Wildlife by Kevin Harris: Canoeing along the Zambezi River - Zimbabwe/Zambia

The trip started with a drive through the Mosi-Oa-Tunya game reserve. Baboons and Giraffe were seen along with Batteleur's Eagles and a Black Kite.

After a safety briefing we were ready to go.

Joanna and I went in separate canoes with the 2 guides, which meant that we could see and photograph more of the wildlife without having to concentrate on paddling all the time (although we both did our fair share).

We started out paddling straight across the river to the other side, and then headed downstream on the Zimbabwe side of the river.

As we crossed, a number of White-Backed Vultures could be seen circling over the far bank.

White-Backed Vulture

The bird-life along the river was plentiful, particularly Bee-Eaters.

White-Fronted Bee-Eaters

Little Bee-Eater

Many Red Bishops, (sparrow-sixed bright red and black birds) and some Fork-Tailed Drongos were spotted. A Spotted Flycatcher was perched on a branch watching for flies. There were 2 types of Kingfisher - the large Pied Kingfisher and the small and extremely colourful Malachite Kingfisher.

Pied Kingfisher

Malachite Kingfisher

This African Darter (or Snake Bird) was watching for fish from its lookout post.

African Darter

We passed this colony of Cattle Egrets

Cattle Egrets

Much of the time the water was calm like this:

Occassionly we paddled through rapids:

Along the banks there were several Water Thick-Knees and White-Crowned Plovers

White-Crowned Plover

We also managed to see 2 Fish Eagles, one of which was tearing away at a fish in a tree.

Fish Eagle

In the middle of the river there was a large cluster of Masked Weavers' nests.

Male Mopani Trees are different to female ones. The male tree shown here has a darker bark.

Sausage trees were also growing along the edge of the river.

The large fruits are used for medicinal purposes. They are also eaten by animals - like this Baboon.

Chacma Baboon

After a getting a thorough drenching from paddling through a set of rapids, we crossed back to the Zambian side of the river for a lunch break - a welcome chance to dry off in the sun.

Continuing along the Zambian side of the river, there were less birds to see. We did however see more animals. Several good sightings of Hippos, a herd of impala, a couple of giraffe and right at the end of the journey a large crocodile.