This canoeing and walking adventure safari, between the months May to October, navigates some 45km along the Selinda Spillway in the heart of the Selinda Reserve. Days are spent paddling eastwards, in stable Canadian-style canoes with cushioned seats, along the Spillway, viewing wildlife and bird species that may be seen along the banks. Nights are spent in fly camps (comprising dome tents with hot bucket showers and short-drop toilets) along the way. The area is well known for elephant, buffalo, sable antelope, roan antelope and wild dog, as well as some 300 bird species. Cheetah, lion and leopard are occasionally seen. The area evokes remoteness and solitude.
This Exploration has the following unique features:
- The Selinda is characterised by floodplains with excellent possibilities of sightings such as the rare roan and sable antelope - and plenty of elephant.
- Each Trail group has its own armed, professional guide for the duration of the Trail.
- 18-foot, very stable Canadian-style canoes are used, each with either two or three cushioned seats.
- The area evokes remoteness and solitude - guests are unlikely to see anyone for majority of the Trail.
- Accommodation comprises dome tents, comfortable bedrolls with quality linen, hot bucket showers and short-drop toilets.
Itinerary
Day 1:
The trail begins at Selinda airfield in the mid-afternoon, with a transfer from the airstrip to the starting point of the actual canoe trail. Once the guide has briefed the group, the trail starts with a short late afternoon canoe experience before arriving at the evening's first camp.
As there is a minimal distance to be covered on the first day and also due to the fact that all the equipment is carried with the group, we paddle until we are ready to stop, just before sunset, at a suitable site on the banks of the Spillway.
The dome-tented camp is erected and we enjoy a well-deserved sundowner around the campfire before dinner, followed by a good night's sleep.
Day 2:
After an early wake-up call, tea or coffee and light breakfast while the camp is being dismantled, we head out on the canoes for a full day of paddling, with lunch en route and the possibility of stretching our legs if we come across something worth investigating on foot. Tonight we camp in another suitable location as we gradually make our way down the Spillway.
Day 3:
An early breakfast once again, as camp is taken down, before we continue along the water course by canoe for another full-day excursion and set up camp for the last night of this trail.
Day 4:
We head out after breakfast, aiming to finish at around 10H00-10H30. At this point we are met by the vehicle and transferred by road to the Selinda airstrip, where we bid farewell to the safari.
