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| Viewing: Southern Africa Expedition |
Package ID: 1646 |
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| Southern Africa Expedition |
Canoe the mighty Zambezi River, learn more about African tribal customs & cultures, become skilled in bush crafts and survival, walk with lions, swim with elephants and learn how to SCUBA dive… all in a month-long wild adventure!
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Week 1: Zambezi Creative Canoe Expedition
As you navigate your way down the mighty Zambezi River in a trail canoe, your days will be filled with various exhilarating team oriented tasks. Your evenings will be spent around the campfire enjoying the ambience of the wild African night. Each night will be spent in a new camp as you work your way towards the infamous Victoria Falls – Mosi-O-Tunya (Smoke that Thunders). River challenges will include the use of compasses, maps and various navigational tools. These will enable teams to find their way to the next stop…
Your River adventure starts at Tsowa Camp, arrival there will entail a drive of approximately 2 hours through the Zambezi National Park - most of it will be a game-drive in an open vehicle, hopefully we will see some of the Big 5, all of which reside in the Park. A navigational bush walk when you arrive will wet your appetite for the days to come. The next morning starts off with a guided game-walk, a wholesome bush breakfast, an in-depth safety talk and demonstration on how to paddle, etc from your expert guide. The day will be spent canoeing downriver through Grade I & II rapids (making up the infamous Sansimba Rapids), exploring channels, game viewing and animal identification. The nights stop is at Mpala Jena Camp, doze off to sleep to the far (or not-so-far)-off yelp of a hyena…Day 3 is spent paddling - navigating the river’s numerous channels, negotiating small rapids and fast currents, your destination being the tropical Chundu Island. Before you get too caught up in the splendour of the sun setting over the silent river you will have to compete head-to-head in various team-building challenges. Awaken early to catch the sunrise over the spray of the nearby Victoria Falls. Today is the final 18km paddle towards the legendary Mosi-O-Tunya. This stretch allows the group to explore various channels amongst the beautiful islands. After lunch on the banks of the river the ‘Amazing Race’ will begin! This is an incredible race incorporating elements of Victoria Falls town, the Zambezi River, the wildlife, birdlife, local people, culture and the magnificent fall themselves. The teams will be pitted against each other in an incredible contest of discovery and adventure. Teams never know where they're going next or what they'll have to do once they get there. Individual relationships will be forever impacted by their experience in this once-in-a-lifetime afternoon adventure. A dinner on the banks of the Zambezi by firelight with traditional meals and entertainment will be the backdrop of a Tribal Council where there will be a final summation of this leg of the expedition, with a small presentation & awards ceremony.
You are given two days to rest and recuperate. Take this time to indulge in the fascinating culture and various wild adventure activities in the Victoria Falls.
Week 2: African Customs, Cultures & Bush Awareness
This week of the expedition will be oriented around preparing and introducing first-time African travellers to the diverse customs and cultures of our African continent; introducing them to the flavours of her food; as well as creating an awareness of the sights and sounds of her wilderness areas… this way you will be better able to survive, to adapt, to enjoy – through a full understanding and appreciation of this tremendous continent’s temperament
Your days will be spent discovering the following African customs, cultures & bush awareness practices:
• Tuning in to the Bush - Lessons from the land - smells, sights and sounds
• Cultural Familiarisation - Understanding the Shona & Ndebele cultures & beliefs
• Logistical Planning - When to move; what to take; how to carry it.
• Edible Plants and Animals - What you can and cannot eat
• Animal Identification - By shape, smell, and sound
• Identifying Tracks - Matching the animal to the track
• Basic Safety - Areas and situations to avoid
• Dangerous Animals - The realistic threat and evasive actions
• Basic Tracking - What to look for; what to avoid; common mistakes
• Basic Navigation - Reading a map; using a compass; estimating time, distance, speed
• Finding Water & Gathering Food - Seeking with all your senses; tips for collection
• Building a Fire without Matches - Finding the materials; effective techniques; safety
• Basic First Aid - Emergency first aid and general health care
Please note that the daily itinerary is not fixed and varies from time to time depending on the seasonal conditions and nature of the team - however, all of the above activities will be included in the itinerary.
Week 3: Unique African Experience (Walk with Lions & Swim with Elephants)
Where else in the world can you walk alongside lions in their natural environment and swim with an African Elephant?
All the below activities will be included – they are listed as daily programmes.
• Introduction & orientation; lion-breeding programme
• Elephant induction, training and ride; African cuisine training; lion walk training
• Lion handling; cub viewing and interaction; volleyball; lion walk & basic handler training
• Horse induction, grooming, tack & feeding; riding lessons; outride
• Lion walk; bush mechanics; rest; night encounter (witness the lions you walk by day hunting in their natural environment)
• Visit to orphanage; elephant swim; lion walk
• Final day - Debrief and relax ready for your week learning to scuba dive.
Week 4: PADI Open-Water Scuba Diving
Under the expert guidance of a qualified PADI instructor, you will be taught the basics of SCUBA diving in this week, as well as completing a number of dives over the final two days in the fabled Chinhoyi Caves.
Optional activities available in Victoria Falls - White Water Kayaking/Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Gorge Swing.
Accommodation in general:
The first & last two nights of Week 1 will be accommodated in our comfortable lodge in Victoria Falls. All other accommodation on this expedition will be camping in comfortable two-man tents.
Included in the price:
All accommodation/community fees in bush and tented camps along the expedition
Support of dedicated guides & crew
Services of local guides on each leg of the expedition
All meals (three per day) and certain drinks (purified drinking water, cordials, coffee, tea)
All required equipment such as scuba gear, canoe & camping gear
Transfers within the expedition
Excluded in the price:
International flights
Visas, travel & medical insurance
Any excursions over & above itinerary
Soft drinks, wine & spirits
Emails & telephone calls
All personal items
Edutourism activities:
We pride ourselves in offering unique opportunities on our expeditions for learning, especially in new and unusual fields related directly to the areas within the particular expedition. On this trip, the following learning opportunities exist:
• In-depth insight into the unique and fascinating customs & culture of the local tribal communities
• Survival in the African bush (bushcraft, medicinal plants, wildlife, water, fire, etc)
• Complete your PADI Open Water 1 SCUBA diving course
Responsible travel activities:
Wherever possible, we try and live by our maxim of responsible adventure, responsible to our environment & to local people and communities. As such, the following activities provide you with a chance to give something back on this expedition:
• Assist with the Lion Breeding & Rehabilitation Programme at Antelope Park, helping to conserve the dwindling population of African lions
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