The Zambezi Valley has been known outside of Africa for thousands of years. Legends suggest that the kingdoms of Hiram, Solomon and Sheba were enriched by the gold and ivory of Ophir - supposedly part of present day Zimbabwe.  The Zambezi was one of the gateways to the ancient treasure trove.  More recent history records some of the explorations of hunters, missionaries and slave traders along this part of the Zambezi River. 

Nowadays this part of the valley holds very different treasures for modern adventurers! 

Beyond Kariba Gorge, the Zambezi River flows through a wide and game-rich floodplain hemmed in by towering escarpments in both Zimbabwe and Zambia. 

The shoreline in Zimbabwe has protected safari areas and Mana Pools National Park, a World Heritage Site renowned for its population of elephant, buffalo, lions, leopard, large antelope species and smaller mammals. 

Similarly the shoreline in Zambia has private conservancy areas, game management areas and the relatively unexplored Lower Zambezi National Park.  This region is heavily populated by hippos and crocodiles - it's also renowned as a birder's paradise with over 300 species having been recorded and is favored by sports fishermen in search of the famous Tiger Fish.

The lower Zambezi the real destination for serious safari enthusiasts!  The prime pursuits are canoe safaris and traditional walking safaris using lodges and tented camps as base.

Zambezi Canoe Safaris

• The definitive guide to lower Zambezi canoe safaris: explore options on both sides of the Zambezi River with the team from www.zambezi.com.  This site includes deluxe and full participation canoe safaris and shorter trails that focus on the Kariba Gorge, the Mana Pools shoreline, the Lower Zambezi National Park and further downstream through the Mupata Gorge to the border with Mozambique.
• The 3 Day Canoe safari: our shortest canoe safari on the Lower Zambezi offering a taster to those with only limited time in the valley.
• The Island Trail: a year round 3 night/4 day camping canoe safari along the Lower Zambezi River from Chirundu to Chongwe and passing through the Mana-pools region.
• The 5 in 1 River Run: a 4 night/5 day, adventurous canoe safari through the flood plains of the middle Zambezi River encompassing both day and night game drives, a walk and a visit to a traditional fishing village.
• The Great Zambezi Trail: a unique 5 night/6 day canoe safari through the entire length of the floodplains of the middle Zambezi to the remote Mupata Gorge and ending at the confluence of the Luanwga River. Experience the highest concentrations of game and bird life that exist along the Zambezi River.
• The Zambezi Explorer safari: our longest canoe safari covering the entire length of the Lower Zambezi in Zambia - from just below Kariba Gorge to Feira on the Mozambique border. This is a great value 8 night/9 day long haul canoe safari allowing guests the opportunity explore the entire Lower Zambezi.
• Getting to the Lower Zambezi: a pricelist for private road transfers between the Lower Zambezi and Zambia's tourist hubs. See individual canoe safaris for information on air charters and public transport.

Lower Zambezi Safari Camps

• Kayila Lodge: [not currently available] small and exclusive safari lodge in a private wildlife sanctuary overlooking Mana Pools National Park on the Lower Zambezi.  Aside from its use as a transit venue on the deluxe canoe safari, Kayila offers particularly good walking trail options.  
• Chongwe River Camp: time-share chalets located on a secluded bend at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers on the lower Zambezi.  Chongwe is geared up specifically for sport anglers - it's regarded as one of the best fishing camps on the Zambezi.
• Mwambashi River Lodge: [not currently available]  East-African style tented safari camp deep in the relatively unexplored Lower Zambezi National Park.  This Lodge is remote and highly recommended as a walking safari destination - safari enthusiasts usually stay a minimum  of 3 nights at Mwambashi.

Access into the Zambezi Valley

• Lusaka is the main International hub into Zambia from which light aircraft charters connect to the Kayila and Jeki (Mwambashi) airstrips [...see more on airfares and planning flights into Zambia]
• Kariba is Zimbabwean hub for accessing the lower Zambezi by road and boat transfers [...see more on airfares and travel planning to Zimbabwe]

See more detail on access in our Trip Planner section and our Fact Files

Find out more about the lower Zambezi

• Lower Zambezi Map: a full display location map of Southern Africa plus a detailed map showing camp locations, National Park locations and access points
• Safari ideas: additional ideas on walking safaris, canoeing, fishing safaris and specialist trips
• Safari combinations: a selection of tour packages that include our lower Zambezi canoe safaris and lodges
• Photo gallery: a wide variety of full display images that capture the scenic beauty of the lower Zambezi, it's wildlife and some of the action you can experience on the river

[ Home ] [ Lower Zambezi Map ] [ Kayila Lodge - lower Zambezi River ] [ Chongwe Fishing Camp - Zambezi River ] [ Mwambashi River Lodge - Zambezi River, Zambia ] [ The Great Zambezi Trail ] [ The Island Trail - lower Zambezi River ]
 

[ Home ] [ Guided Tour ] [ Victoria Falls ] [ The Lower Zambezi ] [ African Safaris ] [ Package Tours ] [ Trip Planner ]

Zambezi Head Office
Tel: +44 (1548) 830059
Africa House, Poundwell St, Modbury, UK