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DAY ONE
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Meet 10:30/11:00 at Oasis or 11:00/11:30 at Zambezi Breezers
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Guide briefing followed by light lunch, canoeing orientation
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Canoe through to evening camp, effectively a half-day canoeing
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Canoe approx 14 km to evening camp spot and prepare camp
Overnight Kakomalala - Camping
DAY TWO
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Full day canoeing - approximately 25km
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Canoeing starts early after morning tea/coffee & biscuits approx
06:30/07:00
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Depart island camp for downstream breakfast stop approximately
08:30am
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Continue through to shaded lunch stops from approx 12:30-14:30
out of midday sun
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Proceed to mainland fly camp for overnight camp
Overnight Mtondo Island - Camping
DAY THREE
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Full day canoeing, approx 26km
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Daily routine as Day 2
Overnight at Nyamangwe/Fisherman’s Island - Camping
DAY FOUR
Return transfers:
Guests may be dropped off at Royal Airstrip by 10am for connecting flights
out at the end of their safari or transferred back to Gwabi Lodge by road to
meet connecting road transfers.
Boat transfers may be arranged back to Gwabi (1 hour) should the clients want to
connect with an earlier transfer road transfer (cost of boat transfer to clients
account).
Road transfer to Zambezi Breezers 3hrs (included in price of safari)
Optional: Drop off Royal airstrip 30 min road transfer
Optional: Boat transfer to Zambezi Breezers 1hr 20min
EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED
We use two man 18-foot Canadian Canoes with containment nets and ropes to ensure
both safari and personal belongings are secure at all times.
Each canoe has five buoyancy chambers, while the bucket seats are cushioned
allowing a reasonable level of back support. Single blade paddles are used and
life jackets supplied.
Two-man mosquito netted bow tents are used, which allows for a full view of the
night sky and maximum aeration. Sleeping bags, liners (sleeping bags
inners/personal sheets) and airline pillows are also provided along with roll
out mattresses.
Other equipment includes: cooler boxes, tables, chairs, gas cookers, melamine
crockery, cutlery and a variety of other items are provided, to ensure a
reasonable level of comfort is maintained for the duration of your canoeing
safari.
Four-wheel drive vehicles are used as support vehicles for transfers and game
drives where included. Boat transfers may also be used depending on the weather
and time of year.
FOOD AND DRINKS
- All meals, cordials and treated municipal water are supplied in
containers;
- Complimentary local wine is provided with evening dinner;
- Clients may purchase additional beverages prior to the start of the
safari;
- Cooler boxes and ice are provided.
EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS
No previous canoeing experience is necessary. The Island canoeing safari is
generally relaxing and little physical exertion is required. However, at certain
times of the year strong winds may occur which makes paddling more difficult at
times - should this occur the guide will decide whether it is feasible to carry
on canoeing or to stop for a while to wait for the wind to die down.
DAILY MEAL PLAN
Start: Typically guests are up early (6:00/06:30) for tea/coffee along
with biscuits before setting off downstream at around 7.30am.
Breakfast: Breakfast stop at approx (08:00/09:00) on the banks of the
Zambezi River for an English breakfast comprising of tinned fruit; eggs; bacon;
sausages; toast and jam. Tea/coffee is then served before starting off again.
Lunch: An assortment of cold meats, green salads, rolls, cheeses along
with a variety of sauces and pickled vegetables to complete the meal.
Dinner: Snacks followed by a full dinner consisting of either beef or
chicken dish with two green vegetables and a carbohydrate.
Please note:
Should there be any dietary preferences we must be given sufficient time to
organise this. Also we must be advised of any food allergies well before the
date of departure of the safari.
PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS
Clients are asked to keep their luggage down to a maximum of +/-7kg. Excess
baggage and valuables can be kept safely at our office near Chirundu and can be
collected on your return. Appropriate shirts, shorts, trousers etc in bush
colours (preferably khaki, greens, greys or browns). Long sleeve cotton shirt
suggested for fair skinned people including a light cloth to cover bare legs in
summer months. Other items include:
- Water Bottle
- Comfortable shoes (preferably worn in) they will get wet.
- Warm clothing for winter mornings and evenings being June,
July and August
- Anti Malarial Prophylactics
- Wide Brim Sun Hat
- Sun Block
- Insect Repellent
- Personal Toiletries
- Medications
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Torch/Flashlight
- Spare Batteries
- Valid travel and health documents
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.
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.
Additional information
- African Safari options: ideas for
safaris along the course of the Zambezi River
- Photo Gallery: a series of
picture galleries covering safaris and action on the Zambezi
- Map of the Zambezi: a
full display map of the lower Zambezi showing the relative positions
of the Kafue confluence and Chongwe
- Safari combinations:
consider The Island Trail in conjunction with other Safari Par
Excellence properties and safari options
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The Island Trail
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Notes | Bookings
| Fact file |
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US$495 per person sharing; FI basis; early morning
departures ex Chirundu
(Trip departures can be arranged on any day for parties of 3 or more)
Prices exclude transfers & charters except for those mentioned in
daily routine
| SAFARI |
DAYS |
DISTANCE |
RATES |
| 3 Day Canoe Safari |
2 nights / 3
days |
56 km |
US$ 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 |
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