Canoeing Safari on the Zambezi River - Ten Important Points Before You Embark!

If you like Adventure Travel then one of the "things to do" that should be on your "Bucket List" is a Canoe Safari down the Zambezi River, between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Go Canoe Camping on one of the greatest rivers in the world, its banks teeming with exciting African birds and wildlife, including the big five (Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Lion and Buffalo) the group of African game which you are sure to spot at least part of. You will undoubtedly see Hippo, Crocodiles, Zebra, many different kinds of Antelope and more!

Due to its special nature, the River is not as accessible as some places in the United States or Europe, but there are reputable agents based in the area who can help you get there, help you with sound advice and even take care of the itinerary and bookings for you. International arrivals fly into Victoria Falls and Livingstone Daily.

Below are a few pointers as to the best way to go about canoeing the Zambezi River:

1. First find a reputable adventure travel agency to book your experience through! Don't go thinking you can jump in a Canadian, Klepper or Inflatable canoe and paddle down this River on your own - remember that this is the Zambezi!, and the beauty that you have come to experience also contains hidden dangers.. unless of course you are a professional CANOE guide with 2000 hours of training which is possible, but unlikely:-)

2. When preparing for your canoe adventure, research the general geographical area that you are wanting to canoe. If you ask the Canoe Safari company you are dealing with to take you on a trip from Mana Pools up to Kariba, you are likely to be listed on the office blog of "those funnies..." Hint: This truly unforgettable experience can be done on the Upper Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls or down below the Falls, from the Kariba Dam Wall down towards the Cahora Bassa in Mozambique.

3. Decide how much time you would like to spend on your adventure! On the upper Zambezi River generally 3 days with 2 nights is the ideal time to spend on a river Safari for people on a tight schedule. That will give you plenty of time to unwind and soak into the ambience of the Valley.

4. Longer trips are available for others who a bit more of this African adventure to take home with them. These might consider the Kariba to Kanyemba trip! (Kanyemba is located at the Mozambique border) It is more of an explorer trip and can either be done as a WHOLE ten days nine nights experience or the trip can be split into various sections of two, three, five and seven nights.

5. Be adaptable! After setting up your first dome tent in about half an hour on the first night you will feel very pleased with yourself when you do this in two minutes flat the following sunset.

6. Take a camera! The Sunset on the Zambezi River is one of the most beautifully stunning sights you will ever see. Fresh clean air, red gold and yellow ball of flame settling into the blue and reflecting off the waves is truly amazing, a lion with a convenient sense of timing may roar in the distance!

7. Choose your time of year to canoe. October through to December is the hottest time of the year but usually good for game sightings on the Riverbanks. Rainy season on the Zambezi is mid November through to mid April. Winter starts mid June and continues through to August. However winter is not extremely cold and a couple of warm jackets, trousers and socks should do the trick. May and September are absolutely stunning months of the year to travel weatherwise... clear blue skies but warm and not too hot.

8. Select your travelling companion wisely and whatever you do don't plan to canoe in the same boat as them unless you have a solid friendship or relationship! Unless of course you have done several hours canoeing with them in the past and you are so in sync with each other that you're ready to take on the Zambezi International Regatta together.

9. Right now you've researched the area you would like to canoe, have your dates set, found your partner to share those spectacular sunsets with (or decided it's safer to go solo), booked your flights, pre and post canoe accommodation and transfers, started your course of malaria prophylactics (with advice from your GP of course) two weeks before your trip is due. Now it's time to get packing.

10. Pack light! A couple of pairs of shorts/light trousers, khikoi/wrap/sarong to drape over your legs whilst paddling, lightweight long sleeve shirts, swimming costumes, sandals, trousers for the cooler evenings, Wide Brimmed Hat, Sunglasses and plenty of sunblock is usually sufficient.

Keep personal toiletries to the bare minimum... If you have excess luggage with you store it before you leave on your trip either at the hotel you were staying at or with your adventure travel company.

Now you are set! Arrive at your destination, enjoy your stay, have the experience of a lifetime on your canoe safari and leave with wonderful memories of your time on the Zambezi River.

Canoeing the Churchill River in Canada

There is much evidence that shows that people have always paddling the Churchill River. Due to the nature of the environment, hunting, fishing and trapping were the tools of survival, and canoes were half of it.

When settlers came, then the fur trade. Overcrowding is a lucrative business. The best time to capture an animal is the beginning of winter, when his fur is at its brightest, so hunters paddled down the river to lay their trap lines andThat's where they remained until spring. Canoes laden with furs, they would return home, along the rivers swollen with snowmelt, a dangerous journey in which every problem in the way of negotiation. It had to do was not an option, and has not been done for the sport. It 'was the means by which they sold their furs to the markets reached by the river has the lowest.

licensed fur traders were "called Voyageurs." Finally, the canoe was at York big boat,could result in more fur on your way.

The Churchill River is a great place for canoeing. The river water flows so clean you can drink. In summer the water temperature is warm enough to swim or bathe in comfort. (We do not like the idea of drinking the water too soon after this, but this is perhaps too sensitive nature, wild animals are not particularly about where to get free or let their crap!)

Both beginners andExperts are concerned that canoeists portage there to make your way through the rapids difficult. Portage These offer the opportunity to experience the natural flora of the region, such as blueberries and raspberries. Of course, one must take into account the weight of your canoe, you have your back, go ahead. Today, tourism in the region provides an opportunity for leaders with experience to help you.

You can also get ', caribou chance of seeing bald eagles,Bears, moose, wolves and other wild animals. It extends along its course are some of the few places where predators and prey to operate as they did in times past - without any interference from humans. These sites claim to be some of the last wild areas of the world.

For the really experienced canoeist, there are class 4 rapids and around Nistowiak See below Potter Rapids. (Class 4 is the fastest, with "high, irregular waves, strongly defined, exposed rocks, strong vortex in the rulewaterway intermediate to experienced paddlers). There are 20 types of rapids along the entire length of its course, and some of its tributaries are Class 6 rapids, for example Paull River.

However, remember that the weather can change quickly in a smooth disc idyllic horse decorated a rough wave. For those who want adventure, but old hands Spanking, its always better to wait until the wind has changed, in an attempt to shoot quickly died.

One last thing, if the fieldAlong the way you inevitably encounter mosquitoes. So do not forget either nets or repellent - or both.

Memories of Old Josh, In - canoeing (Episode - # 36 Series Four)

called (1909) Old Josh and his neighbor, Toby Jackson, also a slave plantation near Hightower, TJ, short (his mother was Lucy Jackson, born 1810, Mrs. Hank, born on the plantation, was sixteen years old when his Hank, whom he married in 1826, was their first son, Toby, also in 1826). In any case, at this time, Josh was 21, was born as Toby, but we are talking about the year 1877, when Toby was 51 years, and Josh, was 72 years.

They had gone toHidden Creek (as it often did when they were allowed) to smoke some grass, took their canoes they built together, and turned the canoe in midstream of the bay, and went on stream flows and cable muscle canoe. Once in the area of the lake, relaxed and lazy, fish, corn whiskey (Silas and Jordan, said that while listening to music, sitting Crick, and the cow in the barn, cut, and rats and a Cat Fightout), these were the days, Silas thought, as Jordon Jordon takes his banjo and play easily.

Josh liked the old Bach has led him in the big lake, and got his foot to get it because he always had to drag canoe in shallow water to it. They could use the river, but both were a breath of fear that they would tip the canoe over.

This day in the summer of 1877 he went to the lake, not many signs of life, some birds that pass throughabove, apart from that, everything was quiet. A couple of alligators went out and saw near the coast, the sun, absorb the restart of the night. They fished for hours, then when he was close to sunset, they found a gravel bar, and made a fire, cook the fish caught, and it was a party.

Silas, now with a pipe in his mouth, put in some 'smoke, then let out slowly, put his hands on his stomach, the rocking chair back against the wall, the cab (Jordon CallsSilas):

"As the Devil, participants pa second Dat Dere Kanu, half illuminated grain whiskey wid dat?"

! Dat Dere See ant, five meters in depth, Jes pa Gits from the boat and pushes him after he says he will ... Silas added, "Dat Dere pa fun varmint and never even had."

02/19/2008 (Written by Starbucks (the district), in Lima, Peru)

Canoeing the Waikato River

     The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand, beginning at Lake Taupo and the Huka Falls. Now heavily controlled in its upper reaches with numerous dams sinking many a great rapid.

     The last dam ends just before Cambridge and you can start your journey there, if you want to add an extra day to your journey. It is a one day trip from Cambridge to Hamilton. I recommend starting your trip in Hamilton and making a two day trip of it. There are numerous uninhabited Islands in the center of the River and they are big enough to fix a couple of tents. The River moves quicker than walking pace and it is very difficult to paddle upstream so don't go canoeing passed your camp once set up for the night.

     As the river's flow is highly regulated there is little worry of flooding except in the most exceptional rain. The river changes depth throughout and in one or two places your canoe may even touch the bottom. The water is fairly clean but I wouldn't drink it as Hamilton and other towns release their treated sewage into it.

     Starting at Hamilton to Ngaruawahia is an easy trip. Passing Ngarauwahia you pass the residence of the Maori King. Just passed where the Waipa River joins are some Islands on which to camp.

     The next day another easy trip to Huntly. You pass an old army camp and you can stop in Huntly for a serve of fish and chips and resume your journey. Just passed Huntly is a descent size Island where you can camp for the night.

The next day after some decent paddling you can arrange to be picked up a Meri Meri where the River again meets the main state highway.