Along with its sister park across the river, Mana Pools, the Lower Zambezi is Africa’s best area for canoe safaris. Combining game viewing activities with serene relaxation on the river and some mild exercise, this is possibly the number one attraction in the area. A morning spent canoeing on the Zambezi and its numerous channels, or on the Chongwe, gives unrivalled access to hippos: weaving in and out of various pods as they relax and keep cool during the day, individuals sometimes rear up out of the water very close to your canoe, causing your heart to leap and your pulse to race! There are other privileged wildlife viewing opportunities as you drift quietly down the river, with elephants and sometimes lion coming down to the river to drink, crocodiles basking on the riverbank, monitor lizards reclining lazily on branches and water birds zipping intermittently into the water from their riverside perch.

Expeditions usually go out with at least one guide and no more than four canoes, each equipped to carry two passengers, and less demanding excursions can be tailored to suit younger or more nervous guests. All of the major camps offer canoeing, while there are specialised itineraries travelling from one point to the next to set up camp, where canoeing makes up the vast majority of the game viewing experience.