The Zambezi Kayaking Blog » kayak school

The Zambezi – Now’s The Time!

Hamish — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:58:24 +0000

For any of you paddlers out there looking for the best time to kayak the Zambezi River, that would be NOW! The river has just gone to “low water” when the rapids are at their best, the weather fantastic, and you get to choose from so many great sections of river to paddle? If you are a surf demon, try the wave at rapid 2 and early October, head up to get in some serious surfing at the world class 12B. If you prefer running BIG waves then run from rapid 1 and take on Stairway to Heaven, Gullivers Travels or the Mother, rapid 13.

Howard running Ghostrider

The river is excellent through until December, with the weather getting hotter at the end of October and the chance of rain which will cause the river level to rise. We can provide you with excellent support for all your paddling needs, whether it renting a kayak, needing to get to and from the river each day, or head out on a fantastic multiday trip, we’re happy to make your next paddling vacation easy. Get a group together, or just come on your own. Our guides will show you down the river and show you all the best (and worst) places to go.

Tony teaching Trevor on our Kayak School

Paddling big warm water is the ultimate. The Zambezi.com loves our “home river” and looks forward to sharing it with you on your next kayaking vacation. Flights are easy and simple into either Lusaka or Livingstone, so pop on over and enjoy some paddling no matter whether you are an accomplished kayaker, or you would like to take on a kayak school with our world class kayak instructors on the Zambezi River. See you there!

The World’s Most Awesome Paddling Holiday

Hamish — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:16:10 +0000

If anyone had to imagine the 2 best rivers for a paddling vacation, the Zambezi River and the White Nile would have to be up there. TheZambezi.com and Kayak The Nile have teamed up to offer what can only be described as the Ultimate Paddling Vacation. Due to the nature of the trip and the logistics in each destination the trip can be offered to all kayaking abilities from beginner to expert. Being our home rivers, we can offer you the best sections for YOUR ability and tailor make the trip for you. The trip is 14 days and will include all your accommodation, lunches (on paddling days) and boats. All you need to do is get to Uganda and Zambia… and home again.

Running Rapid 5 on The Zambezi

Convenient flight connections are available with Kenya Airways stopping in Nairobi (you can get a cheap return flight to Uganda from there) and Lusaka. Most paddlers take the bus from Lusaka to Livingstone and we’ll meet you there. Trips start in Entebbe every Saturday where the Kayak The Nile team pick you up. They’ll drop you back at the airport after a week on the Nile. Once on the Zambezi, you’ll get a welcome “Booze Cruise” and dinner on your day of arrival into Livingstone.

Jarrod having fun on the Nile River

Come and kayak the Zambezi River in Zambia and the White Nile in Uganda, The Ultimate Paddling Vacation.

Zambezi Kayak Schools

Hamish — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:03:05 +0000

So how can you possibly learn to kayak on what is described as one of the most challenging rivers in the world? Simple. The Zambezi is warm water, the season is long and there are plenty of long flat sections and easy Grade 2-3 to get your skills working before moving onto the harder stuff. Many people have learned to kayak on the Zambezi and in fact many of the guys who shoot video and photos on the river, have been taught and learned to paddle only on the Zambezi.

Practising paddling above Rapid 6

A Zambezi Kayak School, can be anything from a half day taster through to 5-6 days where we get to paddle most of the big rapids on the Zambezi. We teach you from the basics of the eskimo roll in a local swimming pool to running waves and on longer courses, playing and having fun on the river which, in the end is what it’s all about. Our world class team of international instructors will outfit you with kayaks (obviously) buoyancy aids, paddles, spraydecks (to keep the water from going inside the kayak) and helmets. Due to the “Pool Drop” nature of the Zambezi, if you do end up taking a swim, its easy to pick you up and get back in.

Having a play in a rapid below Rapid 18

When it is 24 degree celsius water, 30-40 outside temperature, getting on the Zambezi River for a days kayaking and keeping cool, is one of the best places to be. Groups are small, so it is easy and condusive to learning this fantastic sport. The ideal season for kayaking the Zambezi is August – December. Additionally, you’ll get to stay in Livingstone, Africa’s Adventure Capital. Gorge Swing, Bungy, Jetboat, you can do it all!

Inflatable Kayaking On The Zambezi

Hamish — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:07:31 +0000

For all you hardened kayakers, this may not interest you, but TheZambezi.com has launched the Zambezi’s latest adventure activity. Inflatable Kayaking – A mix of half kayak school and half awesome day out, even paddling novices can tackle the wild rapids of the Zambezi under the superb guidance of our river team. The Inflatable Kayaks have been purpose built for us by Billy at ARK Inflatables in South Africa and we have had a superb response to trips so far!

Inflatable Kayak Dropping Into Rapid 11

Dropping into The Mother in this boat is about as much fun as you can have on the Zambezi. As John from Canada described his day with us, “Its far more fun than rafting!”
Trips depart daily from Livingstone, so even you hard core kayakers might want to come and check this out!