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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.

Good to know

  • Five nights of canoeing activities
  • Lower Zambezi & Kafue National Park Safari
  • Top-rated local safari specialists
  • Experienced guides and drivers

What's included

  • Included Accommodation
  • Included All meals
  • Included Guided excursions
  • Included Ground transfers
Days

10

Starting from

$2,991 pp

Contact us now for more information about this trip
Speak to Robert for expert travel advice
Talk to us
Destinations
Zambia
Activity
Safari, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks
Tour Type
Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Physical Level
Mild

Journey highlights

Key moments and experiences on this trip

Canoeing safari
Lower Zambezi National Park

Canoeing safari

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.

Kafue National Park

Walking safari

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.

Kafue game drive
Kafue National Park

Kafue game drive

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.

Kafue boat cruise
Lower Zambezi National Park

Kafue boat cruise

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.

Detailed itinerary

What you'll see and do

This is a customisable trip

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.

Arrive & transfer to Pioneer Lodge

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

Featured Accommodation
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Pioneer Lodge & Camp

Pioneer Lodge & Camp

Transfer to Zambezi Breezer

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 into Lower Zambezi National Park

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

Canoeing Along the Zambezi

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

Canoeing to False Mupata Gorge

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

Canoeing from Mupata Gorge to Great Rift Valley

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

Transfer to Pioneer Lodge in Lusaka

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

Featured Accommodation
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Pioneer Lodge & Camp

Pioneer Lodge & Camp

Transfer to Mukambi Safari Lodge

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

Featured Accommodation
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Mukambi Safari Lodge
Deluxe

Mukambi Safari Lodge

Walking Safari Kafue National Park

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

Featured Accommodation
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Mukambi Safari Lodge
Deluxe

Mukambi Safari Lodge

Departure Day

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

  • Lusaka

    Lusaka

    Sprawling Lusaka is Zambia’s capital and commercial centre...
  • Chirundu

    ...
  • Mana Pools National Park

    Mana Pools National Park

    Many travellers fall in love with UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mana Pools National Park, in northern Zimbabwe...
  • Lower Zambezi National Park

    Lower Zambezi National Park

    The Lower Zambezi National Park’s wildlife is centred around the floodplain along the northeastern side of the Zambezi River...
  • Lower Zambezi National Park

    Lower Zambezi National Park

    The Lower Zambezi National Park’s wildlife is centred around the floodplain along the northeastern side of the Zambezi River...
  • Lower Zambezi National Park

    Lower Zambezi National Park

    The Lower Zambezi National Park’s wildlife is centred around the floodplain along the northeastern side of the Zambezi River...
  • Lusaka

    Lusaka

    Sprawling Lusaka is Zambia’s capital and commercial centre...
  • Kafue National Park

    Kafue National Park

    Kafue National Park is one of Zambia’s oldest — and largest — national parks...
  • Kafue National Park

    Kafue National Park

    Kafue National Park is one of Zambia’s oldest — and largest — national parks...
  • Lusaka

    Lusaka

    Sprawling Lusaka is Zambia’s capital and commercial centre...

Speak to a Zambia specialist about this trip

Absolute Zambia Safaris

Call one of our travel experts for ideas and trip planning advice.

Talk to us

Where to stay

Some of our sample accommodation.

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.

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Pioneer Lodge & Camp

Pioneer Lodge & Camp

Pioneer Camp is an excellent place to stay if you need to be near Lusaka, but don’t want to be in it...

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Mukambi Safari Lodge
Deluxe

Mukambi Safari Lodge

Located in the heart of Kafue National Park — one of the largest national parks in Africa — Mukambi Safari Lodge offers fantastic wildlife viewing from the comfort of its large viewing decks and luxurious infinity pool...

Reviews

What people are saying about Absolute Zambia Safaris

N
Nilima D
05/02/2020

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.

G
Gary V
14/01/2020

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.

C
Clare D
17/07/2019

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.

How to book

Contact us now for expert advice

Price guide

This itinerary would cost from $2,991 and $3,227 pp.

Pricing may vary by accommodation choice, group size and time of year.

What's included

Included Accommodation

Four nights in lodges and five nights camping, all gear included.

Included 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.

Included Guided excursions

Entry to national parks and canoe safari activities.

Included Ground transfers

All ground transfers including airport transfers at the start and end of your trip.

How to book

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.

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