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Egypt
The Desert Lake Experience
A fishing safari on Lake Nasser is as close to the real meaning of the word “safari” as you are likely to find a style of mobile camping that combines comfort with the incredible experience of being out in real wilderness.
Most anglers visiting this unique desert lake for the first time catch the largest freshwater fish of their lives. Practically everyone achieves this goal and has an angling adventure they will never forget.
As well as terrific angling, Lake Nasser is a fantastic place to visit, where stunning desert scenery borders clean waters, which are in turn dotted with countless rocky outcrops and islands. There is an atmosphere of tranquillity, vastness and adventure as befits a wilderness where anglers have hundreds of square kilometres to themselves.
For anglers with a sense of adventure and a love of nature and the outdoors, you will find that our boat safaris fit the bill in every possible way.
Lake Nasser Safari
This safari is designed for anglers who would like to come on their own or with a friend and then join in the atmosphere of a sociable camp with other anglers. Anglers who would like to book a single place on a safari are very welcome; we will guarantee your place and find you a partner to fish with.
The safari unit is made of two or three fishing boats, supported by a supply boat (mother ship) that acts as a mobile camp and rest area. The supply boats are well equipped with built-in kitchen, toilet, shower and large iceboxes to keep food and drinks cold.
The Lake Nasser Safari starts every Tuesday from Aswan (or Graf Hussein) and ends on a Sunday and you can come on a safari for as many weeks as you want.
Abu Simbel Safari
It is difficult to comprehend the sheer size of Lake Nasser, with an area of 2,000 square miles and a shore line of some 4,500 miles; this lake is the size of an English county!
Because of the long distances we have been content to fish the top two thirds of the lake while the bottom third still remains relatively unexplored. We have now allocated three fishing boats and one supply boats (mother ship) to operating safaris between Garf Hussein and Abu Simbel on a few selected dates.
Prices are for 2 anglers sharing a fishing boat.
This new itinerary involves approximately 4 days exploring areas which have seldom been fished by us before. The current IGFA (International Game Fishing Association) all tackle world record, a Nile perch of 230lb, was caught by one of our American anglers in this area south of Amada.
An added bonus, on this safari, is a visit to the temples of Abu Simbel which are among the most magnificent monuments in the world.
Egypt Day Fishing
You can come on a Day Fishing trip on any day of the year. We will collect you from your hotel or cruise ship at 08.00am and then transfer you to your fishing boat for full day fishing. We return to Aswan at 4.30pm when we will transfer you back to your hotel or cruise ship.
An experienced fishing guide will captain the fishing boat. We provide each boat with up to three sets of rods, reels and a box of lures; you only have to pay extra if you loose any lures. A quality picnic lunch is included in the price and there is an ice box full of soft drinks and beer, which you have to pay for according to consumption. On a day trip a fishing boats will comfortably carry up to four people, with up to three fishing at a time.
Fishing Season
Generally speaking the year is divided into two seasons winter and summer (northern hemisphere).
Season A: from February to end of July
From approximately mid March through to the end of July the Nile perch can be found in shallow water. This is because Tilapia, the Nile perch’s principal prey, are spawning and then after spawning the huge population of Tilapia fry are growing up; all this takes place in water between 10 to 20 feet.
This is a good time of the year for shore fishing and fly-fishing. Trolling provides good sport using shallower lures. There are still a lot of big Nile Perch around but they tend to be less concentrated in one area than during Season B.
Season B: from mid October until end of January.
The lake is at its highest level and the Nile perch are found in deeper water. From observation we feel the bigger Nile perch are feeding up to get ready for spawning which takes place sometime in January / February. Year after year we capture bigger fish during this season and almost all these fish are caught trolling over underwater promontories and sunken islands. The winter months are not the best time for shore fishing. Also, fly-fishing is difficult because it is harder to get down to the fish lying in deeper water.
If you want to capture the big fish then Season B is your best bet. Season A will provide you with more action but the average size of the fish captured tends to be smaller. When referring to smaller Nile perch we mean fish between 15lb & 50lb, the bigger Nile perch can grow to 200lb+
We are often asked, "What can I expect to catch on a safari?" Fishing being fishing, who knows for sure? Most anglers can expect to capture at least one Nile perch of 50lb plus. Beyond that, anythings possible perhaps even another world record? We do not like to promise Nile perch of 100 pounds plus – they are there and they are often caught – we have broken the last 3 (IGFA approved) Nile perch all tackle world records with fish of over 200 pounds.
Boats Used
The fishing boats are built by The African Angler in Aswan and are designed for fishing safaris. Built for tough work in remote areas, each boat is fitted with long-range fuel tanks and plenty of storage area for your equipment.
Fishing Platform
The bow deck is flat, providing a forward casting area and there is an all round deck in case a quick manoeuvre is needed when that big fish takes a dive under the boat. The stern is a spacious trolling and casting area. And each boat is fitted with a fish-finder and weighing scales up to 220lb.
Accommodation
Each boat has comfortable on board sleeping facilities with two bunks each with full-size single mattress this area also provides spacious daytime seating. At night the cabin can be enclosed by canvas, providing a cosy sheltered sleeping area. Each boat cabin has a 12v lighting system.
Many anglers enjoy the unique and peaceful experience of sleeping under the desert stars on the wind-protected upper deck, which has a ladder access.
We provide each angler with a freshly laundered sleeping bag style sheet, pillow with fresh pillowcase and blankets.
This style of camping is comfortable but still maintains the adventurous atmosphere of being out in the wilds.
Stealth Boats
Stealth Boats provide anglers with an alternative fishing platform that can fish areas more quietly and efficiently than our standard fishing boats. The main fishing boats have to be big enough to live in and to carry all your personal belongings, and although they double up very well as a fishing platform the new stealth boat system defiantly has the advantage.
A Stealth Boat can be quietly drifted or rowed over underwater promontories or past rocky drop-offs, allowing anglers to cast lures, use live bait or wobble dead bait without the disturbance caused by a bigger boat. Stealth boats are 5.5 meters long, carry two anglers and a guide and can be towed by the larger boats between the fishing grounds. It is an awesomely exciting experience to catch a big fish in one of these smaller boats.
Chartering a stealth boat to use in addition to your regular fishing boat is not expensive when two people are sharing the cost. You can only book a Stealth Boat for the same number of days as the safari you have booked.
We have three types of Stealth boat:
Kestrel is a steel hulled boat and has a 25HP engine, which is ideal for quiet trolling. Cost £25 per day.
Rahma is a glass-fibre speed boat with a 55HP engine. This has the great advantage of being able to travel at up to 30MPH between fishing grounds, which is about four times faster than our normal fishing boats. This saves traveling time and as a result gives you a lot more concentrated fishing. She is also very light and easy to row and anchor off hot spots. Cost £40 per day.
King Fisher is a glass-fibre dingy with a 10HP engine she is very light and quiet and can fish hot spots like a ghost. Cost £12 per day.
Supply Boats
The supply boats carry the safari equipment, provisions, fuel, cooks, helpers etc. They have built-in kitchens, toilet and shower and large iceboxes to keep drinks cool. Marhaba the Lake Nasser Safari supply boat is fitted with a radio transmitter – receiver and keeps in contact with our base in Aswan at all times.
A supply boat enables comfortable camps to be set up close to the best fishing areas, even when the shoreline is rocky and inhospitable.
Most people are pleasantly surprised at the standard of food on safari. The style of cooking is a blend of western taste merged with Nubian cuisine, which is superb, so if you are planning on losing weight then think again!
Targeted Species
Nile perch are the largest freshwater fish in the world readily available to anglers. Research shows that Nile perch have a better chance of reaching record sizes in lakes than river systems; there is every indication that there are some very large fish still living in Lake Nasser.
Tiger Fish abound in the lake, and can grow to 16lb. The size and strength of a Nile perch is one thing, but for sheer sport on light tackle a Tiger takes a lot of beating. Not only is it a beautiful fish, but also its ferocious elegance will get any angler’s adrenaline going. Few fish have such a fierce fighting energy. A Tiger can leap clear of the water and throw your hook, break wire trace and generally wreak havoc on tackle.
There are 18 species of Catfish in the lake, of which two are of interest – Vundu and Bagrus. Some Catfish have been caught whilst trolling and a reasonable number at night using dead bait. They are definitely worth targeting – if you do hook a big cat it will give you an unforgettable fight.
Catch & Release Policy
The African Angler practices a strict catch and release policy however, from time to time we do kill the occasional Nile perch for the kitchen.
A Nile perch of 75lb can be up to 15 years old and when they reach 100lb they are 20 years old. These big fish are the main breeding fish and if we kill them we are wiping out future sport on Lake Nasser as well as our business.
Don’t kill with kindness. It’s not always a good idea to give away lures or fishing tackle to local fishermen we have proof that these lure are being used for commercial fishing where everything is killed.
Please be patient when you come to release your big catch. Sometimes the poor old fish is worn out after giving you his all in a hard fight and needs time and help to recover, live and breed again.
Arrival & Departure
Together with American Express, who is our handling agent in Cairo and Luxor, we have put together itineraries, which will take care of your travel arrangements from your first arrival until you board your homebound flight.
Arrival Itinerary
Day 1. On arrival in Egypt, an American Express representative will meet you at either Cairo or Luxor airport. You will be assisted through customs & immigration and then taken to a four star hotel for bed and breakfast.
Day 2. Transfer to either Cairo or Luxor airport for the flight to Aswan, with a flight arrival time in Aswan between 8.30 or 9.30am. At Aswan airport you will be met and then transferred the safari start point.
Departure Itinerary
Day 1. At the end of the safari you will be transferred from the lake to Aswan airport for the flight to Cairo or Luxor where you will be met and then taken to your hotel.
Day 2. Transfer to either Cairo or Luxor airport for your flight home. Help with immigration and customs is provided.
Included in the Arrival & Departure Package:
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Meeting & assistance at all airports in Egypt
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All transfers between airports, hotels and safari start point
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Two nights in a first class hotel with buffet bed and breakfast
All Safari Prices Include:
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Meeting & assistance at Aswan airport (or hotel) then transfers to and from the safari start point
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Use of fishing boats for 9 hours a day with an experienced English speaking fishing guide
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Mother ship (supply boat) with cook and safari crew
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Government tax’s and fishing permits
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Tipping in Aswan and on the safari
Not Included In the Safari Price
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A hotel supplement of £35 per person effects safaris starting between April 4 & 14 and between
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December 15 & January 6 2004.
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Fishing rods, reels & lures, these can be hired from the African Angler
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Soft drinks, beer and bottled water
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Tipping in Cairo and Luxor
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Laundry, drinks and personal items
If you are booking a single place on a safari, please pay for two anglers sharing a boat and we will find you a partner to fish with.
Prices start from £1600.
This price includes: Charter flights from Gatwick to Aswan, no overnight transfers, Straight into the fishing, 6 days Nile Perch safari aboard your 2 man trolling boat, 24 hr fishing available if you like, 2 Overnights B + B at 4 star Basma Hotel, All food and non alcoholic drinks, Use of large support boat throughout the safari, Meet and greet and transfers at all airports, Price above is based on 2 anglers sharing.
