Classic Zambia Safari

Duration
11 days
Price from
$10,074 pp.
Location
Zambia, Africa
South Luangwa Leopard

Trip Highlights

  • Experience the best of a classic Zambian safari
  • Luxury accommodation and amazing game sightings
  • Spend time at the almight Victoria Falls

What's Included

  • 10 nights accommodation
  • Transfers and English-speaking guides
  • Flights within Zambia

Our specialist says:

From the mighty Victoria Falls to the floodplains of the Zambezi River and the iconic South Luangwa National Park, this trip covers all of the highlights of Zambia. The range of places you visit and experiences you enjoy make this the perfect introduction to this most captivating of safari destinations.

When visiting any country for the first time visitors want to take in all of the key highlights, which is exactly what this trip delivers. Iconic landmarks, game-rich national parks to explore by vehicle, on foot or in boats, this really is the best of what Zambia has to offer and is an amazing way to explore the country.

Tamara, one of our Zambia Specialists, says:

"Zambia is one of the most authentic and unspoilt safari destinations in Africa. With national parks larger than most but with a fraction of the number of visitors, you will experience an intimate and wild safari which can be hard to find in other areas of Africa. What makes this trip so special is that it combines all the highlights of Zambia. From walking Safari, boat trips to view wildlife at eye level and our traditional game drives"

Start off by flying overnight into Livingstone, which is on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. From your base, a delightful homely lodge on the banks of the Zambezi, just half an hour upstream from Victoria Falls you will be able to explore this amazing area and enjoy everything that it as to offer. Walking tours of The Falls, boat trips on the river, museum visits, helicopter flights and trips across to the Zimbabwean side are all possible and your days will be filled with activities. Why not book a visit to our partner charity - Play it Forward, where you can see all the wonderful work they are doing for youth in Livingstone and its surrounds.

Next up is the beautiful Lower Zambezi National Park, a huge expanse of wildlife rich terrain sandwiched between the mighty Zambezi River and the mountains to the north. Here you can enjoy a wonderfully varied safari experience, with game drives, canoe trip, boat safaris and guided walks all on the agenda. Activities focus on the area around the river, which is where the bulk of the wildlife congregates, especially in the dry winter months. The final stop on your odyssey through Zambia will be the jewel in its crown, the incredible South Luangwa National Park. Renowned for its excellent predator sightings, as well as excellent walking terrain, this really is a safari-goers paradise with so much to see and do during your stay. Undoubtedly one of the finest safari spots in Africa, the South Luangwa is the perfect place to round off your adventure.

This quintessential Zambian experience is the perfect introduction to this gem of a safari destination and will doubtless leave you wanting to go back to explore some of its less well known, but equally alluring and beautiful parks and game reserves.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Livingstone & The Victoria Falls

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.

Day 2 Exploring from Waterberry

Victoria Falls From Above

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.

Day 3 Explore or relax – the choice is yours

Day 4 To the Lower Zambezi

Staying at Baines' River Camp

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 spend the next three 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.

Day 5 On safari from Baines’

Baines River Camp Game Drive Zambezi Zambia

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.

Day 6 Enjoying the camp

Day 7 On to the South Luangwa

Day 8 Exploring from Kafunta

Kafunta Game Drive South Luangwa

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.

Day 9 Abundant wildlife and beautiful landscapes

Day 10 Make the time to relax as well

Day 11 The journey home

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When to go to Zambia

Find out the best time to visit Zambia with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is a good time to visit Victoria Falls, but the rest of the country is very humid and wet leading to many camps shutting during January.

February

February remains wet, so its a good month to visit the thundering Victoria Falls, however only a few camps stay open for boating and walking. The rains have created lush vegetation, during this time of year it is alive with the sound of migratory birds in their breeding plumage, an excellent time for birders to visit Zambia.

March

If you want to witness Vic Falls at its fullest, March is the month to visit, with huge volumes of spray often obscuring the view. The birding is still magnificent in March, and camps offer fantastic value for money as there are no crowds.

April

In April the weather starts to dry, however rain remains a prominent feature of April. In the Lower Zambezi National Park, lush vegetation is at its thickest making animals more difficult to spot. April is seen to be the best time of year to witness the rarely seen Wild Dog in South Luangwa National Park.

May

May is a mixed month, the onset of the dry season means rains are unlikely, however access to certain camps is tricky due to sodden grounds. Game viewing in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi begin to improve as the vegetation things and waterholes begin to dry up, forcing wildlife together.

June

June is a great time to visit Zambia, the ground starts to dry out and camps are offering excellent deals and there are few visitors to share safari vehicles so you may have some areas to yourself.

July

July is high season, temperatures rise and all the camps are officially open. If you want to see game then South Luangwa is the best option, whereas the Lower Zambezi is perfect for river cruises and fishing.

Victoria falls is at its best, without being overly wet and clouded with spray.

August

August's hot and dry weather kicks off what Zambia is famous for, walking safaris. It is the prime time to combine game viewing with Victoria Falls.

September

Temperatures sore in September reaching high 20's making the long days particularly pleasant. This month sees Carmine Bee Eaters arrive, flocks of hundreds nest in river banks providing a thrilling spectacle of colour and sound.

October

October sees temperatures sore again, game viewing is best done in the early mornings to avoid the hot midday sun.

November

November brings the start of the rainy season, but the good news is the sporadic showers are not too disruptive and visitors get to see dramatic skies and stormy skies brewing. Temperatures are high and it can be humid, but the mixed weather brings great value stays. Plus many young animals are being born, making it a fantastic time to see the parks come to life.

December

The rainy season is in full force in December, grasslands begin to lengthen, foliage thickens and game viewing becomes a little trickier. The rivers rise and dependant on water levels travellers can visit 'devils pool' at Vic Falls, providing high excitement and a head for heights needed if you want to get close to the drop off.

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