Experience a magnificent wildlife experience canoeing and walking in the Zambezi Valley with RCGS Fellow Travis Steffens
Dr. Travis Steffens, Naturalist, Primatologist and Professor of Anthropology and Executive Director of the charity Planet Madagascar. Travis is a Fellow of the RCGS and Explorers Club and is also a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Primate Specialist Group.
Embark on an exciting and intimate wildlife experience, canoeing and walking through the Zambezi Valley hosted by Dr. Travis Steffens with one of Exodus’ award winning expert local guides. The mighty Zambezi is an excellent location for a canoe safari, taking all the excitement and thrill of a safari into an active adventure. Camping out on secluded beaches, the days are spent relishing magnificent scenery and abundant game, while passing the ever-present basking crocodiles and hippo pods. Away from the water there is also plenty of time for game walks and drives to experience the diverse wildlife and remarkable scenery this region has to offer.
Travis loves the outdoors and photography and is sure to capture some incredible Zambezi wildlife shots and has spent over 15 years leading wildlife expeditions, safaris and conservation projects across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Madagascar, Belize, Costa Rica, Canada and Russia. His intimate knowledge of wildlife, cultures, and environments helps others understand the connections between people, wildlife, and their shared landscapes.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience the peace and tranquillity of canoeing on the Zambezi
- Camp out under the stars on secluded islands
- Game drives in Chiawa Game Management Area, renowned for its elephant sightings
- Game walks and canoeing in the Lower Zambezi National Park
- Special Departure with Travis Steffens
Itinerary
After the arrival of the recommended group flight, we transfer to the Zambezi River. Most of this road transfer to the start of the safari is on tar road with the last section of the journey being along a bush dirt track making a change to a 4WD vehicle is necessary. Depending on the time we arrive at the Zambezi River we will cross over to our evening campsite on Nyamumba island by canoe or motor boat . Dinner is prepared by the guide.
Please note: Clients must not book flights arriving after 12.30PM.
Accommodation: Wild Camping
Semi-participatory Camping
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Days 2 – 4
We have three days canoeing with early starts as it is often better to canoe in the early hours when it is not so hot, and more importantly, when the easterly head wind is at its weakest. The pace is gentle to allow us to make the most of wildlife viewing opportunities. We look out for elephant feeding on the banks, basking crocodiles and numerous colourful bird species including the magnificent African Fish eagle. The list of species we spot may include buffalo, baboon, Vervet monkey, Pied kingfisher, Goliath heron, Carmine Bee eaters and maybe even lion! We will frequently pass pods of hippo basking in the deeper water who will no doubt be keeping an eye on us! There are few signs of human habitation throughout our time on the river. Lunches and breakfasts are either taken on islands or on the banks of the river.
Accommodation: Wild Camping
Semi-participatory Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
We canoe to the Chiawa Game Management Area, which is situated 18 kms from the Lower Zambezi National Park just opposite the Mana Pools, where we spend the night in our fly camp based on mainland. This is an area rich in wildlife and is renowned for the numerous elephant sightings. It is also home to warthog, waterbuck, impala, kudu, and rare Samango monkeys, with many riverene bird species including the Lilac-breasted roller. We have an afternoon game walk or game drive through the reserve where we hope to spot other nocturnal species such as genet, civet, hyena, porcupine, aardvark and if really lucky, the elusive leopard.
Accommodation: Fly Camp in Game Management Area
Comfortable Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Today we canoe from the Chiawa Game Management Area into the Lower Zambezi National Park (approximately 8km downstream). We have a morning game walk with a guide, and then have lunch in the park under the shade of the trees or on the banks of the Zambezi River. After lunch we will be taken on a game drive through the park back to our fly camp on the banks of the river in Game Management Area. If river water levels are too high in the winter months (May – July), due to excess water being released from Lake Kariba, we may use a boat transfer as certain road crossing may be flooded.
Accommodation: Fly Camp in Game Management Area
Comfortable Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
We are transferred by road from our bush camp in the Game Management Area to Zambezi Breezes today. Should river conditions necessitate we may use a boat transfer back to Zambezi Breezes where required.
Accommodation: Zambezi Breezes or similar
Semi-participatory Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
An early start today; after breakfast we transfer approximately 4-5 hrs to Lusaka where our tour ends in the late morning.
Please note: Clients must not book flights departing before 1.30PM.
Meals Included: Breakfast
KEY INFORMATION
- 4 nights semi-participatory camping with either limited or no facilities, 3 nights camping in tented camp with shared facilities
- Travel by open canoes on the Zambezi River
- No previous experience necessary
- Countries visited: Zambia
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
- All accommodation
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation
- Visas or vaccinations
- Flights
Images Courtesy of Exodus Travel
EXT – WZR
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