Lower Zambezi Canoeing & South Luangwa Safari
This 15-day safari & tour features a spectacular canoe safari on the Lower Zambezi River and a world-class wildlife safari in South Luangwa National Park, which is renowned for its high leopard population and Walking Safari.
Highlights
- Unique Zambezi River Canoeing Experiences
- Get up close to wildlife & Nature
- An Exciting & Energetic Holiday
- Superb Big Game Safari & Legendary Walking Safari
Inclusions
Pioneer Lodge in Lusaka:
- Three nights Miombo Chalet Accommodation
- Three breakfast & Dinners
5N/6D Great Zambezi Canoe – Lower Zambezi National Park
- All Canoeing Safari Activities
- Walking safari (on request)
- Camping gear
- Five nights’ accommodation
- Three meals a day and beverages ( Except Soft drinks and Alcoholic drinks)
Wildlife Camp – South Luangwa National Park
- Three nights Chalet Accommodation
- All daily meals; breakfast, lunch, high tea with snacks and dinner.
- Park Entry Fees and All Taxes or Levies
- Two Game viewing activities per Day; Day & Night game drives & Walking Safaris.
Zikomo Safari Camp – South Luangwa National Park
- Three nights Chalet Accommodation
- All daily meals (breakfast, lunch, high teas/snacks and dinner) ...
- Three nights Miombo Chalet Accommodation
- Three breakfast & Dinners
- All Canoeing Safari Activities
- Walking safari (on request)
- Camping gear
- Five nights’ accommodation
- Three meals a day and beverages ( Except Soft drinks and Alcoholic drinks)
- Three nights Chalet Accommodation
- All daily meals; breakfast, lunch, high tea with snacks and dinner.
- Park Entry Fees and All Taxes or Levies
- Two Game viewing activities per Day; Day & Night game drives & Walking Safaris.
- Three nights Chalet Accommodation
- All daily meals (breakfast, lunch, high teas/snacks and dinner)
- Park Entry Fees and All Taxes/Levies
- Two Game viewing activities per Day; Day & Night game drives & Walking Safaris.
- Round Trip Domestic Flights ( Lusaka – Mfuwe – Lusaka)
- All Road and Airport Transfers (From Start to finish of the safari)
Inclusions
Pioneer Lodge in Lusaka:
5N/6D Great Zambezi Canoe – Lower Zambezi National Park
Wildlife Camp – South Luangwa National Park
Zikomo Safari Camp – South Luangwa National Park
Transportation included are:
The Itinerary
Day 1
Meet & Greet/Transfer to Pioneer Lodge
Your tour starts when you arrive 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 (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 NP (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
G. Camp channels (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
False Mupata Gorge (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
Great Rift Valley (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 Canoe Safari (Canoeing Day 6)
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
Road Trip to South Luangwa NP
Today you will start early and have breakfast at Pioneer Lodge, and then you will leave for South Luangwa National Park on a private road transfer, you will stop on the way to get some snacks and drinks, you also have a chance to learn a lot on the way as you can ask your driver questions and take pictures.
This is a transfer that takes between 8 -9 hours and arriving at Wildlife Camp around 3 PM time for afternoon Tea and you will be offered to join an afternoon/night game drive then later you will return to the camp for dinner and bedtime. It’s entirely up to clients whether to go out or relax.
Day 9 & 10
Explore South Luangwa NP
Morning breakfast and you will leave for the morning activity which will be either a Game drive or a walking safari, and you will return to the camp for a lunch break, relax and afternoon tea then afternoon/night game drive will follow and return to the field for dinner and bed.
During your free time, you have an option of taking an excursion that can be a village tour, local school or a visit to the fabric shop.
Day 11
Transfer Zikomo Safari Camp, South Luangwa
Morning breakfast, then a morning game drive will follow and return to the lodge for lunch. After Lunch, the guide from Wildlife Camp will transfer you to Zikomo Safari Camp arriving in time to relax and later it’s afternoon tea time then afternoon/night’s game drive leaving in the afternoon and continuing with the spotlight return to the camp in time for dinner.
Day 12 & 13
South Luangwa NP Nsefu Sector
On these days you will start with morning breakfast and then you will leave for a morning game drive or walking safari and return to the lodge for a lunch break, relax and later it’s afternoon tea and afternoon/night game drive and return to the camp for dinner and time.
During your free time, you have an option of taking an excursion that can be a village tour, local school or Visit a Fabric Shop.
Day 14
Road Trip to Pioneer Lodge , Lusaka
You will start your day early with a breakfast in the morning and camp will prepare your packed lunch for you, they will be picked you up and transfer you to pioneer camp where you will spend your last night in Zambia. Arrive at Pioneer Lodge check-in and relax then it’s dinner and bedtime.
Day 15
Departure
Today will depend more on your flight time out of Lusaka. You will have breakfast at Pioneer Lodge and then later check out of the lodge, and our driver will transfer you to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in time for your flight out of Zambia.
Where You'll Be Staying
Pioneer Lodge & Camp
Lusaka City
Zikomo Safari Camp
South Luangwa National ParkWhat's not included
Visa Fees & International flights - Travel & Medical Insurance (Comprehensive Insurance) - US$ 150.00 Per Person Park Fees for the entire Canoe Safari to be paid in Cash - All Drinks from the bar and not specified - Laundry Service during canoe and at Pioneer Lodge - Lunch at Pioneer Lodge and Camp in Lusaka
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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