Zambia (12 days)

The Ultimate Zambian Safari Adventure

The ultimate adventure journey for soaking in every safari experience Zambia has to offer in a single trip.

Kafue  •  Lower Zambezi  •  South Luangwa
On a shoestring (smart)
$5.8k / person
Mid-range (comfort)
$7.1k / person
Luxury (five Star)
$9.7k / person
Skip to Full Trip Itinerary

Why You’ll Love This Trip


In addition to visiting two of the more popular national parks in Zambia, this trip will also take you to the largest national park in Zambia (second largest in Africa).

Begin this trip in the magical landscape of Kafue which draws fewer visitors compared to the other popular parks. Kafue offers the greatest wildlife diversity and with patience, you will have excellent game viewing coupled with pristine wilderness experience.

Next, head to the Lower Zambezi National Park which lies across Zimbabwe's Mana Pools Reserve with the mighty Zambezi river in between, making this one massive wildlife haven. This place offers a variety of water activities as well.

The last part of your trip will take you to the South Luangwa, unquestionably one of the best game viewing areas in Zambia, if not Africa.

Immerse yourself in this grand adventure in three different destinations through walking safaris, game drives and water activities (seasonal). The evening/night game drives in each of these three parks are truly unique. Early evening sightings, spectacular sunsets with sundowners followed by the night drive for an opportunity to see the cats in action.

Your Trip Itinerary


Day 1

...
Arrival in Lusaka | 1 night at Lusaka

Upon arrival at the Lusaka airport, you will be received and transfered to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or visiting the ZamSa museum or shopping at the local market.

Recommended Lodges
On a shoestring (smart)
Terrano Hotel
Mid-range (comfort)
Sheraton International
Luxury (five Star)
Royal Hilton

Day 2, 3, 4

...
Road transfer from Lusaka to Kafue National Park

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll take a road trip to Kafue National Park. The drive will be on well paved roads allowing you to catch a wink. While getting closer to the park, keep your eyes open. You might spot kudu, impalas, hartebeest and a few other grazers. You'll reach in time for a sumptuous lunch.


...
3 nights in Kafue National Park

Beginning your trip in Kafue has its advantages. With very little in the way of infrastructure, there are fewer camps which means fewer visitors. You'll be able to experience the untouched wilderness in an almost private setting. While game viewing might sometimes require more driving around, pack a bit of patience and you'll be amply rewarded. Kafue offers the greatest wildlife diversity with 19 antelope species, such as red lechwe, puku, sable, roan, wildebeest as well as types rarely seen in other palaces such as oribi, Liechtenstein’s hartebeest and sitatunga. Other animal sightings include elephant, hippo, cheetah, leopard, hyena, buffalo.

Recommended Lodges
On a shoestring (smart)
--
Mid-range (comfort)
Mukambi Safari Lodge
Fig Tree Bush Camp
Luxury (five Star)
--

Day 5, 6, 7

...
Road transfer from Kafue National Park to Lusaka airport

After breakfast at your camp, you'll begin your day with a drive back to the Lusaka airport. You can relax and catch a wink during this drive or reminisce the wonderful experiences from the last few days.


...
Flight transfer from Lusaka airport to Lower Zambezi National Park

You'll board a light aircraft that will take you from Lusaka to the Jeki airstrip. It's a short flight about a half hour and you'll fly over the Zambezi river getting spectacular views of the confluence and the escarpment. From the Jeki airstrip, you'll travel by road to your camp where you can unwind and relax.

Flight time - 25mins  •  $300 per person

You can choose a road transfer from Kafue National Park to Lower Zambezi.

...
3 nights at Lower Zambezi National Park

The lodges well placed on the banks of the mighty Zambezi offer a spectacular opportunity for a wide range of activities both on land and water. Glide down the Zambezi by boat, spotting elephants and tiger fishing to your heart’s content. Sit in a canoe and watch the herds of elephants that come to drink, hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, and a variety of birds that call this place their home. Enjoy the spectacular landscape with ebony and fig trees and further inland is a floodplain fringed with mopane forest and interspersed with winterthorn trees and huge acacias. The evening game drives are particularly rewarding with the park hosting good populations of lion and leopard.

Recommended Lodges
On a shoestring (smart)
Kanyemba Lodge
Mid-range (comfort)
Tusk & Mane
Luxury (five Star)
Chiawa Camp

Day 8, 9, 10, 11

...
Flight transfer from Lower Zambezi (Jeki) to South Luangwa (Mfuwe)

After your breakfast at Lower Zambezi, you will be taken to the Jeki airstrip to board a light aircraft to Mfuwe. You'll fly over the green carpet that covers this part of Zambia with some spectacular views. From the Mfuwe airport, you'll travel by road to your camp and reach in time for a sumptuous lunch.

Flight time - 1hr 25mins  •  $550 per person

...
4 nights at South Luangwa

The home of the walking safari, rustic bush camps and incredible guides. Situated along the great Luangwa River, the South Luangwa National Park is one of the best game viewing areas in Zambia, if not Africa. This area's reputation for abundant wildlife and unspoiled vegetation is well earned. The morning and evening/night game drives will give you ample opportunities to explore the bush and have fantastic sightings. Make sure to swap a game drive for a walking safari one of the days.

You can choose to stay near the Mfuwe area or in the more remote Nsefu sector with fewer camps and visitors.
Recommended Lodges
On a shoestring (smart)
Croc Valley
Marula Lodge
Mid-range (comfort)
Flatdogs Camp
Luxury (five Star)
Chikunto Camp

Day 12

...
Flight transfer from Mfuwe to Lusaka

On the last day, after your breakfast, you will be taken to the Mfuwe airport for your connecting flight. It's time to say goodbye as you board your return flight.

Flight time - 1hr 10mins  •  $350 per person

Inclusions


What's included

Domestic aircraft (or) road transfers  •  Accommodation  •  Inclusive meals, drinks and activities where specified  •  All scheduled safari activities offered by the camps or lodges  •  National Parks and conservation entry fees
What's excluded

International flights  •  Visas  •  Travel insurance  •  Gratuities  •  Any additional activities not offered as scheduled by the camps or lodges