Okavango Barbel Run Tiger Fishing

Fly fish Africa’s prime freshwater target during one of nature’s great events

Held in high esteem as Africa’s prime freshwater target on fly, the powerful and aggressive tigerfish is highly sought after but there can be nothing as exciting as battling the feisty tigers while being surrounded by one of nature’s great events. Every year as the waters of the Okavango River in Botswana drop, the bait fish get flushed out of the reeds into the main channel. The barbel (catfish) then congregate in their thousands and pack together to begin to hunt the baitfish, and right alongside them are the tigers ! Finding a barbel run in full swing and successfully landing a tiger will be a once in a lifetime experience.

Tour Programme Details

Day 01:
Depart on arrival in Maun, Botswana to a private mobile safari camp based in the Sepupa region, perfectly situated to access the barbel runs irrespective of where they may be. Each angler has his or her own private dome tent with a stretcher, mattress and bedding. The private camp has access to its own ablutions and its own mobile dining and kitchen mess area.

Day 02 – 06:
Spend the days battling the feisty and hard fighting tigers. The runs can be up to 1km long and the sound is quite spectacular as the fish slap the waters and reeds and the birds attack the fish from above. Other species associated with the runs include the elusive nembwe and the toothy African pike but successfully landing a big Okavango tiger is a truly unique African adventure.

Day 07:
Departure to Maun for return home or onward journey.