Classic Canoe Safari
This canoe safari journeys down the Zambezi River from Chirundu past Mana Pools National Park through Sapi, Chewore to Kanyemba
Kariba to Kanyemba, Lower Zambezi 
10 days/9 nights
Running 1st classsafaris since 1995
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Zambezi Long Classic – Kariba to Kanyemba
Paddle a Canadian canoe on our classic canoe safari from Kariba – through eagle filled gorges and remote fishing villages, to the floodplains of the Zambezi. View the incredible wildlife along the shoreline of Mana Pools National Park. Camp overnight on the islands of the mighty Zambezi River.
Discover the explorer within and join our 10 Day Long Classic Canoe journey along the Zambezi River. Course through the red cliffs of the Mupata Gorge dotted with many species of flora and fauna and on to the gorge at Kanyemba. This is the Zambezi Classic Long canoe trip. There is also a 9 day shorter version which covers 182 kms and begins in Chirundu for those with less time. The shorter trip misses out the beautiful gorge. Our classic canoe safari includes participation camping so guests will be required to help out with camp chores and setting up the tents.
- Lower Zambezi
- Kariba to Kanyemba sections
- 230 km’s
Highlights of the Classic Canoe Safari
- get into the spirit a pioneering explorer
- paddle 182 – 230 km (short or long versions) of the mighty Zambezi River in a Canadian canoe
- the shorelines of the Lower Zambezi National Park and Mana Pools offer endless opportunities for big game viewing along the broad floodplains. Wildlife roam the plains and the rugged escarpment on either side of the valley
- we’re canoeing through different ecosystems so there should be some good wildlife encounters along the way. We’ve previously seen elephant, impala, waterbuck, buffalo, hippo and crocodile. Also, more elusive but resident in the area are leopard, lion and African wild dog
- this is also a good area for seeing some interesting flora and fauna
- fully qualified canoe guides will accompany us for the duration of the canoe safari
- get back to nature and experience the real flow of Africa
Best time to do the Classic Canoe Safari
- September/October: very hot but a good time to see concentrations of game before the rains come
- April to July: days are sunny but the nights are cool
Read More about canoeing in Africa and other canoe safaris
More canoeing options on our sister website
(Elephants on the Mana Pools floodplain by Dana Allen courtesy Wilderness Safaris)
Canoeing with the experts
We've been running Canoe Safaris for over 21 years and our experience speaks volumes. Our trips are generally leisurely, taking in a couple of nights camping under the stars on an island, or the river shore. We use very experienced canoe guides to get you out on to one of the most exciting rivers in Africa, the Zambezi River!
We use sturdy Canadian canoes to paddle down the shoreline, criss crossing back and forth between hippo pods. Wildlife drinks from the river off the sandy bank's as we move steadily along in the current. The camps are authentic, with the smell of wood smoke, and basic amenities that as as far away from the glitz and glamour of the modern world as you can get.
Our canoeing adventures are one of the most talked about and well remembered of all our Zambezi safaris.
ItineraryFrom $1469
Day 1 - Kariba, Lower Zambezi - 18 km - Crocodile Rocks Island Start your canoeing adventure from Kariba. 4x4 transfer to Chirundu for a safety talk followed by lunch on the river. Paddle until around 5pm, set up camp on Crocodile Rocks island, relax and dinner.
Up at sunrise for tea and biscuits. Paddle a couple of hours until breakfast. Paddle until midday. Lunch and siesta. Paddle again to Twin Logs Island.
Wake at sunrise for tea, coffee and biscuits and breakfast before canoeing starts. stock up with supplies at Chirundu . Light lunch and paddle to Kakomarara Island.
Day 4 - Lone Acacia Island - 27 km Up at sunrise for tea and biscuits. Paddle for a couple of hours until breakfast. Get back on the river and canoe until midday. Lunch and siesta time. Paddle again to Lone Acacia Island.
Day 5 - Trichelia Island - 23 km Days spent on the river follow a similar pattern but the landscape and wildlife are ever changing. Evenings are spent relaxing and discussing the events and sightings of the day.
Day 6 - Chikwenya Island - 20 km Camping at the confluence of the Zambezi and Sapi rivers in the Mana Pools NP with excellent views of the mountains of the Rift valley
Day 7 - False Gorge - 25 km Located close to G Camp, the False Gorge Camp is situated in the Sapi Safari area of Zimbabwe. A very concentrated wildlife area.
Day 8 - Mupata Gorge - 20 km A short morning’s paddle followed by breakfast either on the banks of the river or on an island. Canoe until midday then stop for lunch and a siesta then canoe to the top end of Mapata Gorge.
Day 9 - Towering Red Cliffs Camp - 35 km Known for its tiger fishing opportunities, camp at the base of the Towering Red Cliffs Camp, on a breathtaking portion of the Zambezi River. Surrounded by spectacular red sandstone cliffs,
Day 10 - Departure - Kanyemba - Kariba - 7 km Early wake-up call for breakfast, paddle down to the takeout point at Kanyemba. The equipment will be loaded onto the vehicle and you will be transferred back to Kariba.
Tips and notes
There are two canoeing seasons – green season and high season.
Green Season – April, May & November
Shorter trips possible from Chirundu to Mana Pools from US$786 per person excluding parks fees, including 2% tourism levy and 15% VAT
High season – June to October
US$1,469 per person excluding parks fees, including 2% tourism levy and 15% VAT
No single supplement applies unless clients request a private safari.
Price Includes: Road transfers from and to Kariba Town. All meals. Drinks include mineral water, cordials, tea, coffee and imported wine with dinner. Use of` camping and canoe equipment. Services of a qualified canoe guide.
Price Excludes: Drinks not mentioned above (soft drinks and alcohol). National Parks Fees and any personal expenses
CHILD POLICY: As a general rule we do not recommend children under 14 years of age on canoe safaris for safety reasons.
• No children under 14 years of age will be accepted with mixed groups.
• Children under 14 years of age are welcome if the trip is private or in conjunction with other families.
• Please note that our Camp Zambezi Safari is our most family friendly and children of all ages are welcome.
0 to 5 years of age – One child is free of charge, second child 50% of adult rate.
6 to 13 years of age – 50% of adult rate.
14 years of age and above full adult rate.
Note: Your luggage for the safari should not exceed 10 kilos per person. We recommend using a soft duffel bag and not a suitcase.
How to get there
Our canoe trips are semi participatory, and you’ll carry everything in your canoe in the same manner as the Zambezi River’s first explorers. A fully qualified canoe guide will navigate you down the river and take care of the cooking, washing up and other camp tasks. Each safari we offer covers a different section on the Zambezi River each offering a unique experience. All our safaris are eco friendly, we believe in leaving each campsite as nature made it.
Road transfers are including to and from Kariba Town. This is a three hour transfer each way, in the back of an open vehicle, towing your canoes on a trailer behind you. Air transfers may be arranged at an extra cost.
We recommend staying in Kariba the night before. If you’d like us to arrange this night for you, please chat to your consultant.
Wildlife
Magnificent Zambezi elephants that feed off acacia pods
Buffalo
Leopard, cheetah and lion
380 species of birds including Nyasa lovebird, eagles, many species of storks, Livingstone’s flycatcher, white -collared pratingcole, banded snake eagle, fish eagles, waterfowl, heron just to name a few. Carmine bee eaters visit in the summer months, and African skimmer and Pel’s fishing owls are seen along the banks.
Enquire now - let the Zambezi team help you
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Best Locations
Lower Zambezi The Lower Zambezi National Park includes a handful of excellent camps and safari lodges along the lower stretch of the Zambezi River
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Mana Pools National Park Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve is best known for Zambezi canoeing and walking safaris
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