Upper Zambezi Canoeing

The upper Zambezi canoeing Trail operates above the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe on the 15km stretch of the Zambezi River between Chundu Campsite and the National Park entrance, running along the banks of the Zambezi National Park

This section of the river is quite unlike the better-known section below Lake Kariba.  The Upper Zambezi River is regarded as FREE FLOW as a dam does not control it and as such the water is subject to seasonal variation.  Floods begin in November and normally peak in April / May.  Therefore, throughout the season the route varies as new channels open with the rise in water level.   The Upper Zambezi has numerous heavily wooded islands, which are dissected by channels that may be several kilometres in length and vary in width from one to twenty metres.

The vegetation predominantly consists of ebonies, waterberries, palms and a tremendous variety of acacia and albizia.  The rapids are small and at their peak are only classed as grade two, which is the second easiest grade

Wildlife – All Canoe Trails pass along the banks of the Zambezi National Park, and in the case of the half and full day trips they also end up with the Mosi oa Tunya National Park on the Zambian side. For this reason clients have a good opportunity of viewing various species of animals, such as Elephants, Buffalo, Impala, Kudu, Hippo, Crocodile etc. The birdlife is prolific with at least 50 common species of bird that can be seen from your craft.

Equipment – For all our trips, the types of canoes used are the Inflatable crocodile type canoes, double sided paddles and X-treme high flotation life jackets. For groups we can use 16-foot inflatable rafts. The overnight equipment includes, 2 man tents, sleeping bags (we however recommend clients bring their own bags), sleeping mats, genuine bush shower facility, as well as chemical or long drop toilets set up in suitable locations at all overnight camp sites.

Inclusions – Our Canoe – Camping trips include meals, soft drinks, water, tea, coffee and some alcoholic beverages. The alcoholic beverages are rationed as the Canoe Trails are in a National Park which is a wildlife area and as such we do not recommend high consumption of alcohol. Drinks included are beers, gin & tonics and wine with dinner. We will only supply a reasonable portion of these drinks to clients, should clients have any preferred drinks they are welcome to bring their own.

Minimum number on all multi day trips – 4 pax
Maximum number on all multi day trips – 20 pax

Availability
365 days a year- trips may start and finish at different points due to water levels, the below itineraries are an outline of the manner in which the trips are run. During the months from December to April it is the wet season and this makes access to the National Park difficult, the National Park is at times closed during this period and as such trips will be dependant on the National Parks rulings.

FULL DAY OVERNIGHT SAFARI 

The Canoeing Trail operates above the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe on the 15km stretch of the Zambezi River between Chundu and the National Park entrance, running along the banks of the Zambezi National Park.

Clients are picked up from lodging and transferred to Adventure Lodge for check in.
Clients enjoy a game drive from Adventure Lodge (approximately 45 minutes) to the canoe start point, which is upriver at the Chundu campsite.
Tea, coffee and breakfast consisting of bacon and egg rolls are served on the banks of the Zambezi.
On arrival a professional river guide gives clients a safety talk.
Clients then practise their paddling skills before setting off on their canoe safari.
Lunch is served on an island in the middle of the Zambezi and consists of cold meats and salads.
The trip ends at the Overnight campsite, located on the banks of the Zambezi River in the Zambezi National Park. Clients spend the evening enjoying the ambiance of the wilderness followed by dinner and an evening by the campfire. Clients then spend the night in their tents.

In the morning clients are awoken by the early rays of sunshine, after some tea or coffee, clients enjoy a full English Breakfast on the banks of the river.

After Breakfast, clients are transferred from this camp site back to their respective lodging by 10h00. Earlier transfers can be arranged for clients on request

TWO DAY, ONE NIGHT

This trip starts further up the river than the overnight trip so as to cover double the river mileage, thus increasing the chances of wildlife sightings. The over night campsite for this safari is the Chundu Camping area located in the Zambezi National Park.

Clients are picked up from lodging and transferred to Adventure Lodge for check in.
Clients enjoy a game drive from Adventure Lodge (approximately 90 minutes) to the canoe start point, which is 12 km upriver of the Chundu campsite.
Tea, coffee and breakfast consisting of bacon and egg rolls are served on the banks of the Zambezi.
On arrival a professional river guide gives clients a safety talk.
Clients then practise their paddling skills before setting off on their canoe safari.     Lunch is served on an island in the middle of the Zambezi and consists of cold meats and salads.
The trip ends at the Chundu campsite, located on the banks of the Zambezi River in the Zambezi National Park. Clients spend the evening enjoying the ambiance of the wilderness followed by dinner and an evening by the campfire.
Clients spend the night in their tents.
In the morning clients are awoken by the early rays of sunshine, after some tea or coffee, clients enjoy a full English Breakfast on the banks of the river.
After Breakfast has settled, clients again start their second day of canoeing. This day is the same stretch of river used for the full day Canoe trips and so the trip format is the same with clients having lunch on an island consisting of cold meats and salads followed by an afternoon of paddling ending at the take out point by the mine fields.
Clients enjoy soft drinks and beers before being transferred back to their respective lodging by 17h00. An earlier transfer can be arranged for clients, if required.