Zambezi Canoe Safaris

The Zambezi River is unquestionably Africa's finest canoeing destination - the Luangwa River is an excellent trail area run on a small commercial scale, the Kafue and Okavango/Linyanti water systems are suitable for relatively short trails.

Other than these no other African rivers on the continent hold the same opportunities for viewing healthy populations of large and small game and the Zambezi takes top spot!

The definitive guide to lower Zambezi canoe safaris

Explore options on both sides of the Zambezi River with the team from www.zambezi.com.

This site includes deluxe and full participation canoe safaris and shorter trails that focus on the Kariba Gorge, the Mana Pools shoreline, the Lower Zambezi National Park and further downstream through the Mupata Gorge to the border with Mozambique.

The Zambezi has two distinct canoeing regions:

The upper Zambezi: Short canoe trails are available on the 15km stretch of the Upper Zambezi River between the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe and the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia. This section of the river is regarded as "free-flow" and subject to seasonal variation, small rapids are encountered. Short excursions are run year round with overnight trips available on request. [...see more on the canoe trails from Victoria Falls]

The lower Zambezi: This is where the real action takes place! The Mana Pools and Lower Zambezi National Park shorelines offer almost endless opportunities to view big game. This stretch of river has broad floodplains hemmed in by a rugged escarpment on either side of the valley......

A lower Zambezi Canoe Safari is widely regarded as one of the most essential safari options available in southern Africa......

Zambezi sunset

Lower Zambezi Canoeing with Safari Par Excellence and Zambezi River Adventures (Riverhorse)

In 1981 a small group of adventurers set off down the Zambezi River on a safari motivated by a paradox…that the best way to experience the African bush was by canoe! SafPar pioneered canoe safaris in Zambia by offering a river adventure with a difference…overnight stops in permanent riverside lodges.

Today, SafPar offers five trips of unmatched quality, sleeping on islands or the banks of the river and participating fully in camp life. Consider one of the following:

The 3 Day Canoe safari: our shortest canoe safari on the Lower Zambezi offering a taster to those with only limited time in the valley.
The Island Trail: a year round 3 night/4 day camping canoe safari along the Lower Zambezi River from Chirundu to Chongwe and passing through the Mana-pools region.
The 5 in 1 River Run: a 4 night/5 day, adventurous canoe safari through the flood plains of the middle Zambezi River encompassing both day and night game drives, a walk and a visit to a traditional fishing village.
The Great Zambezi Trail: a unique 5 night/6 day canoe safari through the entire length of the floodplains of the middle Zambezi to the remote Mupata Gorge and ending at the confluence of the Luanwga River. Experience the highest concentrations of game and bird life that exist along the Zambezi River.
The Zambezi Explorer safari: our longest canoe safari covering the entire length of the Lower Zambezi in Zambia - from just below Kariba Gorge to Feira on the Mozambique border. This is a great value 8 night/9 day long haul canoe safari allowing guests the opportunity explore the entire Lower Zambezi.
Getting to the Lower Zambezi: a pricelist for private road transfers between the Lower Zambezi and Zambia's tourist hubs. See individual canoe safaris for information on air charters and public transport.