The Zambezi Valley

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

• 

  Jemma McCowan

  THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY

  

  Written November 2010

  An absolute gem of a holiday - if you're looking for something completely different, relaxing but exhilarating, with a really up close experience of wildlife and Africa outdoors, I couldn't recommend it highly enough. I spent most of the week dirty, sandy, sweaty, wet, insect-plagued and slightly buzzed by the hippo-dodging activity, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Getting up close and personal with a herd of elephants just metres away from us on the bank.

  Lying in a tent listening to hippos munching, lions roaring and elephants snoozing.

  Avoiding canoe collisions whilst remaining vigilant for grumpy hippos 'encouraging' us out of their territory.

  Siestas and shallow water river baths, and then the delight of an outdoor shower treat.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  TK was fabulous, intuitive of the group's needs, with a quick wit, a can-do attitude and heaps of local knowledge. He and Carlos fed us very well too!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you fancy the buzz of getting completely away from Westernised life and out of your comfort zone to tackle the challenges of the Zambezi River and get up close to some of the most amazing nature I've ever seen - go for it! Be aware that you will come close to large wild animals (mainly hippos in the river!) but this is part of the experience and the guides are always vigilant and close to hand. Be prepared to get hot, sweaty, sandy, dirty and meet a few insects, but it just makes the arrival of a cold beer and a shower at the end of the week a much treasured experience.

   
• 

  Claire Mayers

  THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY

  

  Written October 2010

  Just what the doctor ordered. A different slant on the African safari that leaves you completely relaxed despite canoeing each day. I would do this trip again without question. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Slowly floating downstream while elephants stood on the river banks almost within arms reach. I couldn't believe how close we could get to them in the canoes.

  Lying in bed while elephants wandered through camp.

  Bathing in the Zambezi to cool off.

  The absolute quiet.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Both our guides were absolute gentlemen. They were professional, helpful and knew every bend in the river. Despite the close proximity of the wildlife I felt safe, relaxed and well looked after at all times. They worked tirelessly to make our holiday the fantastic experience it was.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Travel light and take old clothes that you can leave behind at the orphanage.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  My next holiday is going to have to go some to beat the fantastic experince had in Zambia.

   
• 

  Paul Fearn

  THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY

  

  Written October 2010

  On arrival and seeing canoes i thought what have i let myself in for, but after a short introduction and 1st paddle all went well. The holiday was above all expectations, with helpful and friendly guides nothing was to much trouble. Would recomend this holiday to anyone for the back to nature adventure. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Cannot pick out a specific moment there was something everyday superseding what you thought was fab.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  T K and Carlos were absolutly fantastic nothing was too much trouble helpful and informative at all times were quite happy to have fun when safe to do so, at no point during our time on the water did we feel in any danger. By the end of our holiday the guides felt more like old friends rather than holiday staff. Two wonderful gents.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Travel light and with an open mind it's a very different way of life.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  AMAZING EXPERIENCE

   
• 

  Eleanor Cuthill

  THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY

  

  Written September 2010

  Fantastic!! My first trip to Africa and it certainly spoiled me.  We saw so much wildlife, everything I could have asked for and more. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Where do I start?! Every day had a champagne moment.  From the day the hippo did a belly-flop into the river just in front of us, the sound of the animals as we lay in the tents at night, the herd of elephants that crossed the river just behind us, the elephants that came to the edge of our campsite to feed from the trees as we ate our dinner in the dark at night, the numerous pods of hippos, rafting together to watch the elephants bathing 5m away, seeing two male lions fight on the opposite bank to where we were having lunch, to seeing a lion and lioness together. Amazing!! So many experiences.  This is the trip to do if you want the alternative safari.  You feel that the group is alone with the wild, so peaceful (apart from the sounds of nature) and completely forget about the outside world.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent.  Cuthbert was very organised, he knew what we were doing, kept his eye on us within reason as we can't forget that the wildlife is potentially dangerous, he understood the animals to warn the hippos off when needed, and is very knowledgable.  Not forgetting his cooking skills!  Then there was Carlos, assistant guide.  I had the pleasure of sharing a canoe with him on two days.  He was very knowledgable, pointing out animals birds and trees as we paddled along.  He'll make a very good group leader when he passes his final exam next year.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Watch out for the flights.  I took the group flight with Kenya Airways, transitting in Nairobi.  Main problem was that the airline cancelled our connecting flight to Lusaka after a few hours delay.  Our re-arranged flight was for the evening.  Apparently this is not uncommon.  Althought the airline did put us up in a hotel in Nairobi for the day, we didn't really know whether the flight would definately depart that night or whether someone would definately be there to meet us at midnight in Lusaka.  That did all happen luckily but we lost our first day and night camp on the Zambezi. We had 2 hours sleep before travelling down to the river to meet the rest of the group for the start of the paddling.  Any later and the group would have had to leave without us.  So my personal opinion is that if you can book a direct flight to Lusaka (it is possible and if you book early enough then apparently doesn't cost that much more) then do it.  Although it didn't impact on the main part of the holiday, it was a stressful start we could have done without.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The visits to the village and school are on seperate days.  So if you are bringing items to donate then I would suggest that you bring some things for both so that no one misses out. 

   
• 

  

  Louisa Richardson

  THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY

  

  Written November 2009

  I wanted to have a real African wildlife adventure and this trip didn't disappoint! Days spent canoeing (with regular course changes to avoid pods of hippo) and nights spent camping wild on the islands which punctuate the mighty Zambezi River made sure we were totally immersed in our environment. We had lots of close encounters with elephant both during the day and at night, allowing us to really appreciate these unique animals. Our guides were fantastic; really knowledgeable and they worked so hard to make sure we enjoyed ourselves. Thanks to them I found myself cooling off in the Zambezi in sight of a pod of hippo, elephant watching on foot and learning about some of the smaller residents of the African bush. All in all, a very exciting and memorable trip.   

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Probably the first full day of canoeing when we spotted a herd of elephants on the bank. We canoed over to where they were and sat about 15 metres away watching them feed. The elephants were unperturbed by our presence and we sat watching and photographing them for some 40 minutes – magic!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We were fortunate enough to have Cuthbert (CB) as our Group Leader and Carlos as our Assistant Leader. Obviously a trip which involves canoeing in an area which has a large population of hippo, crocodile and elephant is not without risk, but thanks to our excellent guides, we had close encounters with all of these creatures without mishap. CB’s extensive knowledge of African wildlife and experience of leading canoeing trips on the Zambezi is obvious and I felt very safe, despite the occasional ‘wildlife moment’.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you are after a genuine wildlife and wilderness experience, go on this trip - you won't be disappointed. Make sure you change some money into Kwacha at the airport when you arrive as this is really the only opportunity you will get. You might like to bring a few snacks with you from the UK (but don't bring chocolate or anything else that melts!) to eat while canoeing. Bring a flask so that you can keep at least some of your water cool during the day. Bring a dry bag or a rucksack liner so the stuff in your daypack stays dry if it rains or if a bit of water gets into the bottom of the canoe.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Towards the end of the trip you will visit Mugurameno Community School in a remote part of the Zambezi Valley. Please bring something to give to the school - pencils, notebooks, children's reading books, children's clothes (for children aged 7 and under) etc. The school receives no government funding and is being run on a shoestring. Most of the children at the school are orphans and as is often the case in such places, a little really does go a long way to help here. It was really humbling to hear Ernest (who set up and runs the school) talking so warmly about Exodus and its clients; he really appreciates our visits, as do the children. My only regret was that I didn't take more clothes out for him.

   
• 

  dawn perkins

  THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY

  

  Written September 2009

  A great trip and a true close-to nature wilderness experience. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Listening to the sounds of hippos/elephants/unidentifiable wildlife at night.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Both CB and Carlos were excellent. We felt in very safe hands and they did a great job of looking after us.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The sleeping bags provided are completely inadequate for the night time temperatures- bring your own.  I had read this on someone else's feedback from a trip in June but thought it would be warmer in late Aug/early Sept.  Not so- some nights were very cold and the sleeping bags are just fleece fabric with a slightly rubberised outside.  They also got a bit damp, so if you want to be comfortable bring your own and a dry bag to put it in.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The transfer vehicle from Lusaka was a bit cramped for 12 people but more importantly had no seat belts.  I found that a bit of a safety concern.  I have been on a trip in Zambia with another company in a similar sized group and we had a larger vehicle with seat belts, so such vehicles are definitely available.

   
• 

  Pauline Hogg

  THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY

  

  Written October 2008

  Magical experience - great intinerary, well looked after, basic camping but would not swap it for the world - this is how people should really experience Africa! 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  We came across an elephant, standing tall on a ridge near the bank, about 20m away. We paddled into the reeds and he came down to the water's edge and started to drink just at the back of our boats. It is impossible to describe the feeling being so near a creature so big - especially when you are at the water-level. He stayed there a while then moved back up the to the ridge - where he suddenly made a few steps backwards down the bank obviously intimidated by something. He raised his trunk and defensively moved away down the river bank. We then watched a pride of lions come out from the bush and we sat and stared eachother out... we then moved off to the safety of the other side of the channel.

   This was just one of our experiences close up with nature - there were plenty more. The river is spectacular and the opportunities to see wildlife and experience life on the Zambezi just great.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  TK was a very knowledgeable and experienced group leader - he took great care of us and made us feel very safe. He takes no risks but is also a great cook and great to get along with - plus how can he paddle so quickly with seemingly little effort???!!!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take very little - but your own lighter or box of matches could come in handy!

  You have the opportunity to give some donations to the local village and school - take books, games, footballs and both adult and childrens clothes... you will find that you want to give so much - but I wish I'd known to take educational items as well as clothes.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I'd recommend this trip to anyone who doesn't mind camping and mucking in and who wants to do a REAL safari adventure

   

1 | 2 | 3 | 4