Zambezi Canoe Safari

Name: Zambezi Canoe Safari
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.8 (48 reviews)

48 reviews

Activity

Wildlife

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.

Key Information

Trip Code: WZC
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Zambia
Carbon Footprint: 13kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 7 Simple nights (semi-participatory camping, 3 wild camping and 4 campsites)
All breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners
Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities
Travel by open canoes (no previous experience needed)
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations.

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

Itinerary

First Destination: Lusaka, Zambia
Next Destination: Lusaka, Zambia

Accommodation:Campsite (semi-participatory)
Meals included:Dinner

Accommodation:Wild camping (semi-participatory)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Accommodation:Fly camp in Chiawa Game Management Area
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Accommodation:Fly camp in Game Management Area
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Accommodation:Zambezi Breezes Camping or similar (semi-participatory)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Lusaka, Zambia
Next Destination: Lusaka, Zambia

We meet at Lusaka Airport, where we begin our transfer (four to six hours, traffic dependent) to the shores of the Zambezi. Most of this journey is on tar road with the last section along a bumpy dirt track.

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!

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:Campsite (semi-participatory)
Meals included:Dinner

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

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

Either jump in a canoe or hop in a motorboat (depending on wind and river conditions) and cruise along the river to the Lower Zambezi National . 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

Bid farewell to our fly camp hosts and take the motorboat to Zambezi Breezes. 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!)

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

Accommodation:Zambezi Breezes Camping or similar (semi-participatory)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 462 4317

Your Group, Your Adventure

Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

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Accommodation

Camping under the African sky

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

Essential Information

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.

Phone reception: There is no phone reception whilst on the canoe safari but wifi is available at the camp on Day 7.

Key information

Start point: Lusaka Airport (LUN)
Recommended arrival time: You must arrive before 1:30pm on the first day (please do not book flights arriving after this time as we transfer together as a group to the Zambezi River)
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.

Please note: Breezes River Lodge is named as the start hotel for this adventure in your booking confirmation documents. While it is possible to meet here, we strongly recommend that you join the group at Lusaka Airport. If you do wish to join at Breezes River Lodge, please let us know at least two weeks before the trip begins.

Catching your return flight

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

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.

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.

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.

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 through 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.

Reviews

Add new review

lizette Lizzie

Added October 2025

A whole new meaning to getting Into the Wild!

This was an experience of a lifetime! I cannot recommend this trip enough. If you want to go wild camping in the African bush where you can completely disconnect from every day life and get back in touch with nature, then don't hesitate to book this trip. You will be surrounded by wild animals, bird sounds and highly experienced staff.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being surrounded by elephants at our camp and canoeing past so many pods of hippo's. They are in abundance here! Seeing so many different bird species, including the carmine bee-eaters' & their nests which only occurs at a certain time of year. Being a part of the best group of adventurist souls on this departure! Canoeing on the Zambezi of course!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, CB and assistant guide, Julius, were top notch! They were caring, compassionate, extremely knowledgeable (you can ask them anything) and very experienced. I had a great time canoeing with their crew in training, Chuchu. This is not excluding the flycamp crew who tended to our every need and, even though it was camping with basic amenities, they gave us five star service.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes! Everything you need is in there. Make sure you follow the guidelines. I used a large drybag to pack my first 4 days' worth of baggage and had a small shoulder bag that I could keep with me while canoeing for things like binoculars, sunscreen, shades etc. For the warmer months, a sarong or two is very much recommended. You can wet this and cover your shoulders and your legs to keep cool and protect yourself from the sun. The 2x2m tents are actually large enough for two to share. You will have a mattress on a stretcher at the fly camp so you will be elevated from the ground. Take carabiners to clip your items to things like your tent/bag/ the showers. These I found to be super useful. Phone signal is almost non-existent on the trip, so keep this in mind when going back into the wild!

Sam Murray

Added July 2025

An incredible trip, from start to finish

There were so many unforgettable moments on this adventure, but seeing the wildlife in such a natural way, without lots of people round them, was incredible. Camping wild and going off-grid felt like an amazing reset and the tents were very comfortable. Couldn't recommend this trip more!

Most Inspirational Moment

Hmmm lots to choose from! Watching two elephants playfighting from the fly camp, being taught how to navigate using the stars by our tour leader, going to sleep to the sound of elephants and hippos.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martin was incredible. His knowledge about the local wildlife, plants, culture and history was so impressive. He worked tirelessly to make sure we had an amazing trip, always making sure we were comfortable and safe. Such a pleasure to spend the week with him. His assistant Stuart was fantastic too - also went the extra mile to make sure we had a great trip!

Caroline Bissell

Added July 2023

Amazing

This trip is suitable for all regardless of canoeing or camping experience. The proximity to the wildlife is far superior to any previous safari's I have been on. The pace was relaxed, excellent comping equipment, great guide, good food and scenery/wildlife was amazing

Most Inspirational Moment

The sunrises and sunsets - beautiful

Thoughts on Group Leader

Put our safety and wellbeing first, but was always happy to laugh and joke with us :-)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just enjoy it

Barry Holmes

Added 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

Added 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

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 .

Read all reviews

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Zambezi Canoe Safari

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

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

Key Information

What's Included

Don't Forget To

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

Camping under the African sky

Essential Information

Key information

Getting to the start accommodation

Catching your return flight

Zambia

Reviews

A whole new meaning to getting Into the Wild!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

An incredible trip, from start to finish

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A true adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wildlife galore!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Canoeing down the Zambezi

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Kayaking the Lower Zambezi

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Best. holiday. ever

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paddling adventure into nature

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

AMAZING!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

The Adventure Begins Here