Hi fellow boaters,

I’d just like to put out my feelers and find out if anyone is heading to the Zambezi in November. There is a good chance I’ll be there from 31 October and then staying for about 30 days. I’ll be joining two other guys from the Netherlands.

I’ll be driving up from Johannesburg (South Africa), via Botswana and then more than likely crossing into Zambia at the Kazungula Ferry. I did that route in Dec 1999 and it’s a very sweet drive. You are guaranteed to see elephants and what not alongside the road and so your African experience will start already…

It’s not for definite and plans may change for the Nile but let’s see. So far I haven’t been able to convince any of my mates to drive up with me so the car is empty. They’re all going in December… Some company and shared petrol costs would be sweet.

Give me a shout if you’re interested. The water is warm and the waves and holes big... I'm only 15 minutes from the international airport

Cheers
Adrian
[mail address protected from spambots with javascript]
+2782 656 0252

Is anybody heading to the Nile for November? I checked out some plane tickets and they're dirt cheap for me..

After talking to a lot of people they all recommend the Nile over the Zam, every time. A much cheaper destination too. I've rafted the Zam and been there twice before so I know the place a little but the Nile.. I don't know at all.

Still umming and ahhing on where to go. If you're headed to the Nile, give me a shout. Keeping my options open.

Have you decided against the Nile in December then, ades?

I'm a Zambezi fan myself. It depends what you're looking for - Nile has better play (though the Zam isn't far behind) and the Zam is a better river run, more challenging on a whole (though the Nile isn't far behind either). This is just my personal opinion.

I see. I'm assuming you've paddled the Nile too then? I didn't know that..

I never said I'd be doing anything in December. That's when I go to the sea for some relaxation and surf kayaking almost everyday.

Because of the dam being built I'd say I'm tending to the Nile now... But going alone is not as much fun. I would imagine there would be loads of other people at the Nile to boat with.

There will definately be other kayakers there in November, if you do change your mind about December Craig and i have already booked our tickets so we'll definately be there til December 20th.

Would be great if you could make it, would love to se your face after Kalagala falls:lol:

scottyr wrote:

...Craig and i have already booked our tickets so we'll definately be there til December 20th.

I'll be at the Nile from November 24th to December 16th. See you there!

Tuomas wrote:

I'll be at the Nile from November 24th to December 16th. See you there!

When you told me that last month it was already a motivating factor to go and paddle together again.

This time a little more in my back yard. I will decide by the 26th of Sep...

I'd still be looking at 29/30/31 October to about 2/3 December.

AdrianTregoning wrote:

When you told me that last month it was already a motivating factor to go and paddle together again.

This time a little more in my back yard. I will decide by the 26th of Sep...

Aah the beloved home court advantage! Can't wait to get my ass kicked by the mighty waters of Africa

Considering you can handle some 3000 + cumecs every spring on the Tornio and Kalix and sure the Nile will be a walk in the park for you. Only Itanda and Kalagala will be something to really repect and of course Hypoxia if you're super human.. I don't think your arse will be kicked.

Let's see... I think I've rallied up another South African to join me for about a week.. Should be interesting.

Couple of my mates came back from the Nile today. I just called a mate now. He said, what a huge disappointment. Those coffer dams have changed so many of the rapids on the first day it's nuts. They have all been before some more than twice. With the coffer dam at the Ugly Sisters it has affected all the rapids upstream of that and also caused Silverback to become huge and nasty.

Asking him what he recommends he says he'd go again a few years from now when the dam is complete and when the water finally rises. But not now. 50/50 is not as good as it was either.. What a big let down.

I\"m telling ya, go to the Zam!!! I need somebody to aid me in my swimming!!!

donmarty wrote:

I\"m telling ya, go to the Zam!!! I need somebody to aid me in my swimming!!!

hehehehe. Marty, you're just looking for a drinking partner I'll talk to you soon

The offer still stands. I've got a dude from the UK who is visiting his lady here in Jhb. He might drive up with me but still got space for more people... Should know in a few days

I managed to get a few pictures from Luke Longridge to create a small gallery of the Zambezi:

adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_z...atid=46&PageNo=1

Enjoy.

Where would a person from the East Coast USA fly into for such a trip? Which airport? I'd like to look up ticked prices.

Cheers,
Whitewaterules:lol:

Whitewaterules wrote:

Where would a person from the East Coast USA fly into for such a trip? Which airport? I'd like to look up ticked prices.

Cheers,
Whitewaterules:lol:

You could fly to Livingstone, Zambia. And then you're right there...

OR

IF my fffff, FFFFFFlippen shoulder is good to go I will probably drive up from Johannesburg, South Africa and you could drive with me. I was going to go through Botswana which is very scenic and you can see elephants and wild dog at the side of the road but they have this stupid rule about having permits for ANY boat going into and through the country... Including kayaks. I would have to drive to Gaberone first to get that before carrying on. I've got the forms at home and it's cheap but I didn't want to go through there and would have missed it more to the east.

Well, either way. My last day of work is 25 Oct and then I'm on holiday for two months or so.. So I need to get this shoulder sorted ASAP otherwise it's no fun for me hehehehehe.

The ticket will be expensive but once in Africa your dollars will go VERY far... Things are pretty damn cheap here.

P.S. Try British Airways, worked well for me...

Where would a person from the East Coast USA fly into for such a trip? Which airport? I'd like to look up ticked prices.

Cheers,
Whitewaterules

You would have to fly from the US directly to Johannesburg, from there you would fly to Livingstone Zambia. Or Fly to Nairobi in Kenya and fly to Entebbe Uganda. Those are the only two major cities with incoming flights from the US which are close enough to either the Nile or Zambezi. Johannesburg is definately the better option, it is a world class airport (better than JFK in my opinion) and you can get to Zambia or Uganda with relative ease.

Good luck
Scotty R

AdrianTregoning wrote:

Whitewaterules wrote:

Where would a person from the East Coast USA fly into for such a trip? Which airport? I'd like to look up ticked prices.

Cheers,
Whitewaterules:lol:

You could fly to Livingstone, Zambia. And then you're right there...

OR

IF my fffff, FFFFFFlippen shoulder is good to go I will probably drive up from Johannesburg, South Africa and you could drive with me. I was going to go through Botswana which is very scenic and you can see elephants and wild dog at the side of the road but they have this stupid rule about having permits for ANY boat going into and through the country... Including kayaks. I would have to drive to Gaberone first to get that before carrying on. I've got the forms at home and it's cheap but I didn't want to go through there and would have missed it more to the east.

Well, either way. My last day of work is 25 Oct and then I'm on holiday for two months or so.. So I need to get this shoulder sorted ASAP otherwise it's no fun for me hehehehehe.

The ticket will be expensive but once in Africa your dollars will go VERY far... Things are pretty damn cheap here.

P.S. Try British Airways, worked well for me...

AT... Is there a way to make this work? If Not let me know what days would I can take about 10 days off.

Below is an example
Total - $1281.67 $1281.67 per adult



Flight #: 4203
(PWM) Portland, ME, US 06:35 AM THU 11/15
(ATL) Atlanta, GA, US 09:44 AM THU 11/15

Operated By: ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES INC.
Cabin: Economy Equipment: CANADAIR REGIONAL JET 700 JET






Flight #: 34
(ATL) Atlanta, GA, US 04:00 PM THU 11/15
(JNB) Johannesburg, ZA 05:00 PM FRI 11/16

Trip Duration: 27:25 Cabin: Economy Equipment: BOEING 767-400 JET
**There is ONE stop during this flight.





Flight #: 35
(JNB) Johannesburg, ZA 07:10 PM SAT 11/24
(ATL) Atlanta, GA, US 08:20 AM SUN 11/25

Cabin: Economy Equipment: BOEING 767-400 JET
**There is ONE stop during this flight.






Flight #: 4708
(ATL) Atlanta, GA, US 06:40 PM SUN 11/25
(PWM) Portland, ME, US 09:06 PM SUN 11/25

Operated By: ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES INC.
Trip Duration: 32:56 Cabin: Economy Equipment: CANADAIR REGIONAL JET 700 JET


Cheers,
Boe

I'll contact you via PM

Thanks to Scotty I put up a few more pictures in another gallery:

adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_z...temid=4&catid=47

Thanks

Hey,

I will almost definitely be going in early Nov - adrian make sure your shoulder is better.

I will leave JHB at midnight on 5 Nov, drive straight to vic falls. then I will be there till 14 Nov and also do a long drive. so i'll be on the river for 7 days.

I have space for one in my vehicle, which is super light on fuel, BUT i need a confirmation soon so I can arrange boat permits BEFORE I drive otherwise it wastes a whole day.

Lemme know

Didn't you get my mail about that other dude that wants to join you? The permits are 44 Pula. I got the forms the other day. The lady there says even after getting the permits I'd have to go to Gaberone... I've heard something about spraying them?!??! I hope not. Driving through Botswana is lekker.

Maybe I should ask you to get me two permits, just in case. I can pay you then. Regardless what happens.

If my shoulder is not good then I'm sure some very strong pain killers can get through through a few days of paddling.

guys, we're gonna have a blast

Luke and I are driving up on 5 November and driving home on 14 Nov. That should be enough time to have a jol and the 'ol shoulder should hold up..

The two dutchies from Netherlands will be joining us, maybe another South African depending on one or two things and maybe also someone from Serbia. It should be a good mix of people Anybody else just give me a shout.

Marten and Bart arrived today at midday in Livingstone. There were no hassles with British Airways with flying with their boats and not with Comair either flying the Johannesburg to Livingstone leg... Pity about BA's new policy that will soon come into effect...

Well, only 5 more sleeps until the long drive up. Can't wait to get pounded!!

(there are some more kayakers from SA going up around 26/27 Dec until just after New Years if anyone is interested in joining them)

Lucky bustard!
Have a good one!
Carefull though - these paddling holydays will bite you in the ass when you get back home...
It can be a bitch settling back to \"normal\" life.
But don't let that worry you - have a blast!
D

hehehe, thanks Dima . My life is not so normal at the moment. When I come back I've another awesome trip (multi-day) lined up the weekend after that. And then just a couple of smaller trips before I go for 3 weeks to the coast on another holiday... ahhh, tough life for the next few weeks ey?

Next year I'll settle down for some reality again, I think...

Good day,

The Zambezi series of articles is now complete. Don’t miss the video at the bottom of the final article (day 7). Luke did a brilliant job with that one as he made the vid! Check it out....

Zambezi – First Day on the River:
adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_c...=view&id=66&Itemid=8

Zambezi – Day 2, Let the Photos Roll!:
adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_c...=view&id=67&Itemid=8

Zambezi – Day 3, Rapids 11 to 25:
adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_c...=view&id=72&Itemid=8

Zambezi – Day 4, Victoria Falls Visit and a Booze Cruise:
adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_c...=view&id=76&Itemid=8

Zambezi – Day 5, Five Freewheeled and Nine Tamed, Almost:
adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_c...=view&id=78&Itemid=8

Zambezi – Day 6, Day Two of the Multiday Trip:
adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_c...=view&id=88&Itemid=8

Zambezi – Day 7, Final Day – Rapid 26 to Lower Moemba:
adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_c...=view&id=89&Itemid=8

Hope that you enjoyed them. Just shows what one can do in a week!

Cheers,
Adrian