Current as of: August 9, 2025 - 03:05

Zambezi River

Zambezi Canoe Safari Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group
  • Destination: Zambia
  • Programmes: Wildlife
  • Activity Level:

    4 out of 7 - Moderate & Challenging

  • 8 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 16+
  • Trip Code: WZC
  • Carbon Footprint: 13kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Paddle the Zambezi, camping as you go, to spot Africa’s wildest locals – elephants, hippos, crocodiles and more

Flowing between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Zambezi is a lifeline for some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife. On this active adventure, you’ll explore its channels by canoe, sharing the water with elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a tour leader who knows all the animals’ favourite hiding spots. Each evening, you camp wild on secluded beaches, gathering around the campfire to share stories with the group and gaze into the star-sprinkled sky. If you want to experience African wildlife as it should be – truly wild – this is the trip for you.

Zambezi Canoe Safari

At a Glance

  • Accommodation: 7 Simple nights (semi-participatory camping, 4 wild camping and 3 tented camp)
  • Travel by open canoes (no previous experience needed)
  • Group normally 4 to 12, plus tour leader. Minimum age: 16

Highlights

  • Canoe the mighty Zambezi, spotting elephants, hippos and crocodiles as you go
  • Gain fascinating insights into the wildlife and environment from your knowledgeable tour leader
  • Wild camp on remote islands, sleeping beneath the dazzling stars
  • Join a ranger-led nature walk in the Lower Zambezi National Park
  • Venture out on a night safari drive to spot elusive nocturnal animals
  • Finish at a riverside camp, complete with a bar, pool and hot showers

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded Activity Level 4 (Moderate & Challenging) with a Wildlife Rating of Four. For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Itinerary: This is generally a comfortable participatory safari but, as it goes through some wild country, come prepared to be flexible and expect delays or inconveniences. Travel is by Canadian-style 5.5m (18ft) two-person canoes and open-backed safari vehicle.

Fitness and experience: No previous experience is necessary, but you should have a reasonable level of fitness as it is an active trip. An ability to swim is recommended.

Safety: Lifejackets are provided, which must be worn when you’re in the canoe.

Water safety: This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 12

Itinerary

Zambezi Canoe Safari

Land Only

  • Start City: Lusaka, Zambia
  • End City: Lusaka, Zambia

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Start Lusaka • To the Zambezi

We meet at Lusaka Airport, where we begin our transfer (3hr 30min) to the shores of the Zambezi. Most of this journey is on tar road with the last section along a bumpy dirt track, meaning a change to a 4×4 vehicle is necessary.

En route, we stop at a supermarket, where you can pick up snacks and drinks for the adventure – there are no shops on the wild banks of the river!

Depending on the time we arrive at the Zambezi, we cross over to our evening campsite on Nyamumba island by canoe or motorboat.

Your tour leader then prepares a welcome dinner, where we can get to know each other a little better.

Please note: If you’re booking your own flights, do not book one arriving after 1.30pm.

Accommodation: Wild camping (semi-participatory)

Meals included: Dinner

Days 2 - 4
Three days of canoeing and wildlife watching on the Zambezi, camping on remote islands
Zambezi Canoe Safari

Spend three glorious days canoeing the Zambezi. This is a safari adventure, so you can expect to see many iconic African animals. We frequently pass hippo pods basking in the deeper water, who will no doubt keep an eye on us, and look for elephants feeding on the banks, basking crocodiles and numerous colourful bird species, including the magnificent African fish eagle.

Each day, we start early to avoid the hottest hours and to catch the easterly headwind at its weakest. The pace is moderate, which allows us to make the most of our wildlife-viewing opportunities.

Lunches and breakfasts are either taken on islands or on the riverbanks, while nights are spent at our wild camps, gazing at the African sky and sharing tales from the day.

Accommodation: Wild camping (semi-participatory)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5
Canoe to our fly camp • Night drive in Chiawa Game Management Area
Zambezi Canoe Safari

This morning, we paddle to our fly camp in the Chiawa Game Management Area. After three days of wild camping, the hot showers and chance to relax will be welcome. Our site also overlooks the Mana Pools, where wildlife regularly comes to drink – there’s even a lookout point for an excellent view!

Later, after the sun has set, we embark on a 4×4 game drive, on which we hope to spot nocturnal animals, such as genets, civets, hyenas, porcupines, aardvarks and, if we’re really lucky, the elusive leopard.

Accommodation: Fly camp in Chiawa Game Management Area

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6
Ranger-led nature walk in the Lower Zambezi National Park
Zambezi Canoe Safari

Hop in a motorboat and cruise along the river to the Lower Zambezi National Park. Here, we join a local ranger for an insightful nature walk, in which our guides take us on a loop, sharing their expertise on the animals tracks, plant life and wildlife found here.

After lunch, we return to our fly camp and enjoy the rest of the day to relax, watching the animals who come to drink at the Mana Pools.

Accommodation: Fly camp in Game Management Area

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7
To Zambezi Breezes • Farewell dinner

Bid farewell to our fly camp hosts and take the motorboat to Zambezi Breezes, enjoying a lunch stop en route. Our new camp has a lovely riverside location, plus a cash bar serving cold drinks, a swimming pool and a toilet and showers block.

It’s the ideal spot to spend our final evening, gathering with the group around a table and retelling the adventures we’ve shared together (and perhaps start planning the next!).

Accommodation: Zambezi Breezes or similar (semi-participatory)

Upgrade to a chalet with private bathroom today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8
To Lusaka Airport

You’ve canoed a long stretch of the Zambezi, gazed up at the twinkling Zambian night sky and spotted countless animals, but today the journey ends and we transfer (four to five hours) back to Lusaka Airport to catch our onwards flights.

Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Camping under the African sky

Zambezi Canoe Safari

There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the wilderness of Zambia than wild camping. On this trip, we spend four nights camping in two-person dome tents, camping on riverine islands, and three nights in set-up bush camps (on the Zambian side of the river) with showers, toilets and large tents.

On this trip, camping is semi-participatory, which means you’ll be actively part of the group, assisting with camp chores and dismantling your tents. We’ve found there’s a real camp spirit to this, which only adds to the experience.

Evenings are extra special. They often start with a magnificent sunset, before the twinkling night sky comes out and you can clearly see the Milky Way.

Upgrade to a chalet with private bathroom on Day 7 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Single supplement from £ 275

Food & Drink

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 (eg vegetarian or allergies) when booking. We 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.

Transport

Travel is by Canadian-style 5.5m (18ft) two-person canoes. Transport on land is in a minibus or Landcruiser for road transfers and safaris.

Worth knowing

  • Travelling conditions: Most roads in Zambia are reasonably well maintained; however, some stretches have a few potholes and rough surfaces depending on the previous rainy season. Some travel is on unsurfaced roads, some of which are quite dusty and bumpy (eg during the game drives).
  • Safety: We strive to ensure client safety and take all necessary precautions. On certain sections of this itinerary, we are likely to come into proximity of several different wildlife species. These mainly include hippos, elephants, buffalos and, occasionally, crocodiles while on the water, along with a variety of other game while on foot. As all wildlife is potentially dangerous, it is important to heed all advice given to you by the guide and to follow instructions accordingly. Lifejackets are mandatory whenever you’re on the water.

Weather & Seasonality

With 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 daytime highs around 25C (77F); however, nights can be cool (down to 10C/50F). From June to August, it can be exceptionally cold. September and October are the hottest months, where daytime highs are regularly 35C (95F) and night-time temperatures can be around 23C (73F). Rainfall is generally confined between November and April. Rains normally occur as heavy showers, but they tend to clear rapidly with sunshine still predominant.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start point: Lusaka Airport (LUN)
Recommended arrival time: Do not book flights arriving after 1.30pm on the first day
Airport: Lusaka Airport (LUN)

Getting to the start accommodation

On the first day, we meet as a group at Lusaka Airport for an early afternoon transfer to the Zambezi River. It is essential you join this group transfer, so please do not book flights arriving after 1.30pm on the first day.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group transfer to Lusaka Airport on the final day, where our tour ends in the late morning.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Lusaka, Zambia
Location end: Lusaka, Zambia

What To Take

Essential Equipment

  • Neutral-coloured clothes (for the game walks)
  • Comfortable walking shoes that will not be ruined if they get wet (rafting sandals are ideal footwear for canoeing)
  • Wide-brimmed sun hat to ensure the back of your neck is shaded (as there is sometimes a strong headwind on the river, a hat with a chin strap is advisable)
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Insect repellent
  • Headtorch (head lamp)
  • Binoculars
  • Gloves – cycling gloves with finger cut outs give good grip
  • Light rainwear
  • Some warmer clothes for winter and after sundown
  • Swimwear and lightweight trek towel
  • Long-sleeve shirt with collar and some lightweight trousers (pants) for the evenings to keep insects off and to protect yourself from too much sun
  • Large water bottle
  • Lightweight backpack with plastic liner or dry sack for keeping any items you need to hand while canoeing (eg camera, sunscreen, water)
  • June to August, bring a warm fleece and possibly a woolly hat

Please note, you need a smaller bag to take 11lb-15lb (5kg-7kg) of stuff with you on the canoe safari – your main luggage is sent to the fly camp where you have it after the canoe safari finishes. It is best to have this smaller bag already packed before arrival as there is not much time on the river to repack before the canoeing starts. It is also best to pack enough clothes for the first three nights on the river in your carry-on bag, as well as any needed medication, as it can take time for luggage to catch up with the group if it is delayed. Given the luggage needs to be transported by vehicle to the river and then by boat to catch up with the group, it can be quite a lengthy process.

Water included: Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.

Optional Equipment

  • Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper
  • We provide the sleeping bags, which come with clean liners and a small pillow. A 1in (2.5cm) Styrofoam mattress is also provided. Most people find these perfectly adequate; however, if you wish to bring your own sleeping bag, you are welcome

If you would like to help under-privileged Zambian school children, please consider packing some basic educational supplies that our partner Charity Baraka Community Partnerships (www.barakacommunity.com) will distribute to the schools and children they support. Second-hand items are fine, such as: notebooks, pens, pencils, colouring pens, paper, young children’s reading books, primary school textbooks, rulers, pencil sharpeners and flashcards. Also needed are footballs (soccer balls), tennis balls, netballs, young children’s clothes and shoes. Just leave them with your tour guide before you head down the river and Baraka will do the rest.

Practical Information

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.

Vaccinations and Health

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.

Bilharzia is known to occur in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary, we therefore advise all to take advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim.

Local Time

Zambia's time zone: Africa/Lusaka (UTC +02:00)

Electricity

Zambia's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins), D (three round pins) and G (three rectangular pins) – 230V, 50Hz

Zambezi Canoe Safari

Money

Zambia's currency: Zambian kwacha (ZMW)

ATM Availability

We suggest you bring US dollars with you, which are accepted at the final camp, Zambezi Breezes. You can also exchange US dollars at a bureau de change on Day 1, if you’d like local currency.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

There is a cash-only bar at the final hotel that accepts US dollars, so bring some extra cash if you would like to make use of this service.

Tipping

Our local staff are paid fairly for their work. Tipping is not compulsory, though many wish to tip our staff in appreciation of their help and friendliness. Although entirely optional, we suggest you budget approximately US$42-US$60 for the trip, which can be broken down as follows:

  • US$15 per person for your tour leader, which can be handed directly to them at Zambezi Breezes
  • The remainder can go into the tipping box at Zambezi Breezes, which will be split among the rest of the staff. If you can’t see the tipping box, please ask your tour leader to show you its location

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Important Information

Your Safe Participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. 

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. 

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. 

Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.

How to Book

Speak to our friendly team of experts to plan your adventure:

  1. Check availability: our website shows real-time availability or contact our team by phone, email or live chat.
  2. Hold a space: You can provisionally hold a space to give you time to finalise your travel plans.
  3. Confirm your booking: Payment of a deposit will complete your booking and secure your place on the trip.

After booking
You will receive a confirmation document and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements. Our dedicated Customer Operations team will help you with any pre-travel questions or arrangements and can easily add extensions or extra accommodation to your booking. Final Joining Instructions will usually be sent out two to three weeks prior to departure.

Adding transfers to your booking
If you have arranged your own flights and would like to add transfers to your booking, please provide your arrival and departure details to our Customer Operations team around four to six weeks before departure.

  • Where free transfers are included, they are available for any flight but can only be added to your booking once we have received your flight schedule.
  • Where group arrival and departure transfers are available, these operate at fixed times. You will need to arrive in time to meet the scheduled transfer. If the timings don’t align with your travel plans, our team can arrange private transfers once they receive your flight schedule.

Trip Note validity
Trip notes may be updated after booking; if any updates significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary you will be advised in writing. A link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes will be sent out with your Final Joining Instructions before departure.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes, and occasionally it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

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