Africa - Zambezi Canoe Safari?

I'm considering heading to Zambia and Zimbabwe later this year and I'm really intrigued by the possibility of doing a canoe safari down the Zambezi for a week or so. Was wondering if anybody here has done something similar in the past and could offer a recommendation on a reputable operator? Not looking for anything luxurious but hopefully an operation that is safe and reliable.

Was wondering if anybody here has done something similar in the past.I've canoed down the lower Zambezi three times, but not recently. It is pretty safe, but the river is chock-a-block with hippos and crocs. Fatalities have occurred.

Johan

Matt from our office in Minnesota was a staff member (not guide) on the Mana Canoe Trails last year. He did this when he was working at a camp called Ruckomechi in May 2010. He had an absolute blast but I would not discount Johan’s advice. The Zambezi is prime hippo habitat. I prefer the Boundary Waters NP or Quetico NP (Canada) for my canoe trips.

Mana Canoe trails is a four day trip operated by Wilderness Safaris in Mana Pools National Pak, Zimbabwe. It ends at Ruckomechi where most guests spend the night before continuing to Hwange National Park for more dry-land safari at the Hide, Somalisa, Davisons, or Little Makalolo. I highly recommend this trip as an option.

You can also canoe as a day activity while being a guest at most lodges in Mana Pools (Ruckomechi) or Lower Zambezi (like Sausage Tree).

I am taking my wife and kids on safari this July at Ruckomechi and Davison’s Camp. Can’t wait! I booked this trip with Wilderness Safaris and I can highly recommend them for their Mana Canoe Trail option. I have been on over ten trips with Wilderness. I do not have any personal experience with other Zambezi canoe operations.

Good luck.

Craig Beal – owner – Travel Beyond

This company is run by the parents of a Zimbabwen friend of mine.

It is supposed to be very good.

http://zambeziodyssey.com

I'm considering heading to Zambia and Zimbabwe later this year.When exactly?

The Zambezi valley tends to get extremely hot in summer (October - March), and it is usually very windy in August/September. Neither make a canoe safari more enjoyable. You get fried in the middle of the day, and swimming spots are rather far between. Battling all day against a strong headwind is not that much fun either.

Johan

When exactly?

The Zambezi valley tends to get extremely hot in summer (October - March), and it is usually very windy in August/September. Neither make a canoe safari more enjoyable. You get fried in the middle of the day, and swimming spots are rather far between. Battling all day against a strong headwind is not that much fun either.

Had been considering late September or early October but perhaps I'll need to re-evaluate based on the weather.


I prefer the Boundary Waters NP or Quetico NP (Canada) for my canoe trips.


I grew up not far from the boundary waters and have spent many weeks exploring the area (you should be able to figure out where based on my FT Handle). Glad to hear of somebody else who's familiar with the area!

Had been considering late September or early October but perhaps I'll need to re-evaluate based on the weather.Late September could be fine if you are fit and have enough experience handling a canoe to deal with a bit of headwind. If there is no wind it is a cinch, as you are paddling downstream. Can't recall how fast the Zambezi flows at the end of the dry season, but it is also the best time of the year for game viewing from the river, as the river is the only reliable source of drinking water at that time.

Johan