On this canoe safari along the Zambezi River you will see wildlife along the river bank of Lower Zambezi National Park and spend two nights in Kafue National Park. Experience game drives, walking safaris and a boat cruise in the Kafue National Park.
Absolute Zambia guides have comprehensive expertise and knowledge of nature, wildlife, birds, local environment, culture, and general education gathered through guiding in these areas for numerous years ensuring you have a great trip in Zambia.
The Zambezi canoeing safari will take you down the river’s remote channels, flanked by national parks on both sides. Hippos are always in sight and elephants, zebras, puku, impala, buffalo, waterbuck, baboons, and crocodiles can all be seen.
Our walking safaris usually take place in the Lunga Luswishi. This leisurely walk allows tourists to truly immerse themselves in the bush. We stop for a cup of tea along the way and then either return to the lodge for brunch or have a surprise feast in the bush.
The game drive begins by crossing the Kafue River in the early morning or late afternoon, when wildlife is most active. In particular, big animals can be sighted, including the big cats and elephants. With our experienced and highly qualified guides, you will encounter a full and fascinating ecosystem.
Enjoy the vast scenery of the Kafue and its unique ecosystem without any disturbances. Sightings are always different, but hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and elephants are common sightings. The Zambezi also has some of Africa’s largest Nile crocodiles and birdwatchers will be in their element with sightings like the African Finfoot.
Use the following itinerary for inspiration. Remember: all days, hotels and activities can be altered to suit your requirements. A Absolute Zambia Safaris travel specialist will be happy to advise.
Arriving at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka (LUN), you will be welcomed by our representative who will then assist you with luggage and transfer you to Pioneer Lodge. Check-in, relax, enjoy your room before dinner and bedtime.
Included meals: Dinner
Morning Breakfast at Pioneer Lodge, then our driver will transfer you to Zambezi Breezes in Chirundu where your canoeing Safaris will start.
Meet at Zambezi Breezes in Chirundu at approximately 10:00 for a two-hour drive downstream to the lunch place. After a briefing and lunch on the edges of the river, you begin your afternoon canoeing to Mtondo Island for your very first night camp.
Canoeing on the first day is kept to the mainstream on a natural going strong current. Setting up the lodge accompanied by tea or coffee, snacks, later dinner before retreating at night.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Canoeing begins early after morning tea or coffee and biscuits before you depart Mtondo Island for a downstream breakfast stop.
Continuing through the Lower Zambezi National Park for lunch out of the midday sun. Then canoe through to your next nights camp at (or nearby) Chikwenya Island if the weather is permitting. This day, you travel a good 25 kilometres of the river into both Mana Pools National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Canoe through offshoot river channels where leaders will stop at points to witness wildlife. Fascinating parts of the river at this point pass three kilometres in width with a labyrinth of canals to explore. Both sides of the river are flanked by magnificent national parks where one is likely to see the highest concentration of game on the river.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Mana Pools National Park, the current becomes stronger as the stream proceeds into what is known as the False Mupata Gorge. From this point, the safari is restricted to the mainstream for about 30 kilometres as you pass through this scenic gorge with sheer rock structures and cliff edges. Your campsite on this night is chosen from one of many natural sandy beaches on the land within the confines of the gorge
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day is spent canoeing through the rest of the Mupata Gorge, exploring the 300-million-year-old volcanic rock that forms part of the Great Rift Valley. Around midday you will exit the gorge and the guide proceeds through to Red Cliffs for lunch and a break away from the midday heat before continuing to the nights’ island campsite.
Depending on joining flights the next day, the guide may discuss with the team as to a camping site closer to the finishing point. Absolute Zambia Safaris does suggest that connecting flights are caught the day after the safari ends.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early for tea or coffee and breakfast before the final bit of canoeing. The ride back to Lusaka is an open-roofed Land Cruiser with a shaded canopy. Alternatively, and depending on the group’s wishes, you may continue to paddle on day five to the Feira take out point. This means, the transport will be able to leave earlier for the return five-hour trip to Lusaka and lunch will be served on the roadside under a tree.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning breakfast and transfer to Mukambi Safari Lodge in Kafue National Park. This will be an adventurous road trip, passing through villages and bush, so there is a lot to see along the way and, as it is a private safari, you have the flexibility to stop along the way. Upon arrival you will be welcome and checked in then lunch will be served for you, later you will go out for the night game drive or boat cruise before dinner.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast you can go for a morning game drive or choose to do a walking safari and return to the lodge for lunch break. Later have afternoon tea before the night game drive or a Sunset Boat Cruise and return to the lodge for dinner.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, depending on your flight time, you can do a morning game viewing activity and then depart for Lusaka. You will be transferred to Lusaka International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka for your onward connection.
Included meals: Breakfast
Staying at Pioneer Lodge and Mukambi Safari Lodge as well as camping during your canoe safari.
During your five nights canoe safari experience you will be accommodated in tents, Two-man industrial mosquito netted bow tents are used. These provide for a full view of the night sky and give maximum aeration. Fold-out beds, sleeping bags, sheet liners, and airline pillows are also provided, but guests may bring their sleeping bags if desired. Other material includes cooler boxes, tables, chairs, gas cookers, melamine crockery, and cutlery plus other practical items to guarantee a reasonable level of comfort on safari.
My husband and I were on a 10-day trip to Zambia organized perfectly by Absolute Zambia Safaris.
We visited the lower Zambezi national park, South Luanga Park and Victoria Falls. The entire Iterinary along with flights and road transport whenever needed well planned as according to our requirement. Would recommend their guidance for anyone looking for a wonderful holiday in Zambia.
Fantastic planning and arranging of this trip by Robert of Absolute Zambia Safaris — everything was perfect from start to finish. We were picked up on time for all activities, the hotel was great — good food, nice pool, wifi, etc and good location, the white water rafting was great, Angel Pool was very much enjoyed by everyone and the sunset cruise was almost empty — so we had the entire upper deck of the boat to ourselves. The food on the boat was tremendous, and the sunset magnificent. Everyone said this was possibly the best holiday ever. We are very grateful to Absolute Zambia whose flawless organising of all of this made it happen.
Absolute Zambia Safaris organised a 2 week trip in Zambia for us — to South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Livingstone. We cannot thank them enough for their wonderful organisation, thoughtful communication and great value for money. This was our first visit to Africa and they made it a breeze, with excellent choices of accomodation, transport, and drivers etc. At all times we were well looked after and had absolutely no concerns regarding safety or anything else for that matter. Thanks so much Absolute Zambia, we will get back to you for our next holiday in Africa.
This itinerary would cost from $2,991 and $3,227 pp.
Pricing may vary by accommodation choice, group size and time of year.
Accommodation |
Four nights in lodges and five nights camping, all gear included. |
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All meals |
Three meals a day, gracious, soft drinks, and safe, handled water is provided on every safari. Those wishing to take their own bottled water may do so. Cooler crates are provided should customers want to bring their selection of refreshments for the continuation of the safari. |
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Guided excursions |
Entry to national parks and canoe safari activities. |
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Ground transfers |
All ground transfers including airport transfers at the start and end of your trip. |
Flexible Booking Conditions
We want to give our guests absolute peace of mind when booking with us. We have adopted some of the most flexible booking conditions in the industry, covering late cancellations and last-minute postponements should your travel plans be disrupted by COVID-19 related issues.
All bookings can be re-booked like-for-like at no cost for new departure dates up to 15 months ahead. We can assist with private PCR testing as required for your return journeys.