The Zambezi Kayaking Blog » Kayaking

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!

Just How Hard Is The Zambezi?

Hamish — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:10:38 +0000

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"

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

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!

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!