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Gentle Wildlife Viewing

• Calm water (no rapids)
• Paddle silently past elephants, hippos, crocodiles
• Abundant birdlife
• Professional guide in lead canoe
• Suitable for beginners

• Half Day (AM or PM): 3-4 hours, ~15km
• Full Day: 6-8 hours, ~25km, includes lunch on island
• Sunset Paddle: 2 hours, ends at sunset

• Elephants frequently seen drinking/swimming
• Hippos (navigate around them safely)
• Crocodiles (common but typically not aggressive in canoes)
• Buffalo, waterbuck, other antelope
• Fish eagles, kingfishers, cormorants
• Herons, storks, numerous waterbirds

• Year-round (water levels vary)
• Dry season (May-October): animals more concentrated
• Wet season: lush scenery

• Basic swimming ability
• Age: 12+ years typically
• Moderate fitness (paddling for hours)
• Sunburn easily - sun protection essential

• Half Day: $80-100
• Full Day: $120-150
• Includes: Canoe, paddle, life jacket, guide, lunch (full day)

• Stable canoes (2-person Canadian-style)
• Experienced guides manage wildlife encounters
• Life jackets provided
• Low risk (hippos respected, given wide berth)

• Victoria Falls town operators
• Can usually book day-before
• Weather-dependent (high winds cancel)

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The Ultimate Wildlife Canoeing Experience

• 3-4 day (or longer) wilderness expedition
• Camp on islands and riverbanks
• Paddle 6-8 hours daily (~30-40km)
• Pristine wilderness, minimal human presence
• Exceptional wildlife encounters
• Professional guides and camp crew

• Elephants (often swimming, drinking)
• Hippos (numerous - navigated carefully)
• Crocodiles (large Nile crocs present)
• Lions, leopards on riverbanks
• Buffalo herds
• Wild dogs (occasionally)
• 450+ bird species
• Fish eagles, carmine bee-eaters (Sep-Nov)

• Day 1: Drive to put-in, paddle to first camp (~4-5 hours)
• Day 2-3: Full days paddling and wildlife viewing
• Day 4: Final paddle to take-out, drive back
• Nights camping on islands/riverbanks
• Camp set up by crew
• Meals prepared by camp chef

• Wild camping (no facilities)
• Crew sets up camp before clients arrive
• Comfortable tents, camp beds, bedding
• Bucket shower (warm water)
• Bush toilet (long-drop)
• Campfire and dinner under stars
• Wildlife walks freely through camp

• April-October: Dry season (park open)
• May-July: Comfortable temperatures, good water
• August-October: Hot (35-45°C), low water, best wildlife
• November-April: Park typically closed (wet season, floods)

• Age: 12-16+ years (varies by operator)
• Fitness: Good (6-8 hours paddling daily in heat)
• Swimming: Must be confident swimmer
• Experience: Beginner-friendly with guides, but physically demanding
• Comfort: Bush camping (basic facilities)

• 3-4 Days: $600-1,200 per person
• Includes: Guides, canoes, equipment, meals, camping gear, crew
• Excludes: Park fees ($20-30/day), drinks, tips

• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, long sleeves)
• Insect repellent
• Personal items
• Small daypack
• Water bottle (refilled at camp)
• Camera (waterproof bag)
• Binoculars
• Personal first aid items

• Experienced guides manage all wildlife encounters
• Hippos and crocs navigated carefully
• Guides carry rifles (for camp protection)
• Emergency evacuation plans in place
• Satellite communication
• Comprehensive safety briefings

• Book 2-6 months in advance (popular)
• Multiple operators (Natureways, Goliath Safaris, etc.)
• Limited availability (few operators run trips)
• Often combined with walking safari

• One of Africa’s great wilderness journeys
• Intimate wildlife encounters
• True sense of adventure
• Pristine environment
• Silence and solitude
• Exceptional photography
• Bucket-list experience

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Explore Africa’s Largest Man-Made Lake

• Kayak among drowned forest
• Explore islands and bays
• Wildlife from water perspective
• Combine with lodge stays or houseboats

• Elephants swimming between islands
• Hippos (numerous, require care)
• Crocodiles (very large, present throughout)
• Water birds abundant
• Fish eagles everywhere

• Half-day paddles from lodges
• Full-day explorations
• Multi-day expeditions with camping
• Combined with houseboat safari

• April-November (dry season)
• September-October best wildlife

• Basic swimming
• Moderate fitness
• Sun tolerance (no shade on water)

• Always guided
• Hippos main concern (respected distance)
• Life jackets required
• Stay with group

• Through Lake Kariba lodges
• Some houseboats include kayaks

• Leisurely cruise on Upper Zambezi
• Watch elephants, hippos, wildlife along banks
• Sundowners and snacks included
• Spectacular African sunsets
• Relaxing, romantic atmosphere

• Drinks (beer, wine, soft drinks)
• Snacks (often substantial)
• Professional guide
• Wildlife viewing

• Easy to book day-of or day-before
• Multiple operators in Victoria Falls
• Hotel reception can arrange

• Families (all ages welcome)
• Couples (romantic)
• Relaxing after adventures
• Wildlife viewing without exertion
• Photography

• “Boogie boarding” the Zambezi rapids
• Individual foam boards with handles
• Navigate rapids lying prone
• Swim rapids directly (with board for flotation)

• Even more intense than rafting
• Close to water, in the action
• Smaller, more maneuverable than raft
• Ride waves, “surf” holes
• Exhilarating and exhausting

• Age: 16+ years (strict)
• Swimming: Must be very strong swimmer
• Fitness: Excellent fitness required
• Experience: Previous rafting helpful but not essential

• Board, helmet, life jacket, wetsuit
• Guide and safety kayakers
• Training session

• More exposure than rafting (more likely to swim)
• Only on easier rapids (not full Grade 5 run)
• High guide-to-client ratio
• Comprehensive safety briefing

• Victoria Falls operators
• Less common than rafting
• Not all companies offer it

• Natural rock pool on edge of Victoria Falls
• Swim at the very edge of 108m drop
• Located on Livingstone Island (Zambian side)

• August-January: When water low enough to be safe
• September-December: Best window
• Closed: February-July (too dangerous)

• Boat to Livingstone Island
• Guided swim to pool
• Sit/float at precipice
• Breathtaking views and adrenaline
• Photography included

• $120-150+ per person
• Includes boat, guide, breakfast/lunch, photos

• Age: 12+ years
• Swimming: Must be able to swim
• Health: No serious conditions

• Professional guides (do this daily)
• Natural rock barriers prevent going over
• Only when water levels safe
• Excellent safety record
• Still inherently dangerous - proceed with caution

• Livingstone, Zambia (requires Zambia visa or KAZA Univisa)
• Book 1-7 days in advance
• Weather and water-dependent

• Accessed from Zambian side
• Visa required (or KAZA Univisa)
• Similar experience at “Angel’s Pool” nearby

• Live aboard houseboat for 2-7 days
• Cruise between bays and islands
• Combine water activities with game viewing
• Relaxation and adventure mixed

• Game viewing from tender boat
• Fishing (tiger fish, vundu)
• Swimming in safe areas (tender boat swimming)
• Sunset cruises
• Birdwatching
• Stargazing
• Visiting shore for walks

• Range from basic to luxury
• Typically sleep 6-12 people
• Full kitchen, bathrooms, sleeping cabins
• Upper sundeck
• Lower deck for dining/relaxing
• Generator for power

• Self-Catering: You provision and cook (cheaper)
• Catered: Crew cooks and manages boat
• Luxury: Full service, guides included

• Self-catering: $400-600 per night (entire boat)
• Catered: $800-1,200 per night (entire boat)
• Luxury: $300-500 per person per night

• April-November (dry season)
• September-October (best wildlife and fishing)

• Book 2-6 months in advance (popular)
• Many operators in Kariba
• Can book shorter (2-3 days) or longer (week)