Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge — Local services in Western Province

Wow! What an incredible experience for anyone interested in fishing. There is something magical about fishing on the Zambezi watching the swirling pools of water flow by, groups of hippos here and there with their grunts, many crocodiles, unbelievable bird life, locals poling or paddling their mokuros, the sound of cow bells in the distance, the bright African sky. No phone, no internet, no TV. I’m a solo traveler and just spent five great days at Shackletons Lodge. Be prepared for long days of fishing on the Zambezi River. On the river by 6:30, back at 11:00 for a cooked to order eggs brunch, down time until 2:30, fishing until 6:00. Drinks around bar then family style buffet at 7:30, to your chalet by 9:00. Clean Rooms are seperate chalets, with two single beds, bathroom, shower, fans on the ceiling. There is no air conditioning here, what do you expect? It’s a fishing camp, things do cool off a little at night. The Shackeltons live on the property on and off and are very welcoming and concerned about guests comfort and overall happiness of their stay. They couldn’t be nicer. Staff is great from the management couple, the chef and cooking staff, maintenance crew, all the servers and guides etc. so tip them generously with Cash. Food is excellent and there is always plenty of it. Different home cooked style buffet dinners and salads and deserts every night. Pork skewers with fresh vegetables, Fish and Chips with fresh side salad, individual steaks cooked to order with fresh vegetables, a delicious curry stew loaded with vegetables on rice, home made deserts every night. There is a well stocked bar and at the end of the day you will want cold drinks. Small refreshing pool onsite, main building is open air with bar, dining tables, and comfortable sitting areas. Internet only in main lodge. My guide was Kelly, very likable and knowledgeable. Catching tiger fish takes a little getting used to, I caught at least one every day, varying sizes and several most days, one Nembwe, happy to catch him, and a lot maybe 30 large catfish. The Zambezi is a pleasure to be on, boats and engines are all in excellent shape, you’ll see many hippos, crocodiles and diverse bird life everyday. Always wear a hat, take sunscreen, wear light long sleeve shirts and quite frankly long pants. The sun is intense and can really frap your skin. Drink lots of water while fishing and at night. Half of the road from Livingstone is really rough to non existent so it’s a four hour drive. An overall fun, great and memorable experience and I may just go back next year. I want to catch the really big ones that got away at least four times. While I caught many fish, the largest tigers seemed to escape being landed! That’s fishing, Enjoy...

An Unforgettable Experience at Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge!

My recent solo trip to Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge was nothing short of extraordinary, and I'm already counting down the days until my next visit! From the moment I arrived, the hospitality was truly exceptional.

The camp managers, Darren and Robin, set the tone for the entire stay. Their dedication to customer service and their incredibly warm, welcoming demeanor made me feel right at home. They went above and beyond to ensure every aspect of my trip was seamless and enjoyable.

The culinary experience was equally fantastic. Every meal was delicious, and the variety and quality of the food exceeded my expectations. Complementing the superb food was the genuinely friendly and attentive staff who consistently provided excellent service with a smile.

Comfort was paramount in the accommodations, which were spacious, well-appointed, and offered a perfect sanctuary after a day on the water. It was truly a comfortable base from which to experience the wonders of the region.

And of course, the fishing! My guide, Kelly, was simply phenomenal. His expertise and dedication led to some incredible catches; I landed multiple tiger fish weighing over 10lbs, with the absolute highlight being a magnificent 19lbs specimen! His knowledge of the Upper Zambezi River and his ability to put us on the fish were truly impressive.

Overall, Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge offers a world-class angling adventure coupled with outstanding service, delicious food, and comfortable lodging. I can't recommend it highly enough, and as I mentioned, my next trip is already in the...

I've been to this place twice now and will certainly return again. The fishing was superb if your willing to work for it and listen to the guides. First trip biggest tiger was 8.5kg's, second trip largest was 9.5kgs. Did enjoy stories from other fishermen that they were skunked because the guide wouldn't listen to them! average catch per day varied from 5 to a max of 9 tigers per boat, also caught 11.5kg barbell and 4.5kg bream While its all about the fishing, the meals we're good quality, tasty and well prepared. Staff are great and this place is very clean and tidy. Enjoyed that the Canadian outfished every South African...