Classic Fly in Safaris to The Lower Zambezi

Day notes

Your Chula Camp adventure begins the moment you land at Jeki Airstrip, deep in the heart of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park. Stepping off the light aircraft, you’re met by your Classic Zambia guide, who will be with you throughout your stay. The journey to camp isn’t just a transfer—it’s your first game drive, with a good chance of spotting elephant, buffalo, impala, and even lion or leopard before you arrive.

Chula Camp is set on a private island within the park, surrounded by channels of the Zambezi River and thick woodland—a setting that feels wild, remote, and beautifully peaceful. Your accommodation is in spacious, mesh-sided walk-in safari tents, with en suite bathrooms and open-air views that bring you safely closer to the wilderness. Evenings in camp are lit by lanterns and filled with the sounds of the bush.

Over the next three days, how you spend your time is flexible. Each morning and afternoon brings a choice of activities, led by highly experienced guides. Game drives take you through some of the park’s best wildlife areas, where elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, and a wide variety of antelope are regularly seen. Alternatively, set off on a walking safari, tracking wildlife on foot and learning about the smaller details of the ecosystem—tracks, birds, plants, and behaviours.

Being near the river, canoe safaris and boat cruises are also on offer (water levels permitting), giving you a completely different perspective—gliding past pods of hippos, basking crocodiles, and elephants coming down to drink. Sundowners on the river, with the Zambezi flowing past and the light softening over the landscape, are a highlight.

Evenings at Chula are unhurried—dinner under the stars, drinks by the fire, and time to unwind and listen to the sounds of the bush around you. Whether it’s your first time in the Lower Zambezi or a return visit, three nights at Chula offers a deep and personal experience of one of Africa’s great wildernesses.

Day notes

Kutali Camp – 3-Night Safari Stay

After three nights at Chula, your safari continues with a leisurely game drive transfer to Kutali Camp. It’s not a straight-line journey—this is prime Lower Zambezi wilderness, and your guide will take the opportunity to explore along the way. Depending on the route, you might track lion along the floodplains, pass herds of elephant browsing in the shade, or stop to watch a leopard lounging in the trees. It’s a slow, immersive way to shift camps—no rush, and plenty to see.

Kutali Camp is set beneath a shady canopy of winterthorn trees, just inland from the Zambezi River. The landscape here feels different from Chula—more wooded, a little softer—and yet just as alive with wildlife. The camp itself is simple in design but rich in atmosphere, with mesh-sided walk-in safari tents, en suite bathrooms, and a strong focus on getting you closer to nature while staying completely comfortable.

The rhythm of the day is much the same—early morning and late afternoon game drives, walking safaris, and canoeing, all guided by Classic Zambia’s exceptional team. The guiding here is top-notch: experienced, passionate, and in tune with the surroundings. They’ll tailor the experience to your interests—whether that’s tracking big cats, identifying birdlife, or learning about the dynamics of the ecosystem.

Canoeing from Kutali is a real highlight (subject to conditions), giving you the chance to paddle quietly through remote channels, surrounded by birds, hippos, and the occasional elephant crossing the river. Walking safaris offer a slower pace, with your guide and scout pointing out signs of life you’d miss from a vehicle—tracks, sounds, scent, and the intricate layers of bush life.

Back in camp, the days end with sundowners under the trees and dinner by lantern light. The campfire is a natural gathering point, where stories are shared and plans for the next day gently take shape.

A stay at Kutali rounds off your Lower Zambezi safari with depth and contrast—a slightly different setting, equally strong wildlife, and the same relaxed, low-impact safari ethos that defines Classic Zambia.

Day notes

On your final morning at Kutali, there’s time for one last early activity or a relaxed breakfast in camp before heading out on a game drive transfer back to Jeki Airstrip. As always, the journey is part of the experience—with chances of last-minute wildlife sightings along the way. From Jeki, you’ll catch your flight back to Lusaka, or continue onward to another part of Zambia if you’re extending your adventure. Whether you’re thinking of exploring South Luangwa, Kafue, Liuwa Plain, or even Victoria Falls, we’re on hand to help with ideas, extensions, and all the planning to make it seamless.