Fishing in Kenya with Heritage Hotels
Fishing on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast is highly revered in fishing circles with many dedicated fishermen returning to Kenya each year during the season, which runs from early September to the middle of April. The early part of the season is renounced for the yellow fin tuna run, with record catches in the 90kg range but regular catches in the 20kg+ range. The sailfish arrive around August and remain throughout the season, joined by marlin, particularly during January/February. The most common is the striped marlin, although blue and black are caught. Kenya supports a tag and release program for the billfish. Trevellay of all varieties, dorado, sharks, kingfish, wahoo and barracuda frequent our waters.
Heritage Hotels are able to make a fishing holiday a success. At Kipungani in Lamu, on the northern boarders of Kenya, you can stay in the most peaceful and relaxing environment on the remote southern most point of the island, away from the hustle and bustle of the town life where donkeys are the only form of transport other than water taxis. You can stroll on the empty beaches; relax in the care of Kipungani staff who know how to make their guests feel very special. Accommodation is in locally constructed dwellings giving it a flavor of pure simplicity with all the finer points of hot showers and flushing toilets. Kipungani has a very special atmosphere. The fishing grounds are generally to the north of the island. Around Kiwayu where there is a good record of sailfish catches in particular. There is also the opportunity to fish south towards the northern banks. Guests would need to pre-book any fishing excursions, which are normally eight -our charters in order to avoid disappointment. Prices on request as they vary seasonally.
Booking can be made through the hotel to Andy Roberts on 0734203108 or via email at sales@heritagehotels.co.ke.
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Heritage Hotels also offers you the Voyager Beach Resort , a hotel run on a nautical theme, with all inclusive water sports and glass bottom boat excursions and hosts a 5 Star PADI IDC centre. It is also the only hotel on the Mombasa North Coast which boasts its own designated sports fishing boat, moored off the hotel so the fishing grounds are only minutes away. The boat, Kusi, is a 29-foot Chris craft equipped with marine radios, gps, fish finders, marine toilet and normally fishes with between 6 and 9 rods including a downrigger and outriggers. The nature of the fishing experience is enhanced by the catch being brought back to the hotel to be weighed in amidst the envious spectators. This means no road travel to pick up your charter and your non-fishing holiday partners can share your enjoyment. However non-fisherman also enjoy the relative calm of our seas. With the majority of fish being caught within the sight of land although deeper sea excursions are necessary to hunt the marlin. Voyager Beach Resort is a great place for first time fishermen who would like to taste the thrills with a 4-hour charter, particularly if fishing alone. Once again pre-booking is essential to avoid disappointment. Prices at the Voyager are US$320 for a 4-hour charter, $440 for a 6-hour charter and $560 for an 8-hour charter, the boat is manned with a captain and crew and the price including all bait and soft drinks and water.
Bookings can be made direct through Cynthia Barnes at cmbarnes@wananchi.com.
