SIL Robin just e-mailed me this:
You can walk over the Zimbabwe side. Joe did - and got some great pictures. Also, if the water is high they don't have the lunch on the island. At the hotel there are also massages, etc. set up in tents that overlook the river. Save time to have cocktails on the deck at sunset! And to sit on your porch and watch all the monkey. Really did like the canoe trip and Colin is a great guide. I don't think you will find it frightening after having been on safari. It will seem quite tame.