Africa - Big Game Fishing in Kenya

Country: Kenya

Season: October -April

Species: Marlin, sailfish, tuna etc.

Tour format: Individual tours

Accommodation: Hotel/Safari Lodge

Price from:€2,249-

Travel consultant: Atlantik Travel

Email: atlantik@atlantik.dk 

 

 

With its position on the coast of East Africa, just south of the equator, Kenya is the perfect destination for sun-loving big game anglers to test themselves against the giants on the Indian Ocean.

For many, Kenya is famous for being one of the best places to see Africa's wild animals, or for being the setting for the film "Out of Africa". BUT Kenya has much more to offer, not least first class big game fishing. Kenya has a coastline of around 500km, and in its centre, 100km north of Mombasa lies Malindi, our chosen destination. 

Malindi is home to a well organised big game fishing fleet, which includes our partners Kingfisher. The town has around 30,000 inhabitants, and fishing has always played an important part in the life of the people here. You can still see some of the locals fishing from the beach with nets, and enjoy watching the quaint, traditional fishing boats sailing out to sea. Another important activity is woodcarving, and the large handicrafts market - where you can see 600 artisans at their work - is well worth a visit.

BIG GAME FISHING from MALINDI

The Indian Ocean offers a wealth of great big game fishing along the Kenyan coast, not least off Malindi. Only a few minutes after you leave the harbor you can start seeing the first signs of gulls gathering around a "bait ball". These are shoals of sardines coralled together, and trapped on the surface by predators such as bonito, tuna, kingfish, wahoo and dorado attacking them from below. This activity in turn attracts the larger predators such as sailfish and marlin. It is here you start fishing. This area is famous for its sailfish, and it has been said that there are few places in the world that offer better fishing for this fantastic, hard fighting gamefish.

In recent years more and more attention has been paid to the big game fishing for marlin, and more marlin are now being caught here than ever before. Three species of marlin are found here: black marlin, blue marlin and striped marlin. As swordfish and spearfish also swim in these waters, it is one of the very few places in the world where a the dream of all big game fisherman  a "fantasy slam" - catching 5 species of billfish in one day - can be achieved.

The great thing about big game fishing here is that, in addition to the sailfish and marlin, many other species can feature as a bi-catch: tuna, wahoo, kingfish, dorado, barracuda and bonito all take the same baits as sailfish: Wether you hook a yellowfin tuna that dives straight down into the depths of the ocean - or a wildly jumping wahoo, dorado or kingfish, a day out big game fishing from Malindi is never boring. Sailfish are the most import catch, and a day without any contact with a sailfish is a rarity. It is not unusual for a boat to catch a number of sailfish during a single day, and there are reports of catches of upto 16 sailfish per big game boat per day.

On a big game fishing trip with Kingfisher, one of Atlantik's clients landed a blue marlin of 873lbs and a wahoo that was amongst the biggest ever landed by Kingfisher.

Kingfisher, our partners in Kenya, are amongst the longest established charter boat operations in the country (they have been in business for over 40 years), and they are specialists in big game fishing. This family owned company also offers photo safaris in Tsavo National Park, which gives you the chance of staying in a classic tented safari camp, out in the African bush. 

Kingfisher offers the following, fully equipped big game boats with professional crews: Tina - a 34ft Striker and Neptune - a 35ft Bertram, captained repectively  by the brothers Adrian and Angus. Snark, a 31ft custom built sportsfisher, is skippered by Salim Abed, while Snowgoose,a 37ft custom built sportsfisher has Nick Conway as skipper.

Kingfisher also offers inshore fishing, bottom fishing and fly fishing for angers that prefer to fish closer to shore for smaller species such as giant trevally, kingfish, barracuda etc.. The 25ft fibreglass boat "Malachite" is the ideal platform for this type of fishing, and can be hired on a hourly basis -although Kingfisher does recommend a minimum of 6 hours per day.

The big game fishing season runs from July to the end of March. Kingfisher's boats and skippers are internationally well known and have appeared in TV sportfishing programs over much of the world. Kingfisher holds various Kenyan, All African and World big game fishing records. In March 1995 the largest blue marlin ever caught off Kenya - a fish weighing 1,250lbs was caught by Neptune.

A typical day big game fishing starts at 6.30 a.m. when our guests will be collected from their hotel. The harbour is only a few minutes frive away, and is a hive of activity at this time of the morning, with crew members and expectant fishermans boarding the big game boats.

Just a few minutes after leaving the harbour the crew start rigging the fishing gear. The big game boats fish with a spread of upto 10 rods, and use both artificial lures and natural baits. Only 10-15 minutes from Malindi the fishing starts in earnest - here there is the possibility of sailfish, kingfish, dorado, barracuda and bonito striking one of the baits. After 1/2 to 1 hours sailing, you can reach hot-spots such as "Marlin Bay", where it is possible to find marlin - the heavy weights of the Kenyan game fishing world.

As is usual when big game fishing, the most commonly used techique is trolling, and the boat only lies still when a hooked fish is being fought. Typically you fish until around 13.30 and arive back in Malindi around 14.30. Most anglers find that this is plenty of time at sea and are ready for a dip in one of the hotels 3 swimming pools once they get back. However, if you would like to fish more, you can extent the charter by up to 3 hours on payment of a supplement. If you are targeting big marlin, then you should count on fishing all day, circa. 10 hrs, as this fishery is best further off shore.

There is room on the boats for up to 4 anglers together with 1 - 2 guests. It goes without saying that the fewer the number of anglers on the boat, the more turns they will each have "at strike"! While you are fishing, refreshments will be served in the form of soft drinks.

On your return to Malindi. your catch will be weighed, and it be possible to be photographed with your catch. All fish caugh belong to the boat, but if you wish to take back part of your catch for your dinner, you can arrange this in advance.

Hotel Scorpio Villas

From amongst Malindi's many hotels we have selected to recommend the Hotel Scorpio Villas for fishermen and their families. Scorpio Villas features beautifully decorated bungalows, which are available with either 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. They all have a well equipped kitchen with a fridge, bathrooms and large terrace. Another thing they all have in common is that they are furnished with traditional, hand carved furniture in the old Lamu style. We have included half board in our featured package, but if you wish, you can choose to stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

The  hotel's bungalows are discretely placed in beautiful, well tended tropical gardens. The same holds true for the 3 swimming pools. If you would like to so down to the sea, a small path from the hotel leads down to a lovely white sand beach.

Scorpio Villas is the perfect place to spend a relaxed holiday, that can be spiced up with visits to many different local attractions.

Other Activities

On top of the first class big game fishing, there are many other activities available to take part in. Together with the hotel, Kingfisher arranges safaris which offer you the chance of staying in a traditional, fully equipped, camp. All meals, soft drinks and beer are included with your stay. You can choose a 1, 2 or 3 day safari to one or more of Kenya's famous National Parks eg. Tsavo. These safaris are a great way of experienceing Africa's magnificant wildlife in it's natural surroundings. You can arrange to travel in a landrover, minibus or even a light aircraft.

The hotel can also arrange a 1-2 days sight seeing tour to Mombassa, or a trip to Malindi Marine Park. On a visit here you sail out to a protected coral reef where you can see colourful tropical fish either through the bottom of the glass bottom boat or when out snorkelling.

There are plenty of opportunities for scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, playing tennis and golf. These are just a few of the tings that you can do, you could even hire one of the hotels 4wd Suzuki jeeps and go off sightseeing on your own. 

If you enjoy going out in the evening, Nairobi  offers a lively nightlife with a piano bar, casino and a number of nightclubs.

Flights

We fly via Amsterdam to Nairobi with Kenya Airways/KLM and then further on to Malindi with a domestic flight. 

Suggested Itineary:

Day 1 : Departure from home airport

Day 2: Arrival in Malindi and transfer to Scorpio Villas

Day 3: Full days fishing

Day 4: Free

Day 5: Full days fishing

Day 6: Full days fishing

Day 7: Free

Day 8: Full days fishing

Day 9: Depart Malindi

Day 10: Arrival at home airport

 

Prices per person:

Low season: 16th March - 14th December

w. 2 anglers       €2,575-

w. 3 anglers       €2,375-

w. 4 anglers       €1,625-

non-angler         €1,700-

 

High season: 15th December - 15th March

 w. 2 anglers       €2,825-

w. 3 anglers        €2,450-

w. 4 anglers        €2,250-

non-angler          €1,700-

The prices are based on fishing from Eclare, Tina or Snowgoose. Supplement for Neptune €130,- per day.

Supplement for extra days fishing from €490 for the boat.

Contact Atlantik Travel for an offer for your dream trip to Kenya tel.++ 45 70 20 38 86 or e-mail atlantik@atlantik.dk