Activities at Zambelozi Island Lodge

Being privately owned and catering only for small groups, this lodge offers guest the opportunity to book out the entire island. We have also conveniently done away with money – most of our packages are all-inclusive so you never have to touch your wallet for the duration of your stay. Absolutely everything is covered in the price: breakfast, lunch, dinner, accommodation, snacks, tea, coffee, local alcoholic beverages and, of course, all the island activities. This makes for an unbelievably relaxing holiday destination. The only additional charges are for off-island excursions and transfers where applicable.

Mokoro Rides
Mokoros (dugout canoes) have been used for centuries by local tribesmen to assist in feeding their families. Even today river men set fish traps made of reeds in the shallow rapids. Their catch is used as a tasty relish for their evening meal. Inspecting the traps can be extremely interesting – more than 300 species of fish live on the Upper Zambezi. Flotillas of mokoros coming from remote bush locations ply downstream on a regular basis. Their vendors barter them for fancy goods from the little town of Sesheke, about 35 kilometres from Zambelozi. One would be amazed to find out what hardships these sellers endure to paddle and portage their canoes down this mighty river. Some have travelled over 100 kilometres to get here.

Cultural Visits
Off the island and a few kilometres upstream, we offer an immensely beautiful half-day guided hike to a remote yet completely authentic Lozi chief’s village. With the assistance of our guides and interpreters, you can learn as much or as little as you like about Lozi life in this untouched part of Africa. The Lozi people are among the most genteel you will meet in Africa, their lives entwined in the rhythm of the river and the rains, the monarchy (the Barotse royal family being the oldest in Africa), their cattle and crops, and last but not least their intricate family structures. Enjoy a traditional lunch with our area chief, Chief Mbwayi, and listen to the stories this gentleman tells of his hikes across Africa. Then stroll back to the river’s edge to be picked up by a motorised launch or human-powered mokoro. For a taste of real Africa, this is a must.

Hiking
Zambelozi is unique in that it is fairly large (80 acres), privately owned and exceedingly beautiful, as nature intended. Locals call it ‘Makusi’ after the teak trees that are found on the island, but if you take a leisurely stroll from the main lodge situated on the southernmost tip, to the 3000-year-old baobab forest at the northernmost tip, you will walk through rosewood, mukwa and teak forests, as well as huge strangler figs and towering jackal-berry and mahogany trees. Of course, with more than 450 bird species recorded in the area, all of this is accompanied by permanent birdsong. And watch out for hippo spoor en route… The hiking trail is only 1.5 kilometres end to end, but you may wish to glide back downstream in a mokoro – an experienced river man will be only too happy to oblige.

Birding
Zambelozi Island and its surrounding areas are among Africa’s top birding destinations. With prime grasslands, temporary wetlands, seasonal floodplains, densely wooded islands and open-water habitats, it is little wonder that nearly 450 species have been recorded here. The area attracts many migrants and the variety of habitats offers specials such as the pels fishing owl, rock pratincole, African skimmer, pygmy geese and resident African finfoot. Other rarities include the olive woodpecker, schalows turaco, bat hawk, emerald cuckoo, river warbler and half-collared kingfishers. Watch the ubiquitous fish eagle swoop in for lunch and compare it to the spectacular plummet of an osprey in search of a snack! All the while, a gymnogene in beautiful plumage is competing with otters on an adjacent island for nestlings…

Fishing
This is, without question, the most beautiful part of the entire Zambezi and, as such, lends itself to some very exciting tiger-fishing opportunities. Being largely unfished by modern methods, and hardly netted when compared to Chobe or other parts of the Zambezi, one has the feeling of extreme privilege when testing the 40-kilometre stretch of almost private waters. Here, the river is over a kilometre wide, and varies from fast-flowing water to still pools, incorporating quiet backwaters and sparkling rapids. Good yields of bream, barbel and Upper Zambezi yellow fish (a great but elusive fighter) are also to be found. Zambelozi supplies top-class tackle and lures, specially designed pontoon boats and expert local guides as part of this incredible package. And there is no limit to how much river time guests may enjoy on our boats – this is a fly- and lure-fisherman’s paradise!