Zambezi Canoe Safari

Name: Zambezi Canoe Safari
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.8 (45 reviews)

Expert Local Guides

Award Winning Adventures

Citizen Science Departures available

Nature First Adventures

8 Days from

10 Days from

CAD 3,445

Incl. taxes Excl. flights

4.8/5 from

Wildlife

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Wildlife

Activity Levels :

3 out of 7 - Moderate

Group Size :

4 - 12

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

WZC

A superb canoe and walking safari in the Zambezi Valley

An exciting trip perfect for those wishing to encounter the spectacular wildlife and incredible scenery of Zambia in as intimate and active a way as possible. The mighty Zambezi is an excellent location for a canoe safari. Camping out on secluded beaches, the days are spent relishing magnificent scenery and abundant game, while passing the ever-present basking crocodiles and hippo pods. Away from the water there is also plenty of time for game walks and drives to experience the diverse wildlife and remarkable scenery this region has to offer.

This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.

Highlights

Experience the peace and tranquillity of canoeing on the Zambezi
Camp out under the stars on secluded islands
Game drives in Chiawa Game Management Area, renowned for its elephant sightings
Game walks and canoeing in the Lower Zambezi National Park
Citizen Science departures available on this trip

Key Information

4 nights semi-participatory camping with either limited or no facilities, 3 nights camping in tented camp with shared facilities
Travel by open canoes on the Zambezi River
No previous experience necessary

Countries visited: Zambia

What's Included

All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation
Visas or vaccinations

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices regarding working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
Some departures of this trip provide the opportunity for you to collect water samples for the International eBioAtlas initiative which collects vital DNA information to assist in essential conservation initiatives.
We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us and the eBioAtlas.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re-usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Itinerary

After the arrival of the group flight in the early afternoon, we transfer to the Zambezi River. Most of this road transfer to the start of the safari is on tar road with the last section of the journey being along a bush dirt track making a change to a 4WD vehicle is necessary. Depending on the time we arrive at the Zambezi River we will cross over to our evening campsite on Nyamumba island by canoe or motor boat . Dinner is prepared by the guide.
Please note: Clients must not book flights arriving after 12PM.
Accommodation: Wild Camping
Semi-participatory Camping

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

We have three days canoeing with early starts as it is often better to canoe in the early hours when it is not so hot, and more importantly, when the easterly head wind is at its weakest. The pace is gentle to allow us to make the most of wildlife viewing opportunities. We look out for elephant feeding on the banks, basking crocodiles and numerous colourful bird species including the magnificent African Fish eagle. The list of species we spot may include buffalo, baboon, Vervet monkey, Pied kingfisher, Goliath heron, Carmine Bee eaters and maybe even lion! We will frequently pass pods of hippo basking in the deeper water who will no doubt be keeping an eye on us! There are few signs of human habitation throughout our time on the river. Lunches and breakfasts are either taken on islands or on the banks of the river.

Accommodation: Wild Camping
Semi-participatory Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We canoe to the Chiawa Game Management Area, which is situated 18 kms from the Lower Zambezi National Park just opposite the Mana Pools, where we spend the night in our fly camp based on mainland. This is an area rich in wildlife and is renowned for the numerous elephant sightings. It is also home to warthog, waterbuck, impala, kudu, and rare Samango monkeys, with many riverene bird species including the Lilac-breasted roller. We have an afternoon game walk or game drive through the reserve where we hope to spot other nocturnal species such as genet, civet, hyena, porcupine, aardvark and if really lucky, the elusive leopard.

Accommodation: Fly Camp in Game Management Area
Comfortable Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we canoe from the Chiawa Game Management Area into the Lower Zambezi National Park (approximately 8km downstream). We have a morning game walk with a guide, and then have lunch in the park under the shade of the trees or on the banks of the Zambezi River. After lunch we will be taken on a game drive through the park back to our fly camp on the banks of the river in Game Management Area. If river water levels are too high in the winter months (May – July), due to excess water being released from Lake Kariba, we may use a boat transfer as certain road crossing may be flooded.

Accommodation: Fly Camp in Game Management Area
Comfortable Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We are transferred by road from our bush camp in the Game Management Area to Zambezi Breezes today. Should river conditions necessitate we may use a boat transfer back to Zambezi Breezes where required.

Accommodation: Zambezi Breezes or similar
Semi-participatory Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early start today; after breakfast we transfer approximately 4-5 hrs to Lusaka where our tour ends in the late morning. Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport for the flight to London.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Zambia

Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccination

Zambia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, polio, tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours via a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Malaria is also a known risk, please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic on the best course of action for all the above.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners included.

Meals are prepared for you but group members are asked to assist in preparation and washing up.

Typical meals

Breakfast: Cereals or coffee and toast plus a fried breakfast on most days.

Lunch: Fresh salads, cold meats, cheese, bread, condiments, fruit.

Evening meal: Biggest meal of the day, stews, pasta, curry, local cuisine.

Vegetarians can be catered for but given the difficulties of preparing different meals while wild camping, the variety of food may be limited.

Please indicate special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies) when booking. We will supply the following drinks: fruit squash served throughout, and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner.

There is always a plentiful supply of chlorinated water available (sometimes even chilled!) and we encourage you to drink water throughout the day to avoid dehydration.

All other beverages will be at your own expense and can be purchased at the supermarket in Lusaka prior to travelling to the river.

Weather

With its exceptionally mild winters Zambia is best enjoyed during the dry season. This period extends from May to early November. The days are generally dry, hot and sunny with day time highs around 25ºC, however nights can be cool (down to 10ºC). From June to August it can be exceptionally cold. September and October are the hottest months where daytime highs are regularly 35º+ and temperatures at night can be in the low to mid 20s. Rainfall is generally confined between the months of November and April. Rains normally occur as heavy showers, but they tend to clear rapidly with sunshine still predominant.

Weather Charts

Lusaka, Zambia

Is this trip for you?

This is generally a comfortable participatory safari but, as it goes through some wild country, you should come prepared to be flexible and expect delays or inconvenience.
Travel is by Canadian-style 18ft. two-person canoes and open backed safari vehicle. No previous experience is necessary but you should have a reasonable level of fitness on what is an active trip. An ability to swim is recommended.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Barry Holmes

Reviewed November 2022

A true adventure

This was a brilliant trip for seeing so much wildlife, and getting so close to it, particularly the elephants and hippopotami. Whilst we couldn’t believe how many elephants we saw, we also saw lesser numbers of lions, crocodiles, water buffalo and a miscellanea of birdlife. Insect life was also plentiful, colourful dragonflies by day and fireflies by night.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fact that you could get safely so close to wild animals like elephants, which you could never do on land. It was magical to go to sleep in your tent knowing elephants and hippos would wander past during the night.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, one of the best. There were 13 people and six canoes, so one canoe had to take three and we ended up in the canoe with the guide. This was great as he did most of the paddling, making ours a premium adventure! The trip has its' potential hazards; at one stage a large crocodile sallied forth towards us, but our guide got us to splash the water with our paddles which drove it away; he would keep a close eye on us and get us to move back if we were getting potentially too close to elephants in the water.

Katherine Burke

Reviewed September 2022

Wildlife galore!!

I’ve just got back from canoeing the Zambezi Valley- what a trip!! We saw hippos, elephants, crocodile, monkeys, baboons, Impala, Kudu, warthogs and even a porcupine and a leopard!! The tents provided were really good- tall enough to stand up in, with mesh panels so you could look out if you wished. The stars at night were beautiful so I’d really recommend that. The canoeing was at a steady pace and suitable for all abilities- the hardest part was often getting in and out of the boat!! If you haven’t camped or kayaked before, don’t be put off, the pace was just right and the support from the leader and assistant leader was great. We also had a couple of game walks and a night game drive. The food was simple, but tasty and there was plenty of it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing all the wildlife- I loved the hippos and we even had an elephant join us for lunch one day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was a very good leader- knowledgeable and quick to help with any problems. He definitely had a sense of humour as well! Evans, the assistant leader, was quieter, but always on hand to help.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tips- you definitely need a torch and a camera! There are no shops on the trip so if you want snacks or alcohol, buy it on the way to the campsite from the airport. This is not the trip for anyone who likes a lie-in! We had breakfast at 7 every day.

Christopher Bailey

Reviewed September 2019

Canoeing down the Zambezi

Go on this trip. Yes, it involves wild camping (no toilets, showers, etc) but the rewards are immense. Close encounters with wild animals, beautiful scenery. The trip is well organised, food is good, and guides are great.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had visited Kruger Park earlier this year and seen many animals but it was not the same as seeing then close up and personal on this trip. Many close encounters. Highlights include elephants gatecrashing my birthday celebrations, close up views of hippos, crocs, and numerous antelope. Apart from the wildlife, sunrises and sunsets over the Zambezi were pretty impressive.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader CB exuded a sense of calm and always seemed in control of situations which included persuading elephants to leave our camp. He and his assistant Best looked after us and cooked wonderful meals. It is difficult to praise them too highly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light. You do not need that extra t-shirt. Make sure you have sufficient sun cream. Take a camera.

Suggestions

I have been on a number of adventure holidays. This has got to be one of the best.

John Hirons

Reviewed November 2018

Kayaking the Lower Zambezi

This was definitely a trip to get me out of my comfort zone (wild camping and kayaks instead of hotels and minibuses) and certainly did not disappoint. The fact you get so close to the wildlife far outweighed the fact you are wild camping (which I though I would struggle with).
The sense of achievement at the end of the week was overwhelming, having travelled such a long distance in a kayak.
The safari element far exceeded anything you would imagine and felt far more real than if you were in the back of a safari jeep (which I have done in South Africa). Animals spotted included elephants, hippos, lions, warthogs, buffalo, impala, zebra, baboons (and other monkeys), fish eagle, kingfisher and lots of others too much to mention.
The group I was with was amazing and everyone got on so well and helped each other. The food was good throughout the week and we even had a celebratory BBQ on the last night.
All in all I can safely say if I can do this holiday (and enjoy it) then anyone can!

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting so close to the elephants (which is the main reason I chose the holiday). the sense of achievement for actually getting to the end without breaking!

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was amazing. Very knowledgeable, humorous, kind, professional and clearly enjoyed his job. It is no wonder he is an award winner. Best made the perfect assistant guide and is clearly learning a great deal from CB. Both together looked after us so well and work brilliantly as a team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

sunscreen. I ran out of 2 tubs (although half of one ended up at the bottom of the safari truck). Deet - I had 2 and ran out although I was probably the one with more bites than anyone else. Bite cream offers a major relief for the bites. Head torch (with a red light), gloves for the rowing. Prepare for no showers until the comfortable camping half way through but we were able to cool off and kind of clean off in the river a couple of times. It is proper wild camping so there are no toilets until the comfortable camp but the views you get when behind the bushes are literally stunning :-) If you can, add on a quick trip to Livingstone for the Victoria Falls. You are so close it would be a shame to miss it. As well as bringing a load of school supplies bring an extra suncream with you if you can. They give any spare suncream to a charity looking after albino children as it is prohibitively expensive in Zambia.

Suggestions

Bring your sense of adventure with you and you will not go wrong.

Lynne Bateman

Reviewed November 2018

Best. holiday. ever

Best. Holiday. Ever.
I cannot recommend enough.

CB is bloody amazing as a leader and guide. He’s one guide I will always remember – most guides on adventure holidays are great but instantly forgettable. But his humour and patience meant I felt like he was a friend! Great knowledge and communication skills.

A really well organised trip. Group size perfect too. Tents and mattresses perfect. Plenty of water and fruit.
We were pleased that upon arrival we didn’t hop directly in the canoes – we stayed at the mainland campsite (sunrise! Honking hippos!). This was fab because there is a shower block there and you are hot and dusty from the transfer/flight.

The canoeing is awesome. The campsites were perfect. The food brilliant (I’m veggie).

But the animals! My god! So many incredible experiences. I don’t know if we struck lucky but every day got more amazing than the last. It’s so much better to see animals from a canoe than from a Dusty 4×4.

Lastly- the group were brilliant!!

Tips:
We got a kaza visa online, no drama – but you only need this is you are travelling after to Zimbabwe. You need a sticker in your passport not just a stamp! (Our first mistake).

By the way, Livingstone is well worth a visit and CB organised a local bus for us.

You need minimum kit – we washed in the river every day. As suggested, carry your canoe stuff ready to go in hand luggage.
Bring a red light torch (for bugs) gloves (just in case) and definitely binoculars (We were so stupid!) And a zoom lens. And a bottle of rum?!
We took a 10 litre dry bag each for clothes and another for the sleeping bag and then shared a camera bag.

Most Inspirational Moment

The animals!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was just wonderful.

Phill Dixon

Reviewed November 2018

Paddling adventure into nature

This is a great active safari that will get you close to nature and sleeping out under the stars.
We saw lions, birdlife galore, paddled past hippos and were able to stop the canoes and get close to herds of elephant.

The canoes are the perfect vehicle for the journey, yes you need to be relatively fit and have a bit of knowledge about a canoe ( they can provide advice or in uk go on a simple paddle start of 1 star canoe intro), but you get so close to animals and they were often relaxed. Also you have great fields of view across the water front.

Yes the campsites are basic – pitch a tent on a sandy island but the food is great and plentiful, you don’t need a shower you can dip in the safer shallows of the Zambezi, and you get to wake up to beautiful African sunrises.
You do have early starts and early nights but what you get back is worth it.

Advice is to have plenty of drybags and try and get a paddle suitable for your height. But anyone with a sense of adventure, a desire to see wildlife and reasonable fitness will enjoy this.

Most Inspirational Moment

Paddling to one of the islands to watch the gorgeous sunset with elephants eating 50m away. Then listening to them as drift off to sleep. Seeing a pride of 5 lions on a game drive was also pretty special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was well liked by everyone, right combination of humour, knowledge and always there with advice or a calming reassurance. He clearly loves the job and all the guests agreed he was as much like a friend on the tour as well as never stopping in looking after us. If you needed it then CB would have it or find a way to get it for you. First class guide and especially nice to see him teaching Best the assistant guide in any downtime.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Packlight but bring an extra t-shirt or top. Antibacterial soap can wash hardwearing clothes if want to do that too. Plenty of bug spray and sunscreen as you will use it. Bring a good point and shoot as well as dslr as in the canoe wielding a big lens isn't always practical. Change about $50 at the airport and get a few bonus items at the shop on the way - you will need about 1 - 2l for the drive in the heat. Try and find a right sized paddle Lastly have most of your stuff for the first 3 nights ready to go in a separate daysack in your softbag. When you reach the 1st camp it is often dark and you don't have much time.

Suggestions

This is an incredible adventure and feels like a true old style safari up river. It isn't for people who want air con lodges and to be sat 200m from the animals, but if you can skimp on the mod cons it is worth every penny

Sally and Tony Chewter

Reviewed September 2018

AMAZING!

One of the best wildlife experiences ever – to get so close to the hippos and elephants on the river in the canoes was incredible

Most Inspirational Moment

Sat in the front of the canoe looking a huge male elephant in the eye just 19 feet away

Thoughts on Group Leader

TK and his assistant Beste were fantastic - helpful, knowledgeable, encouraging, great cooks and brilliant sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take rowing gloves to prevent blisters

Suggestions

You do get very close to the wildlife and the hippos and elephants graze and walk through the camps at night - magical moments but not for the faint hearted. And this really is wild camping - no creature comforts but absolutely brilliant .

Andrew Hankinson

Reviewed July 2018

Just Wow!

Since coming back from this trip, I am finding it extremely difficult to put into words just how amazing it really was, so writing a review is going to be even harder. The wildlife is exceptional and not in short supply. The scenery both in the day and in the night is just phenomenal. And finally the whole experience is once in a lifetime!

Most Inspirational Moment

Jumping out of the minibus just hours after we landed, in the pitch black night, and looking towards the sky to see the brightest sky I have ever witnessed

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB and Besty were amazing group leaders. We did not have to lift a finger at all over the 6 days.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I wouldn't worry about taking too many clothes as everyone is in the same boat (excuse the pun!) I would take shoes that you don't mind getting reasonably wet or ones which are easily dried Buy your alcohol at the store on the way to the first campsite (For a 6pk it is around 80 Kwacha)

Suggestions

Just go and enjoy it!

Francesca Woodman

Reviewed June 2018

An amazing camping and canoeing trip

This trip was a truly wonderful experience, canoeing on the Zambezi and camping out under the Milky Way on sandy islands in the middle of the river. We saw very few people and it almost seemed like we had the mighty river to ourselves – only sharing it with hippos, crocodiles, elephants and birds. Paddling downstream with the current the route varied between wide stretches of river and between reed beds on narrower channels, which enabled us to get close to the wildlife. A great group, great guides and a fantastic trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Camping on the islands under the stars surrounded by the river and wildlife.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not for people who want constant social media contact or a hot shower every day.

Chrissie Coyle

Reviewed September 2017

Zambezi Valley - Awesome

This really was roughing it for 4 days and nights wild camping and canoeing, 2 days in a fly camp with comfortable beds and showers/toilets and 1 night at Zambezi Breezers with a Bar! An awesome trip with great people and a fantastic guide and assistant guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching and experiencing wildlife as it should be. Hippos, elephants, antelope and deer, warthogs, a variety of exotic birds, just amazing. Being outdoors and on the river, experiencing sunrise and sunsets which photos just can't do justice. Waking up and looking out of your tents to see wildlife wandering nearby. Drifting along with the river, soaking up the sun, breeze, atmosphere, scenery was simply bliss.

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB (Cuthbert) was truly amazing, he worked like a trojan, was knowledgeable, looked after us all extremely well, kept 12 novice canoeists safe and all with a brilliant sense of humour. His assistant Best, whilst quietly spoken, worked extremely hard and with CB made sure we were very well looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There isn't much time to re-arrange bags and it could be dark when you arrive so pack enough for 4 days in one bag and pack light, you don't need loads of stuff. Be prepared for long transfers.

Suggestions

We canoed for 4 to 5 hours a day for 4 days and met a lot of headwinds and so it was really tough but definitely worth it.

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Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

View Trip Notes

Availability

This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

View Trip Notes

Availability

This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

View Trip Notes

Availability

This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

View Trip Notes

Availability

This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

View Trip Notes