Sette Cama

Officially known as the Gabonese Republic, Gabon offers an unparalleled African fly-fishing adventure into the heart of West Africa’s most pristine and prolific coastal waters. With a backdrop of virgin tropical rainforests, anglers fish barefoot in the surf, often well into the middle of the night targeting some of the world’s largest tarpon. While Gabon is a hotspot for giant tarpon, it is equally, if not more famous for a host of additional, super-sized species including cubera snapper, African threadfin, Guinean barracuda, Senegal kob and longfin jacks. Guests will also fish a massive lagoon from boats. After fishing, guests will relax in a rustic jungle lodge on the southern border of Loango National Park. This trip is for the most adventurous anglers willing to travel, seemingly back in time, to rough it in an ecological Eden. More than a fishing trip, this is truly an out-of-this-world and once-in-a-lifetime African adventure. Guests are strongly encouraged to consider a very reasonably priced three-day add-on safari that offers an even more in-depth dive into the region’s bountiful wildlife, including lowland gorillas.

Sette Cama is located on a stretch of untouched coastline near one of Africa’s largest estuary systems. It offers adventuresome anglers the opportunity to target massive tarpon from the beach using both fly and conventional tackle. Much of the fishing occurs ocean-side or near the mouth of the estuary for species best target in middle of the night such massive cubera snapper, African threadfin, Senegal kob and possibly the largest tarpon found anywhere in the world. There is also superb fly fishing opportunities fishing out of the boat in the lagoon which focuses on longfin jacks, cubera and juvenile snapper, as well as Guinean barracuda. Anglers access the beach on foot and the lagoons in 18-foot pangas.

The Lodge has a small team of experienced, full-time South African guides. Each group of eight anglers is accompanied by two highly skilled and professional guides. The guides are all passionate about sportfishing, their home continent of Africa, are keen environmentalists, and qualified field guides with a wealth of angling and bush experience.

Sette Cama is located in an estuary on the boundary of the Loango National Park, offering an exclusive base from which to experience the fishing as well as the wildlife. Guests stay in a rustic wooden lodge in shared rooms, with ensuite bathrooms, and air-conditioning.

In addition to fishing, Sette Cama offers guests a safari add-on experience which includes an 18km jungle trek, two tent camps and three nights, four days of safari inside Loango National Park. This experience is highly recommended for anyone wanting to truly experience the wondrous wildlife inside Loango.

After departing Sette Cama by boat you will arrive to a small village and set out on an 18km trek through virgin jungle where you have the chance to fill the senses with all that this rich ecosystem offers. At the end of the hike, you’ll take a small skiff for a 20-mile journey on the Rembo Bongo river with opportunities to encounter a huge array of wildlife including elephants and hippos. About halfway on the river journey you’ll arrive to the beautiful Akaka Forest Camp for your first night, situated on the banks of the Rembo Bongo. After settling into your tent, enjoying lunch, and recharging with quick nap you’ll head back out for more wildlife viewing on the Rembo Bongo.

In the morning you’ll continue to the Max Plank Gorilla Institute where you set out with pygmy trackers to attempt to locate and spend time with a habituated group of wild western lowland gorillas. These endangered gorillas are looked after by the institute’s trackers and scientists, and this represents one of the only and best ways in the world to see them up close and on their terms. After the gorilla trek, you’ll continue to the Ndola Beach Camp for more boat-based, land cruiser style, guided walks and four wheeling safari excursions.

Loango National Park

Loango National Park is home to a stunning diversity of habitats within its 1,550-kilometer range. The park is ripe with 100 kilometers of uninhabited beach, untouched rain forests and vast mangrove forests. Loango National Park also includes part of the 220 square-kilometer Iguéla Lagoon, the only significant example of a western African lagoon system that is protected entirely within a national park. For animal lovers, Loango National Park is a true paradise on earth. Gabon holds one of the highest densities of wildlife in the world, and Loango National Park proudly shows off its bounty to the world: forest elephants, hippos, red forest buffalo, leopards, crocodiles, western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, sitatunga, duikers, a vast array of birds, a variety of different monkey species, and the world’s largest concentration of humpback whales and dolphins after South Africa. This area is also world-famous for its unique birds, including vermiculated fishing owls, chocolate-backed kingfishers and white-crested tiger herons, among many others. Those interested are encouraged to visit while it remains one of the few truly pristine places left on Earth.

• Day 1: Arrive Libreville, Gabon and overnight
• Day 2: Transfer to Gamba via charter flight, then boat transfer to Sette Cama, evening fishing
• Days 3 – 8: Six full days guided fishing.
• Day 9: Charter flight back to Libreville for flights home or overnight

Sample Itinerary w/ Safari Add-on:

• Day 1: Arrive Libreville, Gabon and overnight
• Day 2: Transfer to Gamba via charter flight, then boat transfer to Sette Cama, evening fishing
• Days 3 – 8: Six full days guided fishing.
• Day 9: Boat transfer to Sounga, 18km jungle trek, overnight Akaka Forest Camp
• Day 10: Boat transfer to Max Plank Gorilla Institute, gorilla trek, overnight Ndola Beach Camp
• Day 11: Boat-based game viewing, game drives or guided walk safaris at Ndola
• Day 12: 4X4 transfer to Port Gentil, commercial flight to Libreville, overnight Libreville
• Day 13: Depart Libreville for home

2026 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

• 7 night/6½ day package: $6,350
• 3 night/3 day Safari Add-on package: Approx. $5,000

Included: All accommodations at Sette Cama, guided fishing, fishing license and park entry fees

Not Included: Airfare, hotel in Port Gentil, alcohol, gratuities, fishing tackle, hotel, meals and transportation in Libreville (if required).

Species: Tarpon, longfin jacks, jack crevalle, cuberra snapper, brown snapper, senegalese kob, and giant African threadfin

Season: September - April

Capacity: 8 anglers

What are the top reasons to go?

• Experience the thrill of visiting Africa and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime
• Fish with flies and conventional tackle for supersized saltwater species including the largest tarpon in the world, African threadfin, cubera snapper, Senegal kob, longfin jacks and more
• Night fish a remote African beach and estuary mouth
• Fish for a range of snapper species and longfin jacks from a boat in an expansive and diverse lagoon system
• Experience incredible array of bird life as well as elephants, hippopotamus, red river hogs, forest buffalo, western lowland gorillas, sitatunga antelope, monkeys and much more

Who is best suited to this destination? This trip is best suited for true adventure seekers with a thirst to experience all that Africa has to offer. From its incredible array of wildlife to its bounty of supersized saltwater fish species, every day is packed with a new thrill and a new challenge. Guests should be self-sufficient with all aspects of angling and feel comfortable fishing without a guide. Guests should be physically fit and capable of walking 18 kilometers or more in a humid jungle environment (for the safari add-on), as well as accepting of fishing heavy rods through the night (sometimes between the hours of 8pm – 2am) in a blind casting scenario. Creature comforts are minimal and exposure to interactions with large and potentially dangerous African wildlife are the routine rather than the exception. African Waters’ South African guides are true professionals that do everything in their power to keep you safe, however, this trip is not without risk. Gabonese boatmen are adept at running on full plane in the middle of the night without modern navigational technology and it’s not uncommon to wade an active surf zone (with bull sharks at your feet) in complete darkness. All guests 65 years and older are required to seek a medical clearance from their doctor before being allowed on the trip.

Where is the lodge? Sette Cama is located on the Ndogo lagoon near the southern border of Loango National Park in Gabon, Africa.

How do I get there? Guests fly into Libreville, Gabon and overnight near the airport at a local hotel. The next day you’ll depart Libreville by aircraft for a short flight (approximately 30 minutes) to Gamba, Gabon. From Gamba, you’ll drive about 15 minutes to the Ndogo lagoon where you’ll board a boat to the lodge (approximately 40 minutes).

When should I go? Guests at Sette Cama fish through the rainy season from September to April. For anglers keen on fly fishing, it’s imperative to pay close attention to the tides as only ideal tidal coefficients are appropriate for fly fishing.

How will I fish? Anglers either fish barefoot from the beach at the mouth of the estuary with 12wt rods or from a boat inside the lagoon. While fishing from the boat, two anglers can fish simultaneously.  

Is there wade fishing? There are no wadable flats at this location, however, all the fishing while at the mouth is wade fishing while blind casting.

Where will I fish? Anglers will fish from a boat inside the lagoon or wade fish at the mouth of the estuary, either in the surf or on the lagoon side.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? It’s about a 25-minute boat ride to the lagoon mouth, while runs inside the lagoon can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as one hour.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Species of fish regularly caught are tarpon, longfin jacks, African threadfin, Senegal kob, and cubera snapper.

How many fish will I catch? Catch rates vary wildly at this location and while it’s not uncommon to have zero fish caught in a session, it’s also common to experience non-stop hookups for hours on end. Angler skill, your determination, your bravery (while fishing at night with bull sharks nearby), and tidal conditions all have huge impacts on angler catch rates. In general, landing fish pushing 200lbs in a current from the beach on fly gear carries with it a very low landing rate. Success should be measured by how many fish hooked and the experience of tangling with them.

Will I see other anglers? The only other anglers you will see are those from the village of Sette Cama that are fishing for sustenance. However, agreements are in place that anglers from the lodge have priority over the villagers. In the case where the villagers are fishing the mouth, they are required to vacate when anglers from the lodge arrive. The lodge pays handsome fees to the village for this right.

What are the guides like? The south African guides from African Waters are polite, experienced, professional, and skilled guides with a vast amount of experience. They are highly skilled anglers capable of adapting to any condition and have a vast knowledge of both fly and conventional angling techniques. The Gabonese boatmen speak only French and are helpful in the boat while capable of navigating in complete darkness. They are native to the village of Sette Cama.

What are the physical demands? This trip can be physically demanding. The safari add-on will require anglers to hike approximately 18 kilometers on relatively flat terrain in equatorial temperatures and humidity. Anglers are routinely asked to fish sessions that may extend through the night into the early morning, to take advantage of favorable tides and nocturnal fish. After long nighttime sessions it’s not uncommon to wake for a very early morning lagoon session. This means that midday naps are crucial and essential for survival. The somewhat nocturnal fishing program can mean that fatigue can be an issue for many.  As well, the demands of blind casting a 9wt - 12wt weight fly rods can take a toll on the body over the trip. Spending time conditioning your body before the trip is highly advised.

Are there any special skills required? Anglers should be capable of blind casting heavy-weight fly rods with sinking lines long distances for many hours, for multiple days in a row.  Anglers should also be well adept at managing all knots, tackle, rigging and casting rigors. Sette Cama guides are very helpful when available but there may only be two guides available for a camp of 6 – 8 anglers, so independence with your tackle is important.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge has a good assortment of both fly and conventional tackle available for a fee. Anglers should be well prepared before the trip with all the equipment they need for the trip.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? For the fishery at the mouth of the lagoon, the go-to setup is a fast action 12-weight rod with a full-sinking intermediate line. For the lagoon fishery, a 10-weight rod is ideal with both floating and a full-sinking intermediate lines.

What are the top flies? The top flies are assorted brush flies in black and tan for the evening sessions. Flies should be tied on 2/0 – 4/0 Gamakatsu SC15 hooks. Large sardina and mullet inspired flies are also advised for longfin jacks and snapper. Having a few flies that are weedless and suitable for fishing around mangrove branches and leaves are handy for snapper species. Color combinations in black, black/purple, white and red as well as various baitfish imitations work great.

What are the options if weather conditions become challenging? Anglers that visit Sette Cama should be ready, willing, and able to fish long hours in the rain in the middle of the night. Loango National Park sees on average around 150 inches of rain per year. To put this into perspective, the city of Seattle sees about 37 inches per year. The only weather event that may severely limit fishing is lightning. The guides at Sette Cama are cautious with lightning for good reason and may limit or close fishing altogether for safety reasons.

What is a typical day like? Anglers typically are awakened by the lodge manager for the morning fishing session somewhere between 5am – 7am depending on the tides. Coffee and continental breakfast are served, and anglers are in the boats a half-hour after waking up. Morning sessions are typically focused on the lagoon while fishing out of the boat with arrival back to camp somewhere between 10:30am – 12pm. Lunch is served around 12:30pm and everyone is typically down for naps between 1:30pm and 3:30pm. After waking up the excitement for the coming evening session kicks into gear with much rigging and prep work to be done. There’s typically time for some birding or walking the picturesque ocean-side beach and then dinner around 5:30pm – 7pm. The evening session typically begins with anglers jumping in the boats after dinner for the 30-minute ride to the mouth where everyone hops out and begins beach-fishing and surf casting at  night. Some evening sessions can extend to 2am. After the evening session you’ll transit back to camp and then promptly head to bed for the morning session only a few hours later.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? The lodge is a rustic and beautiful wood structure that sits on the banks of the Ndogo lagoon system. The main lodge features a comfortable wrap around deck that overlooks the lagoon. The lodge and guest cabins are typically surrounded by wildlife. A massive array of birds, elephants, snakes, and host of creepy crawlies are regularly encountered on the lodge grounds. There is a bar area and abundant outdoor dining and seating zones. The friendly and enjoyable south African guides are your hosts and there is always lively conversation surrounding the day’s adventures, the wildlife spotted, and the incredible fish hooked.

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? Yes, there are usually always 2 – 3 guides on site. They are your regular hosts and companions on the trip, whether you are dining, fishing, or trekking through the jungle.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Dining is outside on the lodge’s covered deck area. Cuisine is classically French with a lot of fresh fish, rice, pasta and casserole type dishes mixed in. The food is not fancy, but well-prepared, plentiful, and filling.

What is the alcohol policy? Alcohol may be purchased and brought to camp from the duty-free in Libreville or purchased onsite at the lodge. Alcohol and soft drinks are tallied on the honor system and then fees are calculated on the last night of the trip.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Accommodations are single cabins with either one or two anglers per room. All rooms feature air-conditioning with a private bathroom and running hot/cold water. 

Is there internet and/or cell service? Some cell phones may work onsite with international calling plans. For anglers that wish to use their carrier’s data plans, you can purchase a sim card at the airport after arrival for a nominal fee (approx. 7 euros). Wi-Fi is typically available from the main lodge, however, outages are regular.

Are there other activities? Beachgoing and birding are available from the Sette Cama camp. The three-night safari trek at the end of the trip is a wildly popular add-on experience and highly recommended for anyone wanting to truly experience the wondrous wildlife inside Loango National Park. The safari includes an 18km trek through the jungle from the Ndogo lagoon, just a short distance from the Sette Cama camp. At the end of the hike, you’ll embark on safari which starts at the Akaka Forest Camp, continues to the Max Plank Gorilla Institute, and finishes at the Ndola Beach Camp over three nights and four days. The safari add-on trip adds a unique and incredible experience to an already fantastic adventure at Sette Cama.

Are there any other expenses? All expenses in Libreville on the front and back end of the trip for the hotel and meals are not included.

Do I need a visa? Yes, included in your package with African Waters will be the appropriate e-visa that you’ll need for the trip. There is a 30-day minimum window to get the visa process completed before your trip.

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? All anglers are required to have a Yellow Fever vaccine administered at least 14 days prior to entering Gabon. As well, most visiting anglers will take a prophylactic prescription of an anti-malarial drug that you’ll need to get from your doctor. All anglers are required to have a current Global Rescue medical evacuation membership.

We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center For Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.