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Kayak the Zambezi River

  • Zimbabwe

Last updated: 31 December, 2024

If rafting the Grade V white-water rapids of the Batoka Gorge are too intimidating, a sedate canoe safari on the Zambezi River above the Falls is a good fallback option.

Using stable inflatable canoes, you’ll paddle through a selection of small rapids, viewing both the Zambian and Zimbabwean side of the river. Big game sightings – including hippo, elephant and crocodile – are commonplace, ensuring your fair share of adrenalin.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Upper Zambezi Canoeing

  • Victoria Falls

Upper Zambezi Canoeing

Viator

Upper Zambezi Canoeing
Victoria falls canoeing company operates and runs canoeing trips on the Zambezi national park above the victoria falls. These safaris range from one day trips to three days two nights trips. Tents and food is provided for camping trips, with back up camping safari staff, we use two man stand in dome tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and liners . We take a minimum of two people and maximum of 12 people( special arrangements can be made for larger groups upon request) Our minimum age limit for canoeing safaris is 12 years and 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. Animals seen on these safaris are usually buffalo, elephant, Impala, water buck, hippo, crocodile, lion, leopard, hyena etc. Birdlife is plenty full. We cannot guarantee of animals on safari.Our canoeing safaris begin and end in Victoria Falls .

Price $180

Min age 5

Rating 4.91 / 5 [36 ratings]

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The Zambezi river shot from above

Logistics

Price from: £120
Minimum age: 12
Age suitable: 12+
When: All year around
Duration: 5 hours

Getting there & doing it

Organised tours are a must here, and a range of half- and full-day trips are available, although routes change as the river level rises. Operators will collect you from your hotel. Use a high-factor sunscreen, and don’t forget a sun-hat.

When to do it

Kayaking trips run all year round, seven days a week. Start times vary by operator, but morning half-day tours will usually leave around 7am; afternoon half-day tours depart around 3pm.

In the height of summer (July-August) the half-day morning trail is best, avoiding the worst afternoon heat. The autumn dry season (March-May) is best for game viewing along the river, with animals from far and wide drawn to the lush Zambezi. Birding is best from September to April.

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