Proceed to your choice of departure airport and check-in for your overnight flights to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.
Flights: will be booked and quoted individually based on your own routing, class and airline preferences.
Arrival in Lusaka, border crossing formalities and baggage collection. Welcome by the eXplorAction team at the exit of the customs area and proceed to collect the self-drive rental vehicles.
Depart on self-drive to the lodge which is located beyond Lusaka, well outside the city, nicely on the way to our following destination. Drive time of about 1h30 for 60 kilometres.
Welcome upon arrival and installationin the rooms.
Time at leisure to settle in and enjoy the lodge's facilities in their wild environment.
Welcome dinner (included) and overnight directly to the north of Lusaka.
Visa: the tourist visa for Zambia is usually obtained on site on arrival - at least for the majority of European citizens. This costs USD 50 per person payable in cash or by credit card. Reductions apply for children.
Health: no vaccination is compulsory to visit Zambia; given the more adventurous conditions of the trip, it is advisable to be vaccinated against certain diseases such as tetanus, hepatitis, etc. Malaria prophylaxis is necessary. The most important thing, however, will be good sun protection.
Self-drive rental 4x4's: although escorted by our professional team, the itinerary is meant to be self-driven. We are therefor renting proper double cab (or similar) 4x4's with enough space for luggage and overland equipment. The vehicles come equipped with a second spare wheel, a long range petrol tank, a coobox and enough space for personal luggage, camping gear. Note that Zambia is a huge country and although the focus is on a well defined region, the journey will involve long driving hours.
Camping gear: each vehicle will be supplied with the personal camping gear including ground sail, sherpa style tents, self-inflatable mattresses , pillows and camping chairs. Sleeping bag and protective linnen has to be brought personally.
Escorted: the entire itinerary is escorted and guided by our own team including an expedition leader, a qualified professional guide and camp assistants as needed. Although meals will be provided, the concept is meant to be participatory.
Full buffet breakfast at the lodge.
Depart on self drive basis with destination Kasanka National Park. This is going to be the longest day of driving in the journey, about 500 kilometres for an estimated drive time of just not 7 hours.
Lunch (included) will be planned halfway in Mkushi.
Arrival in Kasanka National Park and proceed to one of its key wildlife location by the so-called "pontoon" drift over the Kasanka river. This is a great location to spot the elusive sitatunga antelope. A late afternoon walk will be planned to try our luck and observing local wildlife.
Dinner cooked over the campsite (included) and overnight in tents in Kasanka National Park.
Tents: we use Sherpa 400 or 500 tents for the porpuse of this itinerary. They are fitted on the ground allowing the vehicle to be available as opposed to rooftop tents. The tents are also very spacious to allow to store luggage and move around comfortably.
Upgrade option: as part of the eXplorAction concept, the idea is to enjoy the proximity with nature and camp in some of Africa's most remote wilderness areas. In certain destinations, lodges are available in the not too distant vicinity of the campsites. While enjoying the same itinerary, we can offer the option to upgrade to a classic lodge with a supplement in price.
Breakfast in the bivouac: the English version cooked over a campfire ... fruits, cereals, yogurts, bread, toast, eggs of your choice, fruit juice, coffee and tea.
Picnics: they will always be neat and will include one or more salads, cheeses, cold meats, bread and fruit depending on the season.
Dinner in the bivouac: always cooked over a campfire ... a soup or a soup followed by grilled meat or fish accompanied by a starch and two vegetables depending on the supply. And a sweet touch to finish in style.
Diet and allergies: everything is planned to be able to satisfy the preferences of vegetarians and to take into account possible allergies on condition of being informed well in advance. While keeping in mind that procurement is not an easy task in these remote areas.
Full day of game viewing activities and game drives in Kasanka National Park. Game drives will allow to explore the valleys and marshes of the park. Short hikes to the various viewing decks and platforms will be included to give a full perspective over the local biotopes. The morning and late afternoon ones giving the best chances to observe the sitatunga and enjoy the local birdlife.
Overnight in tents in Kasanka National Park, all meals are included.
Last opportunity to spot the sitatunga in the early morning before enjoying a breakfast cooked over the campfire.
Depart on self drive basis towards the Bangweulu Wetlands with a small detour to view the beautiful Kundalila Falls.
Reaching the Bangweulu marshes will require a 5 hours' drive for about 300 kilometres. Picnic lunch en route (included).
Installation of the camp on arrival and departure for a first wildlife safari inthe Nsobe and Chikuni region of this huge wetlands ecosystem. These marshes represent a natural water tower supply for whole part of Zambia into the Congo river basin. The region is renowned for its huge herds of black lechwe and zebras.
Dinner cooked over campfire (included). Overnight in tents near the Bangweulu marshes.
Early breakfast at the camp (included).
And departure to Chikuni where the boatmen await us for a full day of discovery of the Bangweulu wetlands. Activities will focus on meeting the fishing communities, observe its wild fauna and with a bit of luck spot some of the shoebill stroks that live in the region.
Picnic lunch (included).
Return to the mainland after a full day on teh water and head back to the campsite at the end of the day.
Dinner cooked over campfire (included). Overnight in tents near the Bangweulu marshes.
Early morning outing for self drive game viewing in the savanna and along the flood plains of the marshes and return to camp for a breakfast cooked over the campfire.
Depart on self drive basis towards the northern city of Mansa. The drive will first leave the marshy and forested area before reaching the tarred road that leads to the destination. En route we will cross the impressive bridge road that was build where the Bangweulu wetlands officially become the Luapula river that makes most of the border with the Congo. Opportunity to meet fishing communities. The 300 kilometres will require about 5 hours drive depending on the condition of the tracks in the Bangeulu region.
Picnic lunch en route (included).
Mid afternoon arrival in Mansa and installation at the hotel. This stage will not only provide for a decent room and a proper bed but will also give enough time to the escort team to refuel with supplies for the camping days ahead in remote Zambia.
Dinner in a local restaurant (included) and overnight in Mansa.
Breakfast at the lodge (included).
Depart on self drive basis for a first stop and visit of the Mumbuluma Falls also allowing for an early morning swim. The road will then follow the border with the Congo allowing for plenty of time to meet with local communities, to enjoy the views over the Luapula river, its flood plains, its rapids, etc. The road is merely about 220 kilometers and being mostly tar - unless we divert onto side roads - it should not take more than 4 hours to drive.
Picnic lunch en route (included).
Reaching the Ntumbachushi falls by mid afternoon and setting up camp there for the night. That will allow plenty of time to visit the various sites of the falls and including the possibility of swimming.
Dinner prepared over campfire (included) and camping at Ntumbachushi falls.
Breakfast at the campsite (included).
Enjoy one more swim at the natural pools of Ntumbachushi Falls before hitting the road north and the shores of Lake Mweru. The journey will be relatively short for only a mere 120 kilometres but punctuated by numerous stops to meet local communities: villages, fishermen, markets, clinics, schools, etc.
Picnic lunch en route (included).
At the beginning of the afternoon we will ask for the hospitality of a village fishing community by the lake and the authorization to install our camp there. Free time to stroll around the village and perhaps go out for a fishing trip on the lake.
Dinner cooked over campfire (included). Camping on the shores of Lake Mweru.
Breakfast at the campsite (included).
Depart on self drive to head for the Kundabwika Falls. A short hike of about 2 kilometres will be required to reach the Kalungwishi river. Visit of the falls and picnic lunch on site (included).
In the afternoon, continue to the Lumangwe falls.
Installation of the camp and visit of the falls in the afternoon. If the Victoria Falls did not exist, those of Lumangwe and the Kabwelume Falls less than 10 km away would probably be the most visited in Zambia, or even in Africa!
Dinner prepared over campfire (included) and camp at Lumangwe falls.
Petit-déjeuner en bivouac: la version anglaise cuisinée sur feu de camp ... fruits, céréales, yaourts, pain, toasts, oeufs au choix, jus de fruit, café et thé.
Pique-niques: ils seront toujours soignés et comprendront une ou plusieurs salades, des fromages, des charcuteries, du pain et des fruits selon la saison.
Dîner en bivouac: toujours cuisinés sur feu de camp ... une soupe ou un potage suivi d'une grillade de viande ou poisson accompagné d'un féculent et de deux légumes selon l'approvisionnement. Et une touche sucrée pour finir en beauté.
Régime alimentaire et allergies: tout est prévu pour pouvoir satisfaire les préférences des végétariens et de tenir compte des allergies éventuelles à condition d'en être informés bien à l'avance. Tout en gardant à l'esprit que l'approvisionnement n'est pas une mince affaire dans ces zones reculées.
Breakfast at the campsite (included).
Last look at the falls before bravely hitting the road for Ndole Bay on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Not much more than 300 km but which might require as much as 6 hours depending onthe condition of the road.
Picnic on the way (included).
Late afternoon arrival at the beautiful beach of Ndole Bay Lodge ... and the right moment to dive into the crystal clear waters of the lake before setting up camp.
Dinner at the lodge (included).
Bivouac at Ndole Bay with the option of staying at the lodge (additional charge).
Upgrade option: our stay at Ndole Bay Lodge will include meals with the lodge while using their excellent camping grounds for setting up the tents. The lodge offers nice chalets which can be booked for those wishing a bit more comfort during their 3 nights on the shores of lake Tanganyika.
Two full days spent on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
All meals will be provided by the lodge while staying in tents on the camping grounds withthe option to upgrade your stay into one of the chalets (with supplement).
On one of the two days on site, a 6 to 7 hour cruise will be scheduled in a dhow to snorkel - optional diving - and watching wildlife along the shores of Nsumbu National Park.
Breakfast (included) at the lodge and early departure by road to Kasama, destination where to refuel with provisions.
Lunch (included) in a local restaurant in Kasama.
Continue south to reach the region of Shiwa N'Gandu and the site of Kapishya Hot Springs.
Installation of the tents on arrival. with the option to stay at the lodge at an additional cost.
Dinner at the lodge (included) and balneotherapy session in the hot springs under the milky way at night!
Camping at Kapishya Hot Springs.
Upgrade option: for those interested, there is the option to upgrade to the chalets of the lodge at Kapishya.
Breakfast at the camp (included).
Departure for a guided hike of 4 to 6 hours in the region of the lodge. Everyone will carry their picnic lunch (included) for the journey.
Dinner cooked over campfire (included) and overnight in tents at Kapishya Hot Springs.
Breakfast at the lodge (included).
Early departure to Mutinondo. It will take 3 hours to cover the 150 km of the morning and arrive in this very special reserve. Located on the ridges of the mountainous escarpments that separate the highlands of the Luangwa valley, the vegetation, the soil and the rock formations are very unusual.
Picnic lunch on arrival (included).
Departure with a local guide for a nice 3 to 5 hour hike in the afternoon. Return to the lodge at the end of the day.
Dinner at the lodge. Camping at Mutinondo.
Breakfast at the camp (included).
Last morning walk in the reserve before hitting the South Luangwa road. After leaving the asphalt road T2, the track will head south to descend the escarpment ... it will be steep and the vehicles will be severely tested ... but once in the valley we will find ourselves in one of the best photographic safari reserves in Africa !!! The journey of approximately 250 km will take 5 to 6 hours.
Picnic lunch en route (included).
Continue to the main entrance in safari mode to enjoy watching the animals. Settle in at the lodge on arrival and bid farewell to the vehicles that will be re-positioned to Lusaka. This is where the self-drive part ends and where all meals, accommodation and wildlife safaris will be provided by the lodge.
Afternoon photographic safari in the South Luangwa National Park in open 4x4 with the guides of the lodge.
Dinner (included) and accommodation at the lodge.
Photographic safari days in the South Luanga. The stay does include all meals, accommodation, the entrance fees and all safari activities on offer such as game walks and game drives.
Adjusting the stay: should some want to shorten their stay or lengthen it, this is always possible based on availability of accommodation.
Morning safari activity.
Breakfast at the lodge.
Timely transfer to Mfuwe airport for the domestic flight to Lusaka. Flight time of approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.
Welcome on arrival in Lusaka and assistance with the registration of return flights to Europe according to those chosen.
Night flights to return to Europe.
Return in Europe.
