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ZIMBABWE VICTORIA FALLS CANOEING: THE KINGFISHER SAFARI - 5 Day
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The Kingfisher Safari is a 2 day/1 night canoe safari on the Upper Zambezi River. We camp in style on the edge of the river and canoe through some stunning scenery. The rest of your trip allows lots of free time for optional extra activities such as lion walks, elephant back safaris, helicopter flights and whitewater rafting.
Departures are every day of the week, subject to availability.
Includes: Airfare Johannesburg-Victoria Falls-Johannesburg, road transfers as specified, Kingfisher Safari - 1 night camping including all equipment and all meals, qualified river guide, local beer, wine, soft drinks and mineral water on the canoe safari only, bed and breakfast accommodation for 3 nights at Shongwe Lookout.
Excludes: Visas, travel insurance, health requirements, park fees for the canoe trip (USD 15), Zimbabwe departure tax (currently charged at USD 30 per person - to be paid in USD cash notes), drinks other than specified, gratuities, all items of a personal nature and any service not specified.
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Please Note:
Canoeing safaris operate with a minimum of 2 persons
There is a minimum age restriction of 15 years unless accompanied by an adult and there are no other guests. Please check when booking.
Luggage must be kept to a maximum of 10 kg per person on the canoe safari - preferably in soft duffel bags. Excess baggage can be stored at the Cansaf Victoria
Falls office on arrival.
Prices are subject to change due to airfare increases or any other unforeseen circumstance.
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Clients Should Bring:
Swimming costume
Shorts
Personal toiletries
Towel
Canvas shoes or rafting sandals
A hat with a wide brim as well as a cap
A jacket or cardigan for the evenings
Shirts (including a long-sleeved for sun protection)
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Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Torch or flash / flashlight and extra batteries
Film and spare camera batteries
Binoculars
Socks for winter nights
Warm clothes to sleep in for winter nights
Raincoats |
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Extensions to this trip to include houseboat stays or other parts of Zimbabwe are possible. Please contact us for a tailormade quotation.
ITINERARY:
Day 1 - (Daily departures) Fly from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls. On arrival you will be met by a representative from Cansaf Adventures and transferred to Shongwe Lookout for overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 - You will be collected from your hotel at around 07h00/07h30 for your canoe safari. The transfer into the Zambezi National Park will take approximately 2 hours - 50 kms of game drive in an open vehicle. Along the way a packed breakfast of egg and bacon rolls as well as fruits and steaming hot tea and coffee are served. Once at the river your guide will give an in depth safety talk and demonstration on how to paddle. The vessels used on the river are 16 foot Klepper canoes made from fibre glass. These are very stable structures that carry 2 people using double bladed paddles, all of which helps manoeuvrability through periods of white-water (grade 1-2 rapids) and braided channels. The day is then spent canoeing approximately 18 kms downstream through the Sansimba Rapids, game viewing and exploring channels. Along the way you will stop for a picnic lunch of cold meats, rolls, quiches, fruit and salads. The night stop is made at Chundu campsite. You are welcomed into camp with tea and coffee before settling into a quiet evening around the camp fire, on the banks of the river, and a wholesome dinner is served.
Day 3 - The morning starts off with an early game drive or nature stroll, followed by a full English breakfast. The rest of the morning is spent exploring the many channels and enjoying the small rapids of the Upper River. At midday your group is met by the back-up vehicle. A lunch is set out in the shade of a large tree on the banks of the river. The afternoon paddle carries you closer to the Falls, as you explore channels amongst beautiful islands. At around 16h00 you meet the pick-up vehicle and enjoy cold beers and minerals. Arrival back in Victoria Falls is between 16h30 and 17h00. Overnight at Shongwe Lookout on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 4 - Day at leisure for optional activities. Overnight at Shongwe Lookout on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 5 - Morning at leisure. Transfer from your hotel to the airport in time for your return flight to Johannesburg.
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VICTORIA FALLS MARATHON - MARATHON ONLY PACKAGE - 5 Day
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All runners should pre-enter through the website in order to participate. All entrants, both local and foreign, will have to clear immigration on the Saturday, before 15h00 - arranged by organisers - to get a bib number. Visa fees, if applicable, will need to be pre-paid at registration. Passports or ID needed at registration.
The Falls themselves are well worth a visit. There are many optional activities to enjoy. Visitors can kayak and canoe on the upper Zambezi, go fishing or cruising, walk amongst wildlife, take horseback trails, white water raft on the rapids below the Falls. For the extremely adventurous, bungi jump 111 metres off the Victoria Falls bridge. An additional 1 or 2 nights are needed for these activities. Minimum booking period is two nights - before and after race - preferably three.
"Race only" entries can ONLY be made by citizens and residents of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia, and can be made in advance or in the Falls on the two days prior to the event. Non residents / non citizens of the above countries have to book an entry and accommodation / transfers package with the listed operators well prior to the event to guarantee a bib number and entry, as well as to give us time to process your entry and immigration status for Zambia. |
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Accommodation packages are offered only with our approved sponsors - Zimbabwe Sun Hotels, Ilala Lodge and Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. Self drive groups will be offered accommodation at the self catering Lokothula Lodges, near Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, and other venues - via the agents above. Before and after the race weekend, you may book your choice of accommodation/activities anywhere in the area, either through one of the above or directly.
Includes: Return airport/hotel transfers, 4 nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis ,
Carbo loading pasta dinner if staying at hotel, Choice of any one adventure activity from list below,· Transfers to start and back from finish, Services of a Wild Frontiers co-ordinator.
Marathon Entry Package which includes: Marathon entry fee,
Guaranteed bib number!!!,
Official t-shirt,
Medal,
Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River including local drinks &
snacks,
Marathon "after party " entry fee (in aid of the local school),
Athletics Association donations,
National Parks fee,
Organisation of Zambian visas for race, if needed, but
excludes visa cost.
Excludes: Flights, visas (Zambia/re-entry Zimbabwe not included in package/race entry), travel insurance, health requirements, additional activities, drinks, additional meals, all items of a personal nature and any service not specified.
Choice of activity included in package:
Rafting (full or half day)
Gorge Activity - Zip Line
Gorge Activity - Rap Jump
Gorge Activity - Abseil
Gorge Activity - Flying Fox
Canoeing (half day)
Lion encounter
Elephant encounter
Additional activities such as helicopter flights, jet boat rides etc to be booked and paid prior to arrival in Victoria Falls.
Other accommodation facilities also available, please enquire for more options. Should you be interested in any other areas than below extension options to Chobe, Hwange etc, please enquire for a tailor made itinerary.
Extention package options:
Chobe National Park, Botswana, 2 night add-on at Chobe Safari Lodge (including return road transfers ex Victoria Falls, dinner and breakfast daily, 1 game drive, 1 boat cruise and 1 park fee).
Prices are subject to change due to airfare increases or any other unforeseen circumstance.
General Info
Zimbabwe Visas - These are issued free of charge to South African passport holders at the border/airport on arrival. Other nationalities - please check.
Zambia Visas - South African passport holders do not require visas. All foreign passport holders please enquire at this office or from the High Commission. Please note double or single entry to Zimbabwe when you are obtaining a visa.
Health Requirements - It is strongly recommended that malaria prophylactics be taken during and after your visit to Zimbabwe, especially if visiting the lowveld area. Precautions against other tropical diseases should be taken - consult a travel medical specialist - Contact Netcare for an update: http://www.travelclinics.co.za
Water - We recommend bottled water or previously boiled water, or check with your hotel management.
Money - You can pay with USD, Pounds or ZAR cash. You can exchange forex for Zimbabwe Dollars in Zimbabwe at a bank or Bureau de Exchange, remember to keep your receipt should you need to settle hotel bills etc. Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe has made a decision to pull out of MasterCard acquiring on the Point of Sale (POS) in Zimbabwe with effect from 01st January 2007, due to prohibitive investment costs. Therefore, all hotels in Zimbabwe no longer accept MasterCard transactions. Only VISA, DINERS and AMEX cards will be acceptable. The ATM facility is NOT a good option, as you will loose out on the much lower bank rate of exchange. We encourage all visitors to Zimbabwe to take small denominations of USD cash to settle bills with as you often get a better rate for meals, drinks etc if you pay cash.
ITINERARY:
Day 1 -
Friday - On arrival at Victoria Falls airport you will be met and transferred to choice of hotel (see list below). Marathon registration formalities to be completed on arrival. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis here for 4 nights. Suggested option: Tonight you may want to consider a Boma Dinner. This is not just another ethnic restaurant but a rather unique cultural experience. Excellent cuisine, including a variety of game meats and traditional Zimbabwean dishes, is accompanied by entertainment throughout your meal from traditional dancers, the Sangoma (story teller) and a local witchdoctor who is available for fortune telling.
Day 2 -
Saturday - This package includes a choice of one of the adventure activities listed below. This can be done either this afternoon or on Monday, 25 Aug 2008. Suggested option: Tour of the Falls & Craft Village - 3 hours This tour is done in conjunction with the Tour of the Falls as detailed above, after which they are taken to the Traditional Craft Village. Here they are shown replica homes of the various tribes throughout Zimbabwe & Southern Africa. They will learn about the history of how each tribe began and how they have evolved. There are local people in the village performing traditional skills such as carving, basket weaving and even cooking. Clients are also given the opportunity to shop in the adjoining curio market and shops for souvenirs and gifts. Carbo-loading dinner at your hotel included 23 August 2008.
Day 3 -
Sunday - Marathon day. Start 06h30 in Zimbabwe, opposite Kingdom Hotel. Finish at school. Enjoy the festive atmosphere at the finishing line before your transfer back to your hotel. Late afternoon you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to enjoy a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River in celebration of the race. While on the boat all local drinks, wine, beers, mixers, spirits, mineral water and snacks are included. From here you will be transferred to the Marathon After Party Bash (entry fee included in Marathon entry package). There will be food stalls at the party to buy supper from. Return transfers to hotel. Overnight bed and breakfast.
Day 4 -
Monday - Day at leisure to enjoy some of the many activities on offer. See list of activities to choose from. Overnight bed and breakfast.
Day 5 -
Tuesday - Transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight.
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Reservations and Enquiries |
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