Posts Tagged ‘kayak trips’

Zambezi Kayaking Logistics Made Easy

Friday, May 25th, 2012

The Zambezi has a reputation for having difficult paddling logistics, but it need not be so! From August – December Kayak The Zambezi offers daily shuttles to Number 1 (Boiling Pot) at 8am from Livingstone or 9am to Rapid 10. Our guide team will show you the river on your first day and on subsequent paddling days we’ll take care of park fees, porters, lunch transport to and from the river allowing you the most time to spend doing what you love – kayaking the Zambezi.

Ripping It Up at 12B

For those who also don’t want to travel with a boat, we have plenty of current play boats and river runners for you to choose from, paddles, buoyancy aids, helmets and everything you need for your paddling holiday. User friendly airlines for boats are Virgin to Joburgh and then 1 time are excellent to Livingstone. Alternatively there are many excellent flight options to Lusaka and then you can catch a bus to Livingstone from there with Mazhandu Family Buses.

Sara running 5, Stairway to Heaven

Make 2012 your year to paddle the Mighty Zambezi. See you here!

Zambezi River Fees Increased

Monday, September 27th, 2010

TheZambezi.com is the only company on the Zambezi permitted to take kayakers on the Zambezi River. We want to make it as user friendly as we can for people to come and paddle what is one of the best whitewater runs in the world. Recently the Zambian Parks put up the entry fee on gaining access to the river from $3 to $10 (excluding access to Victoria Falls) This is included with all our shuttles to and from the river, as well as lunch, porters and a cold beer at the end of the day. No matter whether it is your first time on the river, or you are a seasoned pro on the Zambezi, our team on and off the water will give you an amazing experience, on this, our home river.

Paddling The Pourover in 5

Paddling The Pourover in 5

We recommend getting flights in and out of Lusaka as they are loads cheaper than flying into Livingstone. A great place to stay in Lusaka is Lusaka Backpackers and then get the bus over to Livingstone with Mazhandu Family Buses, October is a PRIMO month to paddle. Its HOT and the water level is dropping. Come on out and play on the river and party in town until your heart is content. If anyone needs boats to hire, we have quite the fleet to choose from and can also arrange multi-day trips if you have the time. We can also sort any accommodation for you in either Jollyboys or Fawlty Towers and book any activities you wish to do. See you for some fun on the river!

The Zambezi – Now’s The Time!

Monday, September 6th, 2010

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

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

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

Monday, August 16th, 2010

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

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

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

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

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

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

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!

Just How Hard Is The Zambezi?

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

The Zambezi River has plenty of myths associated with it. Most of the stories have been spread by over zealous river guides and paddlers! The reality of the Zambezi, is that it is a BIG Grade 3+ river. Lines tend to be straight forward and the rapids that are more challenging, can easily be portaged. Paddlers should have a competent roll (preferably on both sides) With almost all of our trips and logistics, we suggest a practise paddling day from Rapid 10 Rapid 25, which just helps you get to grips with the size of the rapids and the volume of the river. Most rapids on this section tend to be fairly short and sweet, but you’ll also get a chance to stop and surf at the infamous 12B which is ideal around mid September until early November as a general rule.

Awesome big water paddling in "The Mother"

Awesome big water paddling in "The Mother"

Paddlers who regularly paddle the Zambezi will be fine starting at Rapid 1 and all rapids along the way, perhaps with the extension of Rapid 9 which is portaged by all rafting trips. It has become a rapid which is paddled regularly, but should not be underestimated! We have seen some pretty legendary kayakers get spanked here! For those of you wanting to sample a real Zambezi kayaking trip, seeing the rapids after the regular paddling section is a must. Upper Moemba, Open Season and the Narrows are classic rapids to paddle.

Chilling on one of the flat sections between rapids

Chilling on one of the flat sections between rapids

Many paddlers have heard that logistics on the Zambezi are very complicated. Although different from the Nile in Uganda, they are just as easy. We have regular shuttles going to all the drop off and pick up points on a regular daily basis. We even get your boat carried into and out of the gorge, and give you lunch and a beer at the end of the day. Its easy and cheap to fly into Lusaka, where you can either get us to collect you (if you are a group) or catch a bus to Livingstone which leave on a daily basis. Accommodation is cheap and really comfy and the risk of malaria providing you take the correct precautions is really rare.

So come on, you are out of excuses, make 2010 the year for your Zambezi mission! We will also hold a Zambezi Kayaking Festival in 2010. Keep checking our website! See you here!