About Canoe safaris Our operator is an owner-run upmarket tented camp safari operator. They have a long history in the Zambezi Valley and especially in Mana Pools. Using our experience they have extended there mobile camps to other parts of Zimbabwe. Recently they joined forces with a Canoe operator and as a result they now conducts expeditionary-style canoeing safaris on the Lower Zambezi as well.
1. AREA
Lower Zambezi River between Kariba and Kanyemba. Mana Pools National Park.
2. SEASONS
High Season 1 July - 31 October
Low Season 1 November - 30 June
3. SAFARI OPTIONS
Self-Participatory Options:-
Safari | Description | Days/Nights | Departs |
Marula Safari | Kariba to Chirundu | 3 days, 2 nights | Tues, Sat, Sun (All Year) |
Tamarind Safari | Chirundu to Mana Pools | 4 days, 3 nights | Mon, Tues, Thurs (All Year) |
Mopane Safari | Mana Pools to Chewore | 4 days, 3 nights | Thurs, Fri, Sun (April – Nov) |
Fisheagle Safari | Kariba to Mana Pools | 6 days, 5 nights | Tues, Sat, Sun (All Year) |
Mupata Safari | Mana Pools to Kanyemba | 6 days, 5 nights | Wed, Thurs, Sat (All Year) |
Zambezi Classic Short | Chirundu to Kanyemba | 8 days, 7 nights | Mon, Tues, Thurs (All Year) |
Zambezi Classic Long | Kariba to Kanyemba | 10 days, 9 nights | Tues, Sat, Sun (All Year) |
Mana Pools Hiking Trail | Mana Pools National Park | 4 days, 3 nights | Any day (dependent on rain) |
Please let us know if you would like individual M.O.’s for each of these trips.
The self-participatory canoe safari options begin and end in Kariba (unless by other arrangement).
There would be a pre-trip briefing at Kariba Breezes Hotel the night before the safari. The trip departs from the offices at approximately 08h30 and clients are taking to the shops to purchase any extras they might require. These trips are expeditionary-styled. All equipment is carried on the canoes, and the canoeist’s camp on islands each evening. A typical day would be as follows:- early wake up with tea/coffee/biscuits; paddle for an hour or two; stop for a full English breakfast; paddle to lunch time; lunch of pickles, cold meats, salads; siesta for a couple of hours after lunch; paddle to island night stop. Included in the costs of the self-participatory safaris are return Kariba transfers to / from the safari; all camping and canoeing equipment; all meals; drinks (cordials, not minerals, and no alcohol supplied except for wine with dinner in the evenings); fully qualified canoe guide. National Parks Fees are not included in any costs. Please check with your booking agent before travel.
Luxury Options :-
Safari | Description | Days / Nights | Departs |
Natureways Wild Walks | Nyamatusi Wild Area/Mana | Open(Min 3 nights) | Any day (April – Nov) |
Mana Shoreline Canoeing | Mana Pools Shoreline | 4 days, 3 nights | Mon, Fri (April – Nov) |
Chitake Walking Camp | Chitake River/Mana | Open(Min 3 nights) | Any day (May – Nov) |
Camp Zambezi | Fixed Camp in Mana | Open(Min 3 nights) | Any day (April – Nov) |
Please contact us if you would like individual M.O.’s for each of these trips.
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These trips are fully backed up with 4 wheel drive vehicles, and equipment, food and the whole trip in general is more luxurious than the self-participatory trips. Perhaps the biggest draw card for our Luxury options is the standard on the professional guides that lead these trails. Our operator is renowned for the high quality and knowledge of our professional guides that lead these luxury trails. They are amongst the best in Southern Africa.
Our luxury options don’t include transfers from Kariba. Our luxury clients usually charter in and out of Mana Pools to maximize their time spent on safari with the least traveling time. Charters can be arranged by agents from Harare, Kariba and Victoria Falls. Please contact us if you would like assistance booking a charter flight.
The Chitake Walking Camp is not recommended for first time travelers to Africa. Other trips can be lengthened according to clients’ requirements. Canoe trails cover a standard 3-night duration whilst all our other luxury products can be extended beyond the 3 night minimum stay. If non-canoeing activities are to be added onto a canoe trail there is no minimum stay, e.g. one can to a 3-night canoe trail followed by a one or two night Camp Zambezi.
All luxury options include:- Professional Guides; all up market camping and canoeing equipment; quality snacks and meals; full bar (local drinks).
4. Minimum passengers - 2 Maximum passengers 8 with walking and camping trails limited to seven (preferably 6).
5. AGE RESTRICTIONS Minimum 15 years - preferably accompanied by an adult. The minimum age can be varied if the children are accompanied by their parents and if it is only one group doing the trip. There is no maximum age limit, please use your discretion.
Camp Zambezi is flexible on ages depending on the make up of the group.
6. EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS No previous experience is required for canoeing safaris, however clients need to be reasonably fit.
7. CANOE SPECIFICATION Canadian-style two-man canoes. 5.5 metres long and 0.92 metres wide. 5 buoyancy tanks so the canoe does not sink if overturned or damaged. Proper seats with backrest and canvas cushions. Canoes are very stable and can carry up to 420kgs with ease. Paddles - American Carlisle, lightweight single-bladed.
8. BACK-UP STATUS Our self-participatory trips are self-contained. All equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back up, apart from pick-up and drop off. They are to a small extent participatory, however the guides do the cooking and washing up. In the event of an incident on the River, all guides carry radios to summon assistance. All guides are armed, carry a comprehensive First Aid Kit, and are professionally trained and licensed.
The Luxury trips are fully backed up. Where camps are supporting a canoe trail, all equipment, food and luggage is transferred from camp to camp by vehicle whilst guests are canoeing.
9. EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED All camping equipment is supplied.
On self-participatory safaris this includes gas stoves, kitchen utensils, plastic plates and mugs, pots, pans, tables, stools, camping mattresses, sleeping bags, liners, mosquito nets, candles and cooler boxes. Tents are available if required. The equipment and food (in large cooler boxes) is carried in the middle of each canoe. Sleeping bags, with sleeping bag liners, are provided but clients can bring their own if preferred. Fishing equipment is not supplied, however if clients want to fish, we recommend they bring their own.
Our Luxury camps are true bush camps – no electricity, no permanent structures, no plumbing, etc. A taste of the way safaris used to be. The camps are designed to be erected and dismantled within hours, leaving no trace of its existence on the environment.
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The luxury options have spacious walk in tents with en suite toilet facilities for night use and comfortable beds with fresh linen. These custom built tents are mosquito proof and have mosquito gauze for a roof so that one can lie in bed at night and admire the African stars. Built in canvas shades ensure clients will not get wet if it rains and will have shade should they be in camp during the day and want to lie down. A "long drop" loo will also be provided for day use. These luxury camps come with a fully equipped kitchen, bar facilities and dining area. We provide full waiter service and will usually have a staff/client ratio approaching 1 to 1.
10. FOOD
Self-Participatory Safaris
All food is supplied and meals are of a good standard. The meat and poultry dishes are pre-cooked and frozen. Food supplies carried by one rig will last for a 5-day safari; any 10-day trips are re-supplied either in Chirundu or Mana Pools. Breakfast consists of Fruit, eggs, bacon or sausages, beans or tomato relish, bread (toast), marmalade, tea, and coffee.
Lunch consists of cold meats and salads, cheese, biscuits, pickles and rolls
Dinner would be Beef, pork or chicken, done in various ways, e.g., spaghetti bolognaise, chicken casserole, etc, and vegetables, potatoes, pasta or rice.
Luxury Trail
All produce is brought in fresh and meals are prepared in camp by one of our experienced bush chefs. Our well-trained and very experienced cooks cook all meals, including breads on open fires.
Breakfast consists of cereals, muffins, biscuits, pancakes, and pancakes with a full English breakfast on at least one of the days.
Lunch is usually fresh quiche, lasagna, etc with a varied selection of freshly baked breads, salads and cheeses.
Dinner is a full on 3-course meal with various starters, sumptuous main courses and fine deserts, eaten under the stars with an accompanying bottle of wine.
Vegetarian or other dietary preferences can be catered for providing we are warned well in advance for all trips.
11. DRINKS
Self-Participatory Safaris
We don’t supply beer, spirits, or minerals on a self-participatory trail. The Company does, however, supply cordials such as orange, lime and lemon juice and teas/coffees. Clients are therefore advised to bring their own minerals, beer and spirits. The guide will take clients to a shop to purchase such items on the day of departure. Beers and minerals must be purchased in cans to reduce weight and space. 2 cooler boxes are set aside for keeping drinks cold. There is sufficient space to carry up to 5 crates of beer or soft drinks. There is no chance to replenish stocks on the River.
Luxury Safaris
All luxury safaris include a supply of local beers, spirits, minerals, wines and mineral water, as well as teas/coffees and cordials. Drinks are served by our friendly camp staff whilst our clients relax and enjoy the safari experience. If clients prefer imported wines and drinks these can be provided by us although the cost will be born by the clients.
12. Clients Must Bring - Wide brimmed hat
- Sunblock
- Shorts / T-shirts
- Track shoes / sandals
- Towel (provided on the luxury trails)
- Tracksuit / Jacket / Jersey for cool evenings
- Bathing Costume
- Insect Repellent
- Toiletries
- Torch
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- Clients must try and keep their luggage to a maximum of 10kgs, as all luggage and food will be carried in the canoes. It is preferable that clients
pack personal items into a soft duffle bag.
- It is advisable to bring a light cotton kikoi and long sleeved collared shirt for protection from the sun. Trousers for evening wear for protection from mosquitoes.
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13. DAILY ROUTINE AND ABLUTIONS
Self-Participatory Safaris
Generally the day starts with tea / coffee and biscuits at sunrise. The camp is packed and the party sets off. These early mornings make for easy paddling as the wind is calm and it is not too hot. A stop will be made for breakfast, usually after a couple of hours. Stops are made at any point of interest. The trip continues after breakfast, until a stop for a light lunch between noon and 14h00. The night stop is reached at approximately 1700. Camp is unpacked and set up and dinner served. Camp is generally set up on islands, as it is safer than on the mainland, at sites designated by National Parks. There are no ablution facilities. Clients are provided with toilet rolls, a spade and matches to burn the toilet paper. Bathing is done using water scooped out of the River in a bucket. Biodegradable soap can be used in the River. Distance covered per day is approximately 22 kilometres.
Luxury Trails
Generally the routine is very similar as for the self-participatory trips but tailored to suit the individual safari (such as instead of canoeing there might be walking or game drives, etc). The camp is packed up by our staff so as to ensure our clients spend as much time doing safari activities as possible.
Please contact us if you would like an in-depth detailed daily itinerary for each of our safaris on offer.
14. PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE RIVER The Zambezi River is the 4th largest in Africa, after the Nile, The Congo and Niger. The River’s source is at Kalene Hill in North Western Zambia and flows approximately 2800 kilometres to Chinde in Mozambique, where it flows into the Indian Ocean. Below Kariba Dam the narrowest point is approximately 80 metres and the widest point is 4.2 kilometres near Chikwenya, an island not far below Mana. From the put-in point, a short distance below Kariba Dam Wall, the Kariba Gorge is narrow and fairly steep sided, this continues for 18 kilometres before the River opens out in to a wide flood plain. The flood plain continues until the Chewore River mouth where the River narrows down again for the start of the Mupata Gorge, which is approximately 46 kilometres long. This gorge is not as steep as Kariba Gorge, but is beautiful and very remote. The River has not flooded since the wall was built and the wall regulates the flow. (There was a minor flood when three dam wall gates were opened in the year 2000. However, this had minimal effect to the ecology downstream.) There are not enough tributaries below the wall to cause a flood during the heavy rains.
There are no rapids on this section of the River. The water is flat all the way from Kariba to Kanyemba, with an average flow rate of 4 km per hour.
The depth of the River varies from 24 - 30 metres in the gorges to as little as150 centimetres in the flood plain areas, although there is always a deep-water channel. There are a lot of islands and sandbanks, which make good camping spots.Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park is situated along 80km of the Zambezi river, making for the best game viewing on the lower Zambezi. Here one can canoe, walk or drive along the mighty Zambezi or simply relax on it’s banks and take in the breathtaking beauty. Mana Pools is consistently rated in the top ten of Africa’s National Parks.
Mana Pools is the only game park in Zimbabwe to be granted world heritage status and encompasses some of Africa’s largest areas of Acacia and Mahogany woodland, combined with spectacular full canopy Mopane forest. Mana Pools is part of a 300 million year old rift valley supporting a large variety of mammals and over 400 bird species. Covering over 200 square kilometers this national park has been set aside to be kept as wild as possible with only non invasive, zero impact tourism allowed. There are no safari lodges, generators, electric fences or other structures often associated with safari camps. These are banned by law. All our camps must be taken down the day after our clients depart to ensure minimal damage to the ecosystem.
15. WILDLIFE Wildlife is abundant in the valley especially during the winter months. The River runs through the Urungwe Safari Area, Mana Pools National Park, Sapi Safari area, Chewore Safari area and Dande Safari area respectively. Wildlife will be seen on every trip, most commonly impala, waterbuck, hippo, crocodiles, elephant and buffalo. Animals such as lion, leopard, etc, are more difficult to see but are certainly present. Wildlife is much more abundant in Mana Pools, especially during the height of the dry season (July to October) when the game viewing can be fantastic.
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16 . GUIDES, SAFETY AND COMMUNICATIONS All Safaris guides have passed the examination set by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management. They all hold a River Guides’ Licence. Guides carry weapons and radios. All guides have studied and passed a MARS first aid course. If any problems should occur during the trip, there are various contact points along the length of the River. Self-participatory trips are led by qualified canoe guides with thousands of hours of canoeing experience (a learner canoe guide must have at least 1000 hours canoeing experience just to sit the canoe guides exam). Only the most experienced professional guides in Zimbabwe lead our luxury trails. The quality of our guides on the luxury trail is one of its most important selling points. They will usually have at least a decade of experience (usually more) and will hold a phenomenal amount of knowledge about the African bush and it’s inhabitants.
17. SAFARI DEPARTURE TIMES AND PLACES Self-Participatory Safaris
It is preferable for clients to stay in Kariba the night prior to departure. We will start collecting clients at 17h30 from their respective hotels / accommodation the day before the safari commences. They will be taken to Kariba Breezes Hotel for a briefing at 18h30. The purpose of the briefing is to give the clients a chance to get acquainted with each other and with the guide and to discuss the forthcoming safari. Afterwards clients will be dropped off at hotels etc. On the morning of departure clients will be collected between 07h30 and 08h30 and taken back to Kariba Breezes to organise for luggage and personal items to be locked away and kept until their return. Clients are then taken to buy drinks of their choice. Guides wear a company shirt for easy identification. On the last day of the safari, a vehicle meets the party and clients and equipment are transferred back to Kariba.
We cannot guarantee that clients will arrive back in time to catch flight the same day. Clients wishing to catch connecting flights must advise the guide and either have all luggage with them or organise the driver to bring down any extra luggage when he picks the clients up. The airport is on the way back to Kariba and there may not be enough time to return to hotels and then go back to the airport.
Luxury Safaris
There is no pre-trip briefing for the luxury safaris at the Breezes Hotel. Guests will need to make their own way to Mana Pools either by self-driving or by air charter. It is best to charter in to Mana Pools for the luxury safaris. For the canoe trips please try and make it in by 11h30 at the latest to be able to fit in the afternoon canoeing.
Please contact us if you would like assistance booking charter flights.
18. GENERAL Valuables such as wallets, passports, air tickets and car keys, etc are to be left in the hotel safety deposit box or they can be locked up at our office. On longer trips clients may join a safari at Chirundu or Mana Pools. On luxury trips where guests are going directly in to Mana Pools valuables will be kept with the luggage.
19. TRANSFER TIMES Transfers are made by vehicle. Clients do have an option to fly out of Mana Pools and Kanyemba on the day the safari ends (for an extra cost). Transfer times are generally of the following duration by road:
Kariba to Gorge 20 mins
Kariba to Chirundu 3 hours
Kariba to Mana Pools 4 hours
Kariba to Kanyemba 7 - 8 hours
Please note that transfers are done on dust roads.
20. HEALTH The Zambezi River is NOT considered a bilharzia risk. Malaria, however, is a risk and clients must take a course of anti - malaria pills before, during and after the safari.
Deltaprim and Paludrine are recommended but please contact your doctor for advice. All guides carry a comprehensive first aid kit and are first aid qualified.
21. MEDICAL AIR RESCUE SERVICES (MARS) The Company subscribes to MARS and all clients are insured with the organisation, which provides the facilities and staff to evacuate anyone who needs medical attention to a hospital.
22. INDEMNITY FORMS All clients will be required to complete an indemnity form prior to embarking on their safari.
23. PUBLIC LIABILITY
We are covered by a US$ 1 000 000.00
CAMP ZAMBEZI
