Spirit of the Zambezi

Typical safaris

...in...

Zambia
Zimbabwe
Botswana
Namibia

A 7 night, 8 day canoeing and walking combination safari  in the lower Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe

Where: 

• Starting and ending in Kariba, includes
• 1 night bed and breakfast accommodation in Kariba
• 3 night full participation lower Zambezi canoe safari either on the Zambian or Zimbabwean shoreline
• 3 nights in Matusadona; either a tented-camping version or a fixed base version at Musango (green and dry season).  This is ideal walking safari territory covered with a Professional Guide.

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• The full participation canoe safari is run on the Zambian shoreline from the Kafue pontoon to Chongwe opposite Mana Pools.  The transfer from Kariba to the Kafue launch and return is by vehicle.

• The walking safari is a temporary tented camp located at various locations within Matusadona depending on seasonal conditions and game activity.  The transfer from Kariba is by boat.

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• The full participation canoe safari is run on the Zimbabwean shoreline from Chirundu to Nyamepi in Mana Pools - canoe safari departures are restricted to Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through the year.  (The Matusadona/Mana sequence can be changed).  The Mana Pools transfer is by vehicle to Chirundu for the launch and back by vehicle from Nyamepi after the canoe safari.

• The walking safari is conducted from Spurwing Island.  The Matusadona transfer is by boat transfer across Lake Kariba. 

• This has been our most successful lower Zambezi combination over the last 6 years!

Highlights: 

• This safari is run year round using Kariba as the hub.

• The lower Zambezi canoe safari runs down to Mana Pools.  Mana Pools is a World Heritage Site, well known for its large herds of elephant and buffalo; large pods of hippo are encountered on the Zambezi

• Matusadona is recognized for its large population of lions; also one of the last wild sanctuaries of the Black Rhino; elephant and hippo are seen in large numbers; birding is excellent year round but best from September to March. 

• Spurwing Island is the Matusadona base at which activities include walking trails with a Professional Guide; game drives; lakeshore boat cruises; Tiger Fishing is excellent from December to March.  The Island is open year-round and is an ideal green season venue between November and May.

Best time of year: 

• April, May and June are relatively quiet, the peak is from July to September, October and November are very hot but game viewing conditions are at their best. 

• The rains usually start in the middle of November and the green season starts - this is the best time for birding.  The game tends to thin out and becomes a bit more difficult to find with the new season's growth. 

Best access: 

Kariba, Zimbabwe is the start and end of this safari, connect from Victoria Falls, Harare or Lusaka

Tips and notes: 

• The differences between the "Spirit" and the "Classic" combinations are as follows:

  • Spirit: full participation canoeing is more active, a river guide is utilized on the canoeing section, runs year round at a single rate

  • Zambezi Classic canoeing and walking safari: deluxe canoeing with a Professional Guide and full support crew, walking in Mana Pools is permitted, operates for seven months of the year with high and low season rates

• The Matusadona section of this safari is arranged on an all-inclusive basis.  The canoeing sections include all meals plus complimentary wine and cordials (no beer and spirits). 

• If canoeing is scheduled for the start of this safari you stay in Kariba the night before the commencement of the safari.  It's possible to do the Kariba overnight at the end of the safari if the walking section in Matusadona is done first.

• The "Musango" version canoe safari departures are fixed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays - the Matusadona section can be done before or after the Mana safari

• The 10 kg baggage limit in soft bags is strictly enforced for the light aircraft transfers, arrangements can be made to stow excess baggage safely in Kariba

• Dietary preferences (e.g. vegetarian) must be specified in advance

• National Parks charge per person rates of US$15 entry fee plus US$5 per night, payable in cash on entry.  These fees are not included in the safari rate and are subject to change without notice.

• Find out more about Zambezi canoe safaris and walking safaris in Southern Africa