The Zambezi Valley
8 Days Starting and ending in Lusaka
Visiting: Zambia
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:
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
Depart London.
Day 2
After the arrival of the group flight in the early afternoon, we transfer to
Nyamomba. En route there will be a brief stop at a supermarket where there is
the option to purchase drinks and snacks to take with you on the canoes. 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 so a change to a 4WD
vehicle is necessary. We camp on the banks of the Zambezi River. Dinner is
prepared by the guide.
*Please note:*Â Clients must not book flights arriving after 12PM.
Accommodation: Wild Camping
*Semi-participatory Camping*
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Day 3-5
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 Camping
*Semi-participatory Camping*
Day 6
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 Area
*Comfortable Camping*
Day 7
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 Area
*Comfortable Camping*
Day 8
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 similar
*Semi-participatory Camping*
Day 9
An early start today; after breakfast we transfer approximately 3-4 hrs to
Lusaka International Airport for our flight to London.
**
Day 10
**
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
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.
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.
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.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels 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 adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.