Angling is one of the most popular sports in Southern Africa. 

In South Africa, there are some 250 species of freshwater fish and 1,500 saltwater species along the coast. Big-game fishing for marlin and swordfish is plentiful. Some of the best angling spots in the Cape Peninsula are found at Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope Reserve), and Rooikrans ranks as one of the finest in the world. The waters off the Zululand coast provide a spirited challenge for these looking to land a sailfish or marlin.

Good rock angling sites include Nature's Valley, Keurbooms, Lookout Rocks, Beacon Island and Robberg Beach. No fishing is permitted in the Tsitsikamma National Park which extends 5,5kms out to sea except for a short strip to the west of the Storms River Mouth. Rock anglers can expect to catch Galjoen, Elf, Roman or Steenbras. Deep Sea anglers may expect Tuna, Leervis, Hake and Calamari (seasonal). 

Also plentiful, is trout fishing in the foothills of the Western Cape and Drakensberg Mountains. And the Eastern Cape offers exceptional fly-fishing in its mountain streams and along the coast. Most of the best trout fishing spots belong to private syndicates but various public clubs and spots provide good fishing at a nominal fee. Rainbow trout are the most popular, but brown trout are also taken from time to time.

Mpumalanga has a wide choice of angling sites on some of the finest waters in South Africa. The Heyshope Dam near Piet Retief is a superb fishing destination. Anglers touring in the province should come prepared for excellent and varied fishing in scenic destinations catering for every preference. Trout fishing on the highland escarpment is well established with chalets, guest houses and lodges catering for the trout fishing enthusiast. Excellent catches of tigerfish have been caught in the larger rivers of southeastern Mpumalanga. Experts say that fishing for tigerfish with light tackle is considered to be one of the finest angling experiences. 

Many game and nature reserves have dams, rivers, or a stretch of coastline where you can drop a line. There is no official season, and almost all establishments only allow fishermen to "fish on the fly".

Zimbabwe offers the finest range of year round freshwater fishing in Africa... in some of the most spectacular and beautiful settings in the world. Lake Kariba offers the prince of freshwater sport fishing: the striped and long-toothed tigerfish. Tilapia of different varieties and the giant catfish, the Vundu, share the depths of the Zambezi River with crocodile and hippo. Swiftly running steams in the Eastern Highlands abound with flashing trout.

In Botswana, fishing in the Okavango is best in the northwestern part of the delta. The Okavango River above the delta is too heavily fished. The best time of the year for catching tigerfish is September-November. For barbel, the best time is the end of September through October when the barbels are running (migrating). Tigerfishing in the Delta is excellent fun and the local bream and barbel can also provide good sport. Up in the Panhandle are several camps that cater almost exclusively to fishermen. Shakawe is a small village on the banks of the fast-flowing Okavango, north of the Delta, and is considered by many to be one of the best game fishing spots in Southern Africa. With the Okavango's Panhandle being wide, deep and fast flowing it is ideal for both the fighting tigerfish and delicious bream. Seventeen species of these fish can be caught here and they are all prized by anglers.

In most areas, fishing rods and tackle are available for hire from specialist shops and lodges which have a commercial interest in the sport. Tourist information offices will have details of angling sites in their areas, and will provide information on the need for angling licenses for different species and locations. Drop us a line if you're interested in a fishing safari, charter fishing in the deep blue seas, or testing the fresh waters in the mountains and streams.