General information
- This safari is semi-participatory, meaning camps are not already set up for your arrival and that everyone helps to put up tents each evening. Tents supplied are very easy to set up, two-man, dome tents.
- This safari are self-contained, meaning all equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back up.
- Natureways Safaris takes a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 people (special arrangements can be made for larger groups upon request).
- The minimum age limit for canoe safaris is 14 years old. There is no maximum age limit but sound judgement should be used.
- No previous canoeing experience is necessary but guests are required to be reasonably fit and healthy.
- The maximum luggage limit per client to take on the river is 10 kilograms. A luggage room and safe facilities are provided for any extra luggage at the Kariba office.
- Animals seen on the trip usually include elephant, buffalo, impala, waterbuck, hippo, crocodile and plentiful birdlife. Lion, leopard, painted hunting dog etc. are more rarely seen but are certainly in the area. Natureways Safaris cannot guarantee plenty of game while on safari, particularly during the green (rainy) season.
Itinerary
Day 1 (18 kilometers): Kariba - Chirundu - Kakomarara Island
Natureways Safaris will collect you on the morning of your safari at 07:30, in good time for a check-in at Natureways Safaris office, handing in extra luggage and valuables. Please do not take your passport on the river. There will be a short briefing to summarize what the safari entails and questions may be asked. You will be required to sign an indemnity form before leaving on the safari.
After the briefing, a visit to the shops will be made, purchasing any extra drinks you want for the trip before setting off for the river. Please note that credit cards are not a recommended payment option in Zimbabwe.
Transfers are by open 4x4 vehicles to Chirundu, arriving at approximately 11:30 at which time, the canoes and kit will be unloaded. Following this, a safety talk and demonstration of how to paddle a canoe will be given. A packed lunch will be taken on the river. At approximately 17:00, the camp will be set up on an island named Kakomarara. There is time to relax and after a brief safety talk on camping, you will have dinner.
Day 2 (27 kilometers): Kakomarara Island - Lone Acacia Island
Up at sunrise for tea, coffee, and biscuits before paddling for a couple of hours to the breakfast stop. Afterwards, canoeing will resume until midday and enjoy a well-earned lunch and siesta. It's time to catch up on reference books until mid-afternoon (depending on the weather). Canoeing will continue until approximately 17:00 when the camp will be set up on Lone Acacia Island.
Day 3 (23 kilometers): Lone Acacia Island - Trichelia Island
The program is as per day 2 with the night's camp stop on Trichelia Island.
Day 4 (7 kilometers): Trichelia Island - Mana Pools - Kariba
This morning, you will have a more leisurely start with the usual tea, coffee, and biscuits. After breakfast, the camp is broken and you will set off at approximately 08:00. The group will arrive at Mana Pools at 10:00 where the canoes and equipment will be loaded on to the vehicle for the return trip to Kariba. Arrival time in Kariba is approximately 15:00. As you depart with your memories, Natureways Safaris knows that this experience will have enriched your life and touched your soul!