Safety of Canoeing & Walking Safaris in Africa?
 

Hi Everyone - I am strongly considering a safari in Botswana and Zimbabwe which includes a number of days canoeing down the Zambezi, as well as walking safaris...The idea of doing this sounds amazing since you would be so close to the wildlife, but it also terrifies me at the same time! I am a city girl (I live in NYC) and canoeing down the Zambezi could not be farther away from what I am used to.

I have heard of nightmare stories of hippos knocking people out of their canoes, people getting trampled by elephants, etc. and I don't know if I would be getting in over my head by committing to a safari like this...I don't want my fear to ruin the experience while I'm there, so just wanted to get people's opinions.

I am sure the guides who take you on these journey's have a tremendous amount of experience, but there are more risks to this type of safari than others (I would imagine).

Can anyone speak to the safety precautions that are taken with these types of safaris? I am weighing the pros/cons of such an incredible adventure with the risks...

Thanks! - Laura

<i>&quot;since you would be so close to the wildlife,</i>&quot; You can get much closer to animals in a vehicle than on foot or in a canoe, but it is a wonderful way to see game.

<i>&quot;Can anyone speak to the safety precautions that are taken with these types of safaris?&quot;</i>

Was your comment about getting in over your head a pun? ;)

We did have one Fodorite who took a swim and lived to tell with no injuries. But an upturned canoe is a real rarity. The camps don't want bad press about clients getting killed, hurt, their cameras ruined, or even inconvenienced with wet clothes, so they will be highly cautious. Safety is priority #1.

Also, think about who is the clientele that takes these trips. Intrepid daredevils looking for a thrill who fear nothing and are in prime condition? Heck no. Most of the guests are at least 40, often city dwellers like yourself, sensible though open to new experiences, and don't want their expensive camera equipment ruined.

I don't like scary stuff and am not a risk taker, but I've gone canoeing several times and walking many more. Nothing bad ever happened. I do exactly what you do in comparing Risk vs. Reward. And not just for Africa. That's why I no longer downhill ski. The reward is not worth the risk for me anymore.

Hi Laura,

I can't really help you except to say we weighed them too and are booked for the Mana Pools canoe safari through African Adventure Company for the end of June. We're a family of five (ages 13-57), pretty fit and reasonably adventurous, and had some of your same questions. We'll be doing game drives in another location (Djuma), so will be trying both for the first time.

AAC put me in touch with a couple of people who had recently done the canoe safari, and being able to talk to them, ask questions and hear how excited and enthusiastic they were about their experience helped clinch it for us.

Others on this board have commented that the quality of the guide will have a lot to do with both your safety and enjoyment. We feel good about the arrangements made by AAC and look forward to experiencing some thrilling moments - and to live to tell the tale!

And I'll bet if we actually checked the numbers we'd find that we'll be more at risk when driving our rental car in and around Cape Town then we will be at Mana Pools!

HEY!! You can do it! One time, I spent five days (four nights) canoeing the Zambezi from Mana Pools (Zimbabwe) to the Mozambique border at Kanyemba, sleeping on islands (safer than mainland) at night in a pup tent with my sister, while the other four in the group slept in the open. (Having a hippo walk over me at night was unappealing.) The hardest part of the adventure was the strong east wind that comes up the Zambezi River and almost stops you in place, in spite of the current. I, a woman, was in my 50's then. More recently, I have stayed at Ruckomechi Camp on Mana Pools several times and canoed in the afternoon. These have been wonderful experiences. The most exciting was the evening at sunset when the hippo rose up right behind me in the stern as we approached camp. The guides are super cautious and you can rely on them to do whatever is necessary to guarantee your safety. You get a different perspective on life and wildlife in Africa from the river. I'm relatively up-to-date on the horror stories emanating from the Zambezi, but let me ask you: does hearing that someone has been hit by a cab in NYC keep you from going out on the street? ZZ

We did morning walks at the three South African lodges where we stayed. Even on these short (ca. 1 hour) the guide instructed us, carried a gun, and, I'm quite sure, tried to keep us away from any predators.

The concern I had was that if an animal charged us, the ranger might have to shoot it. Not that I wanted to be lunch, but it didn't seem right either that my walking in an animal's territory could cause them harm.

That said, the rangers seem to know what they are doing, and it is a completely different feeling from driving to be walking (and I'm sure canoeing) in the wilderness. There's just no comparison.

If at any time you are not comfortable with the arrangements, just tell your ranger/guide. They are there to make sure you have a wonderful trip.

CW

it is defenetly worth the risk,for canoeing i would consider the Okavango Delta,if you would like some more stories,call me on my cell 917-6279190
Yoav

Canoeing, I don't know about. But you will get much much closer to wild life in a vehicle than walking. Unless the animal is attacking you :-) And that explains it, the game is used to seeing vehicles and people in them, it doesn't bother them. I have been within touching distance of lions while seated in a vehicle. Although most of my internal organs had rearranged themselves and tried to hide. You will not get anywhere near that close to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos on a walk. And if you do, your internal organs will not rearrange themselves, the animal will do it for you!!!
regards - tom

From another New York City gal who has experienced enough adrenaline rushes - those days are over for me. I don't do water, heights, nor stand near the edge of the subway platform (if for some reason I find myself down there... prefer above ground on a bus or in a taxi).

That said, you are not under any obligation to get into a canoe or go on a walk. There are game drives, which as mentioned, get you closer to game than walks or canoe (unless circumstances change along the way). If you need to work up your courage, wait until you feel comfortalbe doing so... doesn't have to be the first offer of these activities, maybe later on. And, if you choose not to at all, you will come upon plenty of game during drives.

If you choose Zambia with a camp that does walking and canoeing, you can take advantage of those activities if you decide you are comfortable with them. If not, the game drives at those locations are great as well and offer better photographic opportunities than walking/canoeing. (Heck, you can not even leave camp and watch elephants cross the river from your porch.) So your activity decision does not have to be made up front, it can be made when you wake up in the morning at your camp in Africa. And there is no bad decision.

That's what I'm doing with some Cape Town Great White Shark viewing. I may or may not get in the cage, but I'm all enthused about getting on the boat.

I wouldn't sign up for a mobile walking safari or a several day canoe safari if I were you. Instead of eagerly awaiting your trip, you might be scared as the departure approaches. Why pay lots of money for that?

Howdy Laura - Sounds like a great trip. i have been following the news very carefully over the past fortnight regarding Zimbabwe and have just checked our (Australia's) Department of Foreign Affairs website for the travel advisory for Zim - the link is below.

I reckon Zambia and Bortswana are a better bet at the moment. Hopefully this terrible tension of the mugabe regime will finish soon - but for the foreseable future it is a very difficult situation.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-c...dvice/Zimbabwe

I cannot believe the timidity of our fellow Fodorites, but, Imavolio, when people have fears, they should give them serious consideration. THEREFORE, the advice that you have received from such readers as Atravelynn seems the best path to follow, that is, to go to camps where canoeing and walking are optional. You can sample these activities and decide whether they suit you. I mentioned Ruckomechi Camp in Zimbabwe previously and, since you had it in mind to go to Zimbabwe (rather than Zambia, which would be a good alternative), you might check it out. There is nothing in this for me---it is just a suggestion, based on my own experiences. ZZ

&quot;I wouldn't sign up for a mobile walking safari or a several day canoe safari if I were you.&quot;

I'm with Lynn. We seriously considered a multi-day walking and/or canoe safari but decided on doing our walks and canoeing on a daily basis. Not out of fear, but rather because of the flexibility to mix them with game drives, both day and night. As wonderful as the walks and canoeing are, and we felt perfectly safe (well, there was that hippo incident) you are going to be much more likely to see predators and get close to the animals.

However, because of the latest news and travel advisories, I would be much more concerned about going to Zimbabwe right now than paddling through the Chifungulu channel. It's so sad that it's the general populace that is suffering, but, between the corruption of the government, and the growing desperation of the people, why would one take the chance?

Jim

I did the walking and canoeing safari in Oct 05, canoeing in Mana, walking in Bots and Mana, and Matusadona! The trip wass so fantastic that I am going again this June. I have added on extra days canoeing in Zim (Mana), and believe me, you will be well taken care of. I went with AAC, and the guides are top notched, no worries. I will be travelling alone (single female traveller). I am not concerned about Zim, and will be in Vic Falls for 2 nights. GO- HAVE FUN.

Laura,

Since you don't have much outdoor experience, I agree that it might be a disaster if you signed up for an extended trip and found out the first day you didn't enjoy it. As suggested add a walk/canoe to you first trip to see if you enjoy it. I was on one walk where after the intro warning talk, one man turned around and walked back into the lodge. He realized it wasn't for him. Now if he had signed for a walking trip he would have been in trouble.

There is danger on safari, that's part of the attraction. People have been killed walking to their room, but activities like walking safaris and canoeing are more dangerous. As an example of what can happen:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/..._drroot21.html

Tuckeg

Pulled from a canoe!!!! I thought the animals just liked the tv hosts.