CHARMING ZAMBIA

11 Days & 10 Nights | Zambia

Lower Zambezi National Park & South Luangwa National Park

HIGHLIGHTS

GREAT FOR

Honeymooners – end on a high with discreet service throughout

Photographers – hides, walks and drives to get to sightings

Families – suitable for older children who love the outdoors

AVAILABLE ACTIVITIES

Game drives

Nature walks

Birding

Boating 

Canoeing

Seasonal catch-and-release fishing (extra cost)

BEST TIME TO GO

High Season:  July to October

Green Season:  November to June

OVERVIEW

Zambia is an achievable goal for many safari enthusiasts because it combines so much in a compact destination. In this itinerary, just two parks offer you game drives, out-of-this-world birding, boating, canoeing, walking and sleep-outs. That’s before you add sundowners, stargazing and balmy nights around the campfire. Light aircraft get you between parks quickly while accommodation builds up from comfortable rusticity to quietly indulgent.

Starting and ending in Lusaka, your trip takes in Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Parks. The Zambezi River is the focus at the first and the centre point for lodge views and many activities. The Luangwa River isn’t as amenable but you’ll soon see why South Luangwa is the famed birthplace of transcendent walking safaris.

THIS ITINERARY WAS DESIGNED BY JOANNE

One of the few places that offers a true walking safari – between camps – rather than just a simple nature walk. I love Zambia because it is still very authentic: up on the Busanga Plains in Kafue, you’ll have a true picture of Africa at its most pristine and untouched.

TRIP SUMMARY

DURATION

10 Nights / 11 Days

DESTINATIONS VISITED

Lower Zambezi National Park

South Luangwa National Park

ACCOMMODATIONS VISITED

DAILY ITINERARY

Don’t be startled if an elephant or two casually strolls past as you’re soaking in the outdoor tub at Old Mondoro. This is an unfenced camp with an old-school ethos of nature leading the way. Built on the water, it doesn’t need any fancy trappings to give you a fantastic introduction to Lower Zambezi National Park.

Getting here is a simple flight from Lusaka to Jeki Airstrip, where your driver will be waiting to give you your first game drive!

Why we love Old Mondoro:

  • No Wi-Fi means a break from the outside world
  • The chalets have views of the passing wildlife
  • Great guided walking to stretch your legs
  • Truly alfresco meals with river vistas

Today you will either boat up the Zambezi River or take a drive through the groves of acacia and kigelia trees to Old Mondoro’s sister camp, Chiawa. Also lying on the water, it is a notch up in terms of facilities including private plunge pools and a substantial ‘Safari Suite’ that has its own pool and access road.

Again, your guides will show you so much that the park has to offer including paddling up the Zambezi’s many lively channels.

Why we love Chiawa Camp:

  • Elevated decks for watching wildlife on the river
  • Large private suitable ideal for families
  • Lunch or high tea out on the water
  • Laidback atmosphere with excellent guiding

Another ramping up of accommodation to end at Puku Ridge, one of the leading lodges in South Luangwa. Named after the ubiquitous antelope that dot the floodplains, the stand-out feature here is that every room has an elevated starbed, meaning you can sleep outside every one of your four-night stay.

To get to South Luangwa, you’ll have returned to Jeki and flown to Mfuwe Airport. South Luangwa is renowned for walking safaris so be sure to pack your hiking boots.

Why we love Puku Ridge:

  • Private starbeds attached to every suite
  • Custom-made game-drive vehicles
  • Secluded hide to watch game up close
  • Wonderful nature walks with a ranger

Today you slowly wend your way back to city life, starting with a goodbye game drive to Mfuwe Airport and then a flight to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka. From here, consider easily extending your safari to the Victoria Falls, Kruger National Park, Serengeti or Masai Mara.

You’ll leave Zambia with a fresh perspective after experiencing the superb hospitality, near-faultless guiding, genuine friendliness and amazing birding, game watching, walking and boating. Perhaps you’ll even return to do it all again

INCLUDED*

  • All activities specified
  • All transfers specified
  • All meals, drinks and sundowners specified
  • Laundry if specified

EXCLUDED*

  • International flights
  • Items from the safari shop
  • Pre- and post-itinerary accommodation
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Medical insurance, tests and vaccinations where stipulated
  • Tips / gratuities

* Subject to change. Your personal consultant will confirm all the details with you while helping you plan your safari to Africa so you have a full understanding of costs with no surprises.

PRICE IS IMPORTANT

This itinerary is here to inspire you and prices may change due to availability, season and the year that you plan to travel.

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