Aside from a VERY rocky start to the holiday (see below), this was an absolutely AMAZING experience, which the group took to calling HIPPO-DODGE-EM-US, CROC-IDYLLIC and ELE-FANTASTIC! The Lower Zambezi was simply stunning; the repeated and close-up experiences with elephants were moving and gorgeous; the hippos were funny and beautiful and scary all at once; the vervet monkeys were cute and cheeky, as were the baboons; the warthogs and water buffalo were wonderful...I could go on and on! Check out the song I wrote on http://www.monicamaxwest.com/web%20audio/Taking%20It%20Easy.mp3!
This trip is suitable for all regardless of canoeing or camping experience. The proximity to the wildlife is far superior to any previous safari's I have been on. The pace was relaxed, excellent comping equipment, great guide, good food and scenery/wildlife was amazing
Best. Holiday. Ever.
I cannot recommend enough.
CB is bloody amazing as a leader and guide. He's one guide I will always remember - most guides on adventure holidays are great but instantly forgettable. But his humour and patience meant I felt like he was a friend! Great knowledge and communication skills.
A really well organised trip. Group size perfect too. Tents and mattresses perfect. Plenty of water and fruit.
We were pleased that upon arrival we didn't hop directly in the canoes - we stayed at the mainland campsite (sunrise! Honking hippos!). This was fab because there is a shower block there and you are hot and dusty from the transfer/flight.
The canoeing is awesome. The campsites were perfect. The food brilliant (I'm veggie).
But the animals! My god! So many incredible experiences. I don't know if we struck lucky but every day got more amazing than the last. It's so much better to see animals from a canoe than from a Dusty 4x4.
Lastly- the group were brilliant!!
Tips:
We got a kaza visa online, no drama - but you only need this is you are travelling after to Zimbabwe. You need a sticker in your passport not just a stamp! (Our first mistake).
By the way, Livingstone is well worth a visit and CB organised a local bus for us.
You need minimum kit - we washed in the river every day. As suggested, carry your canoe stuff ready to go in hand luggage.
Bring a red light torch (for bugs) gloves (just in case) and definitely binoculars (We were so stupid!) And a zoom lens. And a bottle of rum?!
We took a 10 litre dry bag each for clothes and another for the sleeping bag and then shared a camera bag.
