Island Canoe Trail on the Lower Zambezi, Zambia

Canoe Safari Options

Kafue to Chongwe River
3 nights / 4 days

Departure Time & Meeting Place

Unless clients can guarantee arrival in Kariba by 9:00am on the morning of departure, it is required that all clients arrive in Kariba the night prior to the start of the 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 of your Canoe safari is the Kariba Breezes Hotel at 9:30am. However, clients requiring pick-ups from other hotels in Kariba will be collected at approximately 9:00-9:30am.

All clients will be required to complete customs and immigration formalities and indemnities before setting off for the start of the Canoe safari. Self drive clients from Lusaka should meet at the launch site at Kafue Pontoon by 12:00pm. On the last day of the Zambia Canoe tour, guests will be returned to Kariba at approximately 15h30. Please do not book flights departing before 16h00.

Minimum & Maximum pax

Minimum number to confirm a booking:
2 Non Residents
4 Regional Residents

Maximum number :
16 pax per trip
(Larger groups and tailor-made canoe safari packages on request).

Age Restriction

Minimum age is 15 years for the Canoe safari. There is no maximum age for the Canoe safari, however clients must be reasonably healthy and fit.

Experience & Fitness

No previous canoeing experience is necessary. The 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.

Equipment Supplied

18-foot Canadian canoes are used with cushions, paddles and life jackets supplied. All camping and cooking equipment is supplied for your Canoe safari. Two man bow tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags and liners. Each professional guide carries a comprehensive medical aid box. Washing and cleaning are done in the river.

Food & Drinks

All meals are supplied for your Canoe safari. No alcohol or carbonated drinks are supplied, only cordial soft drinks. Clients can purchase beer, alcohol and other drinks in Kariba prior to departure. Cooler boxes and ice are provided. Drinking water is taken in containers on the canoes.

Daily Routine

After clients have been collected (in Kariba), they will then be driven across Kariba Dam Wall, clear customs and immigration and be transferred to the Kafue River where they will begin canoeing. This transfer takes approximately 2 hours. Self drive clients from Lusaka are to meet at the launch site at Kafue Pontoon at 12:00pm. The Canoe safari is designed for the camping enthusiast and all sleeping, camping and cooking equipment is carried in the canoes.

Overnight stops are enjoyed on selected islands approximately 25km (15.5 miles) apart in the Zambezi River. A fully qualified river guide accompanies each Canoe safari and participation by clients is encouraged. On the last day of the Canoe safari a vehicle or boat (depending on time of year) will transfer clients to the Kafue River for a vehicle transfer back to Kariba. There is no canoeing on the last day.

Client Requirements

Insurance

All clients are covered by Medical Air Rescue Service (MARS), however this only covers them for emergency evacuation in life threatening situations. It does not cover their hospitalisation and medication. As such travel and medical insurance is compulsory for all clients on their Canoe safari.

Please ensure clients have arranged this insurance in their own country prior to leaving so as to cover unexpected medical expenses and loss / theft of personal effects. Please ensure clients bring the details of their insurance policy with them when on their Canoe safari. Clients will not be covered should they not have insurance.

Safety

All canoe safari guides carry VHF hand held radios. Each camp has an HF and VHF base set which allows us to communicate between our base camps, various offices in Kariba, Harare, National Parks and M.A.R.S. (Medical Air Rescue Service).

Visas

Please check visa requirements with your agent. Double entry visas for people requiring visas for re-entry into Zimbabwe. It is advisable for all clients to check with the Zambian authorities whether or not they need visas for Zambia, and if necessary obtain their visas prior to departure for their canoe safari. Where necessary, clients must ensure they have a double entry visa for Zimbabwe, which should be purchased at the port of entry on arrival.

It is endevoured to get clients into Zambia without having to pay a visa, but this is not guaranteed and as such clients may have to pay a US$25.00 per person (US$60 per person for British Nationals) Single Entry Visa fee for Zambia.

This fee is not included in the price and does change from time to time so please check with your agent regarding visa fees and charges nearer to date of travel. Clients are responsible for visa fees.

Season

Year round.