6 Day Lower Zambezi 5 In 1 Canoe Safari Trail

Day 1 – 2: Pioneer Safari Lodge & Camp – Lusaka

We have a variety of accommodation ranging from our highest standard of miombo chalets to our mid-range safari chalets and our more basic pioneer chalets and pioneer tents as well as a beautiful two-bedroom cottage, all set within our 25 acres of miombo woodland. All chalets are designed to be in-keeping with your African safari. All miombo chalets have Ensuite facilities, with private verandas and lovely woodland views. There is an incredibly relaxed feel to the whole property. You can safely walk around the grounds, which are surprisingly good for birding. There is a recreation area with a swimming pool and darts board. In the bar area, there is a library with lots of travel books, wildlife books and novels.

We’re located just 14 km (20 mins) from the international airport and just about 30 minutes from Lusaka’s shopping centres, so Pioneer is the last oasis stopover. It’s the ideal place to be if you need to be near Lusaka but don’t want to be in it.

Day 2 – 6: Zambezi 5 in 1 Canoe Trail (Wild Camping)

These canoeing safaris are self-contained in that all equipment/supplies are carried in the canoes for the duration of the canoeing trip. Guides prepare meals while the guests participate in erecting their tents, sorting out their bedding and helping with general loading and offloading of their canoes. The first two nights are spent wild camping on islands with the last two nights being spent in a pre-established fly camp on the banks of the river with walk-in tents, beds, and shared ablution amenities.

Meals:  Three meals a day, cordial soft drinks and safe, treated water is supplied on every safari. However, those wishing to bring their own bottled water may do so. Cooler boxes are provided should clients wish to bring their selection of beverages for the duration of the safari.

Daily Meal Plan: Unless notified, meals will follow the program below. Please note that we require a prior warning of at least 2 weeks to cater for special diets or allergies to certain ingredients etc. The main dinners are in most cases pre-cooked and deep-frozen before the safari, so it is important to have sufficient notice of what is required.

Early mornings: Start with tea/coffee biscuits before setting off downstream after packing up canoes and clearing the camp.

Breakfast: Generally, after several hours of canoeing, the trip will stop for everyone to stretch their legs while the guide prepares an English breakfast of tinned fruit; eggs, bacon, sausages and toast with marmalade or jam. Tea and coffee are served before starting again.

Lunch: An assortment of cold meats, green salads, rolls and cheeses are served, along with a variety of sauces and pickled vegetables to complete the meal.

Dinner: Assortments of snacks are served followed by a full dinner consisting of beef, chicken or muttonas main course options with two green vegetables and a carbohydrate of potatoes, rice or pasta

• As a guideline on what to bring on your safari, clients are asked to keep luggage to a minimum of +/- 7kgs. Excess baggage may be kept for safekeeping at our office for collection at the end of the safari.
• Neutral coloured shorts and T-shirts, swimming costume for summer months.
• Personal Toiletries and a small towel
• Canvas shoes or rafting sandals, a comfortable pair of hiking shoes where walks are involved
• Hat with a wide brim
• Jacket or sweater for the evenings
• Shirts (including a long-sleeved one for sun protection)
• A kikoi (or sarong) to cover your legs to protect them from the sun
• Torch or flashlight and extra batteries
• Camera and accessories. Recharging facilities at River Horse
• Binoculars, sunglasses
• Sunscreen, Insect repellent
• Warm clothes to sleep in for winter nights/light waterproof clothing for the wet season
• Personnel drinking flask for your canoe along with a dry bag for personal items if available

EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS: No previous canoeing experience is necessary although we recommend a reasonable level of fitness. At certain times of the year, strong winds may occur which makes paddling more difficult. Should this happen, the guide will wait for the wind to drop off before carrying on where ever possible. Guides have ultimate jurisdiction when determining the course of action required for the safety and welfare of the guests.

Useful Information

EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS: No previous canoeing experience is necessary although we recommend a reasonable level of fitness. At certain times of the year, strong winds may occur which makes paddling more difficult. Should this happen, the guide will wait for the wind to drop off before carrying on where ever possible. Guides have ultimate jurisdiction when determining the course of action required for the safety and welfare of the guests.

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED: Fibreglass 18ft two-man Canadian style Canoes are used for their robust structure with single-bladed paddles. Each canoe has five buoyancy chambers with fixed bucket seats. Containment nets to ensure safari and personal belongings are secure at all times. Life jackets are supplied but all clients must be able to swim. Two-man industrial mosquito netted bow tents are used. These allow for a full view of the night sky and give maximum aeration. Fold-out mattresses, sleeping bags, sheet liners and airline pillows are also provided, but guests may bring their sleeping bags if desired. Other equipment includes cooler boxes, tables, chairs, gas cookers, melamine crockery, and cutlery plus other practical items to ensure a reasonable level of comfort on safari. Four-wheel drive vehicles are generally used as support vehicles for return transfers while boats and aircraft may be useful options when required.

SAFETY:

Guides: All guides are qualified through the governing bodies of both the Zambian & Zimbabwe wildlife and National Parks authorities qualifying them to lead canoeing and walking safaris having passed both practical and written exams.

Also, all guides have a minimum practical training period of two years with the company before becoming a trip leader.

H20 proof Pelican cases are carried as first aid boxes with the essentials.

Communications: On the shorter canoeing trips, we operate local cellular networks while satellite phones are used in the more remote regions of the Lower Zambezi.

All clients are briefed on the safety aspects of a canoeing safari before the trips departure while we always ensure everyone has time to familiarize themselves with their canoes and paddling techniques early on in the safari.

HEALTH ISSUES

• Malaria - The Zambezi Valley is a malarial area, but your doctor can advise you on the appropriate prophylactics to protect you. Any health concerns or medical conditions such as allergies, epilepsy etc should be brought to the attention of the management before the start of the safari.
• Nuisance Insects - We recommend the use of insect repellents especially from dusk onwards, together with trousers / long-sleeved shirts to cover arms and legs.
• Sun Protection - The use of wide-brimmed hats and plenty of sunscreens are strongly advised on all trips, bit in the summer and winter months. Long-sleeved shirts and kikois/towels also protect arms and legs from sunburn during canoeing.
• First Aid - All safaris carry medical supplies and the guides are trained in first aid.
• Individual Health Issues - Any health concerns or medical conditions such as allergies, epilepsy etc should be brought to the attention of the management before the start of the safari. Two weeks’ notice about allergies to certain food ingredients is required for us to make suitable arrangements for meals.

SEASONS AND TEMPERATURES

Climate - The canoeing season runs year-round with temperatures are at their highest in September and October. With the onset of the rains from December through to April where light weight, waterproof clothing is required. Winter runs from May to August where warm clothing is necessary for the evenings. For those choosing to come during the rains, the airstrip may be closed and then the drive out is the only option. June to November is generally the best time of the year to canoe in terms of wildlife concentrations. Much of the inland water has dried up, and the game tends to move onto the riverfront for water. However, in the wet summer months, there is the added attraction of very high concentrations of nesting migratory birdlife along the river, as well as the normal resident game.

GENERAL POINTS OF INTEREST

Geographically, the section of Zambezi River between Kariba and the lowest take-out point is also known as the Middle Zambezi. In particular, the section of the river in the Mana Pools region has the highest recorded numbers of game and birdlife on the entire Zambezi - on both sides of the river.

INSURANCE - Travel and medical insurance are compulsory for all clients. All clients must have pre-arranged insurance in their own country before leaving to cover any unexpected medical expenses and loss/theft of personal effects.

VISAS - Please check visa requirements with your agent or River Horse Safaris before departure. Most visas can be obtained at the point of entry into Zambia and Zimbabwe on arrival.

AGE RESTRICTIONS - The minimum age of clients is 15 years. There is however no maximum age, although the client must be reasonably fit. The age limit may be flexible for a specific group booking. By prior arrangement, children under the age of 15 may be allowed on certain safaris provided each child is separately under the control of a parent/guardian. This does not apply to school or family trips.

GROUP SIZE - On most trips, we limit group sizes to 5 canoes or 9 guests. However, this does not apply to youth groups or students with their special arrangements.