Explore the Zambezi River and the game parks of Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana!
Starting in 1989, Bio Bio co owners Marc and Laurence spent three back to back seasons working as full time guides on the Zambezi River and have more than 200 descents of the river! We forged life long friendships and partnerships with many of the locals during that time. Since then we have returned almost every year with our groups and our welcoming is like a warm homecoming. You too will be thrilled by the exceptionally friendly hospitality that is part of a proud and rich cultural tradition.
The Zambezi is a quintessential African river as it meanders from Angola to the Indian ocean. There are few rivers anywhere with as much fun and huge white water as the warm and friendly waters of the mighty Zambezi! August thru October are the best months to see game and experience the Zambezi. It is the end of the dry season and many animals come down to the banks of the river to drink, swim and frolic in the shallows. In our Canoes we will drift and paddle amongst the animals, merging ourselves deeply with raw, unfiltered nature. The “bush” has been either eaten or has died down, so seeing the animals is much easier. In the wet season there is so much fresh green foliage that the animals hide in the thicket or scatter to drinking holes hidden far away from the dirt trails that we stick to.
Zimbabwe and Botswana are the countries that we visit to explore the many facets of the Zambezi watershed in this region. There is a rich history of game viewing and preservation in this uniquely “veldt” like terrain. Botswana boasts a highly developed and protected national park system. This has allowed the wildlife to thrive and the elephant herds of Botswana and Zimbabwe are among the largest and most protected of Africa. The game viewing in this area is simply the best, and you will not be over run by the herds of tourists often found in East Africa. We look forward to sharing this spectacular “once in a life time” type of adventure with you. Your African dreams await…your desire to explore unleashed!
We’ve newly partnered with Lesedi Schools & Clinic. Lesedi Schools and Clinic (Lesedi) is a donor-funded private school and clinic that is elevating the life prospects of hundreds of Zimbabwean children. With additional funding, we will complete the build-out of our Secondary School, add more specialized training, admit more students, and hire more teachers to
ensure that our students become the best that they can be. For more information: Profile For Foundations
Itinerary Snapshot
Day 1
Arrive at Kasane International Airport (BBK), Botswana. Airport transfer to Chobe Savanna Lodge. Group briefing and 4PM Sunset Cruise. Welcome! Overnight at Chobe Savanna Lodge. (D)
Day 2-3
Guests can choose morning, afternoon or evening game drives to get their first look at the abundance of African wildlife. Overnight at Chobe Savanna Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 4
Game activity at Chobe Savanna Lodge, followed by breakfast/brunch, followed by a leisurely drive to the park to start the canoe safari. (B,L,D)
Day 5
We paddle downstream and hope to see abundant wildlife along the river, and enjoy safe-to-bathe swimming holes. Overnight Camping. (B,L,D)
Day 6
We paddle all morning watching for more game and running more fun rapids! Take out upstream from Devil’s Cataract at the stunning Old Drift Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 7
Time to raft the big river! Boiling Pot just below the Falls to our beach camp below Rapid Number 21. Overnight Camping. (B,L,D)
Day 8
We hike out of the gorge and take on open air vehicle back to the falls and raft 1-21 again! Overnight camping. (B,L,D)
Day 9
Now we are “self-supported” as we raft deeper into the Batoka Gorge, running Wake up call, Open and Closed Season, and upper Moimba Falls. Overnight Camping. (B,L,D)
Day 10
Early wake up to take advantage of cool morning air and float down to the second waterfall we have to portage, known as Chibango Falls. On the trip back, we will get to see the remote countryside and small villages. Visit a local School and a chance to hand out school supplies and any other gifts we bring from USA. Overnight at Elephant Camp. (B,L,D)
Day 11
Enjoy a motorboat and short hike to Livingstone Island. Jump into the Devil’s Pool! Afternoon activities at Elephant camp or take a trip back to Victoria Falls for some adventure activities and/or souvenir shopping. (B,L,D)
Day 12
Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for travel home, or to another destination in Africa! (B)
Tony Dasher –
The trip exceeded my expectations! It was absolutely amazing!
The guide staff was Off the charts- fantastic!
This was our 5th trip with Bio Bio and would absolutely consider another trip, perhaps Nepal.
This is a trip that everyone should do and they should do it with Bio Bio.
Tony Dasher – Zambezi 2023
Dana Reed –
This is Dana Reed. I had an amazing time on the trip and absolutely loved it! I would love to fill out a survey or comments for you if you send out forms like that.
Also, I am sorry that we did not get to meet, but, your three river/ trip guides were fantastic! It was a little awkward for me to hand deliver tips to them at the end of the trip, but, I would very much like to do so.
This was everything I anticipated and more, and it definitely was a trip of a lifetime and in the top memorable of any trip I gave taken.
Thanks so much,
Dana Zambezi 2023
Dave Coulthard –
Hi Marc and Lorenzo
We are on our way home after a fantastic trip on the Mighty Zambezi
Stan and Diego did a great job as usual
And we had a lovely group of fellow adventurers. ( well, not TOO bad for Americans!!) Sorry we missed you Lorenzo.
Thank you so much for the BioBio bags – they are fantastic and will be hauled around the planet advertising your bonza business. (And we promise to destroy the WBN bag)
Let us know if you run another Zanskar/India trip – Stan has sold it to us. ( though we may have to wait until the Aussie Dollar recovers from its all time low)
Thanks again for another fantastic holiday- you always over deliver.
Cheers
Dave and Leanne
Karen Tayler –
Please comment on your overall impression of the trip. Did it meet your expectations?
Exceeded my expectations ! As always It is great to see Diego, Italo, and Mark! It is also fun meeting new people! This trip had a great group of people!, a great support staff, and a well planned itinerary The local guides were awesome as well; and Isaac, the video/ photographer seems to have done an amazing job. I can’t wait to see the video and the photos!!!
What did you think about the quality and the knowledge of your guide staff?
Off the charts- fantastic!
Would you consider traveling with Bio Bio Expeditions again? If so, which trips interest you most?
Norway trip, Maroñon Peru, Cotahuasi Peru
If you were to tell a friend or colleague about your overall experience on this trip, what would you say?
Best whitewater in the world with Diego best river guide in the world !!! This is what I wrote to my family and friends…” My trip was an outstanding adventure ride. I doubt there is better Whitewater anywhere in the world We took inflatable cayaks through the upper Zambezi going through small rapids amongst hippos and crocodiles and then whitewatererd 4 days in the lower Zambezi just below Victoria Falls and swam in the devils pool overlooking the falls with a guide holding my ankles so I wouldn’t go over!!! It was a crazy ride!!!”
Martha Tissot –
Just back from the Zambezi trip. It was fantastic. Well organized, great guides and an all round stellar group of participants.
Derik and Whitney were a great team. They made everything appear seamless and as if there were never any worries. Since I am well aware that is impossible on any expedition, I highly commend their professionalism and teamwork. From the first few hours they established a positive group dynamic that made me (and I assume the others) feel like an integral part of the whole.
I was ridiculously nervous about the rafting. Sadly, a bad kayaking swim so many years ago it should be forgotten, has made me a bit of a whitewater mess. Even after running the Futaleufu a few years ago. The serious but calm and fun loving approach of Derik, Whitney and the local guides was helpful in getting going on the river. The rowing skills of Ernest (the raft Howie and I were on) went a long way to steadying my nerves. Derik’s solid skills in the other boat helped me keep things in perspective. And honestly, watching Whitney work with the river with such a calm demeanor, solid skills and obvious love of sport did the most to restore my confidence and love of whitewater by the end of the trip. I wasn’t sure I would ever get it back. I’m so grateful. That’s a helluva a guide duo you have there. Thanks for sending them with us.
Best,
Martha Zambezi 2021
Brian Levandusky –
Hi Marc,
Thank you for reaching out to all of us. The Sept 29th Zambezi trip was fantastic. some highlights are:
-We were able to accomplish so much in such a short time frame without feeling rushed
-Logistics were seamless. The local partners made you feel confident that they had everything under control and that we could trust them
-Diego and Elena were great guides, competent on the river, and fun to be around off the river. they both did a great job of including all the clients and making our team gel throughout the trip.
-The venues we stayed at were very nice, and it was a treat to have a blend of camping and hotels over the span of 11 days. the Safari lodge and Elephant Camp were places much nicer than i would be used to staying at — but offered great add-ons such as the Boma restaurant and the cheetah/elephant interactions. Sleeping under the stars on the beaches was particularly interesting to me.
-The guides did a great job of answering questions, preparing us for the upcoming activities, and subtly creating interest in doing other trips with Bio Bio such as Morocco and Cotahuasi.
-3/4 of the guests made the bungee jump off the Vic falls bridge
I was introduced to Bio Bio in 2012 by our mutual friend Shirley Wampler who couldn’t speak highly enough about BBX and the team. I must admit that I had some sticker shock at the price of some of the expeditions, but after joining you all on the Fu and the Zambezi, I can see the value lies in the expertise of the team and first-class service that BBX provides on expeditions. Keep up the great work.
Sincerely,
Brian Levendusky
Zambezi 2018
Laural Miller –
On every level, and then some. Having done BBX trips before, the bar was set, but I had no idea the rafting portion would be so luxe, ie I was planning to haul gear, help cook, etc. Every day was the best day of my life, literally. The partners from Zimbabwe were just as great- from the cooks to Hippo to our safari guides, everyone was first rate.
What did you think about the quality and the knowledge of your guide staff?
Off the charts- fantastic!
Frankly, I only want to travel with BBX on future trips. As a client and a travel journalist, I’ve done trips with dozens of outfitters and none can match up to what you offer, on all counts. I also trust every one of your guides (shout out to Diego, Piero and Santi) with my life, and they always impress with their skill, credentials, humor and affability. I think the world of BBX and you’ll be seeing me on future trips, starting w/ Cotahuasi 2019. Thank you for the most memorable trip of my life, thus far.
Nancy Sporborg –
Hi Marc — Our trip was AMAZING! Truly the trip of a lifetime. We were pampered and taken care of every single step of the way. Imbabala Safari Lodge was stupendous. Loved Sarah and John. Our guide there, Stan, was fantastic! Hippo was incredible and our rafting and kayaking trips were stupendous, except for being charged by a hippo…which now makes a great story! The rapids were definitely exhilarating and the crew of young men that Hippo brought together were so very sweet. They were fun and took great care of us. Our stay at Elephant Camp was amazing…what a place! And then our Camp Hwange experience was literally THE BEST! They gave us a 40th anniversary dinner out in the bush on the last night.
Amazing! Incredible! Fabulous! Stupendous! Life-changing! What more can I say?
Here are a few pictures — sending them in small format — but at least you will see what we saw and may remind you of your trips there!
Can’t thank you enough! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you as far as reviews, etc.
With so much gratitude,
Nancy
Zambezi 2017
Marie Bautista –
1. Diego and Santi were awesome! I met them in Patagonia on the Fu and it was such a pleasure to be with them again. I had no doubt that my life was in great hands with them and I always felt safe. they totally made the trip a blast!
2. Hippo and his crew are equally as awesome. Singing songs with Hippo at the campfire was memorable. Simba’s cooking was so delicious. I was amazed to see the crew deal with rafting the supplies down the river and keeping us safe
3. all of the hotels were outstanding. Imbabala, Vic Falls and Elephant Camp. I enjoyed the safari drives and Sylvester the Cheetah
Richard –
The trip was great, The food was excellent and the guides were very friendly. I have some really fantastic pictures to show all my friends here at home. I think the game drives with all the animals and the kayaking trip were the most enjoyable for me.
Shobita –
Hey Marc!!! Just returned yesterday from our amazing amazing trip to Zimbabwe.. It was everything you said.. one of the best and most memorable trips of a lifetime.. from start to finish, every single moment had something special to remember it by.. not sure where to start but I will do my best. Thanks so much!
Jodie Hershey –
What an adventure, 2 weeks in the bush of Zimbabwe, rafting and kayaking down the Zambezi, dodging crocs and hippos. Incredible, guides steering us through some of biggest rapids in the world, throwing yourself off a cliff over the gorge, chased by warthogs and a giraffe, then relaxing at a first class tent camp deep in bush to see some amazing African wildlife. WOW, did that all really happen?
Marya. Nancy, and Linda –
Amazing river, even more amazing guides! As always, one of the best holidays we’ve ever had. Have a feeling that we’ll be back again. Looking forward to our next adventures with you – y’all rock!
Jaime –
Did we survive? Absolutely. Fantastic time and another Bio Bio killer trip!
Jane and Gary Seffel –
Hi Marc Fantastic trip! Jane and I had a great time, experienced some very fun and positive things we had not experienced before and made some great friends. ( I am not sure what we were thinking getting strapped on the gorge swing!) The Zambezi and Victoria Falls is something everyone should enjoy at least once in their lifetime. Attempting to boogie board a class IV rapid was a fun but humbling experience. The people and especially the guides we encountered were all very friendly and concerned with keeping us safe while still having fun. Good brief from Brent prior to departure on river portion. Hwange National Park was beautiful. The Somalisa lodge was not to be missed and great service to boot. Wildlife was up close and personal. A feeding elephant actually bumped the support lines for the tent one night and shook the tent. What a thrill! We very much enjoyed the character and charm of the Vic Falls Hotel and the service was excellent. Highly recommend this trip to anyone whether they have ever picked up a paddle or not.