DHALA & SAMAKI TANZANIA
OVERVIEW
Dhala Camp (on the Mnyera River) and Samaki Camp (on the Ruhudji River) offer the adventurous fly fisherman a unique African fly fishing safari.
These tented bush camps, erected each season due to seasonal floods, ensure that the African safari experience is as integral to the trip as the trophy tigers you can expect to encounter.
Though not luxurious, the camps are practical and comfortable, providing guests and guides access to these amazing rivers.
INCLUDED
- Transfer from the airport to Seacliff on arrival.
- Transfer from Seacliff to charter flight on the morning of departure. Transfer charter terminal to the airport or Seacliff on arrival back in Dar es Salaam.
- Return charter flights from Dar es Salaam.
- 7 nights in camp – 6 days fishing on the Mnyera River. Fishing times sunrise to sunset.
- Access to 120km of waters + boats and fuel.
- Professional guiding.
- All meals, accommodation, water, soft drinks and limited beer.
- Fishing licences and concession fees.
- Tanzania Government Conservation Levy.
EXCLUDED
- Flights from Dar es Salaam. Please request details on international flight schedules to Dar es Salaam.
- Visas USD 50-100, depending on passport (at time of publishing).
- Any hotel accommodation and meals in Dar es Salaam before or after the tour.
- Wine, spirits – guests advised to bring their own wine and spirits from duty-free.
- Beers overallocated amount in camp.
- Guide and Staff Gratuities.
Passports & Visas
Valid passport and visa (obtainable on arrival) are required.
Currency
Tanzanian shillings are the official currency. US dollars are accepted for most transactions. These foreign exchange departments are at the Airport and your hotel. ONLY CASH ACCEPTED IN CAMP. PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING ENOUGH TO SETTLE TACKLE, DRINKS BILLS AND GRATUITIES.
Vaccine
Valid yellow fever inoculations are required. Please enquire with your local travel clinic.
Tanzania is a malaria area, please make sure you consult your doctor for suitable prophylactics.
Insurances
Comprehensive travel, medical, baggage, money and cancellation insurance are compulsory on all African Waters tours. This is the clients’ own responsibility and should be arranged in your country of origin.
Baggage
Please do not bring unnecessary weight to the lodge. We use charter planes for air transfers to and from the lodge.
OVERVIEW
Four anglers are hosted at each camp. On days 4 and 5, guests will transition between camps to experience both locations.
DHALA CAMP (Mnyera River)
Dhala Camp, with its 6 en-suite safari tents and central tented mess and lounge area, is your base on the
Mnyera River. Fall asleep to the rasping sounds of a leopard and wake to the rising sun and splashes of feeding tiger fish.
Each safari tent offers twin or double configurations and overlooks the river, providing a private setting with an en-suite shower and toilet.
Meals are enjoyed in the main central camp area under a thatched roof with river views. This area includes a small library, lounges, electric points for charging cameras and laptops, and a comprehensive fly-tying station.
There is limited cell reception at the main camp. Guests will require international roaming to be activated.
There is no internet available in the camp. There is a camp satellite phone for emergencies.
SAMAKI CAMP (Ruhudji River)
This rustic bush camp is your base on the Ruhudji River, the smaller sister of Dhala Camp, erected each season to provide access to these productive waters.
Samaki Camp comprises traditional safari tents, all en-suite with twin or double configurations.
The mess area is located in the shade of the riverside forest, though most meals are enjoyed alfresco under the stars on a beautiful sandbank in front of the camp.
Samaki Camp has no electricity.
GALLERY
The majority of the fishing is done off the drift. Here our attentions are focused on the river structure, which comprises fallen timber,
long sand banks, steep drop-off’s and rocky outcrops. When conditions dictate, we also make use of sand anchors and tying up to a structure midstream to focus our attention on a specific stretch of water.
All fishing is done off 18ft aluminium boats. These boats have been chosen for their application and are ideal for fishing the Mnyera
and Ruhudji Rivers. All boats are fitted with 15- 25 hp motors. Each boat caters for two anglers and their professional guide, as
well as a coxswain. Boats have ample storage areas and seating for three people. All boats are equipped with first aid equipment.
This river has received very little fishing pressure over the centuries, and with the controlled fly fishing venture, will continue to do
so. 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 15lbs.
Be prepared to have your tiger fishing paradigms shifted!
Rods & Reels:
TIGERFISH:
9’0” 9WT Fast action rod. Ideally, you have 2 rods, one rigged with a sinktip and the other with a floating line.
The ECHO EPR and ECHO Prime are our rods of choice.
Large arbor direct drive with solid drag. The Shilton SL9 is our reel of choice.
YELLOWFISH:
9’0” 5WT Fast action rod. The ECHO Trout X is our rods of choice.
Large arbor direct drive with solid drag. The Shilton CR3 is our reel of choice.
Tackle & Gear:
TIGERFISH:
Tigerfish brush fly (Tan)
Tigerfish brush fly (Black/Red)
Tigerfish brush fly (Olive)
Tiger Clouser (Olive over White)
Puma Deerhair Baitfish (Blacl/Red)
Puma Deerhair Baitfish (Tan)
Tigerfish Whistler(black/Purple)
Harley Shake
All flies to be tied on Gamakatsu SC15-2H hooks in #3/0 & #4/0 OR Tiemco SP6S in same sizes. NOTE: Gamakatsu B10S is not suited to these fish and the fishery.
YELLOWFISH: Selection of standard weighted Mayfly and Caddis Nymphs in size 12 – 16.
Please see the Travel Info PDF for more information on all travel, tackle & gear requirements.
GALLERY
