Dhala and Samaki Camps – Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers, Tanzania

In the Kilombero Valley, the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers offer one of the last remaining freshwater fishing frontiers in the world. Situated deep in the wilds of Tanzania, the Kilombero river system of up to 100km including 7km of rapids, is teeming with world record sized 20lb+ tiger fish.

Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers, Tanzania

In the past, trophy tiger fish have been classified as fish above 10 lbs.  This bench mark has been shattered with the average fish in this system coming home at just under 8lbs.  Here fisherman have a real opportunity of landing tiger fish of over 20lb’s, with shots at multiple trophy fish on a daily basis. In fresh water this is almost unheard of.  Now combine this fact with the speed, strength, aerial antics and aggressive nature of the tiger fish, and dump it all in two rivers flowing through one of the words last true wilderness areas, home to big game, and then you may begin to get an idea of just how unique the twin fisheries of the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers really are.

Season: August 1st – November 20th

Species: Tigerfish

Trip Itinerary: Saturday to Saturday 

Group Size: Group size of 8 anglers. These are split between the 2 camps in groups of 4.

Accommodation: Safari Tented Camp and Fly Camp

Safari Experience

DHALLA Camp (on the Mnyera River) and Samaki Camp (on the Ruhudji River) offer the adventurous fly fisherman a unique African fly fishing safari. Tented bush camps erected on each river ensure that the African safari experience is as much a part of this trip as the trophy tigers you can expect to encounter. Camps are not luxury, and due to the seasonal floods are built from scratch each season, they are practical and comfortable and allow guests and guides access to these amazing rivers

Camp Life

DHALLA CAMP(Mnyera River)

This tented camp is the base for your stay on the Mnyera River. The camp consists of 4 tents with twin or double configurations. All tents have a view overlooking the river. All tents are en suite, offering a shower and toilet. Tents are set up with twin configuration. Fall asleep to the sound of a rasping leopard, and wake up with the rising sun and splashes of feeding tiger fish, all in the privacy of your safari tent.

Meals are enjoyed in the main central camp area under thatched roof over looking the river. A covered lounge, dining room and living area completes the main camp. This area contains a small library, lounges, and electric points for charging cameras and laptops, and a comprehensive fly tying station.

SAMAKI CAMP(Ruhudji River)

This rustic bush camp is your base on the Ruhudji River. It too is erected each season and is the smaller sister of Dhalla Camp. Its location on the banks of the Ruhudji River allows access to these productive waters. Samaki camp comprises of traditional Safari tents, all en suite, with twin or double configurations. The mess area is situated in the shade of the river side forest, although most meals are enjoyed alfresco, under the stars on a beautiful sandbank in front of the camp. Samaki camp has no electricity.

Photos

Dhala Camp (main camp on the Mnyera River) and Samaki Camp (on the Ruhudji River), owned and run by the premier hunting outfitting company Kilombero North Safaris, offer the adventurous fly fisherman the ultimate African fly fishing safari. Guests have access to over 120km on two adjacent rivers, 7 km of rapids and a unique camping operation which allows us to fish remote stretches of these unspoiled rivers. Bush camps and mobile fly camping (mobile tents erected prior to our arrival) under the African stars ensure that the African safari experience is as much a part of this trip as the trophy tigers you can expect to encounter.

The majority of the fishing is done off the drift. Here our attentions are focused on the river structure which comprises logs, long sand banks, steep drop-off’s and rocky outcrops.  When conditions dictate we also make use of sand anchors and tying up to structures mid stream to focus our attention on a specific stretch of water.  All fishing is done off 16ft aluminium boats.

This river has received very little fishing pressure over the centuries. KNS and TF have strict fisheries and anti poaching controls in place to ensure that this system remains as pristine as it was 100 years ago.  The system is also extremely rich in bait fish (predominantly red finned barbs).  The combination of these factors has resulted in this population of tiger fish obtaining otherwise unheard of sizes. Trophy fish in this system are measured above 20lbs.  Be prepared to have you fly fishing paradigms shifted!

Photos

Reels

• Large arbour direct drive with good drag – Shilton SL 6 is perfect.
• Reels must be loaded with at least 150 meters of 30 lb backing.

Fly Rods

• Fast actions 9wht rods, three or four piece if possible for travelling.
• Bring at least one spare rod.

Lines Tigerfish

• Sci Angler 350G Streamer Express (or 350G tropic Express) which will match up well with a 9wht rod. This is an intermediate running line with 9.1 meter 350grain (roughly 7 Inches per Second) head. This is the default line and used most often. Sci Angler make the best line in this class, so don’t substitute.
• Full length WF Intermediate Line (tropical).

Flies

• Black over purple whistlers in 3/0.
• Olive and White whistler 3/0.
• Blue and white whistler 3/0.
• Steve Farrar Bait Fish Patterns Size 3/0 in Black, black over grey, olive over grey, blue over white.
• Brush flies Size 3/0 and 4/0 in Olive, rainbow, tan, blue and white, all black, black over grey.
• Clousers tied on 2/0 hooks in black, red and black, fire tiger, grey and black, Olive and grey, blue over white.
• EP bait fish Size 3/0 – black, black and grey, olive and white, blue and white, rainbow, black and red, yellow and black.
• Deer Hair Baitfish 3/0 and 4/0 in Olive, Black and Red, Black and Blue, Yellow and Black.

Your Final destination will be Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Julius Nyerere International Airport is Tanzania\'s hub airport. It currently has two terminals, with domestic and international flights departing from Terminal Two, and charters and light aircraft departing from Terminal One. Verify the departure terminal when purchasing your ticket.

Trip Itinerary:

Day 1: Early morning Private Charter from Dar Es Salaam to camp, where you will be met by the guides team, transferred to camp, and briefed on your weeks stay.

Day 2 to Day 7: Six Full days fishing on the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers. Each Camp takes four guests, and each guest has the opportunity to spend 3 days on each river, in Dhala and Samaki camps respectively.

Day 8: Morning Private Charter back to Dar Es Salaam