The Zambezi Valley
8 Days Starting and ending in Lusaka
Visiting: Lusaka, Zambezi River, Lower Zambezi National Park, Chiawa, Zambezi Breezers
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WZC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$3000NB: Prices correct on 01-Jun-2024 but subject to change.
Tour Overview
An exciting trip perfect for those wishing to encounter the spectacular wildlife and incredible scenery of Zambia in as intimate and active a way as possible. The mighty Zambezi is an excellent location for a canoe safari. 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.
This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Lusaka; Transfer To The Zambezi River.
Location: Lusaka, Zambezi River
Accommodation Name: Wild camping (semi-participatory)
Meals Included: lunchdinner
After the arrival of the group flight in the early afternoon, 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 12PM. Accommodation: Wild CampingSemi-participatory Camping
Day 2 - 4 : Three Days Canoeing And Wildlife Watching On The Zambezi River, Camping On Remote Islands.
Location: Zambezi River
Accommodation Name: Wild camping (semi-participatory)
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
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 CampingSemi-participatory Camping
Day 5 : Morning Canoeing; Afternoon Game Walk And Drive In Game Management Area.
Location: Lower Zambezi National Park
Accommodation Name: Fly camp in Game Management Area (comfortable)
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
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 AreaComfortable Camping
Day 6 : Canoe To Lower Zambezi N.P.; Morning Game Walk; Afternoon Game Drive Back To Camp.
Location: Chiawa
Accommodation Name: Fly camp in Game Management Area (comfortable)
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
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 AreaComfortable Camping
Day 7 : Transfer To Our Riverside Camp.
Location: Zambezi Breezers
Accommodation Name: Zambezi Breezes or similar (semi-participatory)
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
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 similarSemi-participatory Camping
Day 8 : Transfer To Lusaka; End.
Location: Lusaka
Meals Included: breakfast
An early start today; after breakfast we transfer approximately 4-5 hrs to Lusaka where our tour ends in the late morning. Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport for the flight to London.
What's Included
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Meals
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
* All accommodation
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation
Food
All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners included. Meals are prepared for you but group members are asked to assist in preparation and washing up. Typical meals Breakfast: Cereals or coffee and toast plus a fried breakfast on most days. Lunch: Fresh salads, cold meats, cheese, bread, condiments, fruit. Evening meal: Biggest meal of the day, stews, pasta, curry, local cuisine. Vegetarians can be catered for but given the difficulties of preparing different meals while wild camping, the variety of food may be limited. Please indicate special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies) when booking. We will supply the following drinks: fruit squash served throughout, and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. There is always a plentiful supply of chlorinated water available (sometimes even chilled!) and we encourage you to drink water throughout the day to avoid dehydration. All other beverages will be at your own expense and can be purchased at the supermarket in Lusaka prior to travelling to the river.
Accommodation
We spend four nights camping in two-person dome tents and three nights in set-up bush camps with showers, toilets and large tents.
The camping is semi-participatory. You are asked to assist with camp chores and have to put up and dismantle your own tents on the canoeing safari. Most nights are spent wild camping with no facilities provided. All camping equipment is provided.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Dates & Availability
Saturday - Saturday
Sep 14, 2024 - Sep 21, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024Saturday - Saturday
May 31, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jun 21, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.