Innova Safari


Best Uses: Whitewater up to class III, ocean surf, flatwater

Brand:  InnovaInnova Safari inflatable kayak

Available At:

Number of Paddlers:  1

Stats:  Length 10’, Width 28”, Weight 24 lbs, Load Capacity 220 lbs

Accessories Included:  Drybag/Backpack, removable tracking fin, thigh straps, repair kit

Kayak Material:  1,200-Denier Nitrolyn

Pros:  Extremely fun whitewater kayak, rugged, easy to lift, comfortable, great maneuverability, compact, easy entry and exit, can take class III water.

Cons:  This kayak is narrow and not very stable.  For Intermediates to Advanced paddlers.  Not very fast for flat water paddling.

More About the Innova Safari

The Innova Safari is an excellent inflatable kayak for playing in the river with up to class III rapids or for taking on the ocean surf.  With its narrow frame this kayak is not as stable as many of the other inflatable kayaks.  However because of its lower stability it has the advantage of being able to surf the Safari in holes, maneuver it easily in class III rapids and perform more turn carving and j-leaning. 

The Safari is very rugged and will hold up nicely in huge waves, high winds, bumping into rocks and stumps and good ol’ river playing fun. The Safari is best suited for intermediate to advanced whitewater kayakers.

The Innova Safari is impressively light and compact.  Therefore it is extremely easy to take traveling with you.  It packs up small and will fit under most airline seats or in the overhead bins.  It comes with thigh straps, so it is possible to roll the Safari and it also comes with a removable tracking fin should you feel like puttering around on flat water. 

Although this kayak is advertised as being great for flatwater as well as whitewater, I would have to caution anyone who wants to use it mostly for flatwater kayaking. It will be difficult to keep steady until you really get used to it, and it will not be as fast as many of the other inflatable kayaks that are designed strictly for flatwater.

Performs Best in Whitewater…

The Innova Safari is a whitewater kayak first and then being able to use it on flatwater as well is simply a bonus.  Basically you want to have some experience with kayaking before purchasing this kayak.  Once you do decide to buy the Safari you will be highly impressed with how much it will remind you of a hard shell kayak. 

The Safari is really sophisticated and performs great on whitewater.  One quick suggestion is that if you do plan on using it at all on flatwater you may want to purchase some more comfortable, high-back seats as your back will get sore quickly while flat water paddling.

The Innova Safari is a self bailing kayak which means any water that gets in will drain out.  It is not a fast bailer, but it will get the job done and you will still have great control of this kayak even when conditions are flooded.  Please take note that the Safari will only hold 220 pounds and therefore is not able to hold much gear.

Final Thoughts On the Innova Safari

The Innova Safari is a super fun whitewater inflatable kayak that will have you reveling in how closely it performs like a hard-shell whitewater kayak.  There is plenty of room even if you are well over six feet and it will give you hours of fun on fast water. Best suited for intermediate to advanced whitewater kayakers.

Pro Innova Safari

  • Extremely fun
  • Rugged
  • Easy to lift – no problem for one person
  • Comfortable
  • Great maneuverability
  • Compact
  • Easy entry and exit
  • Handles up to class III rapids
  • Excellent for traveling

Against Innova Safari

  • Narrow and not very stable
  • Not very fast for flatwater paddling
The Innova Safari Inflatable Kayak Is Available At:


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