Canoe & raft the Zambezi with safari to Botswana
"This trip had everything. I had never been canoeing before but the guides were incredible, put me at ease and I quickly started to enjoy it."Rachel Boyle
If you’d like to treat yourself to an amazing African adventure, this trip is as good as it gets. Experience Livingstone Island (Devils pool) activities in Livingstone, a wonderful 2 day canoe trip, raft the world’s premier whitewater river for 4 days, fly back from the river by helicopter, stay in the recently acclaimed David Livingstone Safari Lodge and then take a luxury trip on safari to the spectacular Elephant Valley Lodge in the heart of Chobe National Park. Whilst on the river trip, you’ll be treated to wonderful food, world class campsites and some of the biggest and best whitewater in the world. This adventure offers a world class African Adventure. Other adventures in this destination include The Zambezi Blast with safari to Botswana, the multi active Zambezi Ultimate Adventure and the classic seven day journey on the Mighty Zambezi.
Itinerary & Map
You’ll be met by your Trip Leader, who’ll take you to your hotel to relax and unwind from your flight. We’ll get you in the mood for the trip with a stunning trip to Livingstone Island and a swim in the Devils Pool.
Included: Dinner and Livingstone Island.
This morning, you get to choose between a cheetah or lion encounter, or take a ride on an elephant. Back at the hotel, your trip leader will give you a rundown on your upcoming canoe safari.
Included: All Meals, plus one morning activity.
We drive to the start point of our canoeing trip where you’ll be outfitted with gear and given tuition in paddling your boat under the expert guidance of our team. Stunning overnight campsite.
Included: All meals.
After a gorgeous riverside breakfast, complete with birdsong, we’ll embark on some more rapids today. Your canoes take two people and by this stage, you’ll be paddling like pro’s! Evening meal on the banks of the Mighty Zambezi.
Included: All meals.
Breakfast riverside before we depart and are treated to yet more stunning rapids and canoeing before reaching our scenic riverside lunch spot. We take a sunset cruise on the Upper Zambezi and have dinner at David Livingstone Safari Lodge where your trip leader gives you a rundown on the next 4 days rafting on the Zambezi River.
Included: All meals and sunset cruise.
Time to get excited. You are about to embark on the world’s best section of whitewater in the world. Our river team will give you a full safety talk and paddle instructions before we tackle rapids such as Stairway to Heaven, Gullivers Travels and The Midnight Diner before we reach our camp for the nights at Songwe Camp. The team will prepare sundowners and a sumptuous dinner.
Included: All meals.
We load the rafts with all our food and equipment for the rest of the trip and take on exhilarating rapids such as Creamy White Buttocks, the Mother and OBLIVION! Late afternoon we enjoy an ice cold beer as we float down to camp, arriving at Bobo Camp where the guide will prepare an amazing barbeque with a difference.
Included: All meals
Amazing sights of Fish Eagles amidst other great rapids, Open Season, the Narrows and one of our favourites, Upper Moemba! This is a great adrenaline rush to end the day. We’ll hike down to Lower Moemba for wine and cheese over looking the falls.
Included: All meals
We portage the rafts around Lower Moemba. At Chabango Falls we leave our gear raft and portage the rafts and kayaks and run the amazing rapid, Ghostrider! Our helicopter will be waiting and will give you an amazing 20 minute flight through the gorge, as well as a flight over the the spectacular Victoria Falls. We overnight in a hotel and enjoy dinner together, reflecting on a great river trip.
Included: All meals
Breakfast at your hotel and a short transfer by paved road to Chobe National Park in Botswana for your safari, staying at Elephant Valley Lodge.
Included: All meals
Chobe National Park is famous for its huge herds of elephants as well as antelope , hippos, baboons, leopard and Africa’s symbol of strength, the lion.
Included: All meals
After a game drive and wholesome breakfast we return to Livingstone Airport in Zambia for our flight home.
Included: Breakfast
What you should bring
We find most of our clients have in their posession already what is needed for a river journey. We have broken down here the items into what you’ll need on the river and in camp. An equipment list of what you will require for your adventure will be sent to you prior to your departure.
Download equipment file- A pair of Chacos / Keens or similar sandals. (Sandals with a closed toe are ideal)
- 2 pairs of river shorts (longer leg length) shorts can be purchased from our online Water Shop.
- 2 Swimming costumes or bikinis for ladies.
- 2 rash vests (not cotton) or long sleeved top to wear under your personal flotation device.
- A baseball cap for under the helmet to keep sun off – can be purchased from our online Water Shop.
- Sunglasses.
- Chums for fastening your sunglasses to your head – can be purchased on line or from your river crew.
- 1 Litre Nalgene / Sigg or similar water bottle.
- Carabiner for fastening water bottle to your boat.
- Waterproof camera such as GoPro for the ‘action’ shots
- Waterproof sunscreen and lip balm SPF30 minimum.
- Lightweight neutral coloured long trousers.
- Lightweight tops – long sleeved shirt or t shirt.
- 1 pair of Shorts.
- Fleece jumper / sweatshirt.
- Sarong.
- Wide brimmed sun hat.
- Underwear.
- A 4-season sleeping bag for August departures, 3-season sleeping bag for September onwards. (Can be hired in advance)
- Travel Pillow.
- Light weight down jacket for August departures.
- Flip flops for wearing around camp.
- Thermal top and bottoms. (Good to sleep in)
- 1 pair of light weight neutral coloured trousers
- 1 long sleeved top or t shirt neutral coloured.
- Fleece or jumper.
- T shirt and shorts for day wear.
- Light weight down jacket for August departures.
- Wide brimmed sun hat.
- Glasses or Contact lenses. Disposable lenses are ideal.
- Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap and shampoo.
- Forget the cosmetics and hair dryer! But we do suggest moisturizer.
- Hand wipes and a small bottle of hand sanitiser.
- Small pack towel.
- Headlamp or head torch with spare batteries.
- Any medication you may be taking.
- Anti malarial medication.
- Insect repellent.
- Blister plasters.
- Your favourite book/kindle or a journal for recording your river memories.
- Sketchpad.
- Binoculars.
- Photographic or video equipment. We recommend a cleaning kit as sand gets everywhere.
- Spare memory card.
- Solar or portable charger.
- Zip lock bags to keep valuables dry and sand free.
- Rehydration tablets (Phizz, Nuun and O.R.S are easily available)
- The only money that you need to bring is for meals in town, souvenirs, DVD, personal items, gratuities and the beer kitty for the raft trip if you drink.
Canoe & raft the Zambezi with safari to Botswana Reviews
What an amazing adventure!!
This trip had everything. I had never been canoeing before but the guides were incredible, put me at ease and I quickly started to enjoy it. The wildlife was amazing and we paddled quite close to hippos on the second day which I didn’t expect.
The food was better than I had thought was possible to prepare on a river bank and the gin and tonic was just perfect before camping in our spacious tents.
The rafting was really good fun and our group had a lot of laughs. Then heading to Elephant Valley Lodge at the end of the trip was just fantastic. You can sit with a drink and watch the elephants at the watering hole!
I’ll never forget this trip and can’t wait to plan my next one.
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