Kilombero Valley fishing

The boys are back in the valley! After a long off-season of watching rain fall and monitoring water levels, the stoke to return for Kilombero Valley fishing has been sky-high. With bags packed and energy levels full, Blaede, Riley, Ryan, and I (Kyle) made our way back into the valley.

The biggest change this year? We’re finally back to normal water levels. After two tough seasons of high, cold water that made fishing challenging, the rivers are now in perfect shape. It almost feels like we are fishing completely different systems compared to last year.

With camp set up and looking incredible, it was time to take our first anglers out on the water—and what followed was the stuff of dreams.

Ruhudji River Action

Our first three days were spent on the Ruhudji. Anyone who has fished here knows how special this river is. Tight channels, big drop-offs, technical water, and a true wilderness backdrop—it has everything. While no very large fish were landed on the Ruhudji, the river produced strong numbers of tigerfish, consistently in the 4–8lb range. This is an encouraging sign for the season ahead.

Even better, a handful of fish pushed into double digits, showing that the Ruhudji is in great shape with healthy numbers across all size classes.

Fishing the Mnyera

Then came the Mnyera River—and once again, it delivered. Numbers weren’t as high as on the Ruhudji, but the quality stood out. Every rapid carried the anticipation of something special, and the river didn’t disappoint.

Several bigger fish were landed, including one that pushed the scale to 20lb. A 20lb tigerfish is a rare and remarkable catch—powerful, prehistoric-looking, and unforgettable. To connect with fish like this in water that resembles trout riffles is something few anglers ever get to experience.

Life in Camp

The week wasn’t just about the fishing. Evenings in camp were filled with good food, fires, music, and cold beers—everything that makes time in the Kilombero Valley so memorable. This place is more than a fishery; it’s an experience.

We’re energised for the season ahead and can’t wait to share more stories from the valley with you.

If you’ve ever dreamed of fishing the Kilombero Valley, now is the time. Get in touch to plan your Tanzania adventure and experience these rivers at their best.