RCGS: The Zambezi Valley with Travis Steffens

Flight Inclusive

Day 1 Depart London.

Depart London.

Day 2 Arrive Lusaka; transfer to the Zambezi River.

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: Clients must not book flights arriving after 12PM. Accommodation: Wild CampingSemi-participatory Camping 

Day 3-5 Three days canoeing and wildlife watching on the Zambezi River, camping on remote islands.

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 6 Morning canoeing; afternoon game walk and drive in Game Management Area.

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 7 Canoe to Lower Zambezi N.P.; morning game walk; afternoon game drive back to camp.

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 8 Transfer to our riverside camp.

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 9 Transfer to Lusaka; depart.

An early start today; after breakfast we transfer approximately 3-4 hrs to Lusaka International Airport for our flight to London.

Day 10 Arrive London.

Land Only

Day 1 Start Lusaka; transfer to the Zambezi River.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.