ANGLING TOUR OF NAMIBIA

The cold Bengula current that moves northwards along the coast of Namibia provides a rich feeding ground for a range of marine animals, including fish. Whether from the shore or from a boat, the angling is excellent. In addition, in the north-eastern regions of Namibia, the rivers are home to the tiger fish, with all of its renowned fighting qualities. Anglers can also enjoy another type of fresh-water experience at Namibia’s inland dams.

This tour not only provides an interesting and varied angling experience but also takes you to most of Namibia’s premier tourism destinations along the way.

THE ITINERARY

Days 1, 2 and 3: Arrive in Windhoek and staying at either the Olive Grove Guest House or at the Heinitzburg Hotel. On the first day, drive 20 kms to Daan Viljoen Game Park for a day’s fishing in the dam (depending on water level) as well as game viewing, or go fishing at Avis Dam, which is on the eastern outskirts of the city. Next day, drive to the Von Bach Dam near Okahandja (about 90 kms from Windhoek) for a day’s angling.

Popular species in inland waters include large and small mouth bass, carp, yellow fish, Mozambique tilapia, and barbel.

General activities: General tour of the city; historical walking tour; township tour; visit craft centres and places of particular historical interest, such as those connected with the German period, the South African period, and the independence period; browse the stores and bookshops; relax with a coffee or a beer at a cafe in the Independence Avenue area, absorbing the ambience of Namibia.

Days 4 and 5: Drive southwards to Hardap Dam near Mariental, where you stay in bungalows that are owned by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Hardap is a large irrigation dam with numerous angling sites.

General activities: Relax in and around the pool, take walks around the park, and game-watch in the adjacent reserve.

Days 6 and 7: Drive further southwards to the famous Fish River Canyon – where you can’t catch fish! – and stop off for a few hour’s angling at the Naute Dam near Keetmanshoop. Stay at Cañon Lodge, which has a striking setting amongst tumbled granite boulders.

General activities: Viewing the canyon, in all of its different moods and prospects (unfortunately there won't be time to undertake the famous hike through the canyon); a short guided drive to a viewpoint, followed by a hike back to the lodge for breakfast; flights over the canyon; experience the splendour of the canyon landscape on horseback; sundowner drives.

Days 8 and 9: Drive eastwards to Luderitz, where you stay at the Nest Hotel which is right on the shore. Luderitz is famous for its export-quality lobsters. Anglers can enjoy surf and rock fishing as well as deep-sea fishing in the cold, rich waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

General activities: Luderitz is a unique fishing port with many well preserved German-era buildings, situated on a rocky, island-guarded bay between the desert sands and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Explore the environs, viewing flamingos, visiting historical Diaz Point, and perhaps taking a yacht cruise to get a close-up look at whales, dolphins, and penguins. If there is time while returning to Aus in the evening, stop off at a roadside hide to view the famous wild horses of the Namib while taking in the silence and spaciousness of the desert.

On the way to and/or from Luderitz, stop over to at Ganub water hole to see the famous wild horses of the Namib Desert.

DAY 10: Take a short drive to Aus during the mid-afternoon, thus giving you more time to explore and enjoy Luderitz and its environs. Stay at Klein Aus Vista Lodge, where activities include relaxing, enjoying the fine views and desert colours, and stretching your legs! A busy day lies ahead.

DAY 11 & 12: Travel northwards to Sesriem and Sossusvlei. Along the way, call in at Duwisib Castle, a national monument that was built by a German nobleman who died while fighting in the First World War. His American wife abandoned the property, which today reflects the opulence that some rich colonialists imported into the territories that they and their fellows conquered. Continue onwards to your destination at Sossusvlei Lodge, which is close to the entrance gate to the Sesriem/Sossusvlei area. Enjoy the dunes at Sossusvlei, one of Namibia’s most famous tourist attractions.

General activities: Early morning guided drive to the spectacular dunes, which are at their very best at sunrise; game drives and walks; simply enjoying the breath-taking views and colours; and an early morning balloon trip, soaring silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert.

DAYS 11 and 12: Drive to Swakopmund, Namibia's premier holiday resort and the centre of the West Coast Recreational Area, where there are almost limitless activities for shore-based and deep-sea angling, including shore-based shark fishing. You can hire a local guide, who will take you to the best angling spots and will enrich your experience by sharing local knowledge and lore with you.

Accommodation will be at one of the Sea Breeze Guest House, Sam’s Giardino, The Stiltz, or the Hansa Hotel

General activities: Set between dry desert and fertile ocean, with its German-era buildings and unusual misty climate, Swakopmund is a place in which to relax and take time out. Stroll along the pleasant beachfront, relax at the chic Mole beach, visit the art galleries, and enjoy the good restaurants, most of which specialise in seafood. However, the town is also the springboard for, and site of, a host of other sights and activities, such as

*a slow trip down the coast, between dunes and ocean, to the nearby harbour and fishing port of Walvis Bay, visiting the lagoon - one of Southern Africa's foremost wetlands - with its thousands of water birds, including flamingos and pelicans;
* a visit to the seal colony at Cape Cross;
* a desert tour that includes the ancient welwitschia plants;
* a day trip in a 4X4 vehicle to Sandwich Harbour, a desert-fringed marine lagoon that is fed by the underground waters of the Kuiseb River;
* a cruise to view dolphins, seals, and other marine life;
* a visit to the singular (even quirky!) museum at Swakopmund;
* browsing for art works and bric-a-brac;
* a visit to the aquarium at Swakopmund;
* quad-biking, hang-gliding, and sand-boarding on the desert dunes.

Click here for a more comprehensive description of activities at the coast. Also click here for details of scenic flights from Swakopmund.

Day 13: Travel a short way up the coast to the holiday village of Henties Bay, where angling is a primary passion.

Here you will stay at the Ocean Pearl Hydro, with its splendid view over Rocky Bay. Non-angling members of the party can enjoy walks along the beach, or spoil themselves in the Hydro, having massages, hydrotherapy, aqua fitness treatment, reflexology treatment, or just relaxing. The spa also has a heated pool, whirlpools, steam bath, jacuzzi, sauna, and an in-house cosmetic studio. If you enjoy golf you can have a unique experience by playing on the desert course at Henties Bay.

[From here, or from Swakopmund, you could drive northwards to Terrace Bay – refer to EXTENSION ONE at the bottom of the page.]

Days 14, 15, and 16: Take a break from angling to visit world-renowned Etosha National Park. Either stay in the park itself, where there are three camps, or enjoy superior accommodation at the fine lodges on the western and eastern borders of the park.

Days 17 and 18: Drive north-eastwards to the Kavango region and the Kavango River, where you can stay at one of a number of riverside lodges that offer angling for bream and tiger fish.

[From here, you can drive to the Caprivi region for more river angling – refer to EXTENSION TWO at the bottom of the page.]

Day 19: Drive southwards towards Windhoek, breaking your journey at Okonjima Lodge where, although there is no angling, you can enjoy close acquaintance with fascinating big cats and learn about the work of the Africat Foundation.

Day 20: Drive to Windhoek.

EXTENSIONS TO YOUR ITINERARY

EXTENSION ONE: From Swakopmund, drive northwards into the Skeleton Coast Park, where you will stay at Terrace Bay in the bungalows that are operated by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. This is where you will find some of the finest shore-based angling in Southern Africa, if not amongst the best in the world.

EXTENSION TWO: Drive eastwards to the Caprivi region and stay at the waterside Namushasha Lodge, where you can angle in the Kwando River.

We offer no-obligation travel advice for Namibia and arrange personalised self-drive tours, select safaris, and vehicle hires, as well as fine lodges and other accommodation.