Zambezi Short Canoe Trail

This short canoeing safari is ideally suited to those wishing to get a feel of the area but don’t have the time to cover the longer stretches of the river. There is also a short traditional village visit on the return transfer to interact with the locals in the area.

This canoeing trip is totally self contained with all equipment and supplies carried in the canoes for the duration of the trip. Guides prepare meals while guests participate in erecting their tents, sorting out their bedding and helping with the general loading and unloading of their canoes.

Area:

Chirundu – Mtondo

Activities:

Canoeing, Traditional Village Visit

Accomodation:

Dome tents, overnight island camping

Duration:

3 Days / 2 Nights

Distance:

Approx 56km

Season:

March – December

Route Map

Daily Routine

During the hot summer months, early morning departures are encouraged to make the most of the cooler time and also to cover a reasonable distance before the wind may pick up. Deep shade is sought in the hottest part of the day for lunch breaks and rest. Canoeing continues to overnight stops as it becomes cooler again in the late afternoons

DAY ONE

Unless otherwise arranged, trips depart from the Chirundu launch site at Zambezi Breezes at 1030hrs on the morning of departure, after clients have been briefed by their guide. After an hour of canoeing there is a riverbank stop for lunch before paddling on to the first evening’s island camp site. This is a total canoeing distance of approximately 15km, mainly through the network of channels visible on the above Google earth map. ETA at Kakomalala Island is around 1700hrs and camp is then set up.

DAY TWO

The full day of canoeing, approx 25km

0630 - Wake up, tea/coffee and biscuits then depart

0730 - Depart downstream.

0830 – 0900 - Breakfast

1230 – 1430 - Lunch in the shade, out of the mid day sun.

1700 - 2nd Island camp - Magurumeno Islands or beyond.

DAY THREE

Canoeing is the same as Day 2

exiting the river by approx 1200hrs followed by lunch enroute.

On the return road transfer a visit to a traditional village is made before crossing the Kafue river pontoon by barge before reaching the Zambezi Breezes Camp.

Meals

Three meals a day, with cordials and safe, treated water is supplied on every safari. However those wishing to bring their own bottled water may do so. Cooler boxes are provided should clients wish to bring their own selection of beverages for the duration of the safari. Unless notified, meals will follow the program below.

NB.- We require prior warning of at least 2 weeks to cater for special diets or allergies to certain ingredients etc. The main dinners are in most cases part pre-cooked and deep frozen prior to the safari, so it is important to have sufficient notice of what is required.

Early mornings start with tea/coffee biscuits before setting off down stream after packing up canoes and clearing camp.

Breakfast:

Generally after several hours of canoeing, the trip will stop for everyone to stretch their legs while the guide prepares an English breakfast of tinned fruit; eggs, bacon, sausages, fried tomatoes, toast with marmalade or jam; tea and coffee.

Lunch:

An assortment of cold meats, green salads, rolls and cheeses are served, along with a variety of sauces and pickled onions or gherkins to complete the meal.

Dinner:

Assortments of crisps or popcorn for snacks are served followed by a full dinner consisting of beef, chicken or mutton as main course options with two green vegetables and a carbohydrate of potatoes, rice or pasta.

Gallery

We had a totally terrific time - real once-in-a-lifetime stuff.

Alison Nichol-Smith
This trip provides the unbeatable joy of getting right into nature coupled with happy exhaustion to get you to sleep at night.

Andrew Smith
An absolute gem of a holiday - if you're looking for something completely different, relaxing but exhilarating, with a really up close experience of wildlife and Africa outdoors, I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

Jenna McCowan
A superb trip, full of wildlife and wilderness adventure. And, almost as scary, a classroom full of 6 year olds.

Zambezi Canoeing by Richard Maxey
The unhindered exposure to the Zambezi River and its wildlife made this an excellent trip. The guides made an otherwise impossible trip possible.

Melinda Wieneke

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