Nile perch

Murchison Falls

Nile Perch Fishing Trip - Uganda

Nile Perch Paradise Murchison Falls

The group tour starts when you leave your home country. You fly over Addis Ababa. It usually takes about seven hours to fly to Addis Ababa. You will fly from Addis Ababa to Entebbe. The flight takes about two hours. When you arrive in Entebbe, you will go to a small guesthouse in the suburbs. You will spend the evening enjoying good food and cool drinks in Entebbe.

The next morning, we will drive for six hours to Murchsion Falls National Park. You will drive through beautiful countryside, cross the equator and then arrive at your safari camp in the afternoon. Here, two guests share the simple but comfortable safari tents. Each tent has its own toilet and shower.

You can then use the evening to set up your fishing equipment or enjoy the fantastic view over the Nile. Eating a good dinner makes the day better.

The Fishing

The fishing day normally starts at around 5:30 with a good breakfast at the lodge. We will pick you up right at the jetty of the lodge. It will be at 7:15 in the morning. Two anglers share the small aluminium boats. These boats have enough space for two anglers to fish with spin or live bait. These are the usual fishing techniques used in Uganda to catch big Nile perch.

Spin fishing is a good option for people who like fishing. You fish in different places in the river with medium spinning rods and fake lures. Large paddle tails have proven to be particularly effective. But wobblers and jerk baits are also good lures for catching fish.

The Nile itself has different sections, which you can explore in your fishing section. The river’s path is winding and it makes some slow-moving parts here. The Nile perch usually lives in fast-moving water or in deep pools where hippos swim. These areas are the hot spots in the lower part of the river.

Fishing below the Murchison Falls

You can fish below the waterfall with artificial lures, such as wobblers and soft baits. You can also fish the huge reversers with live bait using the balloon mount. Both of these fishing methods have proven to be successful.

Fishing with baitfish is also a good idea. You can fish with simple basic rigs or, as we’ve already explained, with the balloon or float rig at the various points. When bottom fishing, the bait is usually placed from the boat. As well as catching Nile perch, you can also catch different types of catfish when fishing with baitfish. There are two types of catfish in the Nile: Vundu catfish and various species of African river catfish.

Awakas are used as bait. You have to catch these fish at the start of the fishing day with a light rod and floats. Usually, the bait buckets fill up quickly.

At around midday, there is a tasty packed lunch which you can enjoy in the shade. You can have your lunch on the shore, below the waterfall or on the boat. In Uganda, it can get very hot at midday. Temperatures above 35 °C are not unusual. So, when you’re fishing, it’s best to spread out your strength.

The fishing day ends with everyone arriving back at the lodge between 5 and 6pm. When you get to the lodge, you can watch the sunset and enjoy the amazing view of the Nile while you have a cold beer.

Spin- & Bait Fishing for Nile Perch

Awakas are used as bait. You have to catch these fish at the start of the fishing day with a light rod and floats. Usually, the bait buckets fill up quickly.

The fishing day ends with everyone arriving back at the lodge between 5 and 6pm. When you get to the lodge, you can watch the sunset and enjoy the amazing view of the Nile while you have a cold beer.

The departure

On the day you leave, you will leave the lodge after breakfast. The return journey takes about six hours and you will be taken directly to the airport. You might be able to have lunch in Entebbe, depending on when you’re leaving.

The return flight leaves around 6.30pm and, as on the way there, you fly back to your departure airport via Addis Ababa. You will get there the next day!

Accommodation Uganda Fishing Trip

The accommodation

Murchison Falls

Murchison River Lodge

The Murchison River Lodge is located on a hill with a great view of the Nile. There is no fence around the lodge, so it’s easy to spot wildlife!

The lodge has different types of rooms. You will stay in covered safari tents during your trip.

Two guests share a safari tent. These have two single beds and a private bathroom. Mosquito nets are available for the beds.

There is solar lighting in the tents, but no high-voltage sockets. You can charge your phone using the USB stations. If you need to charge your camera or other devices, there are charging stations in the main area.

The lodge has a great shared area with a bar and views of the Nile. All meals are served in the main area.

You can only use the internet in the Pool Lounge. There is a pool with loungers, showers and toilets here too.

Catering

Meals: Full Board

Beverages: Water is provided during fishing, additional drinks can be paid on site according to consumption

Entebbe

Papyrus Guest House

The Papyrus Guest House is a stylish hotel near the airport.

All rooms have their own bathroom, as well as two single beds, mosquito nets and seating on the terrace where you can relax.

The guesthouse has its own restaurant and free internet.

Catering

Meals: breakfast included

Beverages: Drinks can be paid on site according to consumption

Your fishing boats in Uganda!

The Boats

During your stay in Uganda you will have four aluminum boats at your disposal. The boats offer space for two anglers and are sufficiently motorized!

Boat Fishing

2 Anglers per boat

For fishing from the boat, you use one of the four aluminum boats. The boats have a good engine and have a modular awning and comfortable seats.

You can spin fish from the boat or fish with bait. A bait fish tank as well as a cool box are also available on the boats.

Shore Fishing

Murchison Falls

In Uganda, you can also fish from the shore below Murchison Falls. This is the only way to get to the pools below the falls. There you can spin fish or fish with natural bait!

The moorings for the boats are located below the last strong current areas. So, you have to walk to below the falls! Good shoes are therefore recommended!

You need this fishing gear in Uganda!

Tackle Talk

If you want to go fishing in Uganda, you will need three different types of rod. A medium-weight PE6-8 spinning rod for catching Nile perch, a PE8 popper rod for fishing with baitfish and a light match rod for catching baitfish.

Soft baits, wobblers and jerk baits are used as artificial baits. If you’re fishing with natural bait, you’ll need to use bottom leads, catfish floats, large circle hooks, single hooks and treble hooks.

You need these spinning lures for Nile perch!

Spinfishing for Nile Perch

There are different types of lures that are used in Uganda for spin fishing for Nile perch. Large soft baits with heavy lead heads are very effective. The soft baits should be between 16 and 25 centimeters long. The Zeck Fishing Butcher & Rippler is a great lure! The Lunker City Shakers 7″ and 8″ are also good.

As well as soft baits, wobblers that swim in the shallows and deeper waters are also very good. The Rapala Super Shad Rap and similar wobblers that are 15 cm long are great.

The Halco Lazer Pro 190 is also a good wobbler for the strong current found below waterfalls. The wobblers should be able to dive to depths between 2 and 6 meters.

Jerk baits are also great for the slow parts of the river. The Hybrida J1 Tropic is perfect for this!

Try using large spinnerbaits, like the Westin Monster Vibe with 45g.

How do I catch baitfish for Nile perch?

Catching Baitfish

If you want to catch baitfish, you need a match rod or a light spinning rod. The rod should not be too long. Fishing for baitfish works best with a floater.

So, it’s a good idea to bring a few floaters. The rig is completed with small gold hooks in different sizes, clamping lead, float stoppers and a few small swivels.

Water balls also work well as floats. The best shapes are the ones that are short and compact.

The best lines and leaders for Nile perch fishing!

Leader & Main Line

For Nile perch spin fishing, you’ll need a leader between 80 and 150 lbs. When choosing leaders, it’s best to go for quality brands like Fishermen, Varivas, Nomad or Climax. When fishing with natural bait, you can use braided or monofilament leaders.

The main lines should be high-performance PE lines. When spin fishing for Nile perch, you need a PE5 (50lbs load capacity) minimum. For natural bait fishing, you should use at least PE8 (80lbs carrying capacity). Some good lines are Gosen Diver x8, Daiwa J-Braid x8, JB Line One and other high-performance lines.

Terminal Tackle

Hooks & Terminal Tackle

We can’t compromise on this. Please only bring hooks from the BKK brand. Bring the GT-Rex hooks in the lures that are the right size.

Explosive and solid rings should be able to hold at least 220 lbs. Super-Heavy-Duty Snap Rings (Solidrings #7.5 – #9) (Snap Rings #10 – #11) are a good choice here.

As jig heads, we can recommend the Zeck Screw-in Jig Heads between 28-45g.

Circle hooks measuring 6/0 to 8/0 are used for fishing with natural bait. Mustad has different types of hooks available.

Helpful tools for your fishing trip!

Other fishing equipment

It is a good idea to bring a pair of split ring pliers. We recommend the hPa Game Plier split ring pliers. This means you can open very strong split rings easily.

It’s also a good idea to have a waterproof bag for your boat. The company Zeck Fishing has some great fishing bags. We recommend the Tackle Container Pro or the Tackle Container Pro Catfish!

You often throw for several hours, so we recommend that you bring a pair of good gloves with you.

It can get very hot in Uganda, so we recommend wearing UV protection shirts, a sun hat and LF50 sunscreen! You can order our Expeditions UV shirts directly from us.

Good polarized sunglasses are essential for fishing. We recommend glasses from gloryfy unbreakable. The best polarized sunglasses for anglers currently available are also indestructible!

You can take a closer look at the gloryfy unbreakable polarized sunglasses for anglers here: Polarized Sunglasses for Anglers!