Best of Zambia

Twice daily guests have the option to join the game drives into South Luangwa National Park. Safari vehicles are equipped with a shade roof and have 3 rows with a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle. During the peak season (April to October) game drives access the park directly at Kafunta's pontoon.

The afternoon game drive stops for sundowners and continue into a night drive using spotlights, to find smaller nocturnal animals or predators on the hunt.

South Luangwa is the birthplace of walking safaris. Bush walks bring another dimension to a safari, focusing on smaller things, birds and flora while observing animals in the distance. Bush walks are not strenuous, but can take place over rugged terrain, lasting usually 3 to 4 hours.

Qualified walking guides and escort scout are a must. Unfortunately children under the age of 12 are not authorised to participate.

The hide is set up right under the dining deck and is facing the floodplains and lagoon where many waterbirds including fish eagles and saddle-billed storks are often seen, along with elephants and giraffes.

Kafunta Safaris highly recommend a visit to the village of Mfuwe where Project Luangwa has a visitor center where one can learn about the many projects benefiting local education and communities, there is also a café and a craftshop . It is also possible to organise a side trip to the Mulberry Mongoose jewellery workshop and to the iconic Tribal Textiles factory and shop and its Artisan market. In Central Mfuwe there is also the Conservation South Luangwa visitor center to learn more about conservation efforts.

Great for younger visitors is the Chipembele Wildlife Educational Center only 20 minutes away from Kafunta River Lodge.

Kafunta River Lodge features a small intimate spa with an array of relaxing treatments performed by an on-site therapist. Enjoying the infinity pool, the natural hot tub and booking a massage at the spa are a perfect way to spend the midday hours between game viewing activities. There is also a small gym with a selection of equipment and treadmills/bikes.

Island Bush Camp enjoys a pure and remote wilderness area in the South Luangwa National Park to enjoy walks morning and afternoon.

Bush walks bring a different experience to the safari, focusing on smaller animals, critters, birds and flora. Bigger animals are also often seen such as elephants, giraffes, antelopes and occasionally predators such as lions, leopards and wild dogs.

Certified safari guide and escort scout provided.

Unfortunately children under the age of 12 are not authorised on bush walks.

Although Island Bush Camp focuses activities on bush walks, a vehicle is based at camp to be used in relation to the walks, and most specifically after the sundowner, guests can enjoy a night drive back to camp.

Vehicles with shade roof, maximum 8 clients on the vehicle.

Set up just outside of Island Bush Camp, this hide is perfect to observe and photograph elephants as they come to drink and wallow in the small pond.

Nothing beats drifting down the Zambezi at sunset. Listen to the sound of the river settling in for the night. Baboons and monkeys climbing to safe-haven perches high in the trees, flocks of birds heading to their night-time roost. Herds of elephant and buffalo coming down for an evening drink, hippos grunting and splashing around, jostling for the best position in the water. This is what you'll do on your first night at Waterberry - sundowner in one hand, camera in the other. Bliss.

At dawn the Zambezi wakes - completely still with mist rising from the waters, this is a magical time to set out in a small boat with hot water bottle and blankets and hot coffee to see the sun rise as the birds setting out for their daytime feeding grounds.

Our village guide lives in the community and will show guests how rural Zambians lead their lives in this completely noncommercial setting. Followed by curious children guests will see our school and education areas, the village library and the community farm that are part funded by the village walks.

Waterberry's owners have built a school, library and adult education centre, and given land for a community farm opened during the pandemic to help provide food for the village. From a mud and stick classroom in 2009 to recognition of the school as a regional exam centre, the community projects programme is at the heart of Waterberry.

Victoria Falls never ceases to amaze. Flowing over 1.6km of sheer cliff between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the huge body of water changes with every season. High water in the early part of the year floods with absolutely astonishing force, shaking buildings miles away, releasing massive spray and vast double rainbows. In the dry season, from late October until early January, the huge 100m deep canyon is exposed with boiling rapids and views to the fast running cataract on the west side.

Walking the paths around the Falls is an unmatched, awe-inspiring experience. We think everyone should see the Falls from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides, because they are very different experiences.

Waterberry's expert bird guides take guests around the 1km Waterberry riverbank and through the wooded areas to see our amazing collection of birds. Keen birders can also visit Mosi O Tunya Park. A dawn cruise on the Zambezi reveals flocks of birds leaving their night time roost and heading for their daytime feeding grounds.

Livingstone was the capital of Zambia at the beginning of the 20th century, and some fascinating architecture remains. In the Museum guests can actually pull out and read David Livingstone's handwritten letters. At Maramba Market local Zambians shop for food, beautiful fabrics and literally everything!