Half and full day canoe trails run on both
sides of the upper Zambezi River above Victoria Falls. Multi-day
trails are available if you're keen on adventure.
Full and half day canoe trails
Clients are collected from any hotel in Victoria Falls or
Livingstone between 07h00 and 07h30. Tea, coffee and bacon &
egg rolls are served at check in, followed by a safety talk by a
professional river guide before the day's canoeing. The morning is
spent running rapids and exploring the channels. The half-day
trail ends before lunch and clients are dropped off by around
14h30. For the full day trail, lunch is served on an island
or on the banks of theZambeziRiver. The trip ends with a drive
through the National Park with refreshments. Clients are dropped
off in Victoria Falls or Livingstone at about 16h30.
Multi day canoe trails
Overnight, 2 day/1 night or 2 day/2 night safaris are on offer
during the main season between July and October. They must be
booked in advance.
Physical features of the River
This section of the river is quite unlike the better known
section below Lake Kariba. The Upper Zambezi Riveris regarded as
free-flow and water levels are subject to seasonal variation.
Floods begin in December and normally peak in April/May. Throughout
the season the route varies as new channels open with the rise in
water level. The Upper Zambezi has numerous heavily wooded islands,
which are dissected by channels that may be several kilometres in
length and vary in width from one to twenty metres.
The vegetation predominately consists of ebonies, waterberries,
palms and a tremendous variety of acacia and Albizia. The rapids
are small and at their peak are only classed as grade
two.
Wildlife on the upper Zambezi River
The canoe trail passes between the Zambezi National Park in
Zimbabwe and the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia.
There's a good opportunities to see wildlife and at least 50 common
species of bird can be seen even in the quiet months. The
best birding opportunities occur during our summer months from the
end of September to early April.
Canoeing gear supplied
In addition to nineteen-foot Canadian-standard canoes,
sixteen-foot inflatable rafts and "crocodile canoes" are used.
America's Cup high flotation life jackets are supplied and must be
worn on the water.
Experience and fitness
No previous experience is required and canoeists needn't be
proficient swimmers.
Group bookings
We can accommodate a maximum of 24 guests. Larger groups are
possible on request using canoes and inflatable rafts.
Age restrictions for canoeing
The minimum age for canoe trips using crocodiles is 15 years
(depending on the size of the child). The minimum age for raft
floats (using 16ft inflatable rafts) is 6 years. There is no
maximum age.
Guest requirements
Appropriate dress is shorts, T-shirts, shoes and sunscreen and a
wide brimmed hat. Dry bags are provided for cameras and
valuables.
Guides and Safety on theZambezi
Guides are fully trained professionals and all hold valid first
aid certificates. Whilst every precaution is taken, all clients
should be aware that an indemnity form must be signed before
participating on any of the canoe trails. A comprehensive first aid
kit is carried on each trip. The trip leader is in radio contact
with operating bases in Victoria Falls, Livingstone and M.A.R.S.
(Medical Air Rescue Service) in the unlikely event of a mishap.
