Daily routine on the Great Zambezi Trail

DAY ONE

Meet at Zambezi Breezers at 11:00 for connecting road transfer to Kayila Camp.
Transfer Zambezi Breezers to Kayila lodge approx 2 hours stopping for cold lunch en-route.
ETA Kayila 14:30 followed by river briefing and safety talk.
Start canoeing downstream to evening camp on Mtondo Island
Set up camp then snacks, dinner and discussion on the following days itinerary
Overnight at Mtondo Island - Camping

DAY TWO

Canoeing starts early after morning tea/coffee & biscuits at approximately 06:30
Depart island camp for downstream breakfast stop approx. 08:30
Continue though to shaded lunch stop from approximately 12:30 to 14:00 out of the midday sun.
Canoeing out of mainstream in smaller more secluded channels where possible
Proceed to Nyamatuse to set up camp and prepare snacks and evening meal
Overnight at Nyamatuse - Camping

DAY THREE

Full day canoeing as above
Again spend the day canoeing in the channels rather than in the mainstream where possible
Overnight in G. Channels - Camping

DAY FOUR

Full day canoeing as above
River narrows in the afternoon into what is known as the False Mupata Gorge
You will be canoeing in the mainstream of the river from here through the gorges
Overnight in the gorge on a selected sandy beach
Overnight Sandy beach in river - Camping

DAY FIVE

A different day spent canoeing through the confines of the scenic Mupata Gorge observing the 300 million year old volcanic rock formations that form part of the Great Rift Valley.
Overnight at Redcliff / Feira Camp - Camping

DAY SIX

Early rise tea/coffee breakfast
If the group stayed at Redcliff last night – short canoe trip (2hr) to Feira
If the group stayed at Feira – relaxed start to the morning with no canoeing
Depart Feira campsite at around 10:30/11:30 in 4x4 open Land Cruiser – a long journey part on dirt road and part on tar road in an open vehicle
[ETA Lusaka approximately 16:30]

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

There are several options in getting to the start of your Lower Zambezi canoeing safari:

Self drive to Zambezi Breezers 7km from Chirundu
Public transport to Oasis (about 15km before Chirundu)
Pre arranged private road transfers from Lusaka or Livingstone
Pre-arranged charter flight to Kayila or Royal Airstrips from Lusaka/Livingstone and then boat transfer upstream to Zambezi Breezers

Public Transport: We will meet you at "Oasis" a café about 15km before Chirundu – just ask the bus driver to drop you off at Oasis and our vehicle will collect you from Oasis at around 10:30/11:00 on the morning of departure of the safari).

Road Transfers: We will take you straight to the lodge for the start of your safari. Transfers from Victoria Falls need to be done the day before the safaris departure whilst those from Lusaka come down on the day of the safari’s departure.

[...prices and information on road transfer]

Charter Flight: We suggest landing at Kayila or one of the scheduled flights into Royal airstrip to catch a boat transfer to Gwabi Lodge for 11am meeting. These can be organised on application.

Road Transfer Times:
Lusaka – Zambezi Valley (130km. approx 1 hr 45 min)
Livingstone – Zambezi Valley (496km. approx 6 hr 45 min)

Aircraft and Speedboat Transfer Times:
Lusaka – Zambezi Valley air 30min, boat transfer 1 hr 20 min (approx. 2 hr total)

HEALTH
Any health concerns or medical conditions such as allergies, epilepsy etc should be brought to the attention of the management prior to the start of the safari. Medical advice on Malaria prophylactics should be sought prior to arrival from your local physician/health authority.

AGE RESTRICTION
Minimum age is 15 years. There is no maximum age, however clients must be reasonably fit. The age limit may be flexible for a specific group booking with prior consent.

SAFETY
All canoe safari guides carry HF hand held radios. Each camp has an HF and VHF base set which allows communication between base camps, vehicles, canoes and Medical Air Rescue Services. Each professional canoe guide has passed stringent National Parks canoeing exams prior to leading a canoeing safari.

INSURANCE
All clients are covered by Medical Air Rescue Service (MARS) through Zambezi River Adventures, however this only covers you for emergency evacuation in life threatening situations. It does not cover your hospitalisation and medication. As such, travel and medical insurance is compulsory for all clients and should be purchased prior to your travel. It is your responsibility to have arranged this insurance in your own country prior to leaving so as to cover unexpected medical expenses and loss / theft of personal effects. All clients should carry the details of the insurance policy at all times in case of emergency.

VISAS
Please check visa requirements when making your booking so as to avoid disappointment upon arrival into Zambia. All our safaris take place in Zambia. It is advisable for all clients to check with the Zambian authorities whether or not visas for Zambia are required, and if necessary obtain their visas prior to departure. Your nearest embassy/consulate will be able to advise accordingly.

Information on the visa requirements for Zambia and Zimbabwe can be found by visiting our Travel Documents information. Safari Par Excellence/Zambezi River Adventures will not be held responsible for visa fees.

NATIONAL PARKS FEES
The Great Zambezi Trail enters the Lower Zambezi National Park and parks fees are payable by each client. At the moment these fees are US$25.00 per person per day for Entry to the Park and US$10.00 per person for River Usage fees. We spend three days canoeing through the park, therefore Parks fees amount to US$75.00 per person per safari – subject to change without notice.

WHEN TO GO?

This trip is available all year round, however access into the Lower Zambezi valley by air charter can be limited during the rainy season.
Boat transfers will be used during the rains should wet conditions necessitate.
Temperatures are at their highest in September and October with the rains running through from November to April. Lightweight, waterproof clothing will be required during the rainy season.
Winter months run through from May to July where warm clothing is necessary in the evenings.

The Great Zambezi Trail

Notes | Bookings | Fact file

US$750 per person sharing; FI basis; early morning departures ex Chirundu
(Trip departures can be arranged on any day for parties of 3 or more)
Prices exclude transfers & charters except for those mentioned in daily routine

SAFARI DAYS DISTANCE RATES

3 Day Canoe Safari 2 nights / 3 days 56 km US$ 345 pp sharing

Island Trail 3 nights / 4 days 76 km US$ 495 pp sharing

5-in-1 River Run 4 nights / 5 days 78 km US$ 575 pp sharing

Great Zambezi 5 nights / 6 days 163 km US$ 750 pp sharing

Zambezi Explorer 8 nights / 9 days 268 km US$ 895 pp sharing