Canoe Safaris on the Lower Zambezi

Feeling adventurous? These unique safaris are the only self-contained canoeing safaris on the Lower Zambezi River, and get you far from the well-trodden tourist trails and at eye level with some great wildlife in areas of outstandingly beautiful wilderness.

Zambezi canoe Safari : A short safari island hopping along the Zambezi, stopping short of Mana Pools National Park. 2 night/3 56km $400

Island Trail: Three nights, four-day through the middle Mana flood plain region of the Lower Zambezi. 3n/4d 76km $550 

5 in 1 River run: A four-night five-day adventurous canoeing safari through the flood plains of the middle Zambezi encompassing game drives, both night and day, a walk and a visit to a traditional fishing village. Canoeing safaris that extend over 4 days are re-supplied by vehicle and uplifted at the end of the safari by 4x4 Land Cruisers.4n/5d 78km
$690

Great Zambezi: A five-night six-day safari geared towards the canoeing enthusiast looking for that element of added excitement. This section of river passes through the floodplains of the middle Zambezi and the confines of the remote Mupata gorge, before ending at the confluence of the Luangwa River. On this section of river one can explore the numerous subsidiary channels, which are prolific in bird and animal life. 5n/6d 163km
$880*   requires minimum 4 clients 

ZAMBEZI EXPLORER SAFARI:
This long haul safari eight nights/nine days; you canoe the length of the lower Zambezi River in Zambia - from just below the Kariba Gorge to Feira on the Mozambique border. This is the longest canoe safari in this part of Africa – encompassing the entire length of the lower Zambezi River. Passing the fabled Mana Pools National Park and then the Lower Zambezi National Park – the safari starts downstream from the Kariba Dam Wall, below the Kariba Gorge and on through the flood plains and channels of the lower Zambezi River. 8n/9d 268km
$985* requires minimum 4 clients.
* if fewer clients rates increase a little

 Canoe safaris can also be combined easily with our Adventure Safari (Rafting, Canoeing, walking. Game drive) or a stay at a safari lodge in any or the key wildlife areas. Geographically, the section of Zambezi that you will be canoeing is otherwise know as the Middle Zambezi with the section of river in the Mana Pools region has the highest recorded numbers of game and bird life on the entire Zambezi River.

This small group professionally run safaris are kept to a manageable size of 5 canoes per safari maintaining an orderly group of canoeist on the water. These are participatory trips requiring you to get involved and participate in Paddling and making / breaking camp. All River guides have undertaken a rigorous guides training courses and are qualified to the National Parks recommendations having completed their training courses and passed their written exams. All guides have a minimum training period of two years prior to conducting their own tours. Guides who are qualified through the Dept of National Parks lead all canoeing and walking safaris. All clients are briefed on the safety aspects on a canoeing safari prior to the trips departure. Further instruction on canoe handling is done on the waters edge. No previous canoeing experience is necessary. The Island canoeing safari is generally relaxing and little physical exertion is required. However, at certain times of the year strong winds may occur which makes paddling more difficult at times - should this occur the guide will decide whether it is feasible to carry on canoeing or to stop for a while to wait for the wind to die down.

As the Valley can get extremely hot in the summer months (March is relatively cool in comparison), You start canoeing reasonably early to make the most of the cool part of the day, before stopping for breakfast.

A typical day will consist of the following routine:

Rise -Up at 6.30am for tea/coffee and biscuits before setting off on the river.

Breakfast - Between 8.30 and 9 am for approx 1 hour stop.

Lunch- Between 12pm and 2.30 (out of the mid day heat under the shade of a river bank tree.

Camp- You generally reach our island campsite by 5.30 where upon camp is set and snacks and dinner are served.

These are participatory and self-contained from the start to the finish of Safari carrying a carefully selected inventory of equipment to ensure that a reasonable Level of comfort is maintained.

Equipment:

Canoes 5.4 meter Canadian Canoes / x 5 flotation chambers

Capacity Two man - carrying capacity 320kg’s p/canoe

Cushion 1-inch foam seat cushions

Paddles Single bladed aluminium /fibreglass

Life Jackets Medium floatation

Sleeping Bags Standard with individual inner linings for each individual

Pillows Standard aircraft pillows

Tents Large two man dome tents with mosquito gauze protection

Mattresses ¾ inch compressed foam-folding mattresses

Chairs/Tables folding canvas chairs and camp tables

Cookers portable gas stove and bottles

Cutlery Steel knives, forks, spoons with melamine mugs, bowls and plates

Meals and drinks:

Wake Up- Tea/Coffee and biscuits before morning start

Lunches - Light cold meats, Chicken, salads, cheese, bread rolls

Dinners - Full beef or chicken dish with 3 veg and carbohydrate

Other - Cordials and purified water

Should you require any additional or alternative drinks these may be purchased prior to the safaris departure in Kariba. Cooler boxes and ice to facilitate keeping drinks cool although on longer trips you generally run out of ice, particularly in the hotter months.