotguns here, over and under or double shotguns can be obtained and charges are included in the daily safari rate. 

Shooting Seasons:  1st July – 30th October , 1st February – 31st March