DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Lusaka

You will be met at Lusaka Airport and transferred to your hotel in the capital city of Zambia.

Check in, settle in and relax under warm blue African skies.  

Day 2: Fly to South Luangwa National Park

Transfer to Lusaka Airport for your light aircraft flight to Mfuwe, where you will be met and transferred to the famous South Luangwa National Park.

Check in to your lodge in this renowned wildlife wilderness, before setting out in the late afternoon on an open-top game viewing drive with your ranger. Game is most easily sighted in the dry season from April to October, but the park is at its most beautiful in the first half of the year after the rains of the wet season.

Days 3 & 4: Game Viewing

South Luangwa National Park is Zambia’s most famous conservation area, covering an area in excess of 5,600 square miles (9,050 square kilometres). Sustained by the meandering Luangwa River, the park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The changing seasons add to the park’s richness, ranging from dry bare bushveld in the winter to lush green in the summer.

Rise early each morning, when game viewing conditions in this pristine wildlife wilderness are at their best, either observing on foot or from an open-top safari vehicle. With over 60 different animal species, the concentration of game around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons is amongst the highest in Africa, with elephant and leopard sightings being particularly good. You can also hope to see lion, buffalo, wild dog, zebra and antelope, whilst the endemic Rhodesian (Thornicroft’s) giraffe, Cookson's wildebeest and Sharpe's grysbok are found only in the Luangwa Valley.

Birding is also outstanding with over 400 different species, including large flocks of cranes. In September and October you can enjoy the amazing spectacle of thousands of southern carmine bee-eaters nesting along the river banks. From November numerous migratory birds start to arrive to exploit the feeding opportunities presented during the warm rainy season - including red-chested cuckoo, hobbies and birds of prey such as steppe buzzards that travel from as far afield as Russia.

After relaxing at your lodge during the heat of the day, in the late afternoon set out on another game activity with your ranger. In the evening relax by the campfire under a balmy African sky and hear the untamed sounds of wildlife all around.

Day 5: Fly to Victoria Falls

After some early morning game viewing in South Luangwa, transfer to Mfuwe Airport for your light aircraft flight to Lusaka and connecting flight to Livingstone, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel near the mighty Victoria Falls.

Check in and relax whilst you catch your first glimpses of the magnificent "Smoke That Thunders" first discovered by Dr. David Livingstone and still one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. The flow of water over the Victoria Falls is greatest from February to June following the summer rains and is a magnificent sight (but note that the Zambian side of the falls dries up in October and November, when it is better to visit the Zimbabwean side).

Day 6: Zambezi River & Victoria Falls

Today we recommend exploring on foot the mighty Victoria Falls and its rainforest, which offers magnificent views.

Afterwards you can participate in other optional activities such as a helicopter flight over the falls or an elephant interaction.

In the late afternoon we suggest an optional cruise on the Zambezi River where you may see hippos, crocodiles and abundant bird life.

Note: We suggest you take your own raincoat for walking in the rainforest, as those on hire are well used. There is also the option of crossing over to the Zimbabwean side of the falls for postcard views (passport and uni-visa required). This is essential in the dry water season.

Day 7: At Leisure

At leisure to relax at your hotel near the magnificent Victoria Falls.

Many optional activities are on offer, such as a helicopter flight over the falls or a game drive in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Adrenalin seekers can participate in adventure activities such as canoeing in the gentler rapids above the falls, abseiling or white water rafting in the turbulent gorge below the falls (grade 5), or bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge.

Day 8: Fly Home

Transfer to Livingstone Airport for your flight home.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, and full board whilst on safari. All light aircraft flights, transfers, park fees and game drives are included. International and domestic flights are not included and will be quoted separately.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.