Trip to AFRICA to go diving in the LAKES

[color]

I wonder who would be down to go in a couple of years to Lake Tanganika to go diving and catch your own fish. Hey to get certified diving license out here and your set. Do we have any license importers or anyone out here in east coast that knows the hook up. Not all crocs can swim deep.lol.... I was thinking wouldn't it be cheaper to go out there and bring some boxes back wit u and Some of your actuall wild caught fish. IF anyone out there has any experience either diveing or traveling let us know your experience out there. I would love to hear some stories and see some actual pics if you can show us. Hey you only live once if the price is right I would really would like to plan a group trip.... I know George Fear in Shark Aquarium runs trips like this but I believe in South America only .
I thought this would be cool!lol.......
I personally have a fear of flying lol................................

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

Ad Konings runs them every year. I was going to go once with him but it was like $6,000.00 so I went to Peru instead and with bringing back 200 fish it only cost me like $3000.00. I am up for it in a few years. Maybe that can be our first EastCoastCichlids sponsored trip? :teehee:

[spyder]

What part of peru did you? I have family in Ecuador which is next to peru. My dad has told me stories of being in the amazon and actually seeing Arowannas jump out the water to catch birds! I would be down to go if I had that type of bread laying around.

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

I was near Iquitos on the Amazon going up and down the tributaries.

[color]

Hey YAP thats a good Idea. Who better than not to go with the man that swims in the lake.

Hey spyder that sounds crazy man... I remember watching on NGC about the amazon people liveing on trees that were like a 100feet high... Imagine using the bathroom lol....................


Hopefully the site can sponser 5 guys a year...lol................Proceeds from future auctions......:oh:

[Pam Chin]

Sadly Tanganyika is a logistic nitemare. The most popular way to go is via Zambia. Even Ad has passed on going the last few years. It is a 16 hour drive from the closest airport, there are many check points to cross before you ever reach the lake. Traveling without someone who knows how to get thru these check points is what can be very scary. Once at the lake, everything you need, would have to come with you. There is no power, there is no refrigeration. The boats are primitive at best. You are not allowed to take fish out of the country. You have to be a total cichlidiot to go knowing these terms!

Out on the lake these days it is typical to have your gas confiscated by the Zambia Military, this may sound scary, but not nearly as scary as what can happen to you if you wander over the Congo border.

Tanganyika is full of crocs, Water Cobra's, AK-47's and so many Tropheus you will wet your pants!

Tanganyika, sure I am game to go again! But only if I was sure that I was going with someone who knows how to get me in and out safely. Right now most will tell you it really isn't safe in Zambia, or even thru Tanzania.

Malawi is a different story, things are much more stable, the logistics are more realistic, and the people are genuinely happy to make sure you have a good time. And while ideally you would want to have someone like Konings on trip like this, it is possible to go with seasoned hobbyists who have gone before, like Larry Johnson.

I just returned from Malawi 3 weeks ago, and had a blast. We went into Zambia from Malawi for an animal safari. No problems getting in to Zambia, it was a mere $135.00 for a 3 year visa. However, crossing back from Zambia into Malawi was another story. I had a US passport and had no problems, but some in our group did not and we had some issues, but nothing that time and money couldn't take care of.

So I am ready, I already have my Zambia visa!

Cichlid Power!
Pam

[color]

Hey Pam I will take your word for that. Malawi sounds better to me...lol......
Thanks for sharing the info Pam. I am in no rush to go to tanganika...:grenade:....

Hey Pam do you have any pics of your field trip you can possibly post? Now I have to just cross my fingers one day they can resolve issuess out there in Lake Tanganika :grenade:. God Bless America.

I will have to apply for my zambia visa as well....

[Pam Chin]

Do I have pictures!!!

I showed up with my cool wardrobe of Safari and Swimwear fashions! And my handy dandy automatic digital camera! I went with guys that brought only the clothes on their backs because every inch of their luggage was for camera equipment. I mean I knew it would be futile for me to bring a camera for underwater shots, but I usually do pretty good with the above water shots! But I could not keep with this group that was averaging over 1000 pics per day per person. There were days I didn't even bother to pull out my camera!!!

But ahhhh the advantages of going with your best cichlid friends; it is a given that everyone shares their photo's! And with digital technology and laptop computers we burned copies before we even left the country. It was fabulous! But it is going to take me a year to sort thru them all.

So stay tuned, I am sure there will be a lot of photo's surfacing on this trip.

Cichlid Power!
Pam

[color]

Sounds COOL!!!

[vinman]

Loking foward to seeing some pics

[ValleyAquatics]

Their are a few companies over at Lake Tanganyika that you can safely dive for fish.....they also will export your fish for you. It is a VERY doable trip....it just comes down to money.

If the time comes and you guys want to do a trip, I'm down. I just need to get my diving certification.

Tanzania is safer then people are saying......I have family that goes every year. It's just about who you know.

Zambia is even safer then Tanzania.

[vinman]

Their are a few companies over at Lake Tanganyika that you can safely dive for fish.....they also will export your fish for you. It is a VERY doable trip....it just comes down to money.


Can you supply any info such as contact information . I'm sure we all would like to know how to contact these companys.

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

Pam it's so great to see you posting here, especially about your Malawi experiences and Tanganyika. I too heard and read how it is not best to travel to Tanganyika.
One question I have is how is it with Lake Victoria? I have friends/Missionaries who are about 50 miles from there and want the wife and I to come over for two weeks some year. I would love to take a few days visiting the lake.

[ValleyAquatics]

Can you supply any info such as contact information . I'm sure we all would like to know how to contact these companys.

I would have to clear it with the party, but will find out.