Lower Zambezi Canoeing and Kafue National Park Safari

You have been expected by Absolute Zambia Safaris to explore the exceptional nature of Zambia! With canoe safari along the Zambezi River, you may wait to see wildlife along with the riverbank of Lower Zambezi National Park and with the combination of having your last two nights in Kafue National Park Gives a complete experience with Game drives, Walking Safari and boat Cruise in the Kafue National Park. The guides have comprehensive expertise and knowledge of nature, wildlife birds and local environment, culture, and general education gather through guiding in these areas for numerous years. Absolute Zambia Safaris will make your safari adventure in Zambia memorable.

Highlights

  • Five Nights of Lower Zambezi Canoe
  • Three days of Kafue National Park safari
  • Adventure and Big Game Safari (Land & Water-based Activities)
  • Lower Zambezi & Kafue National Park Safari

Inclusions

At Pioneer Lodge & Camp , Lusaka

  • 2 Nights Ensuite Miombo Chalet Accommodations
  • 2 Breakfast & 2 Dinner

At Great Zambezi (5 Night Canoe Safari), Lower Zambezi

  • All Canoeing Safari Activities
  • Walking safari (on request)
  • Camping gear
  • Five nights’ accommodation
  • Three meals a day and beverage

At Mukambi Safari Lodge , Kafue National Park

  • 2 night’s chalet accommodation
  • All meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner daily
  • Drinks from the bar. Excl Bottled wines of premium brands
  • Two Game activities per Day; Walking Safari or Boat Cruise and Morning/Night Game Drive (Walking Safari in Weather Dependant)
  • Complimentary Laundry Services
  • National Park Entry Fees

Transportation included;

  • All Road and Airport Transfers

The Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive & Transfer to Pioneer Lodge – Lusaka

Arriving at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka (LUN), where you will be welcomed by our representative who will then assist you with luggage and transfer you to Pioneer Lodge where you will spend your night before your fantastic canoeing Safari on the Zambezi River in lower Zambezi.

Check-in relax, enjoy your room and later it’s dinner and bedtime.

Day 2

Zambezi Breezer ,Chirundu (Canoe Safari Day 1)

Morning Breakfast at Pioneer Lodge, then our driver will transfer you to Zambezi Breezes in Chirundu where your canoeing Safaris will start.

Meet at Zambezi Breezes in Chirundu at approximately 10:00 for a two-hour drive downstream to the lunch place. After a briefing and lunch on the edges of the river, you begin your afternoon canoeing to Mtondo Island for your very first night camp, arriving at around 17:00.

Canoeing on the first day is kept to the mainstream on a natural going strong current. Setting up the lodge accompanied by tea or coffee, snacks, later dinner before retreating at night.

Day 3

Lower Zambezi (Canoe Safari Day 2)

Canoeing begins early after morning tea or coffee and biscuits. About at 06:30, depart Mtondo Island for a downstream breakfast stop at roughly two-hour canoeing.

Continuing through the Lower Zambezi National Park for lunch between 12:30 to 14:00 away from the midday sun. Then canoe through to your next nights camp at or nearby Chikwenya Island if the weather is permitting. This day, you travel a good 25 kilometres of the river into both Mana Pools National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park.

Day 4

Canoeing Safari Day 3

All daily routine, on this day, you will canoe through offshoot river channels where birdlife and game abound. Leaders will stop at points of importance to witness wildlife. Fascinating parts of the river at this point pass three kilometres in width with a labyrinth of canals to explore.

Both sides of the river at this spot are flanked by magnificent national parks where one is likely to see the highest concentration of game on the river.

Day 5

Canoeing Safari Day 4

Exiting Mana Pools National Park and enter the safari area on the south bank while staying within the Lower Zambezi National Park. Starting to narrow down, and the current becomes stronger as the stream proceeds into what is known as the False Mupata Gorge.

From this point, the safari is restricted to the mainstream for about 30 kilometres as you pass through this scenic gorge with sheer rock structures and cliff edges. Campsite on this night is chosen from one of many natural sandy beaches on the land within the confines of the gorge

Day 6

Canoeing Safari Day 5

The day is spent canoeing through the rest of the Mupata Gorge, watching the 300-million-year-old volcanic rock that forms part of the Great Rift Valley. At approximate midday, the canoes exit the gorge and the guide proceeds through to Red Cliffs for lunch and a break away from the midday heat before continuing to the nights’ island campsite.

Depending on joining flights the next day, the guide may discuss with the team a more proper camping site closer to the finishing point. Absolute Zambia Safaris does suggest that connecting flights are caught the day after the safari ends.

Day 7

Last day Canoeing Safari /Lusaka

Depending on the choice of campsite, there is an early rise tea or coffee and breakfast before the remaining canoeing through to the end of the canoeing safari. The take-out point arrives at approximately 09:00 for the return transport to Lusaka.

This ride is in an open-roofed Land Cruiser with a shaded canopy. Alternatively, and depending on the group’s wishes, you may continue to paddle on day 5 to the Feira take out point. This means, the transport will be able to leave earlier for the return five-hour trip to Lusaka, but it says there will be no canoeing on the final day. Lunch will be served on the roadside under a tree.

You will spend a night at Pioneer Lodge in Lusaka. Arrival at Pioneer lodge Check-in and relax later it’s dinner and bedtime.

Day 8

Transfer to Kafue National Park

Morning breakfast and transfer to Mukambi Safari Lodge in Kafue National Park. This will be an adventurous road trip, passing through villages and most of it is in the bush, so there is a lot to see along the way, and the fact that it is a private safari means you have the flexibility to stop along the way when you find something interesting.

Upon arrival you will be welcome and checked in then Lunch will be served for you, later you will go out for the Night game drive or Boat Cruise then dinner and bed.

Day 9

Mukambi Safari Lodge in Kafue National Park

Begin your day with breakfast and then go for a morning game drive you can choose to do a walking safari and return to the lodge for the lunch break and relax time. Later afternoon tea and night game drive or a Sunset Boat Cruise and return to the lodge for dinner and bed.

Day 10

Departure

The morning will start with breakfast and depending on your flight time out of Lusaka our driver will pick you up after breakfast or you will do your morning game viewing activity and then depart for Lusaka. You will be transferred to Lusaka International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka for your onward connection.

Where You'll Be Staying

Pioneer Lodge & Camp

Lusaka City
Pioneer Camp is an excellent place to stay if you need to be near Lusaka but don’t want to be in it! Only 14 km 30 minutes from the International Airport, we offer a restful stopover before, after or during your Zambian safari. We have a variety of chalets and a shady campsite, with the bar and restaurant at the heart of Pioneer, a tremendous place to meet fellow travellers and discuss your safari experiences!
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Mukambi Safari Lodge

Kafue National Park
Commonly known as “The Gateway to The Kafue National Park”, Mukambi Safari Lodge is centrally located in the park, right on the banks of the stunning Kafue River. The Kafue National Park is one of the largest national parks in Africa (roughly the size of Wales at more than 22,000km²) therefore we recommend you book with us for at least a week so you have time to explore this vast park and combine time at Busanga, Fig Tree and Mukambi.…
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What's not included

Visa Fees & All Flights - Travel & Medical Insurance (Recommended Comprehensive) - Only Park entry fees of 150 USD per person for the whole Canoe trip - Any other drinks during Canoe Safari - Laundry Service during Canoe and at Pioneer lodge - Lunch at Pioneer Lodge and Camp - Anything of Personal Nature

Why Choose Absolute Zambia Safaris?

Absolute Zambia Safaris is a specialist in bespoke and private safaris in Zambia. Through our large safari operators, we proudly assist our guests in designing custom-made safaris.

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Feedback From Our Previous Clients

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Dillon P profile picture
Dillon P
01/01/2025
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Epic experience Truly a once in a lifetime experience! We always felt safe and well looked after on the trip, the scenery was excellent and the value for money was off the charts. Definitely a trip we would want to do again.
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howard0928
10/11/2024
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Excellent operator! Absolute Zambia was fantastic. Every connection ran smoothly, a representative was in hand whenever necessary. Booked us in fantastic lodges with great accommodations and even better food Highly recommended
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Sorel profile picture
Sorel
19/10/2024
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Well organized, amazing safari Robert helped us plan every detail of our first safari/trip to Africa. He was incredibly responsive via email, and allowed us to explore a variety of options. We visited the city of Lusaka, 2 game parks, Victoria Falls, Johannesburg, and a Mozambique beach resort. Every step of the way went smoothly.I especially recommend South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi game parks for safari. We saw a wide range of game and our guides were knowledgeable. It was overall an amazing experience.
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Laurent - societyofexploration
18/09/2024
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100% recommendation for your Zambia travels Robert arranged a two weeks photography tour for us, combining Wildlige and culture (Likumby Lya Mize and Nyau mask dances) and we enjoyed it a lot. He was extremely responsive to answer all our questions before the tour and arranged many extras that are, for photographers, of the utmost importance - private safari vehicles, full day game drives, efficient planning - making sure we didn‘t miss a thing! Also the recommended lodges were faultless. A special thanks to our driver, Kamara, who, with his professionalism and positive attitude, helped to overcome every small difficulty that we met during our overland travel days. The budget we gave was also respected and we got good value for our money. I give a 100% recommendation to this reputable Zambian owned company.
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marys
25/08/2024
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AMAZING EXPERIENCE Robert Zgosi was amazing! Everything on our trip was perfectly planned and executed. I couldn't have asked for a better experience! I have recommended this company to friends and would definitely use them again!
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Diamond1924
07/07/2024
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Absolutely Great Tour AZS organised a perfect customised tour for us, combining Victoria Falls and South Luangwa nature reserve. Everything went really smoothly from stepping off the plane at Livingstone, crossing the Zimbabwean border, internal Zambian flights, and selecting terrific Lodges. We were pleasantly surprised to be welcomed at Lusaka Airport as we connected to our flight to Mfuwe. Would thoroughly recommend - AZS were brilliant at rearranging everything when we had to delay our trip as well. Really good.
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Anna L profile picture
Anna L
14/05/2024
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Perfect holiday in Zambia Robert designed a perfect trip for our family. He chose local owned lodges that met our budget. He was always available to make sure we were okay or to give us advice. I highly recommend Absolute Zambia Safari!
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Howard K K WONG
13/05/2024
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The most professional and trustworthy agent for safaris in Africa We have just returned from a wonderful 9 days’ trip in Zimbabwe which was recommended and well organized by Robert from Absolute Zambia Safaris. According to our budget and wishing list, Robert organized us to stay at two wonderful lodges each close to two different National Parks in Zimbabwe and last stop by Victoria Falls. I was lucky to have entrusted Robert to organize my first experience of safari at his own country ( 5 days’ Luangwa trip) in 2019. Same as before, we did not have to think about anything on this trip but enjoying every moment on our safaris, especially the sightings of white rhinos which we mostly interested in. All the arrangements were seamless with only one hiccup, it was not the fault of Robert or his team but the “Imvelo” whose tram services could not be resumed on the date as they had hoped. What a pity that we could not celebrate our special event on that tram as planned. Robert be given credit once again in this regard, he promptly negotiated with Imvelo who eventually compensated us a charter flight to Victoria Fall with no extra charge and had out luggage forwarded by road to our hotel on the same day. All the way through our return to the airport for our flight back home, definitely exceeded our expectations. Robert of Absolute Zambia Safaris was truly amazing and I wholeheartedly recommend him to those planning a trip in South Africa.
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Gary V
19/12/2023
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Another perfect holiday We were a party of eight, most of us on a return trip (last one in 2020 - also with Absolute Zambia Safaris) under the expert guidance of Robert. It was again a holiday without a single complaint. Pickups were reliable and punctual, the David Livingstone resort is perfectly located on the banks of the Zambezi with comfortable beds, sumptuous food, an infinity pool, and an unlimited supply of food and drinks on the silent but spacious sunset cruise. Robert (from Absolute Zambia Safaris) dealt with all our changes, additions, amendments, and cancellations with endless patience and understanding. It was a perfect holiday, we will be back. Thank you Absolute Zambia Safaris.
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Lisa A
24/11/2023
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Amazing five-day trip Absolute Safari organised an amazing five-day trip for us which included 2 nights in Mwanfushi safari lodge and 2 nights by Victoria falls. Everything worked out perfectly and Robert was quick on the email, answering and organising according to our wishes. Our driver Brian was excellent and always on time and the price very reasonable. Can highly recommend.

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