Canoeing on the Zambezi has to be one of Africa's great adventures. Lazily drifting with the current, watching the myriad birds on the shore, sweeping past pods of hippos and getting up close to a herd of elephant as they come down to drink, is a very wonderful and unique privilege.
No previous canoeing skill is necessary as our fully trained professional guides make all the decisions and take good care of you.
Your bags are taken ahead to the next lodge by vehicle so there is nothing in your canoe but you and a picnic lunch!
Day 1-2
Fly from Lusaka to Chiawa Lodge.
Gentle game cruises on a powered pontoon boat on the Zambezi. Morning game walks, afternoon and night game drives where you are likely to see puku, elephant, buffalo, zebra, kudu, waterbuck. Leopard, lion and hyena are regularly sighted on the cruises and the day and night game drives.
Chiawa Lodge is an exclusive 12 bedded Lodge situated within the Lower Zambezi National Park on the banks of the Zambezi River. 8 well-appointed safari tents on a raised timber deck with private veranda, under thatch, with en-suite facilities with hot & cold running water, twin or double beds, insect screens and solar powered lighting. Chiawa is renowned for its cuisine.
Overnight at Chiawa Lodge.
B, L, D
Day 3
Early morning game walk and then brunch. Then we set off in our canoes down the Zambezi through various channels and the main stream of the Zambezi. This is not an endurance trip and we adopt a very relaxed and leisurely pace. We are likely to see elephants, crocs, waterbuck, buffalo, maybe lions and lots of hippo. At the end of the day we reach Sausage Tree Lodge, another exclusive safari camp with 6 Bedouin-style white canvas tents, each with private open-air bathrooms, with hot and cold water and flush loo's. Three course meals, white linen and candle-light.
Evening night drive.
Overnight at Sausage Tree Lodge.
B, L, D
Day 4
After breakfast, we pack our bags which are transferred to the next camp by boat. We spend the day on the Zambezi, canoeing through very absorbing ecosystems and probably seeing a lot of wildlife from the safety of our canoe. Lunch is taken on the river bank or on islands in the middle of the river. Drinks and a cold buffet (prepared by the chef and kitchen staff) are carried in cooler boxes in the canoes. We reach Mondoro by nightfall. The camp is simple - providing us with an authentic, remote experience that concentrates on the wildlife and bush experience. The call of the hyena replaces the hum of a generator, electric light is replaced by the soft glow of a lantern. Accommodating eight guests and of traditional design, Old Mondoro is an unusual camp. Each tent has en-suite facilities with flush toilets, and canvas bucket showers and washbasins. The traditional bush kitchen supplies outstanding meals and fresh baked daily from a homemade oven.
Overnight at Old Mondoro Lodge.
B, L, D
Day 5
Return by light aircraft to Lusaka.
