Africa
Fishing in
Zimbabwe 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·Zimbabwe-19.02°, 29.15°
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- Where to apply?
- At the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) or through lodges.
- Cost
- Fishing permit: From 10-20 USD. National park entry extra.
- Validity
- Day or travel permit
- Available online?
- No
Zimbabwe shares Lake Kariba and the Zambezi with Zambia — both world-class tigerfish waters! The Zimbabwean side of Lake Kariba is legendary. Houseboats on Kariba are a unique experience.
Book fishing tours in Zimbabwe
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- October-January: Restrictions in some waters. Tigerfish: Observe closed seasons.
- Catch limits
- Tigerfish: C&R recommended. Moderate limits for bream and catfish.
- Prohibited methods
- Dynamite, poison prohibited. Strict rules in national parks.
- Catch & Release
- Standard for tigerfish. Recommended for all large fish.
Lake Kariba is the largest man-made lake in the world (by volume)! 220 km long, full of tigerfish and with submerged trees as structure.
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Kariba-Lake (Tigerfish + legendäres Houseboat-Fishing)
- —Mana Pools Nationalpark (Tigerfish + Wildbeobachtung)
- —Oberer Sambesi (Tigerfish + Gelbfisch near Victoria Falls)
- —Chivero-Lake (Bass + Riesen-Brassen near Harare)
- —Mutirikwi-Lake (Bekannt für kapitale Bass-Bestände)
Target fish
Freshwater
Lake Kariba (largest man-made lake!), Zambezi, Save. Tigerfish paradise.
Saltwater
No access to the sea (landlocked).
Starting from500 USD / day
Best season: Tigerfish: September-November (hot!). Kariba: August-November. Bass: Year-round.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Lodges and houseboats provide equipment. Own tigerfish rods recommended.
- Fishing guides
- Kariba houseboat: 200-500 USD/day. Mana Pools lodge: 400-800 USD/day.
- Transport
- Flights to Harare or Victoria Falls. Small planes to Kariba/Mana Pools.
- Safety
- Hippos (most dangerous animal in Africa!), crocodiles, elephants. Malaria everywhere.
- Customs & taking fish home
- Visa on arrival (30-55 USD). KAZA Uni-Visa with Zambia possible.
05
Cost Overview
License fees
10-20 USD + national park entry 15-30 USD.
Guide prices
Houseboat: 200-500 USD/day. Safari lodge: 400-800 USD/day.
Daily budget
Budget: 60-120 USD. Premium: 300-700 USD/day.
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in Zimbabwe
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
View equipment for Zimbabwe →
Flights
Compare and book cheap flights to Zimbabwe 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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Mobile Data
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