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4-Day Zambezi Island Canoe Trail

Customisable Itinerary
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Trip Overview

This popular 4-Day canoeing safari is spent camping on selected islands along the Lower Zambezi River as the river makes its way through the floodplains of the Mana Pools region. This unique Zambia safari tour takes you far from the beaten path!

These canoeing safaris are self-contained with all the safari equipment being carried in the canoes for the duration of the trip. Guides prepare meals while the guests participate in erecting their tents, sorting out their bedding and general loading and offloading of their canoes.

During the hot summer months, early morning departures are encouraged to make the most of the cooler time and also to cover a reasonable distance before the wind may pick up. Deep shade is sought after in the hottest part of the day for lunch breaks and rest. Then, the canoeing continues to overnight stops as it becomes cooler again in the late afternoons.
Adventure

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Itinerary

Day 1

Canoe Trip to Kakomalala Island

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Canoe Trip to Kakomalala Island

Depart from Zambezi Breezes at 10.30 after a canoe safety briefing, Your Zambia safari tour starts on the river. You'll have a relaxed lunch at a riverbank before paddling on to the first evening’s campsite on Kakomalala Island. This is a total canoeing distance of approximately 15km, predominantly through channels with an average of 3 - 4km per hour river flow rate. Arrive late afternoon and help set up camp before dinner.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Campsites in the Lower Zambezi Region

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Canoeing: Chirundu to Kakomalala Island

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Lusaka to Chirundu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Chirundu

    Mashonaland West Province

  • notes icon
    Notes

    These canoeing safaris are self-contained with all the safari equipment being carried in the canoes for the duration of the trip. Guides prepare meals while the guests participate in erecting their tents, sorting out their bedding and general loading and offloading of their canoes.

Day 2

Canoeing to Magurumeno or Mtondo Islands

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Canoeing to Magurumeno or Mtondo Islands

Start your morning with coffee, tea and biscuits before setting out. Your canoeing today will take you to Magurumeno or Mtondo Islands. This park is still relatively undeveloped, it’s beauty lies in its wilderness state. The diversity of animals is not as broad as the other parks, but the opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Campsites in the Lower Zambezi Region

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Full-Day Canoeing in Lower Zambezi

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Tea, Coffee and Biscuits

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mashonaland West Province

    Chongwe

Day 3

Canoeing to Elephant or Nyamangwe Islands

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Canoeing to Elephant or Nyamangwe Islands

Journeying further into the park, you'll be closer to the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe; both sides of the Zambezi River are a massive wildlife sanctuary. Enormous herds of elephants, up to 100 strong, are often seen at the river’s edge. ‘Island hopping’ buffalo and waterbuck are common. The Park also hosts good populations of lion and leopard, and listen too for the ubiquitous cry of the fish eagle. Tonight you will stay on either Elephant or Nyamangwe Islands depending progress made.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Campsites in the Lower Zambezi Region

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Full-Day Canoeing in Lower Zambezi

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Tea, Coffee and Biscuits

    Bank of the River

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mashonaland West Province

    Chongwe

Day 4

Last Day Canoeing

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Last Day Canoeing

You'll have breakfast on the island before a leisurely 5-7 km paddle to the support vehicles. Canoes and equipment are loaded onto the vehicle and trailer before departing through rural villages. We aim to arrive at 14:30 at Zambezi Breezes, allowing adequate time to connect onto Lusaka while it is still light or alternatively to spending an additional night.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Canoeing from Elephant Island

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver

    Private Driver

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mashonaland West Province

    Chirundu

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What’s included?

  • 3 nights accommodation
  • 4 activities
  • 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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