10 Day Zambia's Hidden Gem Safari

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Itinerary
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Zambia's Great Parks are a must-see! This 10-day safari trip includes magnificent walking safaris, game drives, and boat safaris in the Kafue National Park and the Amazing Busanga Plains, as well as the famous walking safari and night game drives in South Luangwa. On foot, on a game drive, and a boat, you will get closer to nature! The ultimate schedule for nature enthusiasts who want to immerse themselves in the bush is staying in remote and small camps around Zambia, and this itinerary is right for you.

All activities as stated on offer are:

Ila Safari Lodge, Central Kafue National Park: Morning and evening game drives (both fossil-fuelled and on our electric game viewers), walking safaris, Fishing and Boating, Visit the Chunga community & school/Agricultural Community Farming Project.
Chisa Busanga Camp, Northern Kafue National Park (Busanga Plains): Morning and evening game drives, walking safaris and electrically assisted cycling safaris
Shawa Luangwa Camp, Nsefu Sector South Luangwa National Park: Morning and evening game drives, walking safaris, bush breakfast and lunches

Places Covered:

Central Kafue National Park - Busanga Plains Northern Kafue NP - South Luangwa National Park

Highlights

Kafue National Park and Busanga Plains Safari
Walking Safari & Boat Cruise
Day & Night Game Drive Safari
South Luangwa National Park

About

What's included

What's not included

Food and Accommodation

Day 1 - 4: Ila Safari Lodge - Kafue National Park

Ila Safari Lodge is a true eco-lodge providing facilities of the highest quality to a maximum of 24 guests. The lodge is located on the banks of the mighty Kafue River in an area of abundant wildlife and boasts 180-degree views out across the water. The central boma is best described by the phrase 'eco-friendly meets dynamic design' and is the showpiece of our property. The lodge has 10 states of the art luxury safari tents perched each on their deck reaching out over the banks of the Kafue River. Included in our 10 top-notch tenants are 2 larger family suites. Each tent has been individually designed to mesh with the flora surrounding it providing shade, privacy and your very own piece of Kafue wilderness.

The interiors, as well as the private decks, are furnished in chic, modern African style and every comfort has been considered. All tents feature en suite bathrooms and either outside showers or baths. Beds are extra length for the most comfortable night’s sleep. Mosquito nets are spacious and billowing and are turned down for you each evening.

Day 4 – 7: Chisa Busanga Camp, Busanga Plains – Kafue National Park

The Chisa Busanga Camp is set on the picturesque Busanga Flood Plains in the north of Kafue National Park in Zambia. This camp is open yearly from June to November and offers unique accommodation. The name derives from its remarkable architecture, as the 4 guest units have been built as tree-houses, in the shape of bird-nests, to perfectly blend in with nature (Chisa means birds nest in the local language), overlooking the plains. Each nest offers complete privacy and a birds-eye view on the plains, both from the inside as from you provide an observation deck. All nests feature an in/outdoor shower. The Boma overlooks the plains and has a plunge pool to cool down and relax, during the hottest months. While staying at this camp, guests can enjoy game drives and walking safaris.

Day 7 – 10: Shawa Luangwa Camp – South Luangwa National Park

Shawa Luangwa Camp is based in South Luangwa, ideally located at the crossing of the magnificent South Luangwa National Park and the amazing Nsefu sector. It can be reached from Mfuwe Airport after a 60-minute drive. Set along the banks of the Luangwa River, this intimate camp offers an authentic bush experience, underpinned by responsible tourism practices. With the legendary Jacob Shawa as their guide, guests will be assured of the most amazing sightings during game drives, walking safaris and bush breakfasts. Shawa Luangwa Camp accommodates 10 guests with 5 uniquely-styled luxury safari tents, 2 of which can convert into a family tent. The centre boma is double-storey, lifting guests to have a clear view over the river.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Meet & Greet /Transfer to Kafue NP

Welcome to Zambia! Fly from your home to Lusaka, Zambia. You will be welcomed by our representative upon arrival and transferred by road to Kafue National Park, where you will spend three nights at Ila Safari Lodge, which is conveniently positioned on the banks of the Kafue River in Kafue National Park. Ila Safari Lodge, located just one hour flight away from Lusaka's airport or a Four-hour drive from Zambia's capital city, is the ideal location for exploring deeper into the Kafue National Park.

Depending on when you arrive, you can either relax and enjoy the amenities and the river scenery, or you can go out on a Sunset Boat Cruise, return to the lodge, freshen up, and dinner will be provided.
Day 2 & 3: Explore Kafue National Park

Breakfast is followed by a morning game viewing activity such as a game drive safari, a walking safari, or a boat cruise, before returning to the lodge for lunch and free time to rest. Alternatively, you might request an excursion to visit the community, meet local people, and check on the projects that Greens and the community are working on during your spare time.

Afternoon tea/coffee snacks will be offered later in the day before departing for the afternoon game viewing activity before returning to the lodge almost in time for dinner then bedtime.
Day 4: Road trip to Busanga Plains

This morning you will have breakfast and then a game drive transfer head to Busanga Flood Plains, situated in the northern part of the Kafue National Park in Zambia, this is one of the most unique wilderness areas Africa has to offer.

You will stay for three nights at Chisa Busanga, truly unique and amazing Birds-Nests that completely blend in with nature. Chisa Busanga Camp is a new intimate bush camp located on a beautiful island in the heart of the Busanga Plains, in the north of the Kafue National Park.

The name of the camp comes from its unique architecture and consists of 4 amazing treehouses built in the shape of birds-nests, that look out over the massive floodplains and dambos, teeming with wildlife and birds.
Day 5 & 6: Explore Busanga Plains

Breakfast in the morning then morning game drive safari or walking safari then lunch break and free time to relax. In the afternoon, tea/coffee followed by afternoon game drive safari and back to the lodge relax and later dinner is served.
Day 7: Flight to Mfuwe in South Luangwa NP

Today you will have breakfast then a morning game drive and lunch. Then you will later check out and your guide will transfer you to Busanga Airstrip for your 1hr40mins to Lusaka airport to connect with your 1hr10 mins flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe.

On arrival at Mfuwe airport in South Luangwa National Park, you will be met by your guide from Shawa Luangwa Camp and it's about 1hr scenic road transfer from the local village and bush.

Shawa Luangwa Camp is based in South Luangwa, ideally located at the crossing of the magnificent South Luangwa National Park and the amazing Nsefu sector. It can be reached from Mfuwe Airport after a 60-minute drive. Set along the banks of the Luangwa River, this intimate camp offers an authentic bush experience, underpinned by responsible tourism practices.

With the legendary Jacob Shawa as their guide, guests will be assured of the most amazing sightings during game drives, walking safaris and bush breakfasts. Shawa Luangwa Camp accommodates 10 guests with 5 uniquely-styled luxury safari tents, 2 of which can convert into a family tent. The centre boma is double-storey, lifting guests to have a clear view over the river.

You will stay here for three nights exploring the fantastic South Luangwa national park on Game drive and walking safaris. Check-in and you will relax then later dinner are served.
Day 8 & 9: Explore South Luangwa NP, Nsefu Sector

On days 8 & 9, you will have breakfast in the morning and then morning activity will follow which will be Game drive Safari or walking safari then back to the camp in time for a lunch break and free time to relax.

Later in the afternoon, you will have tea/coffee then an afternoon/night game drive safari, you will start with the afternoon then have a sundowner drink and continue with dark for a famous night game drive in search of nocturnal animals such as the elusive leopard etc. You will then get back to the camp and dinner will be served.
Day 10: Departure / Flight to Lusaka

This day you will have breakfast and then depending on your international flight time from Lusaka or your onward arrangement, you will either leave for Mfuwe airport after breakfast or after the morning game viewing activity and lunch.