Zambezi Classic Short

8 Day Semi Participatory Canoe Safari : Chirundu to Kanyemba

DAY ONE (18 KM)

the operations company will collect you on the morning of your safari at 7:30am, in good time for a check-in at the operations office, handing in extra luggage and valuables.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE YOUR PASSPORT ON THE RIVER.

There will be a short briefing to summarise what the safari entails and questions may be asked. Guests will be required to sign an indemnity form before leaving on the safari.

After the briefing, a visit to the shops will be made, purchasing any extra drinks wanted for the trip before setting off for the river. Please note that credit cards are not a recommended payment option in Zimbabwe.

Transfers are by open 4×4 vehicles to Chirundu, arriving at approximately 11:30am at which time canoes and kit are unloaded. Following this, a safety talk and demonstration of paddling a canoe will be given. A packed lunch will be taken on the river. At approximately 5pm you will establish camp on an island named Kakomarara, after a brief safety talk on camping, there is then time to relax and have dinner.

DAY TWO (27 KM)

Up at sunrise for tea, coffee and biscuits before paddling for a couple of hours to the breakfast stop. Afterwards canoeing will resume until midday and a well earned lunch and siesta, time to catch up on reference books until mid afternoon (depending on the weather).
Canoeing will continue until about 5pm until camp setup on Lone Acacia Island.

DAY THREE (23 KM)

The programme is as per day two. With the night’s camp stop on Trichelia Island.

DAY FOUR (27 KM)

A similar programme to day three. Lunch will be around midday after which there is a chance to relax, take in your surroundings or possibly siesta. The group will then paddle until the early evening where the night’s camp is made at Chikwenya Island.

DAY FIVE (25 KM)

You will be woken early for tea, coffee and biscuits before a short morning’s paddle.
Breakfast will be served either on the banks of the river or on an island. After which the group will resume canoeing until around midday. After lunch and a brief siesta, taken on the banks to avoid the midday heat, canoeing will continue until early evening where camp will be set up at False Gorge.

DAY SIX (20 KM)

The programme is as per day five. The day will be spent exploring the shoreline of the Chewore area (home of the Great Elephant). Camp will be set up at the top end of Mupata Gorge.

DAY SEVEN (35 KM)

This day is planned much as per days five and six and spent mainly in the austere Mupata Gorge. Time to take in its many endemic species of wildlife and its spectacular geographical features. The night’s campsite will be established at the base of the towering Red Cliffs.

DAY EIGHT (7 KM)

After an early wake-up call and breakfast, the group will paddle down to the takeout point at Kanyemba. The equipment will be loaded onto the vehicle and you will be transferred back to Kariba. Arrival time in Kariba is approximately 4pm.

general information

Explorer Canoe Safaris are semi-participatory – meaning camps are not already set up for your arrival and that everyone helps to put up tents each evening.

Tents supplied are very easy to set up, two-man, dome tents.

฀ These safaris are self-contained – meaning all equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back up.

฀ We take a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 people (special arrangements can be made for larger groups upon request).

฀ Our minimum age limit for canoe safaris is 14 years – there is no maximum age limit but sound judgement should be used.

฀ No previous canoeing experience is necessary but guests are required to be reasonably fit and healthy.

฀ The maximum luggage limit per client to take on the river is 10 kgs. A luggage room and safe facilities are provided for any extra luggage at the Kariba office.

฀ Animals seen on the trip usually include elephant, buffalo, impala, waterbuck, hippo, crocodile and plentiful birdlife. Lion, leopard, painted hunting dog etc. are more rarely seen but are certainly in the area. We cannot guarantee plenty of game while on safari, particularly during the green (rainy) season.

Our semi-participatory Explorer Canoe Safari options begin and end in Kariba (unless by other arrangement) and we recommend clients spend the night prior to their safari’s departure in Kariba town. We can assist with booking this accommodation. Safaris depart from our offices in Kariba, clients can self-drive there or, be picked up by us from their various hotels at 7:30am. Once at the office, clients may arrange for excess luggage and valuables to be locked away safely until their return. (We do not recommend taking passports or valuables on the river). A short briefing will then be given to help clients understand what the trip entails and any questions will be answered.

A shopping trip follows to allow the purchase of any additional groceries or personal items required, as well to purchase particular drinks clients may want. Clients will then be driven to the starting point of their safari.

daily routine

Generally the day starts with tea/coffee and biscuits at sunrise. Camp is then packed up and the party sets off. Early mornings make for easy paddling as the wind is calm and it is not yet too hot. A stop will be made for breakfast, usually after a couple of hours. The trip continues after breakfast, until breaking for a light lunch and siesta to avoid the midday heat. The night stop is reached at approximately 5pm and the camp is unpacked and setup. Campsites are typically set up on islands and all sites are designated by National Parks.

ablutions

There are no ablution facilities on these safaris. Clients are provided with a spade, toilet paper and matches – with which to burn the toilet paper. Bathing is done from a bucket using water scooped out of the river.

backup status

Explorer Safaris are self-contained. All equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back-up apart from drop-off and pick-up. As these safaris are semi-participatory, clients are required to help up setup tents and to assist the guide with the cooking and washing up.

equipment supplied

All camping equipment is supplied. This includes gas stoves, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, plastic plates, mugs, tables, stools, camping mattresses, sleeping bags and liners, candles, matches, cooler boxes and dome tents. Clients can bring their own sleeping bags if preferred. Fishing equipment is not supplied but clients may bring their own

food

All food is supplied and meals are of a good standard. Meat and poultry dishes are precooked, frozen and stored in a cooler box during the safari. Some fresh produce (fruit and vegetables) are provided on the safari. Long safaris such as the Zambezi Classic Long are re-supplied in either Chirundu or Mana Pools.

฀ Breakfast usually consists of fruit, eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans

or tomato relish, toast and jams.

฀ Lunch consists of cold meats, salads, cheese and bread.

฀ Dinner consist of a variety of meat and vegetable dishes.

drinks 

Tea, coffee, cordials and imported wine with dinner are provided on Explorer

Safaris. Processed water is provided on all our trips however we also provide 2

litres of bottled mineral water per person per day. Clients are therefore advised

to bring their own minerals (soft drinks), beer and spirits. Clients will be able to purchase these before the trip when taken shopping prior to departure. Drinks must be bought in cans to reduce weight and space. A cooler box is set aside for keeping drinks cold. There are no opportunities to replenish stocks on the river.

what to bring

Please keep all your luggage for the Safari to a maximum of 10kgs per person

packed in a soft duffel bag, not a suitcase.

We recommend you pack the following for your Safari:

• Swimming/bathing costume • Shorts and T-shirts  • Personal Toiletries  • Canvas shoes or rafting sandals • Hat with a wide brim • Jacket or sweater for the evenings • Shirts (including a long sleeved one for sun protection) • A kikoi (or sarong) to cover your legs to protect them from the sun • Torch or flashlight and extra batteries • Camera, film and spare camera batteries • Binoculars • Sunscreen • Insect repellent• Socks for winter nights• Warm clothes to sleep in during winter  • Waterproof bags for personal items.• Money for National Parks Fees as well as identification documents where relevant

It is recommended that clients take a course anti malaria medication before travelling to Africa, please consult with your doctor or GP. Please ensure that you advise your travel agent of any medical or dietary requirements at least 14 days before your trip departs.