FAQs

Canoe Safaris will shuttle you to and from the Whanganui river from our Ohakune base. You can leave your vehicle in our private off-street car park whilst you are away, we also have a locked office for any small belongings that you don't want to leave in the car, or take on the river with you. Whether you are spending 3,4 OR 5 days out on your canoe trip, we will pick you up at the end and bring you back to your vehicle in Ohakune.

Capsizes on the Whanganui river are actually very common - So yes, there is the potential for you to fall out of your canoe. 

Whether it is a slight balance issue in the canoe, or going through a rapid(..or even after the rapid with a misguided early celebration!). There could be any number of reasons for you to end up in the water. Your guide will give you a full paddle & safety briefing at the rivers edge before you set off and lots of tips and trick along the way to help you navigate the river and improve your canoeing technique to try and prevent tip outs. Remember that you will be wearing a lifejacket at all times so the main thing is - Don't Panic. Listen to your guides clear instructions as they paddle up beside you, they will have you back in your canoe and you will be laughing the whole thing off in absolutely no time. 

Canoe Safaris has an onsite motel that most of our guests choose to stay at. It can be extremely handy being based onsite for the nice early start the next day. 

Canoe Safaris Lodge is perfectly located right in the centre of Ohakune, we have private off street car parking and a hot tub for our guests to use. The lodge rooms each have an ensuite and a kitchenette, with a Queen bed, a single bed and optional pull out sofa bed in each, you can fit 4 (maybe 5) to a room. Arrive whenever you like the day before departure, check in and get organised for your upcoming canoe adventure. Then treat yourself to a fully relaxing holiday and stay post Whanganui River Trip as well...You deserve it after your hard work!
 

The full Whanganui River Journey takes 5 days from Taumaranui to Pipiriki over 120km or 145km. You can also paddle 90km over 3 or 4 days and make the shorter journey from Whakahoro to Pipiriki through the heart of the Whanganui national Park.

How many days should YOU spend canoeing the Whanganui River? Think about what you would like to get out of your time on the river.  A fast paced adventure? A relaxed tour with spare time for your experienced guides to help you with your canoeing skills and to show you some hidden canyons and waterfalls? Or the  5 Day Whanganui Canoe Trip where you can fully immerse yourself in the wilderness and truly say you have completed the whole journey and one of New Zealand's great walks.

Our customer age range is from 6 years old upto...well we have no limit! We have celebrated an 82nd Birthday on the majestic Whanganui River before! Our trips and the Whanganui River Journey do require a basic level of fitness and a strong, positive, can-do attitude. We won't lie to you - This Canoe journey can be a little physically demanding at times and you may use muscles you never knew you had! However, we like to tailor our suggestions for river trips to each customer. For example if you are a young, strong fit backpacker who is short on time, the 3 Day Whanganui Guided Tour may be perfect for you! And if you are a family of 5 with young children we will suggest a longer trip such as the 4 Day Whanganui Guided Tour so you are paddling less hours per day to avoid fatigue and lack of concentration with the kids and do an extra swim stop or rock jump! And If you are 60-80 years old we may recommend the 4 day trip or 5 day Guided Canoe Trip option to give you flexibility throughout each day to take it a bit slower and enjoy your surroundings a bit more. If you have physical limitations that you think may hinder your performance in a canoe.. you may be very, very wrong and we may have a way to help you complete this trip. You would be surprised who we have helped make it down the Whanganui River. (Wheelchairs won't stop us!) If you are unsure about your fitness levels and have some more specific questions or worries. Please don't hesitate to get in touch and we can talk more in detail.

The Whanganui River Rapids are classified as Grade 1 and 2. With the New Zealand River Grading system going up to Grade 6, that means the Whanganui River rapids are 'moving water with small unchallenging waves' or 'easily seen rapids with wide channels and little navigation required'. This a really friendly river for beginners and your guide will instruct on you how best to navigate these rapids so you can not only make it through - but enjoy it! 

The Whanganui River journey is one of New Zealand's 10 Great Walks. Arguably the most interesting one, as you don't actually walk it! You will spend 3-5 days navigating your way through rapids, through lush green gorges, and through the rich history of the Whanganui National Park. All in a Canadian canoe or kayak. Read our our Guide on the Whanganui River Great Walk.

The minimum age requirement for our Guided Whanganui River Tours is 6 years old. The minimum age for our Whanganui Canoe and Kayak rentals only is 15 years old. You will be happy to read - We have no age limit :-)

Well, Well, Well. This is maybe our most frequently asked question! You are absolutely guaranteed to enjoy your Whanganui River trip come Rain or Shine. Rain isn't necessarily a negative thing! In fact, a little bit of rain can actually make your trip easier due to higher water and can also produce some spectacular waterfalls! Our Whanganui And Rangitikei River Trips operate from late September to the end Of April every year. In the early & late season (September - October & March - April) You will experience some chillier temperatures in the morning & evenings and the water will be colder than during peak summer months. We recommend the 3 Day trip in September & early October to make use of the huts and warm fires. During December to February you can usually expect high temperatures and long, sunny days with a few tropical rainy periods scattered here and there. It is during these months that the water is low and we recommend the 4 Day Guided Tour or the 5 Day Whanganui River Trip as the 3 Day trip can be a little rushed. Of course in any month, we have safety parameters that we VERY strictly stick to and we will never send you out in unsafe conditions