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Zambia canoeing safaris on the Lower Zambezi River

Ruckomechi & Mana Canoeing Trail

This Exploration is perfect for adventurous travellers, allowing guests the closest possible encounters with wildlife on one of the greatest rivers in Africa. This thrilling experience traverses the Mana Pools National Park, through the heart of Mana Pools and along the Zambezi's shoreline, canoeing past countless hippos on the way!

From £2,195 pp sharing inclusive of international flights

Contact our Zambia experts now: email or 020 7622 5114

Each night is spent camping on the banks of the Zambezi River, ultimately finishing 65km downstream with many adventures to recall. Encounters with animals, whether on canoe or on foot, are up close and awe-inspiring. The Trail is for reasonably fit guests and is led by an experienced guide. Support vehicles and staff assist guests and set up camp each day.

Itinerary

Day 1
Please make your own way to London Heathrow to check in for the overnight British Airways flight for Lusaka.

Day 2
On arrival into Lusaka you will clear customs and immigration, collect your bags and then proceed to the arrivals hall where you will be met by and transferred by road (approx 1 ½ hours) to Chirundu where you will then get a boat transfer (approx 2 hours) downstream to Ruckomechi Camp for a two night stay, all meals, and all game viewing activities included.

Day 3
A full day to enjoy the activities on offer on the Lower Zambezi. These include game drives, bush walks, boat cruises looking for game coming down to drink on the banks of the Zambezi, fishing for the famous tiger fish, as well as many other types of fish. For more information, please contact us.

Day 4
Today you will start your three day Mana Canoe Safari with Mana Canoe Trails. You will spend your days canoeing and walking, with a picnic lunch on route and the evenings your camp will be moved by the support team and set up for you each day. This will be inclusive of all meals and all activities. At approximately 2 pm, after meeting the guide and going through a thorough safety briefing, canoeists start paddling downstream in sturdy Canadian canoes to the mobile camp in the Mana Pools National Park.

The camp will have already been set up in advance; the first afternoon of paddling covers about 11 kilometres. This is a relatively easy distance to cover in the time available and gives canoeists a chance to familiarise themselves with the canoes and the various paddle strokes required.

Day 5-6
Typically, canoeists are awakened before dawn with tea/coffee and biscuits and you will try to get onto the water just before sunrise. This is a magical time on the river as the water is usually calm and the peace and tranquillity is amazing. For more information, please contact us.

After paddling for usually about two hours, you will beach the canoes on the bank of the Zambezi River and set out for a game walk. The guide chooses a suitable area, based on his knowledge of the area and game movements and you will take a few hours to explore on foot, and unravel some of the intricacies of the bush. After returning to the canoes, and a light snack, you will continue canoeing to a suitable lunch spot, arriving around midday. Lunch is carried in the canoes and usually consists of salad and cold meats.

You will normally rest up in the shade for a while or take another short walk before moving on, and arriving at the next camp at dusk. The camp, and all the luggage, will have been moved by the camp staff and all that is required to be done by participants is to enjoy a hot shower under the stars, and a cold drink, followed by dinner. The daily distances covered from one camp to the next are around 20 to 25 kilometres and the daily routine will vary according to wildlife movements.

Day 7
After breakfast by the river, you will be transferred by road (game driving through the park), back to Ruckomechi Camp for a one night stay all meals, and activities included.

Day 8
After lunch, you will be transferred by boat, back upstream to Chirundu, where you will then get a road transfer back to Lusaka.
On arrival into Lusaka you will be transferred to the Pioneer Camp, where you will stay for one night, in a luxury en-suite cottage with dinner and breakfast included. For more information, please contact us.

Day 9
You will have an early start this morning. You will be transferred to Lusaka airport, in time to catch the morning British Airways flight departing for London Heathrow, arriving early evening.

Prices
Subject to availability the cost will be from £2,195 per person sharing inclusive of international flights from London Heathrow to Lusaka on British Airways with Airport taxes, return road transfers from Lusaka Airport, 3 nights at Ruckomechi and 3 nights canoe safari with all meals and scheduled activities included, 1 night at Pioneer Camp in Lusaka with breakfast and airport transfer included.

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For precise costs based on your prefered departure dates, please contact us. Contact us by email or contact us by telephone on 0207 622 5114 and ask to speak to a consultant regarding this Ruckomechi and Mana Pools Canoe Safari.