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Plan your Whanganui River Adventure

Every great Whanganui River trip begins with a little planning. From choosing between Unguided Freedom hire or an All Inclusive Guided Canoe Tour, planning when to book and where to stay, knowing what to pack and how to get here - A smooth start and clear plan means you are making the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The following pages will guide you through every step, helping you enjoy a safe, fun and unforgettable River Journey.

Canoe Safaris has a trip to suit everyone, offering a chance to see the North Island like never before, Whether you're :

  • A solo traveller
  • A family with young children
  • A Young -at- heart explorer
  • An adrenaline seeking couple
  • Someone looking to tick off the famous Whanganui River Journey as part of the New Zealand Great Walks system

 ..We have a tour and a schedule that will ensure you are getting exactly what you want from your time on the river - enjoying every breathtaking scene. These iconic waterways can get busy, so planning and booking ahead is essential.

Why Plan Ahead?

What do i need to consider?

How To Get Here

How To Get Here

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What To Bring

What To Bring

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Ohakune Accommodation

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What our customers say

I would like to thank Mike, Stefan and Sophie for a great rafting experience on the Mohaka River. They were all such fun, very experienced and wonderful chefs too. Certainly a fantastic holiday and one to be recommended. So a big thank you for making it happen.

Sinda Hall

We went on the four day canoe safari and absolutely loved it! Amazing scenery, and great service. Aidan and Morgan really went the extra mile to make sure everyone was happy and comfortable. Food was just like the comforts of home! We were very well looked after, and felt safe on the...

Nicola Johansen

We were part of a group of 8 friends doing the 3 day trip with Phil and Wai as guides. They were both terrific and very organised. Phil is excellent explaining how to manoeuvre through the rapids and the safety control was first class.

52Diane

This was out and out one of the best experiences I've ever had. The trip exceeded my expectations in every department. The hospitality was second to none and the care taken for all of us was outstanding. Safety was never forgotten and was balanced with a load of fun and great humour...

Simon Christie

Had the most enjoyable trip in my life. Took the 4 day canoe safari down the Wanganui river. We thoroughly enjoyed it, couldn't have asked for better guides, Erin and Jordan. Their knowledge and expertise was invaluable. The scenery was out of this world, at times we felt as though no one...

Sharon Gamble

This was the best family trip ever! Three course meals, a wealth of knowledge from our awesome guides, and no devices, were just three reasons we would highly recommend this adventure. Phil and Simon were amazing guides and worked from the moment we were collected for our trip to the moment we...

Richard Beechey

We had a magic 4 days on the Whanganui thanks to Kirsty Phil Keira and Jackson. The equipment, food, guiding and training were faultless. Phil's instruction was enough to make us confident on the river without overloading two novices and Keira's and Jackson's enthusiasm and...

Larry B, New Zealand

We did a family 4 day guided canoe trip, it was absolutely amazing. Very professional, our guides Morgan and Aiden were very knowledgeable and friendly. The food was way above expectation and the memories we have made will be with us forever. Highly recommend.

Leeann Morgan

Did the 3-day guided canoe trip down the Whanganui river with Phil and Simon as our guides. Even though all of us were first-time canoeists and a few of us were non-swimmers, they looked after us very well and were amazing at teaching us the skills we needed to keep ourselves safe. The...

Mark Loh

We did the 5 day, fully guided and catered river journey, with our four children and three other families. This was truly one of the best holidays we have ever had. Phil and Ian, our guides, organised every detail. It was enormous fun canoeing down the river, jumping off rocks and canyoning. We...

Sarah Scott-Brown

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