The Zambezi Classic Short will definitely get you into the spirit of an exploring pioneer.
This 8 day, 7 night canoe safari covers 182 km of the mighty River all the way from the border town of Chirundu through the floodplains of the Zambezi and past the shoreline of Mana Pools National Park.
Guests will then enter a 20 km stretch of amazing red cliffs called the Mupata Gorge. Guest will then end their safari a few kilometres on the other side of the Gorge at Kanyemba.
The Zambezi Classic passes through many different ecosystems allowing guests to encounter all the different species of flora and fauna the Lower Zambezi has to offer. The safari allows guests the opportunity to really ‘experience the real flow of Africa.’
Arrival location:
Kariba Town Zimbabwe
Departure Location:
Kariba Town Zimbabwe
Included in your experience:
- Accommodation on Safari,
- All meals, tea, coffee, cordials,
- South African Wine with Dinner,
- Use of equipment,
- English Speaking Professional Canoe Guide,
- Transfers at the start and end of the canoe safari to and from Kariba Town
Not included in your experience:
- Accommodation in Kariba prior and post the canoe safari.
- Soft Drinks, Beers, Alcohol
- National Parks Fees.
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Day1 - 2
DAY ONE (18 KM)
Natureways Safaris will collect you on the morning of your safari at 0730hrs, in good time for a check-in at Natureways office, handing in extra luggage and valuables.
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE YOUR PASSPORT ON THE RIVER. There will be a short briefing to summarise what the safari entails and questions may be asked. Guests will be required to sign an indemnity form before leaving on the safari. After the briefing, a visit to the shops will be made, purchasing any extra drinks
wanted for the trip before setting off for the river.
Please note that credit cards are not a recommended payment option in Zimbabwe.
Transfers are by open 4x4 vehicles to Chirundu, arriving at approximately 1130hrs at which time canoes and kit are unloaded. Following this, a safety talk and demonstration of paddling a canoe will be given. A packed lunch will be taken on the river. At approximately 1700hrs you will establish camp on an island named Kakomarara, after a brief safety talk on camping, there is then time to relax and have dinner.
Zambezi Classic Short Canoe Safari (Chirundu to Kanyemba) | Breakfast Included
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Day2 - 3
DAY TWO (27 KM)
Up at sunrise for tea, coffee and biscuits before paddling for a couple of hours to the breakfast stop. Afterwards canoeing will resume until midday and a well earned lunch and siesta, time to catch up on reference books until mid afternoon (depending on the weather). Canoeing will continue until about 1700hrs until camp setup on Lone Acacia Island.
Zambezi Classic Short Canoe Safari (Chirundu to Kanyemba) | Breakfast Included
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Day3 - 4
DAY THREE (23 KM)
The programme is as per day two. With the night’s camp stop on Trichelia Island.
Zambezi Classic Short Canoe Safari (Chirundu to Kanyemba) | Breakfast Included
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Day4 - 5
DAY FOUR (27 KM)
A similar programme to day three. Lunch will be around midday after which there is a chance to relax, take in your surroundings or possibly siesta. The group will then paddle until the early evening where the night’s camp is made at Chikwenya Island.
Zambezi Classic Short Canoe Safari (Chirundu to Kanyemba) | Breakfast Included
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Day5 - 6
DAY FIVE (25 KM)
You will be woken early for tea, coffee and biscuits before a short morning’s paddle. Breakfast will be served either on the banks of the river or on an island. After which the group will resume canoeing until around midday. After lunch and a brief siesta,
taken on the banks to avoid the midday heat, canoeing will continue until early evening where camp will be set up at False Gorge.
Zambezi Classic Short Canoe Safari (Chirundu to Kanyemba) | Breakfast Included
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Day6 - 7
DAY SIX (20 KM)
The programme is as per day five. The day will be spent exploring the shoreline of the Chewore area (home of the Great Elephant). Camp will be set up at the top end of Mupata Gorge.
Zambezi Classic Short Canoe Safari (Chirundu to Kanyemba) | Breakfast Included
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Day7 - 8
DAY SEVEN (35 KM)
This day is planned much as per days five and six and spent mainly in the austere Mupata Gorge. Time to take in its many endemic species of wildlife and its spectacular geographical features. The night’s campsite will be established at the base of the towering Red Cliffs.
Zambezi Classic Short Canoe Safari (Chirundu to Kanyemba) | Breakfast Included
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Day8 - 9
DAY EIGHT (7 KM)
After an early wake-up call and breakfast, the group will paddle down to the takeout point at Kanyemba. The equipment will be loaded onto the vehicle and you will be transferred back to Kariba. Arrival time in Kariba is approximately 1600hrs.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN EXPLORER CANOE SAFARI AND THERE ARE NO FIXED ABLUTION FACILITIES ALONG THE WAY.
ALL TIMINGS GIVEN IN THIS TRIP DESCRIPTION ARE AN APPROXIMATION AND WILL VARY FROM TRIP TO TRIP.
THIS ITINERARY IS GUIDELINE AND MAY CHANGE DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES i.e. WEATHER CONDITIONS
Zambezi Classic Short Canoe Safari (Chirundu to Kanyemba) | Breakfast Included