Southern Africa Expedition
You will soon be joining us in Zimbabwe, so here is some useful information that will help you in planning your trip. We wish you a pleasant flight and look forward to meeting you in Africa as we embark on the adventure of a lifetime…
*NB* - We are happy to provide transfers to and from the expedition whilst the expedition is already afoot. This is for the convenience of people who would only like to participate in certain sections of any such expedition. Individual transfer fees are an added cost of GBP 80 p\p
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. 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…
Itinerary (brief)
- DAY 1: Introduction and orientation. Overnight at Tsowa Camp.
- DAY 2: Guided Game-walk. Canoe downriver, with packed lunch on an island. Overnight at Mpala Jena Camp.
- DAY 3: Canoe downriver. Overnight at Chundu Island
- DAY 4: Canoe towards Victoria Falls Town. Amazing Race Challenge with Tribal Council and awards ceremony. Traditional meal on the banks of the Zambezi River.
- DAY 5 & 6: Rest and recuperation. Opportunity to experience the various adventure activities in Victoria Falls.
- DAY 7: Pack and depart for Hwange National Park for the next leg of your expedition…
You Will Experience
Bush Awareness
Survival
Animal Tracking
Navigation
Big 5 Wildlife Experience
Game / Wildlife Spotting Skills
Canoe Expeditions
Accommodation
Mostly, you will be bush camping in two-man canvas bow tents, or under the stars if you so desire. For the first and last two nights you will be in our comfortable lodge in Victoria Falls town
Meals
All meals will be provided and will be prepared on an educational participatory basis
Week 2 – African Customs Cultures & Bush Awareness
The second leg of this expedition will be oriented around preparing and introducing first-time African travelers 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.
Daily Itinerary (In Brief)
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
You Will Experience
African Customs & Cultures
Bush Awareness
Survival
Animal Tracking
Navigation
Bush
Accommodation
You will be bush-camping in two-man canvas bush tents
Meals
All meals will be provided and will be prepared on an educational participatory
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.
Daily Itinerary (In brief)
- Day 15: Introduction & Orientation, Lion breeding program
- Day 16: Elephant Induction, training and ride, African cuisine training, Lion walk training
- Day 17: Lion Handling, cub viewing and interaction, volleyball, Lion Walk & basic handler training
- Day 18: Horse Induction, grooming, tack & feeding, riding lessons, outride
- Day 19: Lion Walk, bush mechanics, rest, Night Encounter (witness the lions you walk hunting in their natural environment)
- Day 20: Visit to orphanage, elephant swim, lion walk
- Day 21: Debrief & Rest day.
You Will Experience
Walking with Lions
Swimming with Elephants
Game / Wildlife Spotting Skills
Bush
Bush Mechanics
Accommodation
Comfortable camping in two man dome tents, hot showers & ablution facilities
Meals
All meals will be provided and will be prepared on an educational participatory basis
Week 4 – PADI Open-water Scuba Diving
Daily Itinerary (In Brief)
- DAY 22: Introduction & Orientation
- DAY 23: PADI dive course - Confined Water 1 & 2 (Antelope Park)
- DAY 24: PADI dive course - Confined Water 3 & 4 (Antelope Park)
- DAY 25: PADI dive course - Confined Water 5; Examination (Chinhoyi Caves)
- DAY 26: Open Water 1 & 2 (Chinhoyi Caves)
- DAY 27: Open Water 3 & 4 (Chinhoyi Caves)
- DAY 28: Debrief & Depart
You Will Experience
Bush Awareness
Scuba
Accommodation
You will be camping in canvas bush tents
Meals
All meals will be provided and will be prepared on an educational participatory basis.