9 Day Zambia Safari: Lower Zambezi & South Luangwa National…

Day 1: Lusaka to Lower Zambezi National Park – Zambia

This 9-day Zambia Safari begins in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. Arriving at the airport one of our friendly team members is there to welcome you to Africa. Our representative will assist you with checking into your short flight from Lusaka to the Royal Airstrip near Lower Zambezi National Park in southeastern Zambia.

The Lower Zambezi National Park is located on the northern banks of the Zambezi River, across the river from the famous Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. Arriving at the Royal Airstrip your guide is there to meet you and drive you to our riverside camp just outside of the national park.

• Includes: Flight from Lusaka to Royal Airstrip & road transfer to camp
• Activities: Afternoon to night game drive in Lower Zambezi National Park

About the Lower Zambezi Camp in Zambia

This Zambia safari spends four nights at a luxurious river camp on the tranquil banks of the Zambezi River. The river camp offers exceptional value for money without compromising on your comfort or the quality of your African safari experience. It is located just outside of the Lower Zambezi National Park in the Zambezi Valley.

This comfortable colonial-style lodge is designed for optimal views over the river and surrounding grasslands. The spacious main lodge area has a classical safari atmosphere reminiscent of the bygone era with cozy fireplaces, high ceilings, and deep verandahs overlooking the Zambezi River. The main camp area has two lounges, an indoor dining area and an outdoor dining area, a private meeting room, and a bar that opens onto the swimming pool.

The river camp features 9 private suites with separate dressing areas and en-suite bathrooms that have walk-in showers. These generously sized chalets are elegantly appointed and fitted with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, and king or twin beds. This Zambezi lodge loves to arrange special activities for guests including bush dining, scenic sundowners, beach boules on the sand island in the river, or African gin tasting.

Days 2 to 4: Lower Zambezi National Park – Zambia

The first part of our Zambia Safari is all about exploring the serene Zambezi River and Lower Zambezi National Park. Over the next three days, you can enjoy a wide variety of land and water-based adventures in this unspoiled wilderness area.

Choose from the exciting activities, in and around the Lower Zambezi National Park. Embark on your first Zambia walking safari experience here. Take 4x4 game drives in the national park, boat cruises and canoeing on the Lower Zambezi River, and catch-and-release fishing trips. To experience some of the local African culture, you can set off on cultural visits to nearby villages.

We spend the first four nights of our Zambia Safari at the riverside camp near the Lower Zambezi National Park. Our stay here includes all meals, local drinks, and two safari activities per day.

• Activities: walking safaris, game drives, night drives, canoeing, boat cruises, fishing trips, and cultural excursions.

Day 5: Lower Zambezi to Mfuwe, Luangwa Valley – Zambia

On day five of our Zambia Safari we say goodbye to the Lower Zambezi region and travel to South Luangwa Vally. After breakfast at the camp, your guide drives you back to the nearby Royal Airstrip where you catch a light aircraft flight to Mfuwe in Luangwa Valley. Upon arrival at the Mfuwe airstrip, your South Luangwa guide is there to greet you and drive you to the nearby camp.

We usually arrive at the camp early enough to allow for free time to settle in before enjoying lunch. Alterntively we reach the camp in time for dinner. In the case of an early arrival time, you'll get to meet up with your safari crew and fellow guests for tea at about 15h30. After tea, we embark on our first thrilling wildlife adventure in South Luangwa National Park. The safari guides are all qualified professionals who take great pride in their work. They take you out into the bush to explore on a 4x4 game drive sharing their in-depth knowledge along the way. The guides can identify a wide array of animal and bird calls and interpret various signs of animal activity in order to track wildlife and ensure the best wildlife sightings possible.

As the sun begins to set, your guide finds a scenic spot for sundowners in the bush. After toasting to a tranquil African sunset and stretching your legs your game drive continues under the cover of darkness. On the night drive a powerful spotlight is used to locate elusive nocturnal animals, such as leopards, lions, porcupines, civets, genets, hyaenas, and owls. Our thrilling night game drive ends back at the camp at about 20h00. Enjoy a delicious dinner and relax at camp while reliving your wildlife adventures in Zambia thus far.

About the South Luangwa Camp in Zambia

On this Zambia Safari, we stay at an authentic safari camp just outside of South Luangwa National Park. The safari camp is located on the banks of the Luangwa River opposite the wildlife-rich Mfuwe area of the national park.

Accommodation is in 6 luxury safari tents set on raised wooden platforms overlooking the Luangwa River. These walk-in safari tents feature large windows with mosquito netting, providing views of the unspoiled bush. Each tent has its own covered patio with comfortable chairs for watching wildlife and birds at the river. This back-to-nature safari experience enables guests to immerse themselves in the African bush without roughing it. The spacious, en-suite tents are furnished with a writing desk, and comfortable king or twin beds with quality linen and mosquito nets. The en-suite bathrooms have a hot shower, basin, and flush toilet, as well as dressing areas. Facilities include tea/coffee-making stations, safe boxes, charging points, electric lights, and standing fans.

The main camp area includes indoor and outdoor dining areas, two swimming pools, a reference library, and lounge areas. The camp looks out over the river, offering bird-watching and game-viewing opportunities throughout the day and night. Our Zambia Safari spends four nights at this riverside camp.

Days 6 to 8: South Luangwa National Park – Zambia

The next three days of our Zambia Safari are set aside for exploring South Luangwa National Park. Our days kick off early in the mornings so that we can get out into the bush while the birds and animals are more active. Start your days with a quick coffee or tea and light breakfast before heading into South Luangwa at about 06h00.

Embark on a morning game drive or guided bush walk to spot more animals and birds in the wild. Your guide tracks down exciting animal sightings while you soak up the pristine beauty of Zambia's most famous safari destination. The safari guides of South Luangwa are all qualified professionals as required by the park regulations with the guides from your camp priding themselves on their extensive knowledge. These experienced and passionate guides will take excellent care of you. During your time here, your skilled safari guide will tell you all about the habitats, plants, animals, and birds of this diverse wildlife area, along with interesting facts about the park's ecology and history.

At about 10h00 we make our way back to the authentic safari camp for a hearty breakfast. Your choice of a breakfast-style brunch or lunch at the a la carte restaurant. Then you are free to swim in the pool, take a nap in your private room, and simply relax at the camp during the heat of the day. Alternatively, you can visit one of the local conservation or artisanal projects in and around Mfuwe. Visit the Conservation South Luangwa non-profit organization to find out how they work with local communities and conservation partners to protect the wildlife and habitats of the South Luangwa ecosystem. Take a trip to Project Luangwa to see how they empower local people through education programs and support schools with a focus on women and girls. Or, the camp can arrange a taxi for you to visit Tribal Textiles and their artisan’s market, or the Mulberry Mongoose jewelry workshop, to experience the local arts and crafts scene on your own.

Later in the afternoon, you can embark on a second safari activity of the day. Choose between the iconic Zambia walking safari experience in South Luangwa National Park or a 4x4 game drive that lasts into the night. Top your memorable days in Zambia off with sundowners in the wilderness, before returning to camp for laid-back evenings in real Africa.

• Activities: walking safaris, game drives, night drives, conservation experiences, and cultural trips.

Day 9: Mfuwe, Luangwa Valley to Lusaka – Zambia

Wake up to the sights and sounds of the wilderness, savoring your final morning in the African bush.

After breakfast at the riverside camp, you are transferred back to the Mfuwe airport for your flight back to Lusaka where this one-of-a-kind Zambia Safari adventure.

• Includes: Road transfer to Mfuwe Airport and flight from Mfuwe to Lusaka