Zambezi Canoe Safari
8 Days Starting and ending in Lusaka
Visiting: Zambezi River, Chiawa Game Management Area, Lower Zambezi National Park, Lusaka
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WZC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Encounter the spectacular wildlife and incredible scenery of Zambia in as intimate and active way as possible. The mighty Zambezi is an excellent location for a canoe safari. Camping on secluded beaches, the days are spent relishing magnificent scenery and abundant game, while passing the ever-present basking crocodiles and hippos. Away from the water, we have plenty of time for game walks and drives to experience the diverse wildlife and remarkable scenery this region offers.
This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample contributes directly to the eBioAtlas, the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Lusaka; Transfer To The Zambezi River
Location: Zambezi River
Accommodation Name: Wild camping (semi-participatory)
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
We gather at Lusaka Airport for our transfer to the Zambezi River. Most of this journey to the start of the safari is on tar road with the last section along a bush dirt track, meaning a change to a 4x4 vehicle is necessary. Depending on the time we arrive at the Zambezi River, we cross over to our evening campsite on Nyamumba island by canoe or motorboat. Dinner is prepared by the guide.
Please note: If you’re booking your own flights, do not book one arriving after midday.
Accommodation: Wild camping (semi-participatory)
Day 2 - 4 : Three Days Of Canoeing And Wildlife Watching On The Zambezi River, Camping On Remote Islands
Location: Zambezi River
Accommodation Name: Wild camping (semi-participatory)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have three days canoeing with early starts, as it is often better to canoe in the early hours when it is not so hot and, more importantly, when the easterly head wind is weakest. The pace is moderate, which allows us to make the most of our wildlife-viewing opportunities. We look for elephants feeding on the banks, basking crocodiles and numerous colourful bird species including the magnificent African fish eagle. The list of species we spot may include buffalos, baboons, vervet monkeys, pied kingfishers, goliath herons, carmine bee eaters and maybe even lions. We frequently pass hippo pods basking in the deeper water, who will no doubt keep an eye on us! There are few signs of human habitation throughout our time on the river. Lunches and breakfasts are either taken on islands or on the riverbanks.
Accommodation: Wild camping (semi-participatory)
Distance covered: 12mi (20km) per day on average
Day 5 : Morning Canoeing; Afternoon Game Walk And Drive In Chiawa Game Management Area
Location: Chiawa Game Management Area
Accommodation Name: Fly camp in Game Management Area (comfortable)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We canoe to the Chiawa Game Management Area, which is 11mi (18km) from the Lower Zambezi National Park, just opposite the Mana Pools, where we spend the night in our fly camp on the mainland. This is a wildlife-rich area and renowned for numerous elephant sightings. It is also home to warthogs, waterbucks, impalas, kudus and rare samango monkeys, with many riverine bird species including the lilac-breasted roller. We have an afternoon game walk or game drive through the reserve, where we hope to spot other nocturnal species such as genets, civets, hyenas, porcupines, aardvarks and, if we’re really lucky, the elusive leopard.
Accommodation: Fly camp in Game Management Area
Day 6 : Canoe To Lower Zambezi National Park; Morning Game Walk; Afternoon Game Drive Back To Camp
Location: Lower Zambezi National Park
Accommodation Name: Fly camp in Game Management Area (comfortable)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we canoe from the Chiawa Game Management Area into the Lower Zambezi National Park (approximately 5mi/8km downstream). We have a morning game walk with a guide, and then lunch in the park under the shade of the trees or on the banks of the Zambezi River. After lunch, we are taken on a game drive through the park back to our fly camp on the riverbanks of the Game Management Area. If river water levels are too high in winter (May-July) – which can happen when excess water is released from Lake Kariba – we may use a boat transfer as certain road crossings may be flooded.
Accommodation: Fly camp in Game Management Area
Day 7 : Transfer To Our Riverside Camp
Location: Zambezi River
Accommodation Name: Zambezi Breezes or similar (semi-participatory)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We are transferred by road from our bush camp in the Game Management Area to Zambezi Breezes. Should river conditions necessitate, we may use a boat transfer where required.
Accommodation: Zambezi Breezes or similar (semi-participatory)
Day 8 : Transfer To Lusaka; End
Location: Lusaka
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have an early start today. After breakfast, we transfer approximately four to five hours to Lusaka where our tour ends in the late morning. If you’d like the adventure to continue, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners
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All accommodation
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners are included.
Meals are prepared for you but group members are asked to assist in preparation and washing up.
Typical meals
Breakfast: Cereals or coffee and toast plus a fried breakfast on most days
Lunch: Fresh salads, cold meats, cheese, bread, condiments, fruit
Evening meal (biggest meal of the day): Stews, pasta, curry, local cuisine
Vegetarians can be catered for but, given the difficulties of preparing different meals while wild camping, the variety of food may be limited.
Please indicate special dietary requirements (eg vegetarian or allergies) when booking. We supply the following drinks: fruit squash served throughout, and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner.
There is always a plentiful supply of chlorinated water available (sometimes even chilled!) and we encourage you to drink water throughout the day to avoid dehydration.
All other beverages are at your own expense and can be purchased at the supermarket in Lusaka prior to travelling to the river.
Accommodation
We spend four nights camping in two-person dome tents and three nights in set-up bush camps with showers, toilets and large tents.
The camping is semi-participatory. You are asked to assist with camp chores and have to put up and dismantle your own tents on the canoeing safari. Most nights are spent wild camping with no facilities provided. All camping equipment is provided.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Zambezi Canoe Safari?
The accommodation includes four nights of camping in two-person dome tents and three nights in set-up bush camps with showers, toilets, and large tents. The camping is semi-participatory, meaning you will assist with camp chores and set up and dismantle your own tents during the canoeing safari. All camping equipment is provided.
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What wildlife can I expect to see during the canoeing safari on the Zambezi River?
During the canoeing safari, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including elephants feeding on the banks, basking crocodiles, and numerous bird species such as the African fish eagle, pied kingfishers, and goliath herons. You may also spot buffalos, baboons, vervet monkeys, carmine bee eaters, and possibly lions. Hippo pods are frequently seen in the deeper waters.
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What meals are included in the Zambezi Canoe Safari?
All breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners are included in the safari. Meals are prepared for you, but group members are asked to assist in preparation and washing up. Breakfast typically includes cereals or coffee and toast, with a fried breakfast on most days. Lunch consists of fresh salads, cold meats, cheese, bread, condiments, and fruit. The evening meal, which is the biggest meal of the day, includes stews, pasta, curry, and local cuisine.
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Are there any special dietary accommodations available on the tour?
Vegetarians can be catered for, although the variety of food may be limited due to the challenges of preparing different meals while wild camping. It is important to indicate any special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian preferences or allergies, when booking.
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What activities are included in the Zambezi Canoe Safari?
The safari includes canoeing on the Zambezi River, game drives in the Chiawa Game Management Area, and game walks in the Lower Zambezi National Park. You will also have the opportunity to camp on remote islands and enjoy wildlife watching throughout the journey.
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What should I know about the water and beverages provided during the safari?
There is always a plentiful supply of chlorinated water available, sometimes even chilled, and you are encouraged to drink water throughout the day to avoid dehydration. Fruit squash is served throughout, and tea or coffee is served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages are at your own expense and can be purchased at the supermarket in Lusaka before traveling to the river.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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