Canoeing Safaris

On the face of it paddling a canoe down a big African river past lurking crocodiles, yawning hippopotamus and riverbanks lined with huge elephant seems a crazy thing to do.  Yet like many of life’s adventures once you’re there doing it, and in the company of seasoned expert guides who know and love the river, it simply becomes one of those terrific experiences you’ll never forget – for all the right reasons.

Canoe safaris come in all shapes and sizes from paddling a couple of hundred yards from Tongabezi lodge to your room on Sindabezi Island, to a six day canoe safari taking you down 120km of glorious Zambezi wildlife country.  You paddle a bit, then drift with the slow current past little islands where elephant nonchalantly munch papyrus, rhythmically moving their ears for a cooling breeze.  A flash of colour as a malachite kingfisher hovers, then darts into the water for its breakfast, and an impala skips along the shoreline.  From July to November as the big red sun sinks hundreds of elephant arrive at the river’s edge to drink and hose themselves down in the refreshing coolness.  This is an unforgettable sight and one only you and your fellow canoeists will see.   

Your canoe safari is always led by experts with long experience of the river and the habits of the animals.  Your safety is their first priority.   They know where the hippo pods are and keep you well clear, though when it’s safe to do so you can come close to buffalo elephant and even lion which see you in the canoe as part of the river and no threat.

Zambia and Zimbabwe share the Zambezi, where most classic canoe safaris take place.  You can enjoy a couple of hours canoeing in the afternoon as an optional activity from Chiawa Camp, or can join a canoe safari over three or four days, either sleeping in luxury safari lodge, or you can opt for a participatory safari where you camp overnight on the riverbank helping set up camp joining in with the chores.

This year and perhaps for a few more, good summer rains have allowed the Selinda Canoe Trail  to open in Botswana.  Over three days you canoe a beautiful channel between the Okavango and Linyanti deltas combining your canoeing with walking safaris in pristine wilderness full of antelope zebra elephant and plains game.  A support team sets up camp and looks after you in a good degree of comfort.

Call us to discuss your perfect safari.  We know all the best places, guides and seasons for exploring Africa’s great rivers.