Africa
Fishing in
Zambia 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·Zambia-13.13°, 27.85°
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- Where to apply?
- At the Department of Fisheries or through lodges and safari providers.
- Cost
- Fishing permit: From 50-100 ZMW (~2-5 USD). National park entry extra.
- Validity
- Day or travel permit
- Available online?
- No
Zambia is THE Tigerfish country par excellence! The Zambezi below Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba offer world-class fishing for the 'striped devil'. Safari + fishing combinable!
Book fishing tours in Zambia
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- December-February: Closed season on many waters (spawning time).
- Catch limits
- Tigerfish: C&R recommended/partly mandatory. Moderate limits for other species.
- Prohibited methods
- Dynamite, poison prohibited. Strict rules in national parks.
- Catch & Release
- Standard for Tigerfish! Recommended for all species.
The Tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) is one of the strongest fighting freshwater fish — jumps like a Tarpon, has teeth like a Piranha and fights like a devil!
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Lower Zambezi (Tigerfish + Safari in Nationalparks)
- —Kariba-Lake (Tigerfish + Bream, bekannt für Großfische)
- —Upper Zambezi (Tigerfish, Vandu + unberührte Wilderness)
- —Kafue-River (Tigerfish, Bream + exklusive Lodges)
- —Barotse-Aue (Tigerfish-Hotspot während der Trockenzeit)
Target fish
Freshwater
Zambezi, Kafue, Lake Kariba. All freshwater with unique African species.
Saltwater
No access to the sea (landlocked country).
Starting from600 USD / day
Best season: Tigerfish: August-November (hot dry season). Kariba: September-November peak.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Lodges provide equipment. Own rods recommended for Tigerfish (fast action!).
- Fishing guides
- Zambezi Lodge: 300-600 USD/day. Kariba Houseboat: 200-400 USD/day.
- Transport
- Flights to Lusaka or Livingstone (Victoria Falls!). Small planes to lodges.
- Safety
- Hippos and crocodiles in the Zambezi! Malaria. Safari lodges safe and comfortable.
- Customs & taking fish home
- Visa on arrival (50 USD). KAZA Uni-Visa for Zambia+Zimbabwe (50 USD).
05
Cost Overview
License fees
2-5 USD + National park entry 25 USD.
Guide prices
Zambezi Lodge: 300-600 USD/day. Kariba: 200-400 USD/day.
Daily budget
Budget: 80-150 USD. Premium Safari Lodge: 400-800 USD/day.
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in Zambia
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
View equipment for Zambia →
Flights
Compare and book cheap flights to Zambia with Kiwi.com
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Airport Transfer
Pre-booked transfer from the airport to your hotel or fishing charter
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