Zambia Safaris: Lower Zambezi Canoe Trail

Lower Zambezi Canoe Trail ( 3 nights / 4 days ) ~ Adventure 3+
2008 RATES
Year Round Prices	USD $560.00 per person sharing + road transfers from Lusaka $95.00 with a minimum of 3 pax

A Canoeing Safari spent Camping on selected islands along the Lower Zambezi River as it passes its way through the flood plains of the Mana-pools region.
Style of safari - participatory

Duration    : 3 nights/4 days
Area         :Lower Zambezi River - Chirundu to Chongwe
Distance   :Approx 76km

START POINT:
There are several options in getting to the start of your Lower Zambezi canoeing safari:

• Self drive to Zambezi Breezers 7km from Chirundu
• Public transport to Oasis (about 15km before Chirundu)
• Pre arranged private Mini bus transfers from Lusaka or Livingstone
• Charter flight to Kayila or Royal Airstrips and then boat transfer upstream to Zambezi Breezers

Public Transport: We will meet you at “Oasis” a “café” about 15km before Chirundu – just ask the bus driver to drop you off at Oasis and our vehicle will collect you from Oasis at around 10:30/11:00 on the morning of departure of the safari.

Private Minibus: We will take you straight to Zambezi Breezers for the start of your safari. Transfers from Victoria Falls need to be done the day before the safaris departure whilst those from Lusaka come down on the day of the safari’s departure.

Charter Flight: We suggest landing at Kayila Airstrip or Royal airstrip (Proflight or Airwaves) to catch a boat transfer to Gwabi Lodge for 11am meeting.

Road Transfer Times:
Lusaka – Zambezi Valley (130km. approx 1 hr 45 min)
Livingstone – Zambezi Valley (496km. approx 6 hr 45 min)

Aircraft and Speedboat Transfer Times:
Lusaka – Zambezi Valley air 30min, boat transfer 1 hr 20 min (approx. 2 hr total)

Guests may be dropped off at Royal Airstrip by 10am for connecting flights out at the end of their safari or transferred back to Zambezi Breezers by road to meet connecting road transfers.

Boat transfers may be arranged back to Zambezi Breezers (1 hour) should the clients want to connect with an earlier transfer road transfer (cost of speedboat hire to clients account).

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED:
We use two man 18-foot Canadian Canoes with containment nets and ropes to ensure both safari and personal belongings are secure at all times.

Each canoe has five buoyancy chambers, while the bucket seats are cushioned allowing a reasonable level of back support. Single blade paddles are used and life jackets supplied.

Two-man mosquito netted bow tents are used, which allows for a full view of the night sky and maximum aeration. Sleeping bags, liners (sleeping bags inners/personal sheets) and airline pillows are also provided along with roll out mattresses.

Other equipment includes: cooler boxes, tables, chairs, gas cookers, melamine crockery, cutlery and a variety of other items are provided, to ensure a reasonable level of comfort is maintained for the duration of your canoeing safari.

Four-wheel drive vehicles are used as support vehicles for transfers and game drives where included. Boat transfers may also be used depending on the weather and time of year.

FOOD AND DRINKS:
All meals, cordials and treated municipal water are supplied in containers.
Complimentary local wine is provided with evening dinner.
Clients may purchase additional beverages prior to the start of the safari. Cooler boxes and ice are provided for this.

EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS:
No previous canoeing experience is necessary. The Island canoeing safari is generally relaxing and little physical exertion is required. However, at certain times of the year strong winds may occur which makes paddling more difficult at times - should this occur the guide will decide whether it is feasible to carry on canoeing or to stop for a while to wait for the wind to die down.

DAILY MEAL PLAN:
Start:
Typically then, we are up early (6:00/06:30) for tea/coffee along with biscuits before we set off downstream at usually around 7.30am.
Breakfast:
Breakfast stop at approx (08:00/09:00) on the banks of the Zambezi River for an English breakfast comprising of tinned fruit; eggs; bacon; sausages; toast and jam. Tea/coffee is then served before starting off again.
Lunch:
An assortment of cold meats, green salads, rolls, cheeses along with a variety of sauces and pickled vegetables to complete the meal.
Dinner:
Snacks followed by a full dinner consisting of either beef or chicken dish with two green vegetables and a carbohydrate.

Please note:
Should there be any dietary preferences we must be given sufficient time to organise this. Also we must be advised of any food allergies well before the date of departure of the safari.

DAILY ROUTINE:
As the Zambezi Valley can get hot in the summer months, we start early to make the most of the cool part of the day. The same applies for the late afternoons, while shade is sought during the hottest time of the day.

DAY ONE:
Meet 10:30/11:00 at Oasis or 11:00/11:30 at Zambezi Breezers
Guide briefing followed by light lunch, canoeing orientation
Canoe through to evening camp, effectively a half-day canoeing
Canoe approx 14 km to evening camp spot and prepare camp
Overnight Kakomalala

DAY TWO:
Full day canoeing, approx 25km
Canoeing starts early after morning tea/Coffee and biscuits approx 06:30/07:00
Depart Island camp for downstream breakfast stop approx 8.30am
Continue though to shaded lunch stop from approx 12:30 – 14:30 out of mid day sun.
Proceed to mainland fly camp for overnight island camp.
Overnight Mtondo Island

DAY THREE:
Full day canoeing, approx 26km
Daily routine as Day 2
Overnight at Nyamangwe/Fisherman’s Island

DAY FOUR:
Early morning canoeing to take out point at Chiawa Community Camp - approx 5km downstream

Return transfers:Road to Zambezi Breezers 3hrs
Optional           :Drop off Royal airstrip 30 min road transfer
Optional           :Boat transfer to Zambezi Breezers 1hr 20min (costs to clients account).

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Clients are asked to keep their luggage down to a maximum of +/-7kg.  Excess baggage and valuables can be kept safely at our office and collected on your return. Appropriate shirts, shorts, trousers etc in bush colours (preferably khaki, greens, greys or browns). Long sleeve cotton shirt suggested for fair skinned people including a light cloth to cover bare legs in summer months.

Water Bottle
Comfortable shoes (preferably worn in) they will get wet.
Warm clothing for winter mornings and evenings being June, July and August
Anti Malarial Prophylactics
Wide Brim Sun Hat
Sun Block
Insect Repellent
Personal Toiletries
Medications
Binoculars
Camera
Torch/Flashlight
Spare Batteries
Valid travel and health documents

HEALTH
Any health concerns or medical conditions such as allergies, epilepsy etc should be brought to the attention of the management prior to the start of the safari.
Medical advice on Malaria prophylactics should be sought prior to arrival.

AGE RESTRICTION:
Minimum age is 15 years. There is no maximum age; however clients must be reasonably fit. The age limit may be flexible for a specific group booking with prior consent.

SAFETY:
All canoe safari guides carry HF hand held radios.  Each camp has an HF and VHF base set which allows communication between base camps, vehicles, canoes and Medial Air Rescue Services. Each professional canoe guide has passed stringent National Parks canoeing exams prior to leading a canoeing safari.

INSURANCE:
All clients are covered by Medical Air Rescue Service (MARS) through Zambezi River Adventures; however this only covers them for emergency evacuation in life threatening situations. It does not cover their hospitalization and medication. As such travel and medical insurance is compulsory for all clients. Please ensure clients have arranged this insurance in their own country prior to leaving so as to cover unexpected medical expenses and loss / theft of personal effects. Please ensure clients bring the details of their insurance policy with them. Clients will not be covered should they not have insurance.

VISAS:
Please check visa requirements with your agent or Zambezi River Adventures. All our safaris take place in Zambia. It is advisable for all clients to check with the Zambian authorities whether or not they need visas for Zambia, and if necessary obtain their visas prior to departure. 

For clients who are arriving in Zambia and spending their first night with us, we are able to apply for a Visa Waiver for most nationalities. The Visa Waiver is not guaranteed; we require full passport details three weeks prior to travel to apply for the Visa Waiver. In case the Visa Waiver is not granted clients are requested to make sure they have the correct US Dollar amount of the visa entry fee.
We will not be held responsible for visa fees.

SEASON:
Year round – however, for those chartering in, please discuss this with the Zambezi River Adventures prior to your arrival, as some airstrips may be closed due to the rains from November to April.
Boat transfers will be used during the rains, should wet conditions necessitate.
Temperatures are at their highest in September and October with the rains running through from November to April where light weight, water proof clothing is required. Winter months run through from May to July where warm clothing is necessary in the evenings.