Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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47 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Elizabeth Jones

Reviewed June 2016

An amazing adventure on the Zambezi

This trip far exceeded my expectations in every way. The wildlife encounters were amazing, hippos everywhere, crocs, birds, impala, kudus, waterbuck, buffalo etc etc. On the second day I was beginning to worry that I would not see an elephant, then they were everywhere and being on the water allowed us to see them from a different perspective as well as on foot, at the campsite and on 4 wheels.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many - falling asleep to the sounds of Africa and hippos 'laughing' - Rafting all the canoes together to cross the river with a group of elephants - Arriving at the fly site to be welcomed by countless elephants of all sizes having a drink ( far too many to fit in a photo) - Getting a new found respect for termites and learning about the little things that are easy to miss on the game walks - Watching the sun rise and set over the water - Waking to the sound of lions roaring at 5am even if we didn't see them

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cuthbert (CB) was brilliant his knowledge of everything was second to none, he had a great sense of humour and spent time getting to know everyone. He and Ahmed looked after us so well and whilst we set up the tents would have a fire lit and dinner cooking, they always seemed to overestimate how much food we needed, there was no chance of ever going hungry. Our safety was always priority and as well as pointing out the wildlife they were always ensuring we were all ok and quickly getting us out the way when hippo encounters became a bit too close for comfort.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a brilliant trip and I would recommend it without reservation, a few tips: - pack what you need for the first few days ready to grab as we arrived rather late at the river on the first day and sorting out luggage by torchlight can be a bit of a challenge before canoeing across the river in the dark. - I was a little apprehensive about the no toilets/ washing facilities during wild camping, it was not a problem at all and baby wipes became our version of a shower. - It does get cold at night so make sure you have enough warm clothes to sleep in - The wind can get up and was never in our favour which, particularly on the first day made it hard going

Denys Mcbride

Reviewed June 2016

Wildlife heaven!

Saw so many hippo, crocs, elephants and a few buffalo in the 10 days! Hard paddling, especially the 1st day, but wonderful animals and scenery make it all so worthwhile!

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting with Cuthbert our guide by the riverside in the dark, listening to 4 elephants drinking on the other side of the stream. Great noises, smells and a wonderful memory that will stay with me for years!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cuthbert was wonderful! He did all the glory stuff though while Ahmed did the hard work, looking after us all and helping keep us well fed

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack all you need for the first 4 days in your carry on luggage. Otherwise you will re packing in the dark on the side of the river, by the light of your head torch, and you may miss something. Take lots of wet wipes, you will be horrified by the colour they turn as you wet wipe wash! Nights are COLD! Take warm clothes to sleep in, as the tents are single skin mosquito netting and the chill sets in at 3am! If you sleep cold take your own sleeping bag! No pillows are supplied either. Marshmallows would be a great thing to take, toasted over the fire once the cookings done. Hot chocolate sachets are something I would take next time. Tea coffee and orange squash are provided, if you want beer or coke etc, buy it at the shop when you stop after the airport.

Reviewed October 2014

Amazing Zambezi

A great vacation, exactly like I had expected it to be from the travel schedule provided by Exodus. Camping on various islands close to elephants, hippos and crocs under the stars was just the best. No additional luxuries needed!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Just being in the nature all day long, seeing elephants real close by, having a young elephant trumpeting at us and having to paddle zig-zag around the hippos.

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was a great tour guide. Very calm and always in the lead. His trainee Best was just that: all the best!! They cooked great food and made us all feel very comfortable during the whole trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring lots of wet wipes for the days on the Zambezi and the islands. Pack your luggage for the first 3-4 days in your carry-on, as the tour will start right away and you won't have to repack in the dark when you get to the start of the tour.

Catherine Payne

Reviewed October 2014

A fantastic adventure

An amazing trip – a true adventure – far from the madding crowds – loved every minute of it.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many amazing moments: floating down the Zambezi,completely out of contact, no wi-fi, no phones, apart from our 7 canoes no other boats or people in sight, no sounds except the ho, ho, ho's of hippos and the gentle lapping of the river, totally at peace and one with nature. Watching a family of elephants chomping on grass then crossing the river completely oblivious to our boats just a few feet away. Lying in the tent watching a mother and baby elephant walk by in the dark. Waking to find from the prints in the sand that a hippo had slept beside us. The roar of a lion at twilight hunting for food............

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB/Cuthbert and his assistant Ackmed(?) were superb. Calm, confident, extremely knowledgeable & hardworking, friendly, patient and excellent cooks we always felt in safe hands. We could not have asked for better guides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The rough camping, often sharing the islands in the middle of the Zambezi with elephants, was no hardship at all. Food, cooked on charcoal fires in big cast iron pots, was ample and good. Mattresses doubled as cushions in the canoes. We didn't take or need any extra food or bedding. Take fingerless gloves to prevent blisters and a powerful torch. Take everything you need for 3 days rough camping & canoeing in your hand luggage - just in case your hold luggage goes AWOL (the case of one of our party went to Kenya and did not reappear until the penultimate day of the holiday). We went straight from the airport to the canoes and having everything prepacked in our hand luggage avoided repacking in the dark and did not see -or need- our cases again until we reached the fly camp.

William Cowburn

Reviewed October 2014

A great way to chill out and see wildlife at VERY close quarters

Fantastic experience, the best way to see wildlife and great way to relax.

Most Inspirational Moment

The shear number of hypos, elephants and crocodiles that line the river bank has to be seen to be belived. The food that our guide Cutherbert and his trusty assistant created was just incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cuthbert was amazing. He (and his assistant) were every morning at 4am to get the breakfast on. We had a cooked breakfast and on the water by 7am. Cuthbert then set a pace that was just right for everyone and ensured that the itinerary went exactly to plan without tiring anyone. His knowledge of all things related to the bush were demonstrated on the walk around the fly camp - everything from the latin names of all the trees to the contents of elephant dung were covered. We had chilled drinks on tap which was just incredible. The evening meals cooked on carcoal were delicous and just how he got the charcoal burning in such a short space of time was amazing. Most importantly, Cuthbert ensured we had a safe passage - this trip is not without risks and thanks to our leaders knowledge of the wild life, these were minimised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to the leader and follow his advice for your safety. Enjoy the trip and take it all in! Ask about extending the last day. In my opinion it was too short and the walking safari in the national park is not that great - the chances of seeing anything are slim given you are out on a flat plain where animals will run off before you get anywhere near. The only down side for us was the campsite at Zambezi Breezers was occupied by some rowdy city folk who spent the night getting drunk - so take ear plugs just in case!

Steven Steven

Reviewed October 2014

The Zambezi Valley.

An amazing experience.You get really close to nature!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing so many elephants up close.Watching some of the most amazing sunsets and sunrises.

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was excellent.His hard work,calm manner and unending patience made the trip extra special.The way he and Achmel(?)produced such excellent food on a tiny heap of wood or charcoal was amazing.Thank you so much to them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some gloves as the canoeing can be hard at times when you are up against the strong wind.

Richard Maxey

Reviewed September 2014

The Zambezi Valley

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

Most Inspirational Moment

Wild camping on islands surrounded by hippos and crocodiles - slightly nerve-wracking!

Thoughts on Group Leader

TK was fantastic. Canoeing through this area is a potentially risky activity, but we were kept safe and entertained at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a scary start to the trip - we canoed to our first camp in the dark! Bring a sense of adventure and a good camera.

Jonathan Smith

Reviewed July 2014

A supreme holiday

What a fantastic holiday. The whole experience from booking with Exodus, to canoeing with a great bunch of fellow travellers, to camping besides elephants, to singing with lovely African kids…..this trip didn’t disappoint.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to decide! Maybe having to start the trip with a canoe in the dark across the Zambezi avoiding hippos to get to our first nights camp. Or maybe the sight of a young elephant swimming in front of us with only his little trunk sticking out of the water. Or maybe the sight of the Milky Way every night. Or maybe the laughs we had every evening with my fellow travellers. Or maybe the amazing knowledge of CB our guide....is there any animal or bird he doesn't know?......or maybe the lovely kids school we visited. Or maybe just about every moment......you guessed it I had a good time!

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was fantastic. Great knowledge and a perfect host and cook. He was quiet in character and just let his guests enjoy themselves without trying to be in any way the centre of attention.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take as little as you can for yourself and use the rest of your space in your bag to provide clothes for the kids at the orphanage. You won't need any extra food as you get more than enough but a few sweets to give you a sugar boost now and again a sensible idea. A few beers purchased at the supermarket in Lusaka were great fully drunk once the tents were pitched.

Reviewed July 2013

THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY

What a trip. This is an amazing way to see wildlife up close and personal. Right from the start you are immersed in the wilds and you will be seeing all manner of animals as you cruise down the Zambezi. This has got to be one of my favourite holidays so far and I would recommend this to anyone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Drifting up in the canoes to within, what seemed to be, a few feet of a family of elephants and feeling that I could reach out and touch them. The majesty of these wonderful creatures is breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

TK was amazing. He was very knowledgable and made sure you felt safe and comfortable during the trip. His knowledge on all things related to Zambia, the people and wildlife and fauna, was second to none and he sure had some good cooking skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not worry to much if you think that you need to be super fit to do this trip. As long as you have a reasonable level of fitness this should not tax you too much. There is no pressure to go steaming up the river working yourself to the bone each day, rather there is some mild paddling as you cruise along with the river current. So as long as you do some regular excercise and can handle wild camping for a few nights then you will enjoy this trip. Also on a final note please remember to change any Kwacha before you head through the security at the airport. There are no places to change your money in the departure lounge in Lusaka.

Reviewed July 2013

THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY

A simply amazing trip it was exactly what I expected it to be. Wonderful experiences!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Canoeing on the Zambizi early in the morning g is just magical. We were lucky to see a leopard,however for me the close encounters with elephants were the best.

Thoughts on Group Leader

TK and Best were simply amazing! They could not do enough for us, they made you feel safe and somehow every night they cooked the most incredible food!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too much stuff as everything goes on the canoe!!! I would recommend a few days at the end staying at Eureka camp and in Lusaka, or even longer and travel more in Zambia??

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