Ultimate Zambia Safari
16 night luxury Safari to Kafue, South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi....
Day 1:
You will be met at Lusaka Airport by a representative of Wilderness Air who will assist onto the light aircraft for your flight to Chunga airstrip (1 hour), followed by a 45 minute road transfer and 10 minute boat transfer to KaingU Lodge.
KaingU offers accommodation at the KaingU Lodge which is set on raised individual private wooden decks, each overlooking the Kafue River. KaingU Safari Lodge comprises 4 double Meru-style tents with en-suite bathrooms, indoor showers and an open-air shower or bath. The tents' additional thatched roof provides extra shade. During your stay, all meals, local and hot drinks, snacks, laundry, activities and park fees are included.
Canoe trails for ½ day up to 3 days are available, overnighting at the Lodge or at bush camps in the National Park. These trails start north of the Lodge, travel with the current and finish where the river opens into large flood plains south of the Lodge. The scenery is spectacular and varied and the pace of the trail can be set to suit individual guests. Pods of hippos, crocodiles and elephant are regularly encountered as well as a wide variety of bird-life and antelope species. Guests are picked up and driven back to the Lodge at the end of the trail.
Guests are pleasantly surprised by a bush breakfast set up on an island or a lantern-lit dinner by the river when coming back from an activity. They can interact with the staff while the food is prepared and get a taste of the local cuisine. Traditional songs accompanied by dancing are a highlight of these evenings.
KaingU Safari Lodge has been designed and built to minimise the impact on the local environment. Maximum use has been made of existing trees, rocky outcrops and topographical features to blend in with its surroundings and reduce any impact on the unique landscape.
Day 4:
After breakfast, you will be chartered by Wilderness Air to Shumba Camp in the Busanga Plains (20 minutes). 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 kilometres, 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 spectacular views of the surrounding plains. Overall it is very spacious and open, with lots of dark polished teak decking and pristine furnishings which are a stark contrast to the rather 'shaggy dog look style' of the thatching. Due to being elevated, the lodge is blissfully breezy, however sometimes too breezy and as a result the main area has glass doors which are usually open wide, but are a welcome relief if the wind picks up. A large focus at the camp is to involve you in the safari way of life and many of the meals are prepared and cooked in front of you.
Activities at Shumba are led by qualified, enthusiastic guides with in-depth knowledge of the Kafue area and its wildlife. You have the option of game drives and walking safaris in and around the Busanga Plains and night drives provide the added excitement of the nocturnal wonders of the Kafue area. The Busanga Plains offers large herds of plains game and their predators, including leopard, wild dog, cheetah and prides of lion up to 20 strong. Sizeable herds of roan antelope, buffalo, blue wildebeest, puku and red lechwe are also part of the everyday scene at Shumba Camp giving the true Zambian experience.
This camp is perfectly situated to take advantage of the plains game and predator concentrations of the Busanga Plains, being situated as it is within close proximity to permanent water and having easy access to a mix of seasonal and permanent floodplains. Added activities at Shumba include: Specialist birding safari ± 3 hours; Full day safari with picnic lunch; Hot Air Balloon Safari; Boating
Day 7:
Today you will be chartered by Wilderness Air from Plains airstrip, back to Lusaka Airport (1 hour and 20 minutes), in time to board the Proflight flight to Mfuwe Airport. Your Guide will meet you at Mfuwe Airport, and will drive you to Puku Ridge Camp.
Puku Ridge is an intimate and traditional camp with six safari tents. Named after the Puku antelope that grazes on the floodplains below, the camp is perched on an escarpment in a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park. Puku Ridge Tented Camp is small and intimate, built unobtrusively close to the wild. It is a twelve-bed tented safari camp with six spacious walk-in canvas safari tents with a wraparound view of the flood plains below.
Each of the six comfortably furnished safari tents are huge - 12 meters by 7 meters with lovely big teak verandas, lavish bathroom with sunken baths and outdoor showers with superb views overlooking the floodplains.
Meals are served at the usually accepted times but can be dependent on game drives and will vary seasonally. All meals are table d'hote with a wide selection of dishes, and will be served outdoors whenever possible - often around a campfire in the evening.
Full range of game drives in South Luangwa National Park using open four-wheel-drive vehicles driven by a knowledgeable guide. Game to be seen includes Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog, Buffalo and Giraffe. Guided Walks by a professional guide and an armed national parks scout. The emphasis in this area is the wonderful opportunities for walking safaris.
You will be met at Lusaka Airport by a representative of Wilderness Air who will assist onto the light aircraft for your flight to Chunga airstrip (1 hour), followed by a 45 minute road transfer and 10 minute boat transfer to KaingU Lodge.
KaingU offers accommodation at the KaingU Lodge which is set on raised individual private wooden decks, each overlooking the Kafue River. KaingU Safari Lodge comprises 4 double Meru-style tents with en-suite bathrooms, indoor showers and an open-air shower or bath. The tents' additional thatched roof provides extra shade. During your stay, all meals, local and hot drinks, snacks, laundry, activities and park fees are included.
Canoe trails for ½ day up to 3 days are available, overnighting at the Lodge or at bush camps in the National Park. These trails start north of the Lodge, travel with the current and finish where the river opens into large flood plains south of the Lodge. The scenery is spectacular and varied and the pace of the trail can be set to suit individual guests. Pods of hippos, crocodiles and elephant are regularly encountered as well as a wide variety of bird-life and antelope species. Guests are picked up and driven back to the Lodge at the end of the trail.
Guests are pleasantly surprised by a bush breakfast set up on an island or a lantern-lit dinner by the river when coming back from an activity. They can interact with the staff while the food is prepared and get a taste of the local cuisine. Traditional songs accompanied by dancing are a highlight of these evenings.
KaingU Safari Lodge has been designed and built to minimise the impact on the local environment. Maximum use has been made of existing trees, rocky outcrops and topographical features to blend in with its surroundings and reduce any impact on the unique landscape.
Day 4:
After breakfast, you will be chartered by Wilderness Air to Shumba Camp in the Busanga Plains (20 minutes). 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 kilometres, 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 spectacular views of the surrounding plains. Overall it is very spacious and open, with lots of dark polished teak decking and pristine furnishings which are a stark contrast to the rather 'shaggy dog look style' of the thatching. Due to being elevated, the lodge is blissfully breezy, however sometimes too breezy and as a result the main area has glass doors which are usually open wide, but are a welcome relief if the wind picks up. A large focus at the camp is to involve you in the safari way of life and many of the meals are prepared and cooked in front of you.
Activities at Shumba are led by qualified, enthusiastic guides with in-depth knowledge of the Kafue area and its wildlife. You have the option of game drives and walking safaris in and around the Busanga Plains and night drives provide the added excitement of the nocturnal wonders of the Kafue area. The Busanga Plains offers large herds of plains game and their predators, including leopard, wild dog, cheetah and prides of lion up to 20 strong. Sizeable herds of roan antelope, buffalo, blue wildebeest, puku and red lechwe are also part of the everyday scene at Shumba Camp giving the true Zambian experience.
This camp is perfectly situated to take advantage of the plains game and predator concentrations of the Busanga Plains, being situated as it is within close proximity to permanent water and having easy access to a mix of seasonal and permanent floodplains. Added activities at Shumba include: Specialist birding safari ± 3 hours; Full day safari with picnic lunch; Hot Air Balloon Safari; Boating
Day 7:
Today you will be chartered by Wilderness Air from Plains airstrip, back to Lusaka Airport (1 hour and 20 minutes), in time to board the Proflight flight to Mfuwe Airport. Your Guide will meet you at Mfuwe Airport, and will drive you to Puku Ridge Camp.
Puku Ridge is an intimate and traditional camp with six safari tents. Named after the Puku antelope that grazes on the floodplains below, the camp is perched on an escarpment in a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park. Puku Ridge Tented Camp is small and intimate, built unobtrusively close to the wild. It is a twelve-bed tented safari camp with six spacious walk-in canvas safari tents with a wraparound view of the flood plains below.
Each of the six comfortably furnished safari tents are huge - 12 meters by 7 meters with lovely big teak verandas, lavish bathroom with sunken baths and outdoor showers with superb views overlooking the floodplains.
Meals are served at the usually accepted times but can be dependent on game drives and will vary seasonally. All meals are table d'hote with a wide selection of dishes, and will be served outdoors whenever possible - often around a campfire in the evening.
Full range of game drives in South Luangwa National Park using open four-wheel-drive vehicles driven by a knowledgeable guide. Game to be seen includes Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog, Buffalo and Giraffe. Guided Walks by a professional guide and an armed national parks scout. The emphasis in this area is the wonderful opportunities for walking safaris.
Day 10:
You will be transferred from Puku Ridge Camp to Chinzombo Camp. Chinzombo Camp is situated on 60 acres of private land with vistas extending across the beautiful Luangwa River towards the wildlife rich South Luangwa National Park. This tranquil camp enjoys a shaded spot beneath the canopy of a grove of mature trees and gives you private access to the neighbouring park. The site is peaceful and secluded, on a large and pristine area of land almost entirely cut off by the meandering Luangwa River, meaning that Chinzombo, despite being open all year round, is practically an island.
One of the most luxurious camps in the area, Chinzombo Camp comprises six villas with en-suite facilities, one of which is a family space with two bedrooms and bathrooms. Each villa is designed to merge into its wild surroundings while ensuring you enjoy every comfort, including a private plunge pool, deck, cooled bedroom and stunning vistas of the Luangwa River. The camp’s communal space contains an open-plan bar, library, dining room, and a swimming pool. During your time spent at the camp in between safaris, you can enjoy the Wi-Fi access, the exercise and yoga area, the spa facilities and your refreshing plunge pools. There are plenty of shady decks overlooking the Luangwa for you to relax on and soak in the views.
During your stay at Chinzombo Camp you can join skilled and knowledgeable guides as you explore the area on day and night game drives or bushwalks through South Luangwa National Park. Game is abundant in this region, giving you an excellent opportunity to spot elephant, hippo, giraffe, lion and leopard, just to name a few.
Day 13:
Today you will be driven back to Mfuwe Airport, in time to check in for your Proflight charter to Royal airstrip in the Lower Zambezi National Park, routing via Lusaka.Flight PO807 departs Mfuwe at 13h20, arriving in Lusaka at 14h30, where it connects with flight PO614, departing Lusaka at 15h40, and arriving at Royal airstrip at 16h45.
Chiawa Camp is located right on the banks of the Zambezi River, in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park and with the mountains of the Zambian Escarpment as backdrop, it is difficult to imagine a more idyllic setting for a safari camp. Across the River, on the Zimbabwean side, lies Mana Pools National Park - together, these two Parks provide a fertile and untamed sanctuary for Africa's big game. The Zambezi River, in some places 2kms wide, is 2,700kms long and meanders through the Park, attracting loads of wildlife to its banks. Chiawa operates seasonally and is open from April through November.
Chiawa Camp is situated in an exquisite location under a shady grove of mahogany trees, in the heart of big game country, with expansive views of the mighty Zambezi River. The Camp consists of 8 spacious, well-ventilated safari tents, each set on its own elevated wooden platform under shady tress and with a panoramic view of the Zambezi. The secure tents are insect-proof, have twin or double beds with spring mattresses, solar lighting, solar/electric fans & battery charging, and en-suite flushing loos with hot & cold showers. The Honeymoon Suite is particularly romantic with a shower for two and a bath with private views of the Zambezi and the escarpment!
Chiawa specializes in providing tailor-made safaris to best suit each group or guest. With 4 pro-guides, 4 vehicles, and 3 boats, guests are offered a maximum of choice. Chiawa's guiding has become renowned - its guides are qualified, experienced and inspired. Activities include game viewing by vehicle or pontoon boat, bush walks with an armed guide, night drives (usually after sundowners in the bush or on the river to see the nocturnal creatures), canoeing (half & one-day trips), bird safaris, bush breakfasts, visits to iron age sites, angling for the infamous tiger fish, and more.
The Chiawa guides are excellent fishermen and enforce a catch & release policy. World record class tiger fish are regularly caught at Chiawa Camp, leading to frequent visits from renowned anglers. Most types of fishermen are catered for including fly, bait, and spin. Chiawa is currently engaged in a record program to accumulate data on Tiger fish (average size 3kg, camp record 9.5kg) and the giant Vundu catfish (average size 10kg, camp record 38kg). The best angling months are September, October, and November.
Day 16:
After breakfast, you will be driven back to Royal Airstrip, in time to fly with Proflight back to Lusaka Airport, and your onward flight home. Flight PO612 departs Royal airstrip at 10h20, arriving in Lusaka at 10h55.
You will be transferred from Puku Ridge Camp to Chinzombo Camp. Chinzombo Camp is situated on 60 acres of private land with vistas extending across the beautiful Luangwa River towards the wildlife rich South Luangwa National Park. This tranquil camp enjoys a shaded spot beneath the canopy of a grove of mature trees and gives you private access to the neighbouring park. The site is peaceful and secluded, on a large and pristine area of land almost entirely cut off by the meandering Luangwa River, meaning that Chinzombo, despite being open all year round, is practically an island.
One of the most luxurious camps in the area, Chinzombo Camp comprises six villas with en-suite facilities, one of which is a family space with two bedrooms and bathrooms. Each villa is designed to merge into its wild surroundings while ensuring you enjoy every comfort, including a private plunge pool, deck, cooled bedroom and stunning vistas of the Luangwa River. The camp’s communal space contains an open-plan bar, library, dining room, and a swimming pool. During your time spent at the camp in between safaris, you can enjoy the Wi-Fi access, the exercise and yoga area, the spa facilities and your refreshing plunge pools. There are plenty of shady decks overlooking the Luangwa for you to relax on and soak in the views.
During your stay at Chinzombo Camp you can join skilled and knowledgeable guides as you explore the area on day and night game drives or bushwalks through South Luangwa National Park. Game is abundant in this region, giving you an excellent opportunity to spot elephant, hippo, giraffe, lion and leopard, just to name a few.
Day 13:
Today you will be driven back to Mfuwe Airport, in time to check in for your Proflight charter to Royal airstrip in the Lower Zambezi National Park, routing via Lusaka.Flight PO807 departs Mfuwe at 13h20, arriving in Lusaka at 14h30, where it connects with flight PO614, departing Lusaka at 15h40, and arriving at Royal airstrip at 16h45.
Chiawa Camp is located right on the banks of the Zambezi River, in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park and with the mountains of the Zambian Escarpment as backdrop, it is difficult to imagine a more idyllic setting for a safari camp. Across the River, on the Zimbabwean side, lies Mana Pools National Park - together, these two Parks provide a fertile and untamed sanctuary for Africa's big game. The Zambezi River, in some places 2kms wide, is 2,700kms long and meanders through the Park, attracting loads of wildlife to its banks. Chiawa operates seasonally and is open from April through November.
Chiawa Camp is situated in an exquisite location under a shady grove of mahogany trees, in the heart of big game country, with expansive views of the mighty Zambezi River. The Camp consists of 8 spacious, well-ventilated safari tents, each set on its own elevated wooden platform under shady tress and with a panoramic view of the Zambezi. The secure tents are insect-proof, have twin or double beds with spring mattresses, solar lighting, solar/electric fans & battery charging, and en-suite flushing loos with hot & cold showers. The Honeymoon Suite is particularly romantic with a shower for two and a bath with private views of the Zambezi and the escarpment!
Chiawa specializes in providing tailor-made safaris to best suit each group or guest. With 4 pro-guides, 4 vehicles, and 3 boats, guests are offered a maximum of choice. Chiawa's guiding has become renowned - its guides are qualified, experienced and inspired. Activities include game viewing by vehicle or pontoon boat, bush walks with an armed guide, night drives (usually after sundowners in the bush or on the river to see the nocturnal creatures), canoeing (half & one-day trips), bird safaris, bush breakfasts, visits to iron age sites, angling for the infamous tiger fish, and more.
The Chiawa guides are excellent fishermen and enforce a catch & release policy. World record class tiger fish are regularly caught at Chiawa Camp, leading to frequent visits from renowned anglers. Most types of fishermen are catered for including fly, bait, and spin. Chiawa is currently engaged in a record program to accumulate data on Tiger fish (average size 3kg, camp record 9.5kg) and the giant Vundu catfish (average size 10kg, camp record 38kg). The best angling months are September, October, and November.
Day 16:
After breakfast, you will be driven back to Royal Airstrip, in time to fly with Proflight back to Lusaka Airport, and your onward flight home. Flight PO612 departs Royal airstrip at 10h20, arriving in Lusaka at 10h55.
Included in this itinerary:
- Lusaka Airport meet and greet service
- Private air charter, road transfer and boat ride from Lusaka Airport to KaingU Camp
- 3 Nights at KaingU Camp in en-suite tents and Finfoot House for 4
- All meals, local drinks, snacks, laundry, activities and park entry fees
- Private air charter from KaingU to Shumba Camp
- 3 Nights at Shumba Camp in en-suite tents
- All meals, local drinks, guided activities and laundry
- Private air charter from Shumba Camp to Lusaka Airport
- Proflight charter from Lusaka to Mfuwe Airport
- Road transfer from Mfuwe to Puku Ridge Camp
- 3 Nights at Puku Ridge in en-suite tents
- All meals, local drinks, guided activities, park fees and laundry
- Transfer from Puku Ridge to Chinzombo Camp
- 3 Nights at Chinzombo in en-suite villas
- All meals, local drinks, guided activities, park fees and laundry
- All meals, local drinks, guided activities, park fees and laundry
- Road transfer from Chinzombo Camp to Mfuwe Airport
- Proflight charter from Mfuwe to Royal airstrip, via Lusaka
- 3 Nights at Chiawa Camp in en-suite tents
- All meals, local wines, house spirits, laundry
- Professional guided activities: day and night drives, walks, canoeing, boat trips
- Proflight charter: Royal airstrip - Lusaka Airport
- Itinerary ends at Lusaka
Airport
- International flights to and from Lusaka Airport
- International departure taxes (+/- US$31)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Visa requirements
- Premium brand drinks
- Gratuities and items of a personal nature