Tamarind Canoe Safari
The Tamarind canoe safari is one of our most popular lower Zambezi canoe safaris over 4 days from Chirundu down to Mana Pools World Heritage Site.
Mana Pools World Heritage Site, Lower Zambezi RIver - Zimbabwe 
4 days / 3 nights
Running 1st classsafaris since 1995
IndependentAfrican experts
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Tamarind Canoe Safari
The Tamarind canoe safari is our most popular lower Zambezi canoe safari. We’ll spend 4 days canoeing from Chirundu down to Mana Pools World Heritage Site and has to be one of the best ways to experience big game and real African wilderness which is why we think it’s the best cane safari in Africa!
- Mana Pools World Heritage Site
- Lower Zambezi River
- 4 days/3 nights
Highlights of the Tamarind Canoe safari
Our Lower Zambezi canoe safaris start from Kariba, 600km downstream of Victoria Falls. Paddling through the silent, deep gorges below Kariba. Through the languid but wild mainstream past Mana Pools to the largest, most remote, least populated and undeveloped safari areas – through Chewore, Sapi and the Mupata Gorge to Kanyemba. 230km of untame adventure!
- canoe with top notch professional guides
- excellent wildlife
- and stargazing
- and finally… it’s perfect for adventurous spirits and serious safari people
When’s the best time to take a Zambezi canoe safari?
- trips are available throughout the year with May and June – mildest weather and clearest skies
- July to September – high season
- October and November – devilishly hot but the game is at it’s very best and the migrant birds are in the valley
- November to March – wet season. The only option is to run the Kariba and Chirundu to Mana “participation” trips
Read the full Tamarind Canoe Safari itinerary here
Private safaris can be arranged for up to 8 people in a party and walking trails are available.
This will float your boat...
Big game in a true African wilderness - paddle silently through deep gorges and languid waters under the watchful eye of our top notch professional guides
Our exciting range of canoe safaris all take place on the Lower Zambezi River. Only you limit the amount of adventure you will enjoy! Each canoe trail is led by a highly experienced canoe guide with a willing assistant. No experience is needed but you do need to be in relatively good health with an average level of fitness.
Each day sees a new stretch of the Zambezi River, and we'll paddle between 20 - 30 kilometres per day before setting up camp on river islands where we all muck in with the cooking and camp chores.
Our canoe trails are one of the most memorable safaris but not for the faint-hearted as the area is wild, the river is populated by hippo and other wildlife is abundant along the shoreline. We guarantee you'll remember this trip for the rest of your life.
ItineraryFrom $763
Day 1 - Kariba to Chirundu (18km) Early pick up from your hotel in Kariba. 4x4 transfer to Canoe HQ for briefing. Load up the canoes. Lunch on the river. Set up island camp on Kakomarara around 5pm, safety talk, relaxation and dinner.
Day 2 - Mana Pools National Park (27km) Rise at dawn, tea/coffee, biscuits then set off for a couple of hours paddling, stop for breakfast and canoe until midday. Lunch and siesta 'til mid-afternoon setting up camp on Lone Acacia Island.
Day 3 - Mana Pools National Park (23km) Routine as day 3. Mana Pools NP is one of Africa’s best game-viewing regions. Discover wildlife, diverse fauna and walk in the riverside forests. Stop at Trichelia Island to set up camp.
Day 4 - Departure (7km) A more leisurely start this morning, pack up camp and set off, canoeing to Mana Pools,a arriving around 10am for your return to Kariba by approx. 3pm.
Tips and notes
There are two canoeing seasons – green season and high season.
Green Season – November to May
High season – June to October
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 15 years of age will be accepted with mixed groups.
•15 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.
Canoeing equipment
The canoes are two-man Canadian-style canoes, and the paddles are American Carlisle paddles.
Camping equipment
Two-man dome tents, sleeping bags, liners, mattress, flysheet.
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.
Wildlife
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.
Reviews
"Mana Pools – May It was a fantastic experience and exceeded all our expectations. Our guide Bono Lunga was superb and he and his team made the safari very special. "
Charles F read more >>"Look no further! Our experience with the Zambezi Safari and Travel Company was faultless: We were particularly impressed with their detailed knowledge of the country and their attention to detail"
Debbie B read more >>"Canoeing the Lower Zambezi River was mind-blowing! Dear Liz, Yesterday I arrived back home in Germany, but in my mind and in my heart I am still in Africa. It"
Gunther read more >>"Canoe Safari – July Hi Liz! We just returned from our 6-week trip and are finally settling in enough to attend to our email messages 🙂 Sorry for the delay."
Melinda read more >>"Zimbabwe July:: We had an amazing time. everything was really well organised and I have to say the trip is probably one of the best organised that I have ever"
Tina F read more >>"Mana Pools Canoe – September Hi Mark Just wanted to let you know that Ruckomechi and the Mana Canoe Trail were amazing. It is said that Zimbabweans are the kindest"
Damien D read more >>Enquire now - let the Zambezi team help you
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