MULTI DAY UPPER ZAMBEZI
RIVER CANOEING
ZIMBABWE
AREA
The 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.
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE RIVER
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 fluctuations in water levels. 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 predominately consists of ebonies,
water berries, 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
canoes, double sided paddles and America’s Cup high flotation
life jackets. For groups we can use 16-foot inflatable rafts. The
over night equipment include, 2 man tents, stretchers, sleeping
bags, sleeping mats, genuine bush shower facility, as well as chemical
toilets set up in suitable locations at all over night camp sites.
INCLUSIONS
All multi day canoe 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 local wine with
dinner. All subject to availability. Shortages do occur and we will
do our best to supply the listed alcoholic items but will only supply
a reasonable portion of these drinks to clients.
EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS
No previous experience is required and clients need not be proficient
swimmers.
MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM PAX
Minimum number on all multi day trips – 2 pax.
Maximum number on all multi day trips – 20 pax.
AGE RESTRICTION
The minimum age for canoe trips using crocodile inflatable is 10
years.
There is no maximum age.
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.
FULL DAY OVERNIGHT SAFARI
Pick up from Vic Falls Accommodation: Between 07h30-08h00
Drop off at Vic Falls Accommodation the following day: Between 09h00-10h00
TWO DAY, ONE NIGHT
Pick up from Vic Falls Accommodation: Between 07h30-08h00
Drop off at Vic Falls Accommodation the following day: Between 16h30-17h00
TWO DAY, TWO NIGHT
Pick up from Vic Falls Accommodation: Between 07h30-08h00
Drop off at Vic Falls Accommodation the following day: Between 09h00-10h00
THREE DAY, TWO NIGHT
Pick up from Vic Falls Accommodation: Between 07h30-08h00
Drop off at Vic Falls Accommodation on the last day: Between 16h30-17h00
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 the Saf Par office for check in.
Clients enjoy a game drive from the Office (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 10h30. Earlier transfers can be arranged
for clients to be back in town as early as they would like to be.
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 the Saf Par office for check in.
Clients enjoy a game drive from the Office (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 again
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 then enjoy soft drinks and beers before being transferred
from this take out point back to their respective lodging by 17h00.
Earlier transfers can be arranged for clients to be back in town
as early as they would like to be.
TWO DAY, TWO NIGHT
This trip is the same as the former with a second night of camping
at Leon’s camp, as per the full day overnight trip.
THREE DAY, TWO NIGHT
This trip is the same as the former with the trip starting at the
top of the Zambezi National Park, which is a 3 hour game drive to
the start. The first night being spent camping about 90 minutes
drive from the Park entrance gates. The second night is spent camping
at Chundu camp and then the last day is canoeing back to the take
out point for clients to be back at their respective lodgings by
16h30 to 17h00 on day three.
CLIENTS REQUIRMENTS
The appropriate dress required is shorts, T-Shirts, shoes and sunscreen
and a wide brimmed hat. Dry bags are provided for cameras and valuables.
Toiletries and over night bags covering the clients personal clothing
requirements are to be supplied by the clients. Should clients be
partial to a specific alcoholic beverage it is advised they bring
their own.
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