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No departures found for 2015

Thu 01 Oct - Sat 10 Oct 2015

OVERVIEW

What to expect

ITINERARY

What you will do

COSTS

Ways to pay

ESSENTIAL INFO

All you need to know

Your challenge day by day

Day 1, Thu 01 Oct 2015

International departure from London

Tonight we meet at the airport for our much anticipated journey out to Africa. A Charity Challenge representative will meet the group of paddlers at the airport, before the team sets off on an indirect flight to Livingstone in Zambia.

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Day 2, Fri 02 Oct 2015

Arrive Livingstone, Zambia

Catch a first glimpse of the setting for our challenge as we transfer from the airport to our hotel, situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi. A late lunch will be followed by a full briefing – including the all-important safety information. Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the surroundings. Dinner will be taken in the lodge, before we retire to our chalets ahead of our adventure.

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Day 3, Sat 03 Oct 2015

Transfer to launch point and start paddling! (approximately 25kms)

There’s a full safety briefing before we try paddling a makoro (traditional dug-out canoe) for several hours. Later, we transfer to two-person kayaks. Most of the day will be spent on the water, travelling a section which marks the borders of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana. After lunch we confront the upper section of the Katombora rapids. It’s then a calmer paddle to our campsite for tonight.

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Day 4, Sun 04 Oct 2015

Canoe Katombora to Siankaba area (approximately 25kms)

We begin on flatter waters towards the Siankaba islands area. Listen out for lions and other wildlife as we pass alongside a deeply forested national park in Zimbabwe. Lunch will be on the Zambian river bank or an island, while dinner will be at our stunning riverside campsite. Despite aching limbs, the group is expected to set up camp, erect tents, collect wood and help with cooking.

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Day 5, Mon 05 Oct 2015

Kayak from Siankaba area to Elephant Boma (approximately 24kms)

The morning will be spent negotiating the braided river, which opens out, then breaks into narrower channels. Look out for crocs along the way here! Our skills and teamwork will be tested as the landscape becomes rockier, causing more rapids. Tonight’s camp is located near an area densely populated by hippos and elephants so extra care must be taken – it could be a noisy night!

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Day 6, Tue 06 Oct 2015

Rafting towards Victoria Falls (approximately 16kms)

The group will travel in bigger rafts due to the increasing threat of hippos. The route becomes trickier as we approach the Falls surrounded by spray. But the effort will be rewarded with a drive around the national park to view wildlife. The last campsite is situated at the top of the gorge overlooking the rapids – perfect for contemplating the ferocious rapids below Victoria Falls.

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Day 7, Wed 07 Oct 2015

White water rafting

We descend steeply into the gorge and clamber into our last boat for the final challenge: white water rafting. Ranked among the toughest rapid in the world, the Batoka Gorge is a grade five and has been dubbed The Terminator. Afterwards we transfer by minibus to the lodge for a well-earned sundowner. The evening will be spent enjoying a celebratory team meal and checking out Livingstone’s nightlife.

N.B. At certain times of the year when the waters are high, we will only take on rapids 10-25, whereas at other times we will be able to run all rapids from 1 to 25.

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Day 8, Thu 08 Oct 2015

Victoria Falls tour

After a leisurely start it’s off to Victoria Falls for a guided tour. Twice the height of Niagara, Victoria Falls are made up of five different waterfalls – four in Zimbabwe and one in Zambia. Subject to availability, we join an optional tour of Livingstone Island. Alternatively hang out at the lodge or cross into Zimbabwe (visa at participant’s expense). Celebrate over a final team dinner.

Please note that towards the end of the dry season when the river is low, there is significantly less water but this is more than compensated by the natural scenic beauty which is revealed by the lack of spray.

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Day 9, Fri 09 Oct 2015

Depart Livingstone

Midway through the morning we will be departing for Livingstone Airport for our overnight flight home. Take the time to rest those aching limbs and reflect on this once-in-a-lifetime expedition.

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Day 10, Sat 10 Oct 2015

Arrive UK

Touching down in the UK, it may be harder than you expected to say goodbye to all your team mates. Be sure to swap details before heading home to share stories with family and friends.

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Important information

The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to weather patterns, wildlife movements, and the strength of the group. We will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary; however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that may occur. In all such circumstances, your expedition leader will have the final say.

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We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6546. Many of the flight-inclusive challenges on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This ATOL protection only covers challenges that include flights booked by Charity Challenge and that originate in the UK. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate

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