Exploring the Whanganui River Journey–Guided vs. Unguided options

So, you have decided to embark on a Whanganui River canoe trip here in the beautiful, adventure filled Central North Island of New Zealand!

Let me guess – That was the easy part? Now is the time to start prepping, planning and most importantly of all, deciding whether you will join us on a Guided or an unguided river adventure.

The Whanganui River: An overview of your journey options

Through a little research you may you have discovered that your two main options for safely experiencing the Whanganui River are Guided, and Unguided. 
(Due to the large distances between the limited amount of river access points, the third option of privately organising a river trip without the help of a river operator who can also offer you safety tips and insider knowledge, would be logistically challenging and not recommended)

Here is a quick snapshot of what your guided & unguided options look like -

• Guided– All Inclusive with Food, Equipment, transport, Experienced & qualified guides, National Park and campsite fees, shuttle to and from the river all provided.  This is a hassle-free option where all the planning is done by someone else which puts the focus simply on you enjoying your beautiful surroundings.
• Unguided– Also known as self–guided, freedom hire and canoe rental. This is a basic option which includes shuttle to and from the river, hire of canoes, paddles, lifejackets and safety ropes. A waterproof river map, safety beacon and a paddle & safety briefing before you set off.  All cooking & camping equipment is provided by you, along with the national park/campsite fees. This option is only recommended for intermediate to experienced paddlers.
   

Guided adventures: The benefits of a structured river tour

The Whanganui River Journey will have you paddling 90 to 145km over 3 -5 days. This is no small undertaking so having an experienced and professional guide with you to help navigate the Journey with ease and keep you safe is extremely valuable, and simply the biggest benefit.  Your guide has paddled this river many times and will be fully aware of what to expect around every bend. For example, If the river rises unexpectedly - they know what to do. If you capsize - they have the river rescue experience to have you back in your canoe in a flash. If you hurt yourself – They have the relevant Outdoor First Aid certificates. And so on, they are prepped for every situation and also have a constant flow of two way communication with Canoe Safaris base.

Other important benefits of a guided tour are:

• The food- All snacks, 3 meals a day with hot breakfasts, healthy lunches and 3 course gourmet dinners and a glass of wine or beer. All meals made fresh by your guide with no dehydrated food in sight.
• The Gear- High quality equipment such as self-inflating thick comfortable mattresses, Spacious tents, Genuine Canadian canoes imported from Canada, constantly updated safety gear such as ropes and new lifejackets…the list goes on!
• The hidden gems & history– Your guide will give you a full narrative on the rich Whanganui River history and culture. Unguided customers will also often paddle straight past a hidden canyon, tributary or waterfall whereas your guide knows exactly where to stop to ensure you aren’t missing anything and are getting the most out of your time on the river.
• Social & environmental connection – Getting to meet fellow paddlers, forge new friendships, bond over new experiences. All of this over multiple days whilst fully immersed in nature can be extremely fulfilling.
• The Canoe Safaris Guides– We source our amazing guides based on their canoeing background, their river rescue certifications, their cooking skills, their ability to engage with young and old alike and their keen energy to get everyone as excited about canoeing on the Whanganui river as they are. And to put it simply, Canoe Safaris have the most experienced, qualified and safest guides on the river.

Unguided: Freedom on the river, go at your own pace

New Zealanders LOVE getting out there and getting stuck into the outdoors lifestyle. Camping holidays are a hugely popular pastime for kiwis and particularly the ‘Do-It-Yourself’ aspect. This can also be the case on a multi-day canoe trip. When you are planning for your freedom hire canoe trip - you will find you have the perfect mix of lightweight backpack camping and car camping which gives you the ability to take some weighty cargo. Factors that would make freedom hire more appealing than guided include -

• Customizable itinerary– You decide how long to spend at each stop, you can set your own pace and generally personalise your experience depending on your preference each day.
• The cost– The low price of a freedom hire package in comparison to the higher cost of all-inclusive package, can be a significant factor in your decision.
• Rewarding– The personal growth that can come from navigating the Whanganui River without a guide can be very liberating. The problem solving and decision making on your own behalf will give you confidence and a deeper connection to nature.
• Experience levels– If you consider yourself to be an experienced canoeist or kayaker who has the confidence and ability to demonstrate basic canoe skills, has a understanding of moving water along with a strong understanding of risk management, Then going alone with a few friends or family on the Whanganui River with a map and some hired gear may suit you. We ONLY recommend Freedom hire if you feel you have the appropriate experience & skills.

Whanganui River Trip costs: Comparing your options

Your safety and wellbeing is…well, priceless.  There is a huge, understated value that comes with having a guide to ensure you are safe at all times, learning, having fun, being well fed & watered.  Opting for guided over unguided is an investment in an enjoyable, safe and hassle-free adventure.

As the old saying goes ‘You get what you pay for’ and we would hate for you to try and save some pennies by embarking on a freedom hire trip but compromising on your once in a lifetime experience. 

• Whanganui River Guided Packages for 3-5 days range from $945 to $1545. This is an all-inclusive cost with no hidden extras.
• Whanganui River Freedom hire package costs range from $210 - $250 for 3-5 days. Bear in mind the extra costs that are entailed that can easily add up. Food, gear, campsite passes etc.. 
  Only consider the Freedom hire package If you feel you have the right skills and experience to do so, as another hidden fee cold be the jetboat evacuation for you and your group should you come into any trouble.

Choosing the right experience for you: Guided or unguided?

Ultimately, whether you choose guided or unguided. Canoeing the Whanganui River is an experience like no other, a unique adventure in an environment widely known for its awe-inspiring natural beauty and it’s important cultural significance. It is also known to present challenges for those who decide to make the leap and embark on this multi-day canoe adventure.

Canoe Safaris has a team of highly skilled and experienced guides with years of international and local guiding experience, they have your safety and enjoyment as a top priority therefore choosing a Guided Whanganui River Trip with Canoe Safaris is our recommendation.

It will be an unforgettable trip. You should choose the option that best suits your personal preference, budget, experience level and level of available support that you wish to have in an unpredictable outdoors environment. Consider all of this, and get planning! If you need to talk through your options further, Please contact us at any time.

Testimonials from Guided and Unguided Canoe Safaris customers

Guided
‘…Learning the basics of canoeing a river like the Whanganui was important to us. Our expert guides made us feel both safe and challenged at the same time. We made friends with other paddlers from around NZ and the world. The food and organisation was excellent …’ – Kerry – Lynn

‘…I was trying to work out how to do the river journey, but I am so glad I elected to go on a guided tour with Canoe Safaris… the whole trip was fantastic, very slick logistics and excellent equipment. Both guides were very professional on the water as well as being extremely knowledgeable and able to both teach you canoe skills and the local history. The food though... That was incredible…’ Will A

‘..Canoe Safaris guided canoe trip enough. Initially I didn't realise that guided trips existed, and I thought we just had to hire the canoes and do it all ourselves. Then someone told me about these guys and recommended them - WOW, this was soooooo much better than doing it by ourselves. They looked after everything for us: transport, canoes, containers for our stuff, food, tents, cooking equipment and all the knowledge that we needed to stay safe and have a lovely time...’ Ian S

‘..Absolutely unforgettable experience, opted for the five day guided tour to really have time to bask in the amazing environment that is the Whanganui National Park. We were very well taken care of by our guides Danielle and Jackson…. I went from zero canoeing/kayaking experience to actually having fun down the rapids. 12/10, would recommend...’ Karen

‘..Expertly guided and plenty of fascinating information along the way. Food was plentiful … The extra cushy sleeping mat and tent make for a good nights sleep. Really appreciated all the work the guides and Kirsty put in to make this trip easy and enjoyable..; Matt C

‘..The three guides (Matt, Kiera and Gregor) couldn't have done more for the entire group. Lots of local knowledge along the way, and plenty of guidance for the more inexperienced paddlers and kids..’ – Dan

Freedom hire

‘..Our 5 day freedom hire was great. Phil & Kirsty were helpful and friendly helping us organise the trip. Good equipment, reliable pickup and drop off, good river information and briefing…’ Vaughn

‘..Highly recommend using Canoe Safaris. They provided top quality gear and professional advice, and were especially helpful in assisting us to finalise our Freedom Hire itinerary ..’ Nick & Tess

‘..Kirsty and Phil were very helpful and easy to contact when planning our 5 day freedom hire canoe trip. We were provided with good equipment and useful insider tips that made our journey an excellent experience. Really good value for money spent and I would deal with Canoe Safaris again..’ Spencer D

Posted by Canoe Safaris on October 09, 2024