The Great Zambezi Trail:

You will charter into Kayila Lodge for the first night of your Zambia tour. No canoeing is done on the first day of your canoeing safaris; however game walks and drives are enjoyed from the Lodge. Kayila is a small exclusive 12 bed lodge situated on a 10 000 acre wildlife sanctuary.

You will meet your guide at Kayila Lodge. The guide takes this opportunity to explain the canoeing safaris itinerary and the various safety precautions necessary for an enjoyable and trouble-free few days ahead.

After a full English breakfast on day 2 of your canoeing safaris, you will canoe approximately 15km (9.3 miles) stopping for lunch on an island, sandbar or the riverbank and arriving at Royal Zambezi Lodge in time for sundowners. The Lodge has 14 beds in tents under a thatch overlooking the Zambezi River.

Day 3 of your canoeing safaris is the longest yet most enjoyable stretch of river. An early start and only a short distance from Royal Zambezi is the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers, which forms the western boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park.

The 30km (18.6 mile) stretch of river to Mwambashi River Lodge is the highlight of your canoeing safaris. The National Park is teeming with wildlife and the scenic channels that break away from the main stream of the river abound in birdlife.

Mwambashi River Lodge is a 16 bed luxury tented camp situated on a bend of the river that offers stunning views and sunsets. One night at this lodge is not enough and most clients opt to stay an extra day and night to explore the area. Guided walks, day and night game drives or simply relaxing in the shade of the lodge grounds are the activities offered.

The Royal Canoe Trail

The Royal Canoe Trail is a combination of canoeing, walking and game viewing between Royal Zambezi River Lodge and Mwambashi River Lodge. The Royal Canoe Trail begins at Royal Zambezi where 2 night's accommodation is enjoyed. 

You will have the opportunity to 'practice' canoeing with a short canoe run from Samango Point, a few kilometres upstream from the Lodge on your canoeing safaris. Transport to Mwambashi River Lodge is by canoe and 3 nights are enjoyed at this exclusive lodge in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park.

The Royal Canoe Trail offers an extra 15km (9.3 miles) canoeing downstream from Mwambashi to the mouth of the Chakwenga River, an area relatively unexplored and thriving with animals and birdlife.

The Island Trail

The Island Trail takes place along the Zambezi River between the Kafue and Chongwe Rivers over 4 days / 3 nights and is designed for the camping enthusiast and all sleeping, camping and cooking equipment is carried in the Canadian canoes. This particular Island Trail canoeing safaris is perfect for those adventurers who prefer to enjoy the real outdoors and camp under the stars.

The first day of your canoeing safaris is spent on the river and is used to familiarize clients with the stability and art of steering the canoe. Overnight stops include camping on islands with a final night at Hippo Creek Wilderness Camp. A fully qualified river guide accompanies each canoeing safaris.

On the last day of your canoeing safaris a vehicle or boat will transfer clients back to the Kafue River pontoon for onward arrangements. There is no canoeing on the last day. The Island Trail operates year round with departures on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The 3 Rivers Canoe Trail

The 3 Rivers Canoe Trail covers the same area as the Island Trail, canoeing down the Kafue River to the confluence of the Zambezi River and finishing with a short canoe run into the Chongwe River. The second night of the 3 River Canoe Trail is spent at Kayila Lodge, which provides clients the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower, 3-course meal and a comfortable night's accommodation. You can also enjoy a guided walk or game drive the morning before setting off downstream to Hippo Creek, a distance of approximately 15km (9.3 miles).

The Great Zambezi Canoe Trail Area

Canoeing safaris are conducted on the northern banks of the Zambezi River between the Kafue Confluence and the Chakwenga River (approximately 60km (37.2 miles) of river is covered by canoe). This area is known as the Lower Zambezi.

The Great Zambezi Trails is a 3 night / 4 day trip.

Transfers (extra cost at published rates)

Ex-Kariba (Road and Boat):
If travelling from Kariba, it is required that guests arrive in Kariba the night prior to the start of the canoeing safaris to avoid clients being left behind due to delayed flights. The preferred meeting place and time in Kariba on the day of departure is the Kariba Breezes Hotel at 9:30. However, clients requiring pick-ups from other hotels in Kariba will be collected at approximately 9:00-9:30am.

On the last day of the canoeing safaris, clients are advised to make hotel reservations for that night, as they will only be dropped off in Kariba at approximately 15:30pm. Clients will not will not be able to get back to Kariba for any flights departing before 16:00pm.

Self Drive:
Clients self-driving from Lusaka, should be at the Kafue Pontoon launch site at 12:00pm. From here clients are transported to Kayila Lodge by motorboat (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes).

Ex-Lusaka / Livingstone (Air):
Clients requiring charters to and from Lusaka, Mfuwe or Livingstone for the start of the canoeing safaris should request this from their agents. This charter service can be arranged on request and at an extra cost. It is recommended that clients charter into Kayila Lodge for the start of the canoeing safaris and out from Mwambashi (Jeki) at the end of the canoeing safaris.

Basic Itinerary

Day 1:
Clients will be transferred from Kariba to the Kafue River launch site by vehicle, departing Kariba at 10:00am promptly. Customs and Immigration formalities are necessary if transfers are from Kariba. Facilitation at both border posts has been organised and the procedure is relatively quick with the transfer across the Dam Wall being enjoyed by all clients.

The vehicle transfer from the border to the Kafue River is approximately 2 hours. Clients self-driving from Lusaka, should be at the Kafue Pontoon launch site at 12:00pm. From here clients are transported to Kayila Lodge by motorboat (approximately 1 hour).

Clients chartering in from Lusaka, Mfuwe or Livingstone should arrive any time after 10:00am. There will be no canoeing safaris on day 1, instead clients will get to participate in one of the afternoon activities on offer at the lodge (either a game drive or walk or an afternoon’s boat cruise or fishing).

Overnight - Kayila Lodge.

Day 2:

Royal Zambezi Lodge stopping for a picnic buffet lunch on the banks or islands. At the guide’s discretion there will be stops for leisurely viewing at the Elephant, Crocodile, Hippo, birdlife and other wildlife along the way.

Overnight - Royal Zambezi Lodge.

Day 3

After breakfast, clients will continue their canoeing safaris from Royal Zambezi Lodge to Mwambashi River Lodge, stopping for lunch (approximately 25km - 15.5 miles) stretch of river is covered).

Overnight - Mwambashi River Lodge.

Day 4

After breakfast, clients can either charter from Jeki (Mwambashi) to Lusaka, Livingstone or Mfuwe. Alternatively, if they opt for the road and boat transfer, they will enjoy a drive through the Lower Zambezi National Park to the Chongwe River and an onward boat transfer to the Safari Par Excellence launch site on the Kafue River. Clients then transfer by road to Kariba or Lusaka and will only get back at approximately 15:30.

No canoeing safaris takes place on the last day!