Explore two of Zambia’s best national parks on this fabulous 12-day safari, namely South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi. You’ll enjoy five nights in the first, with varied stays at a river lodge and a bush camp, then spend three nights in the second, on the Zambezi River. Finally, Victoria Falls beckons, and you’ll be off to Livingstone to explore all the exciting activities the area presents, from guided falls tours to sunset cruises and island picnics.
Welcome to Zambia! You’ll be met just after immigration, on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, by a representative, who will assist you with your bags and check-in to a scheduled flight to South Luangwa. On arrival, you’ll be met by a guide, who will transfer you by road to the camp, where you’ll stay for the next three nights.
Twice daily you’ll have the option to join the game activities, including day and night drives or a walking safari, in South Luangwa National Park. The afternoon game drive stops for sundowners and continues into a night drive using spotlights, to find smaller nocturnal animals or predators on the hunt. Bush walks bring another dimension to a safari, focusing on smaller things, such as birds and flora, while observing animals in the distance.
In between your game drives and walks, that is if you have not already tried it, enjoy pure relaxation in the only natural hot spring in the Luangwa Valley, while being presented with magnificent views over the floodplains and the Luangwa River. This is a wonderful way to unwind after a walking safari, which although not strenuous, can take place over rugged terrain, lasting usually three-to-four hours.
Today you’ll be driven to the southern part of the park, to Island Bush camp, about a two–three hour drive from Kafunta River Lodge. The focus of activities during your stay here will be on walking and exploring this exclusive and remote part of the park on foot.
Island Bush Camp enjoys a pure and remote wilderness area where you can enjoy walks in the morning and afternoon. Walking safaris bring a different experience, focusing on smaller animals, critters, birds and flora. Bigger animals are also often seen, such as elephant, giraffe, antelope and occasionally predators such as lion, leopard and wild dog.
Today you’ll be transferred back to Mfuwe Airport for your scheduled flight to Jeki Airstrip in Lower Zambezi National Park. On arrival, you’ll be met by a guide, who will transfer you to the camp. This is a fairly long transfer of approximately two hours, and will be done as a combination of a game drive and boat transfer with a picnic lunch en route.
Your best chance of seeing large herds of buffalo and predators in their natural habitat is on a game drive. Morning safari outings are the most productive, and here they start the drives from a different spot on the bank of the river each time, ensuring that you get to explore different areas. A short river cruise with a steaming cup of coffee and some delicious morning bakes will take you downstream by boat to your guide. During the night drives, you have a good chance of spotting the smaller nocturnal felines, porcupines, hyena, honey badgers and the odd bush baby.
This camp offers wonderful flexibility, allowing you to choose how much time you’d like to spend on safari. If you’d like the opportunity to spend the whole day out in the bush, the camp will arrange for full-day game drives. In these cases, you will be serve teas, refreshments and lunches under a canopy of beautiful trees, and you’ll have the opportunity to stretch your legs before setting off again.
Today it’s back to Jeki Airstrip via boat and road for your flight to Livingstone, via Lusaka. On arrival, you’ll be met by a driver for your 45-minute transfer to the lodge, your home for the next three nights. Here, you can enjoy two activities per day, consisting of a guided tour of the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side, daytime and sunset cruise, island picnics, Livingstone Town and shopping tour and a local school and village trip.
Breakfasts, brunches and lunches are casual affairs prepared in camp, out on the river or in the bush, tailored to suit your safari activities and personal preferences. A sunset cruise is the perfect way to end your day, relaxing on the peace and quiet of the Zambezi with a gin and tonic and snacks, watching whatever wildlife comes your way and with a virtually guaranteed perfect sunset. In the evening, enjoy a variety of signature dishes prepared by the local chefs.
Spend the day enjoying your activities and all that Waterberry has to offer. A highlight is a visit to a completely uncommercial local village, where many of the Waterberry staff live, giving you a unique view of life in rural Zambia. Your Waterberry guide will show you the daily life, housebuilding and agriculture, as well as the Tukongote School, which was built with guest donations.
Today you’ll be transferred to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone for your further travel arrangements.
