Mozambique is a Southeastern African country; it covers over 801,537 square kilometres and is the worlds 36th largest country. It shares land borders with Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa, and it also has a vast coastline with the Indian Ocean. The country features two topographical regions, divided by the Zambezi river. The landscape is varied, with rugged mountains and high plateaus to the west and coastal lowlands to the east. Its coastline is impressive and stretches for over 2,500 kilometres, and features a wide array of famous beaches and offshore marine parks. The waters of the Indian Ocean, off its coastline, are home to all manner of marine life and offer some excellent big game and shore fishing opportunities for the travelling angler. So much so Mozambique’s fishing lodges are earning themselves a reputation as some of the most extraordinary fishing destinations on the planet.
The warm water currents coupled with the extensive in-shore reef structures provide the ideal conditions for surf fishing. Over the years, species like huge GT’s, Pompano, Barracuda, King Mackerel, Kingfish, including the Giant Kingfish, Stumpnose, and a wide variety of different Rays have all thrived. As well as the shore fishing, there’s some spectacular big game fishing on offer, around areas such as the Bazaruto Archipelago, Inhaca, Nacala, Pemba and the Quirimbas Islands, with fishing for black marlin a particular draw.
Pomene Reserve is self-proclaimed as the Giant Trevally capital of Mozambique, offering some unrivalled sport from both the boat and shore. Based on just four anglers per week, this wild and remote destination is one of the most secluded and beautiful spots in the country, offering an intimate and extraordinary experience in a pristine setting.
Many Mozambique fishing lodges are based only metres from the shoreline, so you’re often right amongst some of the most fish-filled waters in the world. Fishing a mixture of clean sandy beaches, reefs and rocky outcrops, you can expect all manner of different saltwater species, ready to hammer your lure or bait.
Offshore, there are some fantastic big game fishing opportunities for all the blue water species, including the Blue, Black and Striped Marlin, Sailfish and Dorado. These are all targeted with traditional trolling methods, and you can expect some explosive action when one of the rods rips away.
Fly fishing in Mozambique often gets overlooked; however, that could soon all change, as the Bazaruto Archipelago now regularly throws up some of the world’s most giant Bonefish.
If you’re travelling to Mozambique and fancy trying your hand at fly fishing, why not read our blog on the 10 Top Tips to Improve Your Fly Fishing.
When talking about Mozambique fishing lodges and the species you can catch, you’re better off talking about the species you can’t catch, as the country and its coastline are brimming with marine life. Depending on whether you’re big game fishing, shore or fly fishing, you can target all manner of different species. Shore fishing with lures and bait, you can expect, Pompano, King Mackerel, Kingfish, Barracuda, Stumpnose, Giant Trevally and a wide variety of different, smaller Trevallies. Offshore you can experience all the big game and traditional blue water species and then fly fishing; you can target Queenfish, Ladyfish and Bonefish.
The fishing season generally runs from March to October, with March to July the peak time. There are better months for each species, though, depending on what you’d like to catch.
Mozambique has a tropical climate with two seasons a wet season from October to Match and a dry season from April to September. Conditions vary significantly, though, depending on altitude and where you are in the country. In Maputo, the average temperature ranges between 13-24 degrees Celsius in July and from 22-31 degrees Celsius in February.
Rainfall is heavy along the coast and decreases in the north and south, with annual precipitation varying from 500 to 900 mm depending on the region. Cyclones can be expected during the wet season too.
The camp is very remote; the drive through the African bush is an adventure of its own, so other than the fishing, there’s not too much else to do apart from exploring the local area and checking out the extraordinary wildlife and stunning scenery. The traditional South African braais (BBQ) at the beach is always something to look forward to, though.
You depart the UK and fly direct to Doha, where you will overnight in a hotel. In the morning, you will be transported to Maputo airport and make the connecting flight to Vilanculos. From there, a representative from Mozambique fishing lodges will drive you to the accommodation, a transfer of approximately 2.5 hours.