11 DAY GEM OF ZAMBIA TOUR

DAY 1: LUSAKA AIRPORT TO SOUTH LUANGWA

On arrival at Lusaka International Airport, you will be met by a  representative who will have a name board with your names. He/She will assist you with immigration and customs clearing then check-in for your flight to Mfuwe, South Luangwa.

The flight is on average one hour. At Mfuwe International Airport a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you. The drive to Nkwali Camp is 1 hour through colorful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. Nkwali Camp has a wide view of the Luangwa River.

Overlooking the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is ideally situated for the start of your safari. The six rooms all look out over the river and have open-air bathrooms. Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the lagoon to the back of Nkwali or if in the afternoon for tea and the afternoon and night game drive.

DAY 2: NKWALI CAMP

At dawn, breakfast is served around the campfire. The porridge heated on the fire and toast cooked by the coals. The morning walk or drive will leave soon after, entering the park by boat from the camp or by the nearby pontoon. The game in the area is excellent – and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic species of giraffe, the Thornicroft Giraffe. A mid-morning break of tea, coffee, and cake will be taken at a scenic point on a lagoon or the Luangwa River. Return to camp for lunch around midday.

After lunch, you can cool off in the swimming pool or siesta. Following tea, you will go out on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early night giving the chance to see the nocturnal world, returning to camp about 20.00 hrs with dinner generally at 20.30.

DAY 3: NKWALI CAMP TO TENA TENA

After an early breakfast, a transfer game drives through the park into the Nsefu Sector of the park and onto Tena Tena.

On arrival, you will be shown to your rondavel and then lunch will be served followed by a well-deserved siesta before the afternoon and evening game drive.

DAY 4: TENA TENA

You have a chance to drive or walk through the ebony groves. Or you may decide this is an ideal day, depending on the heat and time of year, to explore the Nsefu Sector of the National Park possibly with an all day picnic drive to the salt pans that will cover different habitats and is an exceptional day’s safari.
Perhaps a visit to Kawaza village.

This community tourism initiative is a great opportunity to meet local people and experience life in a real non-tourist village.

DAY 5 - 7: LOWER ZAMBEZI

In the morning you fly to Lower Zambezi via Lusaka (about 4 hours door to door). As you fly into the area, you will see the wide Zambezi River, dotted with islands. Buffalo and elephant are always seen feeding along with the pods of hippos that rest on the edge of the sandbanks. A game drive from the airstrip introduces you to the game of Lower Zambezi before arriving at Chongwe.

The Chongwe River is the boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park. The camp has a wonderful view of not only the confluence of the two rivers but also the mountains of the impressive Zambezi escarpment. Situated under a canopy of Albida thorns and surrounded by cool lawns, the 8 chalets are large, well-appointed safari tents under thatch, with luxury ensuite open-air bathrooms.

The bathrooms are an experience on their own. All fittings are made from natural materials found near the lodge. Activities are extremely flexible and with individuals choosing from drives, walks, boat cruises, canoeing, and fishing. Game viewing in the pristine Lower Zambezi National Park is a superb and big game, such as elephant, hippo, buffalo, and the big cats are even seen regularly in and around the camp! After a late lunch, there will be a chance for an afternoon activity – be it on the river or by vehicle.

At Chongwe River Camp there are various activities to choose from. Not only on offer are exciting day and night drives and bush walks, but guests can choose their own day's itinerary from a selection of canoe trips, river safaris on safe, stable pontoon boats and catch & release angling for the infamous tiger fish.

DAY 8 - 10: LIVINGSTONE VICTORIA FALLS

After breakfast and farewells, a drive through the park to the airstrip to meet the plane taking you to the Kafue National Park (1.3 hours). Landing at the Busanga Airstrip you will be transferred to Shumba Camp by either a combination of vehicle and mokoro or vehicle only. The transfer will be between 40 and 50 minutes from the airstrip.

Shumba Camp is situated in the northern region of the Kafue National Park, in the famed Busanga Plains area. The Plains, covering approximately 750 square kilometers, is considered one of Zambia's most important wetlands as well as a wildlife paradise with a wealth of plains game, predators, and birds. Shumba Camp comprises six spacious luxury safari tents on raised platforms with breathtaking views of the surrounding plains. Activities here include game drives, night drives, and nature walks; exploring this incredible park.

DAY 11: DEPARTURE 

After breakfast, a morning activity, time permitting; you will be transferred to Busanga airstrip for your flight to Lusaka to connect onto your onward flight.