| Testimonial |
 Having been to many of the lodges on the Lower Zambezi we were thought we had seen and experienced it all before, well we could not have been more mistaken! We realised right from the moment when we were welcomed at the entrance of the lodge by a small herd of Elephant that this is going to be a trip of creating memories that we keep for along time to come. Chikwenya in ......... means scratch, well we found out that this does not apply to the fishing or wild life on this stretch of the lower Zambezi. The lodge is spectacular with luxuries seldom found like this in the bush. Each private air-conditioned chalet has it's own game viewing deck, private outside bath and shower so you can relax in the afternoon enjoying sundowners in your bath while watching the game parade pass by while on their way to the river.The first morning could not arrive fast enough and It was not long before for the obliging boat skippers got us into drifts hugging the structures hiding the river dogs not far from the lodge. From the spacious tracker pontoon boats were able to comfortably fish all around the structures and drop offs with ease. Using Cliff Rochester's H20 flies that he kindly supplied us with, we started catching small tigers almost at will and the first morning delivered our first tiger of 6pounds. Cliff has just brought out a range of flies that the tigers just would not leave alone and if anyone is planning trip to the river then they better contact Cliff and stock up on these flies. You live in fear of losing the last of these flies that you have because the guy next to you, who still has his, just keeps on getting bust up cast after cast. After the mornings fishing session we were spoilt with an out of Africa experience enjoying a hearty breakfast on an island in the middle of the river. We spent a little time after breakfast cooling off in the a sheltered shallow bay in the river while being watched by a pod of hippos in the distance.  The afternoon did not disappoint with the feisty tigers or the abundant wildlife on almost every bend or under every tree. The waters we were fishing in from part of the Lower Zambezi national park and this complimented the fishing. The afternoon delivered yet another surprise as we came across an unlucky young elephant that had died and there were hordes of huge crocodiles feasting on the carcass of this elephant. We watched this banquet while drifting along the banks of the river where the basking reptiles were trying to digest their hard won meal. Talking about meals, it was just after this that we were treated to a scrumptious brunch under the lapa which had view directly out of the movie "Out of Africa". The midday heat lured us into the pool and time stood still while we watched the wildlife chase the moving shade of the trees. What a way to finish a morning in Africa, in the pool watching wild dogs walk the open savannah while you sip on a frosty....you just have to pinch yourself because this is living a dream. The afternoon sessions on the river are heavenly and as the heat of the day starts to cool down the tigers start to heat up. Using the low light these ambush predators hug the structures and chase our flies with unbelievable turns of speed. Cast after cast we were just shouting On! On! off On! off as the tigers hit our flies to the point that when we got back to the lodge you were totally exhausted and your body aching from the frenetic activity that just took place. We woke up the following morning to a pack of wild dogs lying just in front of our room obviously exhausted from the previous nights hunt and a sunrise that begged for us to get out on the water. a quick bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee got us out onto the drop-offs and the excitement started right from the very first cats On!.... the four days went by so fast and my son Jarryd and I were just unbelievably fortunate to be able to share this amazing experience on the lower Zambezi together. To experience this type of luxury in the middle of the bush, this type of hospitality in a wildlife sanctuary and the fishing, well, it is like fishing in a trophy dam for tigers in the middle of Mala Mala. We had tigers smash our flies on almost every strip of the river we fished and we caught and released well over 60 fish between the four of us with the biggest been 12 pounds and many over the 5/6 pound mark. Obviously, being fisherman, we lost the big ones as we always do and they will lure us back this wonderful spot with the hope that this time time we want to see the size of the fish. I mean we were always going to put him back anyway.  Chikwenya, we know why they call it scratch. You sit back at the end of the day sipping your Bells and absorb the memory while you scratch your head thinking what a wonderful privilege it is just to share this land of abundance. Then you scratch your head a little bit more scheming a plan as to how you going to get back here. Don't wait the difference between living and existing are the memories you make along the way. Come fish Chikwenya come and live! To Gareth and his team a huge thanks to you for making so many memories for us. To the friends we made on the trip, Cliff, Graham, Ryan and Shane thanks for being part of such a wonderful experience. Cliffy your Tiger Tamer flies are the simply best. Stuart and Jarryd du Toit |