3 nights / 4 days - Zambezi Island Canoe Trail

4 days

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3 nights / 4 days - Zambezi Island Canoe Trail
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind

This unique river experience encompasses much of what the best of the Zambezi River has to offer. 

These canoeing safaris are self-contained with all the safari equipment being carried in the canoes for the duration of the trip.

Guides prepare meals while the guests participate in erecting their tents, sorting out their bedding and general loading and off-loading of their canoes.

Daily Routine
During the hot summer months, early morning departures are encouraged to make the most of the cooler time and also to cover a reasonable distance before the wind may pick up. Deep shade is sought in the hottest part of the day for lunch breaks and rest. 

Canoeing continues to overnight stops as it becomes cooler again in the late afternoons.

About
  • 3 nights’ accommodation
  • Canoeing safari activities
  • Traditional Village Visit
  • All meals
  • Beverages
  • Treated water
  • Equipment
  • Qualified guides
  • Transfers to and from the immediate safari area
  • Return Airport Lusaka Transfers (to and from Lusaka)

  • National Park entry fees to be paid direct on arrival where applicable

Meals included in the package are:

  • Three meals a day, cordial soft drinks and treated water are supplied on every safari. 
  • However those wishing to bring their own bottled water may do so. 
  • Cooler boxes are provided for should clients wish to bring their own selection of beverages for the duration of the safari.

As a guide line on what to bring on your safari, clients are asked to keep luggage to minimum of +/- 7kgs. Excess baggage may be kept for safe keeping at our office for collection at the end of the safari.

  • Neutral coloured shorts and T-shirts, swimming costume for summer months.
  • Personal Toiletries and small towel
  • Canvas shoes or rafting sandals, a comfortable pair of hiking shoes where walks are involved
  • Hat with a wide brim
  • Jacket or sweater for the evenings
  • Shirts (including a long sleeved one for sun protection)
  • A kikoi (or sarong) to cover your legs to protect them from the sun
  • Torch or flashlight and extra batteries
  • Camera and accessories. Recharging facilites at River Horse
  • Binoculars, sun glasses
  • Sunscreen, Insect repellent
  • Warm clothes to sleep in for winter nights/light waterproof clothing for wet season
  • Personnel drinking flask for your canoe along with a dry bags for personal items if available

  • 50% Deposit on booking
  • Balance of payment is due 30 days before departure

Unless notified, meals will follow the program below. 

Please note that prior warning of at least 2 weeks is needed to cater for special diets or allergies to certain ingredients etc. 

The main dinners are in most cases pre-cooked and deep frozen prior to the safari, so it is important to have sufficient notice of what is required.

Early mornings:

These start with tea/coffee biscuits before setting off downstream after packing up canoes and clearing camp.

Breakfast:

Generally after several hours of canoeing, the trip will stop for everyone to stretch their legs while the guide prepares an English breakfast of tinned fruit; eggs, bacon, tomatoes and toast with marmalade or jam. Tea and coffee is served before starting off again.

Lunch:

An assortment of cold meats, green salads, rolls and cheeses are served, along with a variety of sauces and pickled vegetables to complete the meal.

Dinner:

Assortments of snacks are served followed by a full dinner consisting of beef, chicken or mutton as main course options with two green vegetables and a carbohydrate of potatoes, rice or pasta. Cordials / H20 are always available throughout the day.

Gallery
Itinerary
DAY ONE

Unless otherwise arranged, trips depart from Zambezi Breezes/Chirundu at 1030hrs on the morning of departure, after clients have been briefed by their guide. 

After an hour of canoeing there is a riverbank stop for lunch before paddling on to the first evening’s camp site on Kakomalala Island. 

This is a total canoeing distance of approximately 15km,predominantly through channels with an average of 3 - 4km/hour river flow rate. 

Arrival at the island is around 1700hrs and camp is then set up.

DAY TWO

The full day of canoeing, approx 25km. 

Approx. 0630hrs tea/coffee and biscuits depart 0730hrs downstream. 

Breakfast approx. 0830hrs – 0900hrs. 

Lunch approx. 1230hrs – 1430hrs in shade out of mid day sun. 

Proceed to Magurumeno or Mtondo Islands depending on distances covered weather permitting.

DAY THREE

Canoe through lower Zambezi flood plain region. 

Daily routine much the same as Day two although now well into the Mana section of the river. 

Overnight at Elephant or Nyamangwe Islands pending progress made.

DAY FOUR

Breakfast is had on the island before a leisurely 5 - 7km paddle to the take out point where the support vehicles are met. 

Canoes and equipment are loaded onto the vehicle and trailer before departing for the return journey to the through a wildlife area and several rural villages and dwellings. 

ETA Zambezi Breezes is 1430hrs allowing adequate time to connect onto Lusaka while it is still light or alternatively to spend an additional night at Zambezi Breezes on the banks of the Zambezi.

Location
Things to keep in mind
  • Bookings cancelled within 50 days prior to arrival are liable for 50% cancellation fee.
  • Bookings cancelled 30 days or less prior to arrival are liable for 100% cancellation fee.
  • Prices are per person sharing