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Brief Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE LUSAKA

Arrive in Lusaka and transfer to our hotel where you will be free to relax in your comfortable room, or perhaps by the pool, until we meet later for our welcome dinner.

Day 2 - 3: LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast we transfer to the airport to board the 30-minute flight to Jeki, our gateway to the pristine Lower Zambezi National Park. We drive deep within the park to reach our camp, set on the shores of the Zambezi River, directly opposite Chikwenya Island.

You’ll have time to settle into your large, comfortable East African style safari tent before we set out on our first afternoon game drive. The park is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo. Lion are common and plains game is abundant. As the sun breaks over the horizon, we meet for coffee, tea and a snack, then head out in search of wildlife. Nocturnal animals may still be active in the early hours, while other resident game awaken with the sun. Later, we return to the lodge for a full breakfast, then relax around camp during the heat of the day, when all is still.

By afternoon we are off again, often on a safari drive that takes us into the evening hours. Watch for leopard, hyena, civet and genet as night falls. Instead you may choose to drift on the river on the lodge’s pontoon boat or perhaps go on a short canoe safari.

Day 4 - 5: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

After our morning activities and breakfast, we fly to Mfuwe, in South Luangwa National Park. We then transfer by landrover to another lodge for a two-night stay.

The Luangwa Valley, the “valley of the elephants”, is the southern extension of the Great Rift Valley. The Luangwa River leaves oxbow lagoons and feeds extensive floodplains as it meanders south to the Zambezi. This rich eco-system, protected by South Luangwa National Park, supports large numbers of wildlife including lion, leopard, buffalo and elephant. Leopards are often spotted in the Mfuwe area, as well as the unique Thornicroft’s giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest.

Day 6 - 7: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Early this morning we depart Kapani and enjoy a game drive into the park, enroute to our next camp, which is nestled on the edge of a permanent lagoon, with the Chindeni Hills as a backdrop. This intimate camp has four luxury tents, set on raised wooden decking and overlooking the lagoon. You can enjoy gameviewing right from your own verandah. This afternoon we explore the area on foot as we walk with our professional guide through the untouched African bush. We return to camp for a sundowner and a delicious meal in the dining area which is set beneath ancient ebony trees.

Day 8: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Today we rise early and go on a walking safari with our guide and scouts. We walk through the magnificent untouched African bush of South Luangwa National Park, joining birds and other animals in their natural habitat. We have the opportunity to not only see the wonders of the African bush, but to feel, smell, hear and touch the ancient continent in its most unspoilt state. Our walk takes us to a bushcamp, set beneath Mahogany trees on the edge of a small plain.

The bushcamp consists of four reed and thatch chalets with private bathrooms. Each chalet has two queen beds with large mosquito nets and an individual rechargeable lighting system. The rustic dining area and fully stocked bar are constructed on raised decking with views of Bilimungwe’s permanent water hole and the abundant game that it attracts. The thatched canopy provides a cool and comfortable environment from which to enjoy this idyllic setting.

Day 9 - 11: KAFUE NATIONAL PARK

Early this morning we drive to Mfuwe and board our flight to the northern edge of Kafue National Park. Remote and still unexplored, Kafue is Africa’s largest national park. The area protects a variety of habitats through which flow a series of unique rivers. The Kafue and Lunga Rivers are wide, slow flowing, clear rivers bordered by narrow bands of riverine forest. Together with vast miombo woodland and open grassland “dambos”, these habitats are part of an eco-system that is home to some 55 mammal species and over 440 bird species.

The Lunga River’s clear flowing waters offer refuge to pods of hippo and basking crocodiles. The flooded dambos, the perfect home for waterbirds big and small, attract large numbers of open- and yellow-billed storks, spurwing geese, wattled cranes, saddle billed storks and herons. A closer look produces pygmy geese, African and lesser jacana, great white, little and slaty egrets plus plenty of plovers and sand pipers.

Puku concentrate on the dambos and impala enjoy the safety of watering in large open areas. The cats, prowl the lower grass and lion can be heard most nights marking out shifting territories. Sable and Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest emerge as the grass drops and can be seen on the edges of the miombo forest.

We spend a total of three nights in Kafue National Park at a River Lodge, a charming location and excellent base for exploring the area.

The Lodge provides all the comforts of home with an African flair. You’ll stay in one of six twin thatched chalets (with ensuite facilities). The beautiful bar/sundeck area is suspended over the river. There is an elevated dining room, reading room, plunge pool and even a steam room.

We’ll enjoy walks, day and night game drives, canoeing, boating, fishing and sundowner cruises.

Day 12: HOMEWARD BOUND

After an early breakfast today we drive to the Lunga airstrip and board the flight to Lusaka. Our African adventure ends as we board our homeward bound flights. Those planning on joining one of the optional extensions will board flights to your chosen destination.

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