Classic Zambia Safari

Fly overnight to Johannesburg.

Connect through Johannesburg on to Livingstone, landing there in the early afternoon. A short transfer will take you up-river to Waterberry Zambezi Lodge, your home for the next 3 nights. Enjoy a late lunch on the deck overlooking the river and towards Zimbabwe on the other bank. After some time to relax you will be able to enjoy one of the lodge’s afternoon activities, with a gentle boat cruise on the Zambezi the perfect introduction to your time in the region.

Naturally you will want to visit the Victoria Falls and this morning will be an opportunity to do so. Accompanied by a guide from the lodge you can enjoy a walk around the network of paths that surround The Falls and marvel at the sheer size of them as the Zambezi plunges in to Batonka Gorge below. Head back to the lodge for lunch and then enjoy an afternoon relaxing by the sparkling swimming pool.

Aside from visits to The Falls, the lodge offers a range of inclusive activities such as fishing and birding trips, visits to local villages and guided tours of Livingstone town and the David Livingstone museum. If you are looking to explore further they can also arrange helicopter or microlight flights, bungee jumps, gorge swings, rhino tracking in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and visits to the Zimbabwean side to get a totally different perspective on Victoria Falls.

Enjoy breakfast on the terrace before being transferred back to the airport for a flight up to the Lower Zambezi National Park. From the airstrip you will be transferred through the park to Baines’ River Camp where you will be spending the next 3 nights. After some time to settle in you will enjoy a game drive to orientate yourselves with the area, enjoying amazing predator sightings as your guide takes you through this incredibly beautiful park.

One of the great joys of visiting the Lower Zambezi is the sheer variety of activities on offer. As well as game drives, they offer boat cruises along the river, which are especially popular with birders and photographers but are also ideal for late afternoon sundowner drinks trips. Canoe safaris and guided walks certainly appeal to more adventurous guests who want the thrill of exploring the park and getting as close to nature as they can – a truly exhilarating experience.

Of course, safaris aren’t all about being out and about spotting wildlife – they are a great time to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of the area that you are visiting. Baines’ is perfect for this with is riverside location offering dramatic views across the Zambezi and on to Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park on the far bank. The secluded swimming pool is the perfect spot to soak up the afternoon sunshine and the food at the lodge is exquisite.

After breakfast in the camp enjoy a game drive transfer back to the airstrip for a flight up to Mfuwe airport on the edge of the South Luangwa National Park. A guide will be waiting to transfer you in to the park and on to Kafunta River Lodge, a delightful lodge on the floodplains of the Luangwa River where you will spend 4 nights. You will have some time to relax this afternoon and enjoy the sunshine before heading out to enjoy an afternoon game drive in this most beautiful of parks.

Kafunta’s remote location is one of its biggest attractions, meaning guests staying here can enjoy a truly exclusive experience, as well as a wider variety of activities than camps in the busier parts of the park. As well as game drives they offer guided walks through the park, the opportunity to spend time in their specially designed photography hide as well as the Chipembele Wildlife Educational Centre which is just 20 minutes from the lodge.

The variety of wildlife that lives in the South Luangwa has to be seen to be believed. It is renowned for its excellent predator sightings, with evening leopard sightings especially common. Huge herds of buffalo and elephant roam the plains and guests can also see endemic species such as puku, delightful little antelope that congregate in large numbers to keep them safe from predators. The birding is also outstanding, so bring your binoculars and bird book.

Beyond offering an incredible wildlife viewing experience, Kafunta is renowned for having a superb variety of leisure facilities which make it one of the most desirable camps in the South Luangwa. The large swimming pool commands amazing views over the surrounding plains and staff are always on hand to serve drinks who are relaxing there. The small spa offers a variety of treatments and there is even a gym for those who are looking to work off the excellent food for which Kafunta is renowned.

After breakfast you will set off for Mfuwe airport, taking the time along the way to visit Project Luangwa, a charity which Kafunta supports and helps to improve the lives of people living around the park. You can also pop in to Mulberry Mongoose, a delightful jewellery workshop selling handcrafted pieces. From Mfuwe fly to Lusaka and connect on to Johannesburg for your overnight flight back to London.