Zambezi Canoe Safari

Name: Zambezi Canoe Safari
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.8 (48 reviews)

8 Days Excluding Flights From

10 Days from

£ 2099

4.8/5 from

Wildlife

Activity Level

Moderate & Challenging

Comfort Level

Simple

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Wildlife

Wildlife Rating :

Group Size :

4 - 12

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

WZC

Carbon Footprint :

13kg CO2e per person per day

Paddle the Zambezi, camping as you go, to spot Africa’s wildest locals – elephants, hippos, crocodiles and more

Flowing between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Zambezi is a lifeline for some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife. On this active adventure, you’ll explore its channels by canoe, sharing the water with elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a tour leader who knows all the animals’ favourite hiding spots. Each evening, you camp wild on secluded beaches, gathering around the campfire to share stories with the group and gaze into the star-sprinkled sky. If you want to experience African wildlife as it should be – truly wild – this is the trip for you.

Highlights

Canoe the mighty Zambezi, spotting elephants, hippos and crocodiles as you go
Gain fascinating insights into the wildlife and environment from your knowledgeable tour leader
Wild camp on remote islands, sleeping beneath the dazzling stars
Join a ranger-led nature walk in the Lower Zambezi National Park
Venture out on a night safari drive to spot elusive nocturnal animals
Finish at a riverside camp, complete with a bar, pool and hot showers

Key Information

Accommodation: 7 Simple nights (semi-participatory camping, 3 wild camping and 4 campsites)
Travel by open canoes (no previous experience needed)
Group normally 4 to 12, plus tour leader. Minimum age: 16

Countries visited: Zambia

What's Included

All breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

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WZC - Zambezi Canoe Safari

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

Lusaka, Zambia Lusaka, Zambia

We meet at Lusaka Airport, where we begin our transfer (4hr 30min) to the shores of the Zambezi. Most of this journey is on tar road with the last section along a bumpy dirt track.

En route, we stop at a supermarket, where you can pick up snacks and drinks for the adventure – there are no shops on the wild banks of the river!

Your tour leader then prepares a welcome dinner, where we can get to know each other a little better.

Please note: If you’re booking your own flights, do not book one arriving after 1.30pm.

Accommodation: Campsite (semi-participatory)

Meals included: Dinner

Spend three glorious days canoeing the Zambezi. This is a safari adventure, so you can expect to see many iconic African animals. We frequently pass hippo pods basking in the deeper water, who will no doubt keep an eye on us, and look for elephants feeding on the banks, basking crocodiles and numerous colourful bird species, including the magnificent African fish eagle.

Each day, we start early to avoid the hottest hours and to catch the easterly headwind at its weakest. The pace is moderate, which allows us to make the most of our wildlife-viewing opportunities.

Lunches and breakfasts are either taken on islands or on the riverbanks, while nights are spent at our wild camps, gazing at the African sky and sharing tales from the day.

Accommodation: Wild camping (semi-participatory)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we paddle to our fly camp in the Chiawa Game Management Area. After three days of wild camping, the hot showers and chance to relax will be welcome. Our site also overlooks the Mana Pools, where wildlife regularly comes to drink – there’s even a lookout point for an excellent view!

Later, after the sun has set, we embark on a 4×4 game drive, on which we hope to spot nocturnal animals, such as genets, civets, hyenas, porcupines, aardvarks and, if we’re really lucky, the elusive leopard.

Accommodation: Fly camp in Chiawa Game Management Area

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Either jump in a canoe or hop in a motorboat (depending on wind and river conditions) and cruise along the river to the Lower Zambezi National . Here, we join a local ranger for an insightful nature walk, in which our guides take us on a loop, sharing their expertise on the animals tracks, plant life and wildlife found here.

After lunch, we return to our fly camp and enjoy the rest of the day to relax, watching the animals who come to drink at the Mana Pools.

Accommodation: Fly camp in Game Management Area

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bid farewell to our fly camp hosts and take the motorboat to Zambezi Breezes. Our new camp has a lovely riverside location, plus a cash bar serving cold drinks, a swimming pool and a toilet and showers block.

It’s the ideal spot to spend our final evening, gathering with the group around a table and retelling the adventures we’ve shared together (and perhaps start planning the next!).

Accommodation: Zambezi Breezes or similar (semi-participatory)

Upgrade to a chalet with private bathroom today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You’ve canoed a long stretch of the Zambezi, gazed up at the twinkling Zambian night sky and spotted countless animals, but today the journey ends and we transfer (four to five hours) back to Lusaka Airport to catch our onwards flights.

Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 4 (Moderate & Challenging) with a Wildlife Rating of Four. For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Itinerary: This is generally a comfortable participatory safari but, as it goes through some wild country, come prepared to be flexible and expect delays or inconveniences. Travel is by Canadian-style 5.5m (18ft) two-person canoes and open-backed safari vehicle.

Fitness and experience: No previous experience is necessary, but you should have a reasonable level of fitness as it is an active trip. An ability to swim is recommended.

Safety: Lifejackets are provided, which must be worn when you’re in the canoe.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start point: Lusaka Airport (LUN)
Recommended arrival time: You must arrive before 1:30pm on the first day (please do not book flights arriving after this time as we transfer together as a group to the Zambezi River)
Airport: Lusaka Airport (LUN)

Getting to the start accommodation

On the first day, we meet as a group at Lusaka Airport for an early afternoon transfer to the Zambezi River. It is essential you join this group transfer, so please do not book flights arriving after 1.30pm on the first day. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Please note: Breezes River Lodge is named as the start hotel for this adventure in your booking confirmation documents. While it is possible to meet here, we strongly recommend that you join the group at Lusaka Airport. If you do wish to join at Breezes River Lodge, please let us know at least two weeks before the trip begins.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group transfer to Lusaka Airport on the final day, where our tour ends in the late morning.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Lusaka, Zambia
Location end: Lusaka, Zambia

Vaccinations and Health

Zambia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, polio, tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours via a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Malaria is also a known risk, please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic on the best course of action for all the above.

Visa

Zambia

Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Food & Drink

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.

Weather

With exceptionally mild winters, Zambia is best enjoyed during the dry season. This period extends from May to early November. The days are generally dry, hot and sunny with daytime highs around 25C (77F); however, nights can be cool (down to 10C/50F). From June to August, it can be exceptionally cold. September and October are the hottest months, where daytime highs are regularly 35C (95F) and night-time temperatures can be around 23C (73F). Rainfall is generally confined between November and April. Rains normally occur as heavy showers, but they tend to clear rapidly with sunshine still predominant.

TRIP

WZC - Zambezi Canoe Safari

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Camping under the African sky

There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the wilderness of Zambia than wild camping. On this trip, we spend three nights wild camping in two-person dome tents, camping on riverine islands, and four nights in set-up bush camps (on the Zambian side of the river) with showers, toilets and tents.

On this trip, camping is semi-participatory, which means you’ll be actively part of the group, assisting with camp chores and dismantling your tents. We’ve found there’s a real camp spirit to this, which only adds to the experience.

Evenings are extra special. They often start with a magnificent sunset, before the twinkling night sky comes out and you can clearly see the Milky Way.

Upgrade to a chalet with private bathroom on Day 7 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.

TRIP

WZC - Zambezi Canoe Safari

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

lizette Lizzie

sunscreen. I ran out of 2 tubs (although half of one ended up at the bottom of the safari truck). Deet - I had 2 and ran out although I was probably the one with more bites than anyone else. Bite cream offers a major relief for the bites. Head torch (with a red light), gloves for the rowing. Prepare for no showers until the comfortable camping half way through but we were able to cool off and kind of clean off in the river a couple of times. It is proper wild camping so there are no toilets until the comfortable camp but the views you get when behind the bushes are literally stunning :-) If you can, add on a quick trip to Livingstone for the Victoria Falls. You are so close it would be a shame to miss it. As well as bringing a load of school supplies bring an extra suncream with you if you can. They give any spare suncream to a charity looking after albino children as it is prohibitively expensive in Zambia.

Lynne Bateman

Reviewed November 2018

Best. holiday. ever

Best. Holiday. Ever.
I cannot recommend enough.

CB is bloody amazing as a leader and guide. He’s one guide I will always remember – most guides on adventure holidays are great but instantly forgettable. But his humour and patience meant I felt like he was a friend! Great knowledge and communication skills.

A really well organised trip. Group size perfect too. Tents and mattresses perfect. Plenty of water and fruit.
We were pleased that upon arrival we didn’t hop directly in the canoes – we stayed at the mainland campsite (sunrise! Honking hippos!). This was fab because there is a shower block there and you are hot and dusty from the transfer/flight.

The canoeing is awesome. The campsites were perfect. The food brilliant (I’m veggie).

But the animals! My god! So many incredible experiences. I don’t know if we struck lucky but every day got more amazing than the last. It’s so much better to see animals from a canoe than from a Dusty 4×4.

Lastly- the group were brilliant!!

Tips:
We got a kaza visa online, no drama – but you only need this is you are travelling after to Zimbabwe. You need a sticker in your passport not just a stamp! (Our first mistake).

By the way, Livingstone is well worth a visit and CB organised a local bus for us.

You need minimum kit – we washed in the river every day. As suggested, carry your canoe stuff ready to go in hand luggage.
Bring a red light torch (for bugs) gloves (just in case) and definitely binoculars (We were so stupid!) And a zoom lens. And a bottle of rum?!
We took a 10 litre dry bag each for clothes and another for the sleeping bag and then shared a camera bag.

Most Inspirational Moment

The animals!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was just wonderful.

Phill Dixon

Reviewed November 2018

Paddling adventure into nature

This is a great active safari that will get you close to nature and sleeping out under the stars.
We saw lions, birdlife galore, paddled past hippos and were able to stop the canoes and get close to herds of elephant.

The canoes are the perfect vehicle for the journey, yes you need to be relatively fit and have a bit of knowledge about a canoe ( they can provide advice or in uk go on a simple paddle start of 1 star canoe intro), but you get so close to animals and they were often relaxed. Also you have great fields of view across the water front.

Yes the campsites are basic – pitch a tent on a sandy island but the food is great and plentiful, you don’t need a shower you can dip in the safer shallows of the Zambezi, and you get to wake up to beautiful African sunrises.
You do have early starts and early nights but what you get back is worth it.

Advice is to have plenty of drybags and try and get a paddle suitable for your height. But anyone with a sense of adventure, a desire to see wildlife and reasonable fitness will enjoy this.

Most Inspirational Moment

Paddling to one of the islands to watch the gorgeous sunset with elephants eating 50m away. Then listening to them as drift off to sleep. Seeing a pride of 5 lions on a game drive was also pretty special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was well liked by everyone, right combination of humour, knowledge and always there with advice or a calming reassurance. He clearly loves the job and all the guests agreed he was as much like a friend on the tour as well as never stopping in looking after us. If you needed it then CB would have it or find a way to get it for you. First class guide and especially nice to see him teaching Best the assistant guide in any downtime.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Packlight but bring an extra t-shirt or top. Antibacterial soap can wash hardwearing clothes if want to do that too. Plenty of bug spray and sunscreen as you will use it. Bring a good point and shoot as well as dslr as in the canoe wielding a big lens isn't always practical. Change about $50 at the airport and get a few bonus items at the shop on the way - you will need about 1 - 2l for the drive in the heat. Try and find a right sized paddle Lastly have most of your stuff for the first 3 nights ready to go in a separate daysack in your softbag. When you reach the 1st camp it is often dark and you don't have much time.

Sally and Tony Chewter

Reviewed September 2018

AMAZING!

One of the best wildlife experiences ever – to get so close to the hippos and elephants on the river in the canoes was incredible

Most Inspirational Moment

Sat in the front of the canoe looking a huge male elephant in the eye just 19 feet away

Thoughts on Group Leader

TK and his assistant Beste were fantastic - helpful, knowledgeable, encouraging, great cooks and brilliant sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take rowing gloves to prevent blisters

Read All Reviews

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Zambezi Canoe Safari

4.8/5 from

8 Days Excluding Flights From

10 Days from

£ 2099

Zambezi Canoe Safari

Paddle the Zambezi, camping as you go, to spot Africa’s wildest locals – elephants, hippos, crocodiles and more

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Itinerary

Lusaka, Zambia Lusaka, Zambia

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start accommodation

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Zambia

Visa

Zambia

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Camping under the African sky

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

A whole new meaning to getting Into the Wild!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

An incredible trip, from start to finish

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A true adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wildlife galore!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Canoeing down the Zambezi

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Kayaking the Lower Zambezi

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Best. holiday. ever

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paddling adventure into nature

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

AMAZING!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

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Zambezi Canoe Safari