River God

[skydiver386]

I've seen several episodes of "This is Africa" with Andy Buchanan and the advertisement for River God cruise's down the Zambezi river. The Tiger fish and catfish look amazing, and I thought someone here might have gone on this river trip. The boss lady thinks Vic Falls, then a trip down the river would be a good idea.

If I've read correctly it's 6 days with nearly everything included.

Has anyone ever done this, or looked into booking such a trip?

 

[MontanaPat]

I’ve looked into it, seems like a fun trip especially with family along to experience Africa. It is a rather pricey per person trip though. I just got an email from them yesterday announcing they are soon launching a second boat identical to the first. The second boat will operate from the Zambian side of the river. The original boat operates from the Zimbabwe side

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Really do your research on water levels, best months and annual closures on the Zambian side.

Don’t miss out on the Vundu.

Cheers, Lon

 

[skydiver386]

Andy does a good job of explaining things. Looks like a fantastic trip on the river. Relaxing under those stars at night would be the most relaxing thing I could think of

 

[skydiver386]

I’ve looked into it, seems like a fun trip especially with family along to experience Africa. It is a rather pricey per person trip though. I just got an email from them yesterday announcing they are soon launching a second boat identical to the first. The second boat will operate from the Zambian side of the river. The original boat operates from the Zimbabwe side

Somewhere around $700 daily rate is what I gathered from a 3rd party website. Is that close to what you came up with?

 

[Beretta391]

That’s per person. I’m pretty sure if you’re the only one on the boat it’s 5,600$ per day. Boat holds 8 people. So if you’re a single boater it’s a lot more than 700 per day. We called and talked to them about going but we couldn’t find 6 like minded people to go with us to split the costs. Waiting to hear from anyone else that’s called them. That’s what i understand and they don’t mix groups.

 

[degoins]

That’s per person. I’m pretty sure if you’re the only one on the boat it’s 5,600$ per day. Boat holds 8 people. So if you’re a single boater it’s a lot more than 700 per day. We called and talked to them about going but we couldn’t find 6 like minded people to go with us to split the costs. Waiting to hear from anyone else that’s called them. That’s what i understand and they don’t mix groups.

Yikes!!!

 

[thi9elsp]

It looks like it is a minimum of four people - 1 person per tent or a maximum of 8 people. I found a 2021 price of $2,840 1 - 4 people or $4,000 7 - 8 people. I would just reach out to them, if they are like the sponsors on our site, they will be happy to respond and provide you more details.

 

[Doug3006]

I’d like to add a fishing trip to a big game hunt someday. They look like a good, but pricey, option. I wonder if they combine groups to get to the minimum of four?

 

[thi9elsp]

@Doug3006 The other option, depending on where you're hunting is a fishing lodge. In 2011 We were in Zimbabwe, Chewore north and had a one hour drive to Tafyka Fishing Lodge. Lon's comments about water levels, time of year, etc. are important. Although we caught some tigers over 1 1/2 days in mid-September, it was pretty slow. Maybe 10 total fish, mostly small 3 - 4 lbs. Ann caught one good one pushing 8 - 10 lbs and she caught a red-eye tilapia which we ate - very good.

After our Mozambique hunt in 2016, we stayed at Machangula Beach Lodge for a couple days. Ann caught a 200 lb blue marlin (catch and release) and a 20 lb yellowfin tuna - chef prepared as sushi for appetizer and grilled for dinner and he was ecstatic that he and his wife would get to eat the rest. That was early November.

 

[Beretta391]

I found my email with prices for 2025. 1-4 is 3,280$ per night. 5 people-3,900$. 6 people 4,236$ 7 people 4,571$ and 8 people 4,912$.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Cuan Meredith, owner of TCI taxidermy in Bulawayo, was /is the owner of River God. Not sure if partial or 100%. Good guy, and he’s always treated me right on taxidermy work. I know he is close friend with Dalton Tink of Dalton & York Safaris

 

[Sarg]

Looks like great fun trip but out of my league.

Does anyone know of or remember a fishing lodge on the banks of the Zambezi on the corner where the Deka River enters ?

I was there way back & it was a very cool little spot, with a little bar on the water edge, after I wrecked a lot of their gear I managed to catch a 12lb Tiger Fish, later mostly destroyed by the Taxidermist in Bulawayo !

 

[thi9elsp]

@Sarg A google map search found Sundowner Zambezi Lodge. A few others in the area too.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I fished the Zambezi last year while hunting in Matetsi. There are lots of options for day trips as well as fishing lodges for a couple of days that are a little more affordable. The months you’re there will greatly impact your success and the size of fish you’re catching. If interested, shoot me a PM and I can point you to a fishing lodge near the falls.

I might do another day or two next year when I’m done hunting in Zambia.