US$575 per person sharing; FI basis; early morning departures ex Chirundu - Zambia
(Trip departures can be arranged on any day for parties of 3 or more)
Prices exclude transfers & charters except for those mentioned in daily routine

SAFARI DAYS DISTANCE RATES

3 Day Canoe Safari 2 nights / 3 days 56 km US$ 395 pp sharing

Island Trail 3 nights / 4 days 76 km US$ 575 pp sharing

5-in-1 River Run 4 nights / 5 days 78 km not available this season

Great Zambezi 5 nights / 6 days 163 km US$ 960 pp sharing

Zambezi Explorer 8 nights / 9 days 268 km US$ 1098 pp sharing

Victoria Falls Safari Network offers a participatory canoe safari along the Zambezi River between the Kafue and Chongwe Rivers over 3 nights / 4 days with year round departures on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Departure times and meeting places

Unless clients can guarantee arrival in Kariba by 09h00 on the morning of departure, Victoria Falls Safari Network require that all clients arrive in Kariba the night prior to the start of the safari to avoid clients being left behind due to delayed flights. The preferred meeting place and time in Kariba on the day of departure is the Cutty Sark Hotel at 09h30. However, clients requiring pick-ups from other hotels in Kariba will be collected at approximately 09h00. All clients will be required to complete customs and immigration formalities and indemnities before setting off for the start of the canoe trip.
On the last day of the safari, guests will be returned to Kariba at approximately 15h30.
Please do not book flights departing before 16h00.

Group booking size

Minimum number to confirm a booking: 2 Non Residents
4 Regional Residents and Residents
Maximum number 16 pax per trip
(Larger groups and tailor-made canoe packages on request).

Age restrictions

Minimum age is 15 years. There is no maximum age, however clients must be reasonably healthy and fit.

Experience and fitness

No previous canoeing experience is necessary. The first day on the river is used to familiarise clients with the stability and art of steering the canoe. The canoe safari is generally relaxing and gentle and no physical exertion is required. Heavy head winds can occur which makes paddling more difficult. Winds are normally experienced in August.

Equipment supplied

18 foot Canadian canoes are used with cushions, paddles and life jackets supplied. All camping and cooking equipment is supplied. Two man bow tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags and liners. Each professional guide carries a comprehensive medical aid box. Washing and cleaning are done in the river. For groups over 10 pax a third seat may be added to each canoe.

Food and beverages

All meals are supplied. No alcohol or carbonated drinks are supplied, only cordial soft drinks. Clients can purchase beer, alcohol and other drinks in Kariba prior to departure. Cooler boxes and ice are provided. Drinking water is taken in containers on the canoes.

Daily routine on the Island Trail

After clients have been collected (in Kariba), they will then be driven across Kariba Dam Wall, clear customs and immigration and be transferred to the Kafue River where they will begin canoeing. This transfer takes approximately two hours.
The safari is designed for the camping enthusiast and all sleeping; camping and cooking equipment is carried in the canoes. Overnight stops are enjoyed on selected islands approximately 25kms apart in the Zambezi River. A fully qualified river guide accompanies each safari and participation by clients is encouraged.
NB: On the last day of the safari a vehicle or boat (depending on time of year) will transfer clients to the Kafue River for a vehicle transfer back to Kariba. There is NO canoeing on the last day.

Client requirements

Clients are asked to please keep their luggage down to a minimum - +- 10-kg. Excess baggage and valuables can be kept safely at our office in Kariba and collected on your return.

Insurance

Travel and medical insurance is COMPULSORY for all clients. Please ensure YOU have arranged this insurance in your own company prior to leaving so as to cover unexpected medical expenses and loss/theft of personal effects.

Safety

All canoe safari guides carry VHF hand held radios. Each camp has an HF and VHF base set which allows us to communicate between our base camps, various offices in Kariba, Harare, National Parks and M.A.R.S. (Medical Air Rescue Service).

Visas

Where necessary, clients must ensure they have a double entry visa for Zimbabwe which should be purchased at the port of entry on arrival. We will endeavour to get clients into Zambia without having to pay a visa, but this is not guaranteed and as such clients may have to pay a US$25.00 per person (US$60.00 per person for British nationals) Visa fee for Zambia. This fee is not included in the price.

Season

The Island Trail operates year round.

Additional information

An introduction to the Island Trail
African Safari options: ideas for safaris along the course of the Zambezi River
Photo Gallery: a series of picture galleries covering safaris and action on the Zambezi
Map of the Zambezi: a full display map of the lower Zambezi showing the relative positions of the Kafue confluence and Chongwe
Safari combinations: consider The Island Trail in conjunction with other Victoria Falls Safari Network properties and safari options