|
From Lake Kariba the Zambezi River runs through a narrow mountain pass into the Zambezi Valley, on its way to the Indian Ocean. This section of the river is very different than the upper Zambezi near Victoria Falls, where wild water rafting is a great adventure. Here are no rapids; the river is a lot calmer with an average flow rate of 4 km per hour.There are many side arms and islands where you can see a great number of wild animals. At the shores you see the traditional villages of the Batonga people who use the river as their motorway and who are willing to receive you with great hospitality so you can get a small impression of their daily lives. On request, a visit can be arranged!
Enjoy the rhythm and capriciousness of the river.
The canoe is the only means of transportation in this domain. In complete serenity you can enjoy the rhythm and capriciousness of the river. The lush and gentle vegetation attracts all sorts of animals and birdlife. At your Leisure you paddle downstream along the banks. What can be seen in great numbers are impala's, waterbucks, hippo's,
crocodiles, elephants and buffalo's. From your canoe you can closely observe the animals with their bewildered glances. Species like the lion and leopard are more difficult to spot, but are certainly present as well.
During a visit to Zimbabwe, the Lower Zambezi is actually a must.
If you are planning a canoeing safari, there is no place in Africa which can compete with the Lower Zambezi.
Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools is well known among nature lovers. The region shows a lot of variety, flat landscapes, hills, narrow channels and many small islands. Because of the scarce population and very little tourism there is a lot of game to be seen. This national park in Zimbabwe is to be granted as world heritage status. Covering over 200 square kilometers it has been set aside to be kept as wild as possible with only non invasive, zero impact tourism allowed. Here you paddle between two nature reserves, the Lower Zambezi National park on the Zambian side and the Mana Pools National park on the Zimbabwean side. Mana Pools offers the best game viewing on the Lower Zambezi and undoubtly you will have to paddle along large groups of hippo's.
Besides canoeing Mana Pools National Park also offers unique possibilities for walking safaris.
|
|
Different sections can be done from 3 days starting in Kariba up to 10 days ending in Kanyemba in Mozambique.
Wildlife is abundant and can be seen on every trip.
The Canadian canoes are a good 5 meters long and equipped with two comfortable seats with canvas cushions.
These canoes are sturdy and can carry weight of at least 420 kg.
During the standard Canoe safari you will sleep in transparent dome tents so that even during nighttime you can enjoy the starry skies and possibly passing game.
All these safaris are fully organized and all necessities like tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, kitchen gear, provisions etc. are taken to the canoes before your arrival. You do not have to prepare anything. We only expect from you to help a little with setting up the tents.
During the Luxury Canoe safari you will spend the nights in a true bushcamp in Mana pools.
These luxury camps have spacious walk-in tents with en-suite toilet facilities, comfortable beds with fresh linen and comes with a fully equipped kitchen, bar facilities and dining area. Alternately you undertake canoeing, walking safaris and game drives.
For all of our Canoe Safaris you will stay in Kariba prior to your departure and meet with your guide and fellow travel companions for a pre- trip briefing.
The guide will discuss the basic outline of the trip and safety precautions and we encourage all our clients not to hesitate to ask any questions regarding the trip.
Experience is not required and you don't need to be in top condition but we do expect you to be reasonably fit.
|
|
Kariba - Chirundu
3 days/ 2 nights
Your safari will depart from Kariba at 08h30 for shopping to purchase any extra drinks for your trip.
After arriving at the Kariba Gorge, your luggage will be carried into the Gorge and you will walk approx. 1.5kms down to the River. Here you will meet all your canoeing and camping equipment that has been carried into the Gorge already.
A safety talk and demonstration on how to paddle a canoe will be given to your group.
At 11h00 paddling will begin until a stop is made for lunch at around 13h00.
Lunch is in picnic-style with time for a siesta afterwards to pass the heat of the day until 14h30 / 15h00.
You then paddle until around 17h00 when you will start to set up camp on an island in the middle of the River named Crocodile Rocks. After a brief safety talk on camping there is time to have a bucket bath, to relax and have dinner .
At day two You will be woken at sunrise for tea, coffee and biscuits before you start canoeing.
Between 08h00 and 10h30 a stop will be made for breakfast.
Your will resume canoeing until a lunch stop is made at 13h00, with time for a siesta.
Between 15h00 and 17h00 you will paddle to the next camping spot at Twin Logs Island.
At the last day between 10h30 and 11h00 you will reach the pick up point at Chirundu where your equipment will be loaded for your return trip to Kariba or the Kariba airport. Arrival back in Kariba is approx. 14h00.
November - June - € 255,- p.p.
July - October - € 295,- p.p.
|
| 
Chirundu - Mana Pools
4 days/ 3 nights
Your safari will depart from Kariba at 08h30 for shopping to purchase any extra drinks for your trip.
You will be driven to Chirundu in open 4x4 vehicles, arriving approx. 11h30. The canoes and kit will be unloaded whilst a safety talk and demonstration of how to paddle a canoe will be given to you.
At around 12h00, paddling will begin until 17h00. Lunch is a packed lunch taken on the River.
At approx. 17h00 you will set up camp on an island named Kakomarara and after a brief safety talk on camping there is time to bath, to relax and have dinner.
At day two you will be woken up at sunrise for tea, coffee and biscuits. You will be paddling untill 08h00 when you stop for breakfast. At approx. 09h30 you will resume canoeing until you reach the lunch stop at 12h30 hours. After lunch there is a siesta and time to catch up on reference books until 14h30 / 15h00 depending on the weather.
Canoeing continues until approx. 17h00, when the second night stop is made at Lone Acacia Island.
At day three the programme is as per day two, with the night stop being made at Trichelia Island.
At day four you will be woken up at sunrise for tea, coffee, biscuits and breakfast before paddling starts at 08h00.
You will arrive at Mana Pools at 10h00 where the canoes are loaded on to the vehicles for the return trip to Kariba. Arrival time in Kariba is approx. 14h30.
November - June - € 395,- p.p.
July - October - € 475,- p.p.
For further information regarding walking safaris in Mana Pools you can have a look at
Mana Pools Walking Safaris.
|
| 
Semi Luxury canoeing safari Mana Pools
4 days/ 3 nights
This Mana Pools trip will appeal more to families and people not quite as active as those wanting to take a full canoe or
walking trail.
From Kariba you will fly into the Mana Pools National Park. The drive to the campsite is a leisurely gamedrive through the spectacular Mana Pools floodplain. This area has high concentrations of wildlife and the drive through is usually very rewarding, enabling the guide to give guests an overview of the various animals, birds and plants that make up this unique floodplain habitat.
This safari allows you to enjoy the wonders of Mana Pools National Park while drifting silently along the mighty Zambezi River. This is a fully backed-up safari, where the camps are set up each day at different campsites by the camp staff. This stunning safari offers the opportunity of walking and canoeing, accompanied by professional walking and canoeing guides.
You overnight in a true bushcamp in Mana Pools. These luxury camps have spacious walk-in tents with en-suite toilet facilities for night use and comfortable beds with fresh linen.
The custom build tents are mosquito proof and have mosquito gauze for a roof so that one can lie in bed at night and admire the African sky. This luxury camp comes with a fully equipped kitchen, bar facilities and dining area. Full waiter service is provided. There is no electricity, lighting is by hurricane lamps and guests should bring their own flashlight, a taste of the way safaris used to be.
At arrival you will meet the staff and have a lunch of cold meats, a variety of salads and freshly baked breads.
After the refreshing lunch break you will be taken on a short drive to the launch spot for your canoe safari. This is a slow paddle giving you time to get used to the canoes and the different steering techniques. You should also start to see some of the multitude of animals that are attracted to the water's edge. Arrival at camp at sunset. The camp prepared and there will be an opportunity to sit back and relax with sundowners, snacks, thea, coffee and hot showers. A campfire is already burning and in the background the support staff and resident chef are busy preparing a three course-dinner.
The following days you will paddle to different locations where you will be taken on a walk and/or game drive.
Mana Pools is only accessible bewteen 15 April and 15 November
November - June - € 938,- p.p.
July - October - € 1075,- p.p.
Included return flight Kariba- Mana Pools
|
© copyright 2004 -2008- All rights reserved
All information provided in good faith and are believed to be correct, but are not guaranteed | Terms and conditions
Zimba Safaris, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, kvk 34233202, Email: ZIMBA SAFARIS, Tel: +31 020 6103593, Fax: +31 020 6102551
|
| |
|
Email
