Shackletons
Zambezi River, Western Province, Zambia, Livingstone 20100 Zambia
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#9 of 43 lodges in Livingstone
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Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge is located in the flood plain region of the upper Zambezi River in Zambia. This places Shackletons Lodge right in the middle of 'Tiger Country', the premier venue for awesome tigerfish. These rich tiger fishing grounds are less than 5 minutes by boat from the lodge. Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge is Zambia's premier venue for trophy tigerfish, bream and catfish. We cater for fly fishing, spin and lure anglers of all levels. Shackletons accommodates 12 people in thatched, en-suite chalets with private teak decks overlooking the magnificent Zambezi River. The Van Togo bar, sun-downer deck, lounge, library, open dining area, swimming pool and fire pit provide guests with unparalleled vistas of the Zambezi River. The upper Zambezi River lodge is home to over 300 bird species that can be spotted at the Lodge or by boat along the Zambezi River banks and in the tranquil river channels. At Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge you, your family and friends will be truly spoilt by the exciting tiger fishing, the pristine waters of the magnificent upper Zambezi River, glorious Zambezi sunsets, Zambian culture, abundant bird life, the peace and tranquillity of the Lodge, great home-grown food, and the unsurpassed friendly hospitality of the Shackletons' people.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Internet
Pool
Free breakfast
Bar / lounge
Airport transportation
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Restaurant
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Non-smoking rooms
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Location
Zambezi River, Western Province, Zambia, Livingstone 20100 Zambia
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90Reviews2Q+A25Room tips
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Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
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Comfortable chalets, great food, quality boats, friendly helpful staff, great fishing - all set on the wonderful Zambezi. What more could one hope for? in all respects, I find it difficult to find fault with Shackletons.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
After our exciting 2 week land tour in Namibia in June, 6 of us decided to go Tiger Fishing in Zambia at Shackleton’s for 3 nights. James Murray was the lodge representative dealing with the logistics with Wild Horizons since we were flying in from Windhoek to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe for a short one hour tour before heading to the lodge. Thankfully, we were offered last minute boat transfer from Mombova to avoid poor road conditions (while the luggage went by car). There was so much to see along the river although it can be dangerous to travel after sunset due to hippos in the area. Crossing 2 borders required 3 different guides/drivers, one of whom was “a border crossing specialist”. Fishing was challenging given the fact that none of us have caught Tiger Fish before. Some were more successful with live bait and others by trolling. The largest was 5 kg and the fish did put up a fight. Strictly catch and release. Our guides were very keen for us to catch something. A 6 kg catfish was also caught and given to the villagers nearby. In total between the 6 of us, we landed 20 or so Tiger fish in 2 days of fishing. Live bait costs $6 usd per boat (didn’t seem to matter how many fish were used) and if lures were lost, the clients were billed. The accommodations were described as “rustic” by previous visitors and they certainly are. Food was abundant and tasty, lots of vegetables, and mostly chicken or pork buffet style for dinner. Essentially cereal and cookies with coffee/tea for early breakfast prior to fishing at 6:00 am followed by full English breakfast around 11:30 am. Since they use generators for power, there was limited use during the day, from 11:30 to 12:30 and from 6:30-9:30 pm. They do have solar powered lights in the chalets which may last up to 30-60 mins with continuous use. This can be problematic for those requiring CPAP machine at night if you don’t have a powerpack. Wifi is available at the dining area but can be spotty. Luckily, Namibia is close by and the Namibia SIM card still worked. Surprisingly, the return transfer from Shackleton's to Kasane, Botswana was not as smooth since we were dropped off at a different border crossing located at the Kazungula bridge and we barely made it to the Kasane airport. Good news is, no line up at the ticket counter and they were able to check our luggage all the way home. …
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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Room Tip: It can be cold in the mornings and evenings especially in June. Bring enough clothes
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Best experience ever,staff are amazing,food is the best ever!! And the fishing is absolutely fantastic! Plenty big fish..Best of all is a big thank you to Howard and sherie for the amazing hospitality
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
I almost don’t want to make this great review because I want to be able to return and it not be booked full but Shackletons deserves the great rating. Everything in their control was outstanding. The weather was very hot but that’s when the good fishing for big tigers is. The fishing was excellent, our guide Obed knew where and how to fish for big fish. He also had no problem letting me try some tactics I wanted to try. We have fished all over the world and this place is one of the best. It’s really easy to be a good lodge when things go right but you really shine when you show how you deal with problems. The throttle cable on our boat broke, that happens, no problem at all to me I understand but how they handled it was perfect. They brought two boats to us on the river and we left to fish in one and the mechanics towed our broke down boat back with the other. It was done flawlessly. Exactly how it should have been done. We caught huge tiger fish!! My wife caught the lodge record at 23.5 pounds and we both had others of 20. Food was excellent and Obed is a great guide. We will be back in winter for the other species of fish and to enjoy the hospitality of the staff. Excellent work all around from the airport pick up to the drop off at Victoria Falls Waterfront Lodge.…
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
I can tell you, with affirmation, that if you're looking for one of the most prolific tigerfishing destinations on the entire Zambezi...this is it. The fishing is incredible!!! Every person in the entire group (11 people in total) landed tigerfish over 10lbs. I personnaly landed a 20lb tigerfish. You will have dozens of opportunities to hook fish every day...it's just up to you to make it stick. The lodge and rooms are beautiful with everything you may need! Unfortunately they are certain timings for the generator. The food was unbelievable, really blown away with what they can produce on such a remote place.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
We had an awesome experience visiting Shackleton Tiger fishing lodge. The setting is spectacular, on the banks of the Zambezi. Beautiful trees and lawn area, all immaculately kept. The staff were wonderful, friendly, helpful and attentive. The rooms were very comfortable....lovely linens, mosquito nets,everything one could possibly need. The food...wow! All meals were excellent, fresh and beautifully prepared. We were fetched from Katima Mulilo airport and transferred to the camp. With Howard taking us through two boarder crossings...it was totally hassle free. Thank you Howard and Sherry, you helped make our trip a very special one. We will definitely be back.
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Date of stay: March 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Lets start with the background: - I am by far not a fisherman, but I am in the hospitality industry over 35 years (over 25 years in Southern Africa) - I have had experiences with Tiger fishing in the past in a lodge called Nxamaseri on the mouth of the Okavango River (someone known as the finest Gentleman in the world of hospitality industry, historian, story teller and above all: a fine fisherman: Mr. Peter-John BESTELINK. this was in that time an awesome experience This were our expectations to go, visit & expericence Shackletons. - We drove from Rundu/Katima Mulilo; pass the painful border post to Shackletons...It was such a pitty to see the devastation that this all Caprivi Strip has become (which was the jewel of Wildlife in this part of the world). - We also where traveling during the Zambian Independance Day (which the locals are parting and drinking for 5 days until there is no tomorrow - you hear on the river the loud music and drums all night long and even at 7 am in the morning on this pristine river which gets abused without any controls over the local fisherman (all mosquito nets which were distributed by the UN ends up in the river as a fantastic fishing nets)...this is were the local guide gets their life bait from. I felt like crying !!! - The lodge and the staff are really trying hard to satisfied ourselves with very good quality of food, price of drinks are quite average...but you can only pay your bill in cash ?!? They are ways and means to get credit cards - As mentioned by few other visitors, valuable fishing time is wasted trying to get descent life-bait...when reporting this to the camp manager: "We are not responsible for the bait" surely, something could be done to give the tools to the local guide - Having said this, the local guide at great equipment for us (tackles, roads, hooks, etc...) - We did caught in our 3 nights (a 3.5 kgs tiger for myself and my wife a 6.5 kgs). - the tip of the iceberg was the apologetic Camp manager saying to us how sorry he is that we could not go fishing on our day of departure, because he could not get a local guide to come with us as they all either were driving to Livingstone to pickup a group of 12 new clients or the other guides did not wanted to come and work and preferred to party. - I end up by saying: I will not put this lodge on my website or advertise and send clients their if the bare necessity of fishing can not be supplied (bait & guides) - I do believe strongly in education and nature conservation...over the last 40 years or so that Shackletons's existance, I blame them for not putting enough awareness into their local community...I am tired to hear: It is someone's else's problem. Having said all of this, it was a great feeling to fight these 2 tiger out. Olivier DUFFAR …
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Date of stay: October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
We visited the Shackleton Lodge (recommended to us by a friend) as a family of 5 for 6 nights as we wanted to experience the Zambezi and the fishing we have heard so much about. We weren’t disappointed! The Lodge is very well positioned, elevated and looking out over the Zambezi. There is plenty of space, great grass areas which are kept immaculate by the staff and is surrounded by natural vegetation. The staff are attentive and really went out of their way to look after us. Meals were excellent and diverse with a different offering each day. The fishing was brilliant. Each chalet is given a boat and river guide which we used once in the morning and once in the afternoon with some lazy cruises thrown in between. The guides are all very experienced and knew exactly where to take us each day which made for some very successful fishing. They were also very knowledgeable on the local wildlife. Transfers are arranged by the Lodge and were hassle free. All in all an excellent trip which I would highly recommend.…
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
We loved visiting Shackleton Tiger Fishing Lodge. Everything about Shackletons is spectacular in a very understated way. The setting is among beautiful trees, green lawns and a deck under a Jakkalsbessie tree, overlooking the river. So were the rooms: We appreciated the functionality of everything and attention to detail in the rooms, fresh clean cotton linen, mosquito nets, layout and quality was just right. I also felt safe at all times. The bird life is abundant and any birding enthusiasts dream. The white sandy riverbanks, sunrises and sunsets over the water was breathtaking. The domestic nature of sometimes seeing people, children, cattle, pigs, donkey’s and fishermen on mocorro’s was so peaceful and charming and definitely not bothersome. The river is absolutely beautiful and clean. I was a little disappointed with the perceived amount of fish being caught (or we were just lousy fishermen;), especially what the future bodes for the people that depends on fishing for their livelihood and also the ecological value of the river system. Our guides (we used 2 boats with different guides) were very knowledgeable and helpful, endeavoring to make fishing an absolute pleasure. Getting live bait, a good spot and using good gear to give each person the best possible opportunity to land a Tiger. Our success was their success and our failures was their failure. They were really committed and a pleasure to engage with. Hippo’s were plentiful and not too many crocs.... although the wildlife was otherwise regretfully scarce. We experienced our (owner run) hosts to be committed, extremely competent and obviously passionate about the Lodge and everything was running smoothly, like a well oiled machine. They knew exactly how involved to be with all their guests and we found them to be very professional and friendly. The food was incredible! To be so far from a supply chain and yet ; to deliver such yummy food was an accomplishment in itself. We are foodies and love quality, so we were pleasantly surprised with the standard, quality and quantity of the meals. Fresh herbs, organic meats and vegetables prepared perfectly for 12 guests each time, absolutely superb👌🏻. Well done Sherry, Howard and staff! We will definitely be back.…
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Date of stay: October 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Shackletons, Owner at Shackletons
Responded 8 Oct 2018
Thank you very much for taking the time to do a review on your recent tiger fishing safari at Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge. We really look forward to hosting you and your family again in the near future. All the best, Team Shackletons.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Returned to the lodge for the fifth time between 15 and 20 July 2018. Cold and windy weather played havoc with the fishing,but our stay was as great as previous visits. The Lodge's high standards have been maintained over the years,a credit to Howard and his team. Food and accommodation excellent as always. See you next season !!!
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Date of stay: July 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
Rooms
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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LOCATION
ZambiaSouthern ProvinceLivingstone
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
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Frequently Asked Questions about Shackletons
What are some of the property amenities at Shackletons?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Shackletons?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Shackletons?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Shackletons have airport transportation?
Yes, Shackletons offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.