Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching and experiencing wildlife as it should be. Hippos, elephants, antelope and deer, warthogs, a variety of exotic birds, just amazing. Being outdoors and on the river, experiencing sunrise and sunsets which photos just can't do justice. Waking up and looking out of your tents to see wildlife wandering nearby. Drifting along with the river, soaking up the sun, breeze, atmosphere, scenery was simply bliss.

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB (Cuthbert) was truly amazing, he worked like a trojan, was knowledgeable, looked after us all extremely well, kept 12 novice canoeists safe and all with a brilliant sense of humour. His assistant Best, whilst quietly spoken, worked extremely hard and with CB made sure we were very well looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There isn't much time to re-arrange bags and it could be dark when you arrive so pack enough for 4 days in one bag and pack light, you don't need loads of stuff. Be prepared for long transfers.

Suggestions

We canoed for 4 to 5 hours a day for 4 days and met a lot of headwinds and so it was really tough but definitely worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Whilst we had lunch on the 3rd part an elephant herd passed us by, including a what we were told a 1 year old baby elephant. Furthermore, seeing most the animals in harmony with each other made us wonder sometimes why humanity cannot do this.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leader were great and brought a lot of fun to the trip. They were very easy on changing the plans (for example to go swimming) to suit what we would like to do, which was great. Organisational wise (only real downside), I would have hoped for us getting told at the airport to prepare our bags. Packing bags in the darkness, which we had to do and not knowing what we expect in the camps would have been beneficial. I packed far too much of the wrong things, because I didn't know what to pack in the darkness.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack you bags (for the canoe trip) at the airport when you arrive!!! It is the last time you have light. Bigger bag for clothes and things, small bag for thing you need to walk around when you stop (majorly water) - possibly large water bottle is actually enough + dry sack with camera. Water is available the minute you arrive on the campsite, so no need to buy loads of water like on other trips. Money: You actually only need money for tipping and on the first/last day, otherwise there is no possibility to use your money.

Suggestions

Fantastic trip, really enjoyed it :-)

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking at dawn to see the sun rise over the Zambezi, knowing the day held in store a manageable physical challenge, a sense of manageable danger, and every chance of watching elephant, hippo and crocs at very close quarters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cuthbert was exceptional. Tireless. Talented. Wise. A great cook, manager of people, reader of moods. And above all, he knew where the boundaries lay between safety and danger.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be ready to rough it -- seven nights under canvass are indeed seven nights under canvass, and four of them really are without any washing or toilet facilities at all -- though the Zambezi itself makes a wonderful alternative to a shower. And if you feel a beer or glass of wine over dinner is fair reward for five or so hours on a canoe -- insist that your driver stops so you can stock up before you rich the river on day one. Otherwise this becomes a six day detox you may not have bargained for.

Suggestions

Stock up in your luggage with as many things as you can for the school you visit on day six. It needn't be expensive -- raid the Pound Shop for pens, pencils, calculators, crayons -- we regretted not bringing more when we saw the reality of how little the children have.

Most Inspirational Moment

Prepare to leave your comfort zone and enter the world of the Zambezi with its currents and wind taking you so close to its wildlife that you feel that you've entered their world. Relaxing and tranquil but with plenty of excitement and wonder: hippos swimming under the canoes, crocs slipping off the bank into the water as we passed by, an elephant mother and youngster feeding only feet away from us. Not to mention frequent stops for cooling swims in the very clean water. And the Zambezi is big, and wide, banks with only sparse evidence of human habitation and desert islands for our overnight stops, add to a complete sense of wilderness. All in all an unparalleled experience. Although to be fair, if its big cats or the herds of the plains you want to see, or if you crave the luxury of the game lodge. this may not be the trip for you.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Of our guide, CB, Cuthbert, what a guy! Expert on game, great cook, kept us safe, exemplary leadership skills, and massive fun. Not for one moment did he stop trying to give us the experience of a lifetime. All at a comfortable pace. African time. Pole pole. Coupled with an excellent guide, we had an awesome group which provided endless fun and memories to cherish.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Buy plenty of beer or wine at the shop outside Lusaka. We made a mistake and didn't provide enough to accompany the simple but excellent food prepared by the guides. Early October was hot with strong sun, so be prepared. Not bad on the mozzy front and the tents are insect-proof, but of course Deet is essential. Those with plenty of painkillers for injuries and sore muscles proved popular! Changes of clothing seem to become less and less important as you go, so save on packing and chill!

Suggestions

Do take as much as you can for the school orphanage. We all have so much and they have so little and they need and deserve all the help they can get.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting in our jeep on safari watching a male and female lion resting in the heat of the day or because they were full up from eating part of the nearby buffalo carcass. The female started teasing the male who then mounted her !! Then a little later several elephants turned up , trumpeting, ears flapping, dust everywhere and the lions ran off .

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was great. Wicked sense of humour. He and Best (the other guide) cooked us tasty meals and really looked after us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking sandals as they dry well after getting wet every time you get in and out of the canoe. Binoculars are very useful. Line your day rucksack with a waterproof liner as the water was quite choppy on occasions which led to water lying in the base of the canoe. Our sleeping mats also functioned as cushions in the canoe so perfectly comfortable

Suggestions

The canoeing was fine when the water was calm but tough going when water rough . Be prepared to paddle from about 8am to 5pm with a mid morning break and a long lunch break. Remember a head torch. You probably only need one 1 litre water bottle as we were able to top up our bottles at lunchtime. Cycling gloves saved me from blistered hands . Maybe do some homework before going to get some tips on how to paddle a canoe

Most Inspirational Moment

Having to repel an Elephant raid on the camp at night. I think someone had forgotten their instructions and left out some smelly orange peel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable. Kept us safe without feeling bossed about. Plenty good fireside tales, fine bush cook, all round decent guy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Buy a couple of crates of beer at the supermarket when you stop outside Lusaka. It's dirt cheap. And anything else you might need because it's the last shop you visit for a few days.

Suggestions

Take a hat. And those adventure shoes/ sandals things. And minimum luggage, if I wore the same clothes every day it wouldn't matter. Everything you take you have to fit in your canoe.

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlight for me has to be seeing some very 'frisky' lions who were resting with full tummies after a kill, and then out of the blue they were suddenly chased away by 4-5 charging trumpeting elephants, including an 'ikkle baby one!!! Like being on a live set of a nature program!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cuthbert (aka CB) and his sidekick Best were simply the best!!! Attentive at all times, very helpful, very polite and always there with a smile. Joined in with the group, ready for a laugh but were serious and very professional when circumstances demanded it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will be separated from your main luggage for the first 3 days so pack everything you'll need for those 3 days separately and before getting there as you will arrive in the dark. Use a bag you don't mind getting dirty and thrown about. I took a separate 40L backpack for this purpose. Also take a small dry bag to keep close to hand while canoeing for things like suncream, camera bits and bobs as your '3 day' bag will be tied up and not easily accessible while you are canoeing.

Suggestions

Relax! Go with flow! Enjoy! It is over too quickly!

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting so close to wild elephants. They are so powerful but pretty gentle. Also going to the school was great. These kids don't have much but are all so happy

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader (TK) was brilliant. Very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The canoeing isn't to hard but can be a bit of a challenge if it gets windy. The wild camping is great but be prepared, it is wild camping so its basic. You get a tent and food cooked on a camp fire. Also get up a little early and sit my the fire and watch the sunrise and listen to the wildlife, such a relaxing experience.

Suggestions

You should defiantly do this trip, you'll love it.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are too many to single one out - the scenery, the animals, the sunsets !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was excellent and was extremely knowledgeable regarding the area and the animals and also our safety - he made our trip even more enjoyable with his hard work, information and humor.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it ! - Take a travel pillow with you. The rowing can be pretty easy or it can be quite tough depending on how strong the head wind is so I think you need a reasonable level of fitness & upper body strength.

Suggestions

Again what a fantastic holiday & thank you to both Cuthbert & Ahmed for all your hard work & information & humor.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many - falling asleep to the sounds of Africa and hippos 'laughing' - Rafting all the canoes together to cross the river with a group of elephants - Arriving at the fly site to be welcomed by countless elephants of all sizes having a drink ( far too many to fit in a photo) - Getting a new found respect for termites and learning about the little things that are easy to miss on the game walks - Watching the sun rise and set over the water - Waking to the sound of lions roaring at 5am even if we didn't see them

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cuthbert (CB) was brilliant his knowledge of everything was second to none, he had a great sense of humour and spent time getting to know everyone. He and Ahmed looked after us so well and whilst we set up the tents would have a fire lit and dinner cooking, they always seemed to overestimate how much food we needed, there was no chance of ever going hungry. Our safety was always priority and as well as pointing out the wildlife they were always ensuring we were all ok and quickly getting us out the way when hippo encounters became a bit too close for comfort.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a brilliant trip and I would recommend it without reservation, a few tips: - pack what you need for the first few days ready to grab as we arrived rather late at the river on the first day and sorting out luggage by torchlight can be a bit of a challenge before canoeing across the river in the dark. - I was a little apprehensive about the no toilets/ washing facilities during wild camping, it was not a problem at all and baby wipes became our version of a shower. - It does get cold at night so make sure you have enough warm clothes to sleep in - The wind can get up and was never in our favour which, particularly on the first day made it hard going