Canoe Safaris Lodge & Whanganui River Tours Reviews

Martin Odgaard 2025.12.18

     

Im solo traveling and have been doing a part of the Te Ararou. I wanted something else for the last days in NZ, so booked the 4 days at Whanganui and got teamed up with a family of 4 and a mother and son. I stayed in the lodge both one day before and after the days on the river. I can't say it in any other words than: Don't .. ..😀don't cheat yourself for this experience!! It's so well prepared and full of 'above and beyond'-moments. All the gear is in top shape (didn't throw my life jacket on the ground even once, Phil😉), the food is excellent and much more than you would ever imagine experiencing in the outback (especially the nice steaks, right?!!😆), and Zoey the riverguide was just out of this world .. great storyteller, sublime 'teacher' and great chef Ramsey-kind of .. Above and beyond!! All the way

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Tony H 2025.12.17

     

Amazing! Amazing experience from Phil’s initial briefing through to Matty and Elyse delivering one of the best trips I have been on- you guys rocked the 3 day trip!

Date of experience: 13 December, 2025

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Harry Silbaugh 2025.12.16

     

We booked the 3-Day Rangitikei River trip for part of our honeymoon and had a fantastic time! Phil and Kirsty were so welcoming and helpful as we planned our trip, and our guides Matt and Gregor were friendly, professional, and great teachers. On the river we had great food, great vibes, and great rapids. I highly recommend Canoe Safaris for anyone looking to experience the beautiful scenery (and river guides) of New Zealand, you won’t regret booking this trip!

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saintsabbat 2025.12.16

     

Verified

Great experience - highly recommend! I did the 5-day Whanganui River journey with Canoe Safaris. It was a very spur of the moment decision, and I am very glad I did it! The owners, Phil and Kirsty, are really friendly and clearly passionate about what they do. The organization of the trips was very impressive, from transport to gear and food. The pre- and post- trip accommodation was basic, but clean and comfortable - I'd definitely suggest this especially for the pre-trip night as it made logistics much easier. On the river itself, our guides Matty and Jake were awesome - friendly, knowledgeable and great teachers - and good cooks! Most of our group, including myself, had no canoeing experience but Matty and Jake were great at teaching paddling techniques and providing extra guidance when needed to make sure everyone had a good, safe time. I also thought the trip was great value for money, considering it is fully catered and all equipment was included.

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S Sch 2025.12.15

     

Absolutely AMAZING!!! Our leader Zoe was outstanding both on and off the river. The meals were delicious and everything from booking this trip to getting back was very well organised. Highly recommended!

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Sigi S 2025.12.15

     

Verified

A must do!!! The trip was very well organised from beginning to end. Zoe the guide was outstanding both on and off the river. I highly recommend doing this trip!

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Alan Hearfield 2025.12.14

     

Awesome experience all around! Friendly staff at base and super organised with communication and gear along with expert guides out on the water. Had a great time with Jake and Matty on the 5 day journey on the Whanganui River, super knowledgable, not just about paddling but the area and river as well. Food was amazing and some unexpected surprises out in the middle of nowhere, we were very well looked after. Guided was definitely the best way to go for paddling novices and appreciated the help for the unintended swim session :). Thanks team, will definetly be back!

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Lucy 2025.12.13

     

I did the Five Day Whanganui River Journey with Canoe Safaris, and had a wonderful time - even with zero canoeing experience. Beautiful scenery, great food, quality equipment. Our guides, Jake and Matty, were awesome - friendly, great teachers, and worked hard to make sure everyone had a good time. Everything was very well organised. Special thanks to Kirsty for being so helpful answering my million emails before the trip!

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Sarah Sorensen 2025.12.09

     

Our canoe trip down the Rangitīkei River was honestly one of the best outdoor experiences we’ve had. Phil and Kirsty run an outstanding operation – warm, professional, and clearly passionate about what they do. Our guide, Matt, was exceptional. He took real time to teach us new paddling techniques and river skills, making the trip both fun and genuinely educational. We felt completely safe the whole time and gained a lot of confidence on the water. And the food… absolutely amazing! Fresh, generous, and far better than you’d ever expect on a river trip. It added so much to the overall experience. If you’re considering a Rangitīkei canoe trip, don’t hesitate – this is the team to go with. Highly recommended.

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SarahS 2025.12.09

     

Verified

Best Canoe Trip We’ve Done Our canoe trip down the Rangitīkei River was honestly one of the best outdoor experiences we’ve had. Phil and Kirsty run an outstanding operation – warm, professional, and clearly passionate about what they do.Our guide, Matt, was exceptional. He took real time to teach us new paddling techniques and river skills, making the trip both fun and genuinely educational. We felt completely safe the whole time and gained a lot of confidence on the water.And the food… absolutely amazing! Fresh, generous, and far better than you’d ever expect on a river trip. It added so much to the overall experience.If you’re considering a Rangitīkei canoe trip, don’t hesitate – this is the team to go with. Highly recommended.

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R T 2025.12.08

     

Verified

The Whanganui River offered a remote, tranquil but challenging experience, away from the hussle of day to day life. We did the 5 day trip in early December with guides Matt and Elise. The trip was so well organised from wo to go. Even though we had to change our plans Kirsty went out of her way to make suggestions to accommodate us . The onsite Ohakune accommodation before and after the trip suited us well. The food was delicious and we all ate more than usual. We did use more energy than normal after all!!! Having drinks and nibbles at the end of the day meant we got to know the other trippers and we shared our stories. Our group of 15, largely in our 60's to early 70's, with little or no previous experience coped well. It was challenging mentally and physically (carrrying the barrels up to the camp site) so we needed a reasonable level of fitness and everyone pitched in. Matt and Elise were both amazing and made us feel safe on the river, even when the river rose by several meters from the heavy rain we had at night. So glad we did it. Special memories and friendships made. Thanks Canoe Safari team -Phil, Kirsty, Matt and Elise you made it all worthwhile.

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Inspire61911687765 2025.12.07

     

Verified

Gorgeous adventure on the river My husband and I, without any canoeing experience, spent 5 days on the river with Canoe Safaris. The whole organization of the trip was impeccable, the two guides Matthew and Elise were unparalleled, serious and very professional. Despite the rain and consequent inconvenience all the great meals were served regularly. It was amazing to be able to dine every night with aperitif, hot dishes, beer and wine. The guides were very reassuring, although driving a canoe on the river is not so trivial. Their calm, their ability to steer the boats and their seriousness in constantly assessing the condition of the river made this adventure an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended

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Nicole LeBlanc 2025.12.02

     

Wonderful week on the 5 day canoe trip. Guides Jake and Mattie led a group of 12 of us. The days were the right amount of paddling, breaks, and chilling at the campsite. I initially thought 5 days would be too hard, but by the end felt it was almost too short! The food was filling and tasty, home cooked meals that were much more than I expected. Really enjoyed the group, our guides, and the river. Highly recommend, would come back every year if I could!

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Heiko Jonkers 2025.11.30

     

Highly recommend a trip down the scenic Whanganui River with Canoe Safaris. See a part of New Zealand that is remote and incredibly beautiful. The Canoe Safaris team took excellent care of us throughout the journey. Excellent guides, equipment, food and service.

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Reply from Canoe Safaris Lodge & Whanganui River Tours 2025.12.01

Thankyou Heiko! So lovely to meet you both, and the wider group last week :-) So glad to hear you enjoyed your Whanganui River trip. It really is such a beautiful part of the country like you say. All the best to you and Cara and enjoy the rest of the summer!

Gina and Ross Wilson 2025.11.30

     

This was such a great trip. Guides Zoe and Gregor guided us along the 4-day trip. They were both amazing, combining skill, insight and intuition... along with a large measure of fun too. And organisation/cooking skills second to none. Thanks heaps, Kirsty, Phil, Zoe and Gregor!

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Reply from Canoe Safaris Lodge & Whanganui River Tours 2025.12.01

Thankyou Gina! What a pleasure it was to meet you and to finally get you all down the Whanganui River :-) I am so chuffed you had a great time, thanks for coming along and kicking off the summer with us and I hope you can look back on the trip with fond memories for years to come.

Kevin M 2025.11.30

     

Where do we start. Firstly, we are an elderly couple, moderately fit, but far from athletes. We did the five day canoe safari. It was both the most challenging and exhilarating trip we've ever done. The river is amongst the most beautiful places we've visited and the challenge of paddling calm stretches and racing down rapids was something we will never forget. The Canoe Safari team were outstanding. Our guides Matt and Jake were total professionals, taking care of guiding, paddling instruction, meal preparation and acting as the cheer team. We had a few spills in the river on day one but quickly found our river legs and coped pretty well after that, with no more uninvited water incidents. Safety was paramount at all times. The food was outstanding, we even had a choice of wine and beer. Accomodation was in tents which were more than suitable; supplied mattresses were very comfortable. All the equipment was excellent. All we can say is WOW, if you are moderately fit and a tad adventurous, it's a must do. If you are young get into it, you'll never regrete it. Five stars all round.

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Reply from Canoe Safaris Lodge & Whanganui River Tours 2025.12.01

Beautiful photos Kevin :-) And thankyou for taking the time to write such a detailed review of your time canoeing the Whanganui River last week! So glad to hear you enjoyed it...and it sounds like you really enjoyed it all, the exhilarating part, the challenges, the beauty....and the food & lovely guides Matty & Jake, i particularly love the description of them as the 'cheer team' :-). We really appreciate you joining us and all the best for the rest of the summer!

Katie James 2025.11.29

     

I just went on the 5 day Whanganui River journey and had an absolute blast! It was so nice to disconnect from the screens and be surrounded by the lush green riverside while learning how to canoe. The guides, Jake and Matt, were super knowledgeable, kind and hardworking. Food was fantastic and the gear was in great shape. It was a great adventure!

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Reply from Canoe Safaris Lodge & Whanganui River Tours 2025.12.01

Thankyou Katie! So glad to hear you enjoyed your time canoeing the beautiful Whanganui River last week :-) It seemed the whole group got along really well and had a fab week together too. Thankyou for coming along and enjoy the rest of your travels :-)

Jon Driver 2025.11.29

     

The 5 day trip will challenge and reward you. 125kms of mainly smooth river interrupted by adrenaline-fueled power paddling and steering through more than 100 rapids. You paddle 3 to 5 hours a day with plenty of stops for snacks, lunch and walks. You help load and unload canoes, set up your tents, and help with washing the dishes. No internet access (yay!) so you make new friends and have great conversations. Our guides (Jake and Mattie) were superb professionals. Their paddling skills were incredible and they coached us through each rapid and its accompanying eddies and whirlpools. A few capsized on the first day (everyone does this) but the guides quickly got us back in the canoes. They did all the cooking, including hot breakfasts and three course dinners with beer and wine. Dinners especially were excellent, with options for people with special diets (gluten-free, vegan etc). You have to be reasonably fit for this trip. If you want to prepare yourself, some upper body and core strength work in the gym would be useful. Ideally you would take a one-day introduction to canoeing course, preferably including some basic instruction on paddling through grade 1 and grade 2 rapids. However, most of our group had minimal canoe experience and we learned very quickly how to perform the important strokes. Be prepared mentally to step outside your comfort zone You will come away from this experience feeling more confident about yourself, and with new friends and wonderful memories.

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Reply from Canoe Safaris Lodge & Whanganui River Tours 2025.12.01

Thankyou so much Jon! What a beautifully detailed review of your Guided Whanganui River Journey last week :-) We so appreciate you taking the time to write this and so glad to hear that you and Catherine have walked away with confidence, new friends and amazing memories.
Jake & Matty also had a great week with you all and you really helped us get the busy summer season underway with a smile.

It was a pleasure to meet you both and i hope you enjoy the rest of your NZ travels :-)

old-jogger 2025.11.29

     

Verified

Challenge yourself on this amazing journey This is a five day trip that will test your mental and physical abilities. Thanks to the highly professional guides and good equipment you will succeed. By the end of the journey you will feel more confident about yourself, you will have new skills, and you will make new friends. Each day consists of paddling the Whanganui River (for 3 to 5 hours), a number of breaks for refreshment or sightseeing, setting up camp, and enjoying great food. Plenty of time for socializing with other participants and best of all - no access to the internet! Safari Canoes provides a comprehensive pre-trip introduction, including a packing list. They also have comfortable accommodation on site so that you are ready for an early start on the first day. Your gear is carried in waterproof containers that are secured in your canoe, plus your share of camping and cooking equipment. Most of the paddling is on smooth flowing water. You soon learn to pick the easiest route, avoiding the eddies that slow you down. But you will be running over 100 rapids, following detailed instructions from your guides. These range from very easy (you could just float down) to challenging (waves that come over the bow, whirlpools to avoid). You get a good briefing on how to manage the rapids but occasionally you may capsize - don’t worry because your guides will soon have you upright again! On our trip most people capsized on day one, and were proficient by day two.You have to help unload canoes and set up camp, often carrying equipment up a steep slope to the level campground. You also help with washing up. Kitchen shelters at every camp plus basic toilets. Our guides, Jake and Matt (Mattie) produced excellent meals. Dinners included steak, curry, wraps. Always preceded by appetisers and followed by desserts. Beer and wine for those who indulge.Finally I have to say that our guides were superb. Their canoeing skills are outstanding, as is their ability to “read” the river and conduct rapid rescues of anyone who capsizes.

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Esther O 2025.11.29

     

Verified

A blissful few days on the Whanganui I was planning to do this trip for a few years having heard good things about it from friends, and it didn’t disappoint. In fact it far exceeded my expectations. The setting in itself just keeps giving with stunning scenery as you gently canoe downriver. The tour operator could not have been more helpful with excellent communication and a fast response to my initial query, then clear helpful information about the 3 day trip. All I had to bring was clothing, toiletries and sunscreen etc, everything else was provided. The tents (we camped for 2 nights in very pretty campsites overlooking the river) were clean and roomy, the food was fantastic. We had a fun group of 14 with 2 guides who were knowledgeable about the area and gave great instruction on canoeing - just enough detail without being too much - and were clearly experienced on the water making everyone at feel immediately at ease even the non- swimmers, during several capsizes! There was time to for swimming and morning tea and lunch stops - 3 days was the right about of time for me. I’d recommend the trip to anyone considering it, a thoroughly worthwhile experience.

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