All activities are included in your U$25 once off fee.
Most of our guests that visit Jungle Junction want to engage in experiencing a combination of being out on the Zambezi river and also take in a little bit of rural cultural life on the mainland.
On the river, in traditional dugout canoes called “mekolo”
In the late afternoon, once the sun’s ferocity has subsided, ask a guide to take you out on the river for a gentle cruise. During the dry season, there’s a good chance of seeing wildlife coming down to drink at the rivers edge. This is on the southern bank of the river in Zimbabwe which is part of the Victoria Falls National park. Large herds of elephant with their young are often seen. There is always the chance of finding our resident pod of hippo with their young. Sometimes crocodile and otters are also seen. There is no guarantee of seeing wildlife, but the pleasure is of being out on the water, taking memorable photos and returning at sunset, is always a favourite activity.
Swimming
Around midday, when the sun is at its hottest, a lot of our guests ask a guide to take them over to our shallow swimming place. This is in the middle of the river amongst little rocky rapids, safe from crocodiles and barely 40cm in depth, with a small beach for sunbathing and a tree for shade, a lovely place to read a book. You can ask ‘Mamma Alice’ from the restaurant to pack a picnic / barbecue lunch to take along with you. Your guide will return in the afternoon to collect you. This is only available during low water, (Jul-Jan).
Paddling lessons
If you want to try your hand at paddling a ‘Mokolo’ (dug-out canoe), your guide will go with you on a paddle around the Island, slowly teaching the do’s & do not’s on the river . You never know when you might need this ‘life skill’ some day in the future.
Walking on the mainland
Before the sun gets too hot in the morning, you can set off for a walk on the mainland with your guide. Remember to take lots of drinking water, a hat and sunscreen.
If you’re keen on a good 10 Km hike, he’ll take you through a string of traditional rural villages on the path following the river downstream. This walk terminates at Mandia Village where there is a primary school.. Here you can meet the headmaster and be shown around the school and view the standard of rural Zambian education.. This is a long morning out during the heat of the day, therefore, make sure that you carry plenty of water, wear a shady hat and apply sunscreen, as you will only return to camp after midday. The school is closed during their holidays.
For guests not wanting such a long ‘trek’, you can take a short 1.5 Km walk with your guide to the closest village. There you will find a small community primary school that we have assisted being built, a perfect opportunity to photograph the pupils in their coulful outfits and their beaming smiles. Your guid will also be happy to show you where he lives, introduce you to his wives and describe village life. Guests are welcome to take photographs, but please do not hand out gratuities of any sort. The villagers understand that Bovu Island brings financial income into the community, the only other income being subsistence fishing. Zambians generally pride themselves as not being beggars and are proud people and they understand that you are interested in their culture.
Birdwatching
If you are interested in bird watching, this is another leisurely walk on the mainland, through the village, cropped fields and along the river bank. Please remember to take your binoculars. Afterwards you can check what you have seen in the bird books found in the camp library. You can also print out a checklist from the Nature page on this website.
Fishing
During the day you can hire fishing tackle and try your hand at catching the ferocious Zambezi Tiger fish. The guides will take you out in the morning and afternoon and show you the best places to find these attractive looking fish. If you are a novice, they’ll show you the ropes. We encourage catch and release at Jungle Junction, but if you wish to keep one, your guide will be only too happy to take it home for his family’s dinner. This is only available during low water, (Jul-Jan).
Other Activities
On Sunday mornings, after breakfast, your guide will happily take you across to the nearby village to attend a 1 hour church service where you can listen to the glorious choir. You can also video the service if you wish. This is a very informal affair and conducted in both English and the local language Chitokalaya.
If you enjoy running or jogging, let your guide know and he’ll meet you at the harbour early in the morning to paddle you across to the mainland where you can take off for a 5 Km run on your own along a path that runs parallel to the river. You’ll meet all the kids on their way to school whom will occasionaly try and pace you, with lots of laughs and giggles.
Our local football team practices at their ‘Bush Ground” over on the mainland on some Saturday afternoons. They always welcome guests to join-in and share village tactics, if they think you are good enough, you might be invited to join in on a Sunday match.
