Kenya

Kenya has a relative short three hundred mile coastline washed by the currents of the Indian Ocean.  It is bordered to the north by the Sudan and to the south by Tanzania.

Given its Commonwealth and good air links, coupled with what are very reasonable charter costs it is a favourite of many UK anglers.  But increasingly, given the growth in charter holidays, it is gaining in popularity with other European anglers.  And of course it is also popular with ex-pat anglers from the rest of East and Southern Africa.

The earliest reference I can find to its game fishing potential goes way back to the 1930s when Hemmingway, drawn to East Africa by its Big Game hunting potential, fished out of Malindi on a boat called Xanadu.  That first trip brought an assortment of species including Sailfish.

Sailfish are perhaps the mainstay of Kenya’s fisheries, but Striped, Black and Pacific Blue Marlin are also present, in season, in numbers.  And more recently, Kenyan skippers have developed night trolling techniques for catching reasonable numbers of Broadbill Swordfish.  Some have even been caught on fly fishing tackle!

As well as the billfish though there are significant numbers of shark species including Tiger Sharks that grow to in excess of 1000lbs.  And of course as with most blue water venues you can fish for the Tuna species, Dorado, Kingfish (Narrowbarred Mackerel) and Wahoo.  Of its numerous inshore species there are record-sized Giant Trevally, which the locals refer to as Karambesi.

Fishing is undertaken from a number of venues.  Starting in the south, some 50 miles south of Mombassa, is Shimoni with easy access to the fabled Pemba Channel.  Then, moving North, and situated close to Mombassa itself is Mtwapa Creek.  Some sixty miles north of Mombassa is Watamu, and a further twenty miles on is the resort of Malindi.  Fishing is also undertaken from Lamu Island.

I’ve identified below those operations our members have personally fish with.  As well as the best seasons for specific species certain of the web sites record details of current captures.  Just click on one of the 'hot links' below to access either the web site or fishing report.

Web Sites

Malindi - Kingfisher Boats

Malindi - Albatross Charters

Shimoni - Pemba Channel Fishing Club