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The Great Zambezi Canoeing Trail, Zambia
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Expected Zambia Safari Vacation Package Experience:
Accommodation: Safari lodges / camps
Activities: Guided canoeing safari, game viewing, game drive / walk / boat cruise / fishing, birding, riverside picnic
Destinations: Lower Zambezi National Park (between Kafue Confluence & Chakwenga River)
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What you can expect from The Great Zambezi Canoeing Trail:
This Zambia safari is conducted on the northern banks of the Zambezi River between the Kafue Confluence and the Chakwenga River (approximately 60kms - 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.
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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 Zambezi canoe safari 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 09:30am. However, clients requiring pick-ups from other hotels in Kariba will be collected at approximately 09:00-09:30am.
On the last day of the Zambia safari, 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 be transferred 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 Zambezi canoe safari 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 Zambezi canoe safari and out from Mwambashi (Jeki) at the end of the Zambezi canoe safari. |
Basic ItineraryDay 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 of the Zambezi canoe safari.
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 on Day 1 of your Zambezi canoe safari, 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 2After breakfast on the Zambezi canoe safari, clients will gently canoe down river to the 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 of the Elephant, Crocodile, Hippo, birdlife and other wildlife along the way while on your Zambezi canoe safari.
Overnight - Royal Zambezi Lodge. |
Day 3After breakfast, clients will canoe from Royal Zambezi Lodge to Mwambashi River Lodge, stopping for lunch (approximately 25km-15.5 miles stretch of river is covered) on this leg of their Zambezi canoe safari.
Overnight - Mwambashi River Lodge. |
 Day 4After 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 launch site on the Kafue River. Clients then transfer by road to Kariba or Lusaka and will only get back at approximately 15:30pm.
No canoeing takes place on the last day of your Zambezi canoe safari! |
Please NotePlease note that Mwambashi and Royal Zambezi Lodge operate as independent lodges, so should clients wish to stay for an extra night (Day 4) after the completion of their Zambezi canoe safari to explore the Lower Zambezi National Park, this is possible at an extra cost, available on request.
Endurance trips is not conducted as a very relaxed and leisurely pace is preferred. Due to the fact that camps and pick up points are only 20-30km apart, time is plentiful and hence crack of dawn departures are not frequent on your Zambezi canoe safari.
Generally guests are ready for breakfast at approximately 07:30 to 08:00am. After breakfast, guest pack their luggage, which is transferred to the next camp by boat or vehicle. The clients must carry personal effects on their Zambezi canoe safari.
At the guide's discretion, the Zambezi canoe safari will make stops during the day for game and bird watching.
Lunch is taken on the riverbank or on islands in the middle of the river. Drinks and a cold buffet (prepared by the kitchen staff) are carried in cooler boxes in the canoes.
The next camp or pick up on your Zambezi canoe safari comes into sight late afternoon depending on the time spent game viewing. Tea, coffee and cold drinks and snacks are ready to welcome you while the camp staff unload and clean the canoes. |
 Minimum and Maximum paxMinimum to confirm a booking:
2 Non Residents
4 Regional Residents
Maximum:
9 Pax (excluding the guide)
Additional pax on request. |
Age RestrictionThe minimum age is 15 years for the Zambezi canoe safari. The maximum age limit is dependent on the individual’s fitness and health. |
 Experience and FitnessNo previous canoeing experience is necessary for this Zambezi canoe safari. The first day on the river is used to familiarise clients with the stability and art of steering the canoe. The Zambezi canoe safari is generally relaxing and gentle and no physical exertion is required. Heavy head winds can occur which makes paddling more difficult. Winds are normally experienced in August. |
Camps, Facilities & Equipment SuppliedThis is one of the few operators on the Zambezi River to offer a unique style of Zambezi canoe safari with 3 fully serviced camps on the riverbanks between which the Zambezi canoe safaris are conducted.
NOTE : There are 2 airstrips:
At Kayila Lodge at the start of the Zambezi canoe safari (Kayila Airstrip)Near Mwambashi River Lodge at the end of the Zambezi canoe safari (Jeki Airstrip) |
 Co-ordinates of the AirstripsKayila 15 Degrees 47 Minutes South
29 Degrees 12 Minutes East
(1300M Good Airstrip)
Jeki 15 Degrees 38 Minutes South
29 Degrees 36 Minutes East
(1000M Good Airstrip)
National Parks Landing Fees at Jeki Airstrip are for the clients' accountFly in / fly out canoe safaris can be arranged on request at an extra cost |
Food & Drinks SuppliedAll food is of a high standard on your Zambezi canoe safari. All food, meat, fruit and vegetables are fresh and prepared by experienced kitchen staff. Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements can be catered for providing staff has been notified well in advance. |
 Client RequirementsGuests are asked to please keep luggage down to a minimum of +/- 10kg. Excess baggage and valuables can be kept safely at the office in Kariba or Lusaka to collect on return. |
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Page: 2 Requirements Include:
Valid travel and health documents are needed for your Zambezi canoe safari US$20.00 per person per night National Park Entry fee for the Lower Zambezi National Park, payable direct in cash. US$5.00 per person per day fishing permit f ...
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Royal Zambezi, Zambia
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This luxury Game Lodge in Zambia can be accessed by regular scheduled flight or charters. Other possibilities are by 4x4 or in a five hour boat ride.
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Kayila Lodge Location
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Kayila Lodge is beautifully situated on a private wildlife sanctuary on the northern banks of the Zambezi River.
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Mwambashi River Lodge Location
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Mwambashi River Lodge is situated in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park on the northern banks of the river, directly opposite Chikwenya Island.
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FAQ's