A Slow Canoe Safari on the Lower Zambezi
The Zambezi River valley in southern Zambia is one of the world’s most legendary safari areas. There are only a handful of camps, a wide range of safari activities, and dramatic sunsets. It’s the kind of place we want to slow down and spend time in. Fortunately, the river provides an excellent avenue for extended exploration by canoe and boat.
It’s the most tranquil and immersive way to safari and simulates an extended canoe trip without the challenges of open water and hippos.
Starting at the western border of Lower Zambezi National Park, you will journey downstream, for over 30 miles, with stops at both wild camps and luxury lodges. It’s the most tranquil and immersive way to safari and simulates an extended canoe trip without the challenges of open water and hippos. Larger stretches of the river will be traversed by boat, while canoes will be taken down the more scenic side channels of the Zambezi.
During the dry season of June to October, high densities of elephants will congregate on the valley floor along with large herds of buffalo and impala, which you can see from your canoe. Predators naturally follow prey, and the park has a healthy population of lions, leopards, and wild dogs.
✧ Your custom travel playlist includes Smokey Haangala’s “Cinyala Munyakna”
Smokey Haangala was a popular musician and journalist in the 1970s and 80s. He is classified as Zamrock, but his songs are more mellow and soulful than some of the psych-rock that you hear out of Zambia. It’s the perfect rhythm for paddling down the Zambezi.
Arrive in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, on your international flight. After clearing customs, transfer to a small prop plane for the short flight to Royal Airstrip near the border of Lower Zambezi National Park.
Rendezvous with your guide and drive to Time + Tide Chongwe Camp. This comfortable camp is a soft landing to start your trip, and the confluence of the Zambezi and Chongwe Rivers are a haven for wildlife. The eight classic safari tents include open-air baths, bold textiles, and a relaxing main lounge. Spend the afternoon recovering from your trip, and finish your day with a boat safari and sunset cruise.
Use your second day on the Zambezi to get acquainted with the landscape and its wild inhabitants on game drives. Enjoy an excellent evening meal and prepare for your long boat journey ahead.
After breakfast your guide will load up your gear on the boat for an extended boat safari downstream. En route, you will undoubtedly see elephants drinking on the shoreline and plenty of hippos observing your passage. Half way to your next stop, your Time + Tide guide will pass you off to the Classic Zambia team who will take you on a boat further downriver to the Discovery Channel, one of the most legendary canoe areas on the river. From here you will transfer to a canoe and paddle the last couple of miles into Chula Island Camp, your home for the next couple of nights.
Chula Island Camp is located on Katengahumba Island, which has unparalleled wildlife viewing by canoe. The small camp has the charm and wild ethos of a seasonal bush camp but the amenities of a permanent camp. The five canvas tents include high-quality mattresses, flushing toilets, running water, and traditional bucket showers – but thankfully, no-wifi. The main lounge is set beneath massive Natal Mahogany trees and is an excellent location for shared meals and wildlife viewing.
After breakfast, take one last paddle down the Chula Island channels and board a boat for the short ride downstream to Kutali Camp, the sister camp of Chula Island. The camp is done in a similar style but set among a stunning winterthorn forest that is ideal for walking and photography.
Spend your next day on walking safaris with the camp’s expert guides. Walking safaris are tailored to suit the individual but are typically a gentle amble through the bush. Being outside of a vehicle heightens all of your senses and also allows you to experience the small things that might be missed in a vehicle.
The final leg of your journey is by canoe from Kutali Camp to Dulini Anabezi. There is another side channel of the river that provides an almost direct path between the camps, so you can enjoy an incredible canoe safari during the transfer. Anabezi one of the most luxurious camps in Lower Zambezi, so you can relax from your adventure on the final two nights of your trip. Each of the twelve tents is connected by a raised deck and features an indoor/outdoor shower and private plunge pool.
Your remaining day on the Zambezi is yours to fill with whatever inspires you. You can choose land-based activities such as walking safaris or game drives, or try your hand at tiger fishing. Visiting the spa, grabbing a cocktail, and watching the animals move about camp from the pool are also perfectly acceptable after such an epic time on the river.
In the morning, drive to Kulefu airstrip for the short back to Lusaka, where you will depart for home. If you would like to continue your journey, we suggest fine dining and whale watching in Cape Town or trekking in the mountains of Ethiopia.
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