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Zambia, on the river

Lower Zambezi

A river you paddle rather than drive: island camps, hippo channels and a gorge cut through the old volcanic rock of the Great Rift Valley.

See the 3 trips that go here Ask us about it

Sun at Lower Zambezi today Sunrise 05:24 Sunset 18:10

A white river cruiser on the Zambezi

Lower Zambezi at a glance

3
Trips that visit here
05:24
Sunrise at Lower Zambezi today
18:10
Sunset at Lower Zambezi today
12.8hours
Of daylight today
  • Where it starts Zambezi Breezes Lodge, Chirundu, about 10:00, then roughly two hours by road to the launch
  • A paddling day Early tea from about 06:30, then paddling; day two covers about 25 kilometres
  • Camps Island, beach and fly camps: simple, and basic next to a lodge safari
  • The river Both banks sit inside national parks, with some of the river’s highest game concentrations
  • Mupata Gorge Ancient volcanic rock formations of the Great Rift Valley
  • The end Take-out around 09:00, then an open-backed Land Cruiser to Lusaka
Victoria Falls seen from the Zimbabwe side

Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi upstream of the Lower Zambezi

What you do there

What to do in Lower Zambezi

From first light to last, with today’s real sunrise and sunset at Lower Zambezi to mark the day.

  1. Sunrise at Lower Zambezi today

    05:24

  2. Paddle between the islands

    Launch at Kakomarara or Mtondo Island, then follow the river downstream to a different island camp each night.

  3. Explore the back channels

    Offshoot channels where birdlife and game are close. Our guides stop at points of interest.

  4. Run Mupata Gorge

    The river narrows and the current strengthens through the False Mupata and Mupata Gorges to the Red Cliffs on our six day trip.

  5. Learn the hippo and crocodile rules

    Hippo and crocodile protocols are reviewed before you paddle. River levels and wind decide the route each day.

  6. Sunset at Lower Zambezi today

    18:10

A raft crew paddling through rapids on the Zambezi A raft crew in yellow helmets in the Zambezi rapids

Best time

When to go to Lower Zambezi

The dry seasons, June to September and December to February, often bring lower river levels and cooler mornings for paddling. The trail still runs in wetter months, with adjusted start times and camp choices.

In pictures

Lower Zambezi as our guests see it

  • Guests on the deck of a white river cruiser on the Zambezi
  • A raft tipping in a rapid on the Zambezi
  • An aerial view of the gorge and river below Victoria Falls

Request a trip

Trips that visit Lower Zambezi

Every trip is request-to-book: choose one, send your dates, and we confirm.