11 DAY CLASSIC ZAMBIA JOURNEY

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 NSEFU CAMP

After an early breakfast, a transfer game drives through the park into the Nsefu Sector of the park and onto Nsefu Camp. Nsefu was the first game camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognized then as a phenomenal area and it still is.

There are six round rondavels with luxurious en suite facilities and each room has a clear view of the sweeping bend of the Luangwa River through large windows and from the wooden verandahs. 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 4-5: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

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 6: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK TO LOWER ZAMBEZI

After an early breakfast, transfer to Mfuwe Airport (1.5 hours) for the flight to the Lower Zambezi. 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.

The transfer to Chiawa Camp is through the park and there is the chance of game viewing along the way. Resting on the banks of the Zambezi under a lush grove of mahogany and acacia trees, eight spacious tents on elevated wooden platforms with en-suite facilities offer Chiawa's guests ample comfort and stunning views. Game-viewing in the pristine Lower Zambezi National Park is 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.

DAY 7 -8: LOWER ZAMBEZI

At Chiawa there are various activities to choose from. Not only on offer are exciting day and night drives and bush walks, but Chiawa's 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 9 - 10: LIVINGSTONE VICTORIA FALLS

Today (usually in the morning) you will take a flight transfer onto Livingstone via Lusaka (1.5 hours’ flight).  On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Tongabezi Lodge where you will settle into your accommodation and be served a delicious lunch.

Accommodation at Tongabezi Lodge is set in a tranquil grove of ebony on a sweeping bend of the Zambezi River, and consists of colonial-style river cottages and spacious open-planned stone and thatch houses. There is a wide range of activities on offer at Tongabezi including fishing, canoe trips on the river, game drives in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park.

For the more adventurous, Livingstone boasts a whole host of adrenaline-filled activities including whitewater rafting, bungee jumping and micro lighting. Or you may just wish to rest in camp and enjoy the spectacular scenery and peaceful atmosphere. 

DAY 11: DEPARTURE 

After breakfast you may have a morning activity, time permitting or a transfer to Livingstone Airport for your onward connection.