Zambia and Botswana: Canoe and Safari Adventure 2026

You will be accompanied by professional English-speaking, first aid trained guides and support staff. You will also be accompanied throughout by a first aid trained Different Travel Company UK tour manager.

The area of the Lower Zambezi River you will visit is quite wide with tree-lined sandy banks either side. September, the dry season, is a good time for animal spotting on the banks of the Zambezi as the inland streams start drying up and animals travel to the river bank for water. As you paddle downstream you are likely to spot plenty of elephants, hippos and crocodiles.

Don’t worry; your local guides will navigate you through the river so you can admire these incredible creatures without disturbing their territory. It is also possible you will spot buffalo, giraffe, the occasional zebra and wildebeest, and if you’re very lucky you may spot a lion or a wild dog.

The Zambian sunrise and sunsets are immeasurably beautiful and the entire landscape changes colour as the sun moves through the sky, reflecting off the calm waters.

In Chobe, you will go in search of game on land. Expect lush thickets of shrubbery, dry savannahs and wide riverside embankments with a plethora of animals and birds to watch.

September is a great time to visit Zambia and Botswana. It is still dry season and is starting to get warmer. Temperatures range from 12-30°C, with an average of around 21°C during the day and drop to around 0-8°C at night so it’s important that you bring warm layers for the evenings. The weather should be dry and calm with low water levels on the river.

Although the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate, climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. Should this happen the guide will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and ultimately safety of the group as a whole.

While camping on the river and in Chobe, the day starts with a hot breakfast which will comprise produce such as eggs, pancakes, fruit, toast, bacon, sausages etc. with more hot drinks. Lunch is an assortment of cold meats, salads, breads and cheeses, and dinner will involve a main meat dish with vegetables and potatoes rice or pasta.

Meals in Lusaka and Livingstone will be at the hotel or at local restaurants serving both local and international cuisine.

Dietary requirements can be catered for if we are notified in advance. There is always plenty to do at meal times so get involved and help your guides with preparation.

During the canoe expedition, camp will be set up each night on the banks of the river, or on small islands. You will share three-man tents (two to a tent) which have incorporated mosquito netting. Thin sleeping mats and woollen blankets are provided but you may bring your own mat, for extra comfort.

During your days in Livingstone you will stay at Jollyboys Backpackers lodge (twin or triple share rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities), you will camp overnight in tents at Chobe National Park (two to a tent) with mats and blankets provided, and you will stay in small huts at a Eureka lodge in Lusaka on the final night (twin or triple share with en-suite bathroom facilities).

During the canoe expedition, water will be drawn from the river for washing. You are recommended to bring environmentally friendly shampoo and soap products to keep pollutants to a minimum.

Toilet facilities comprise of a hole dug into the ground with a small privacy tent. You should bring your own supply of toilet paper and a small pack of baby wipes for general hygiene throughout the day. Used toilet paper must be packed away into a nappy sack or similar and disposed of in the bin at the campsite; toilet paper (and other litter) should never be left on the ground.

At Jollyboys and at Eureka Lodge there will be en-suite facilities.

The minimum age is 18 (or 16-17 if accompanied by an adult). There is no upper age limit. An ideal candidate would be someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone, likes to try new things, has a good level of fitness, is healthy and determined and has a flexible and open minded personality.

You should arrive in Zambia with a good fitness level to ensure fast recovery from each day’s exertions. Fitness training such as hill walking, swimming, running, cycling, gym workouts, team sports and boot camps etc. are all excellent ways to increase your fitness.

Building your core and upper body strength will benefit you greatly, so you are recommended to include resistance workouts (such as push-ups, squats, planks, lunges, triceps dips, bicep curls etc.) into your routine.

These exercises can be done at home without any specialist equipment. You can download a number of free apps which will help you train and track your progress. E.g. MapMyWalk, C25K (couch to 5k run), MyFitnessPal etc. Attempting to complete the trip without training may hinder your experience, and the experience of your teammates.

The trip is graded moderate due to the long days canoeing, basic camping conditions and wide ranging temperatures.

No previous canoeing experience is required (although having spent some time in a canoe or kayak would be a bonus) but a good level of general fitness is recommended as the days can be long and tiring. Life jackets are supplied. You will paddle approximately 12-28km per day on the river but there are some leisurely stretches where you can soak up the sights and sounds of Africa.

Occasionally you will pull in and walk along the shore, looking out for animals along the way. The water levels on the river stay fairly consistent due to regulation by upstream reservoirs and there are no rapids to contend with.

The canoes are two-man 18-foot Canadian-style fibreglass canoes with containment nets and ropes to ensure both group gear and personal belongings are secure at all times. Each canoe has five buoyancy chambers, while the bucket seats are foam cushioned allowing a reasonable level of back support.

Single bladed paddles are used and life jackets supplied. Anything you need for the canoe trip should be packed into a soft waterproof holdall. Any luggage not required for on the river (large suitcases, hairdryers etc.) will be stored securely.

The kit list for this trip can be downloaded here.