12 days
Explore Zambia’s premier safari destinations through game drives, walking safaris and river activities. This luxury itinerary combines two of the country’s premier safari destinations, Lower Zambezi National Park, and South Luangwa National Park and to create the ultimate Zambia safari itinerary for wildlife enthusiasts looking to rove the parklands by road and river.
Highlights;
Places Covered; Lusaka - Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Park
Latitude 15 Degrees Hotel, Lusaka
Royal Zambezi Lodge – Lower Zambezi
Mfuwe Lodge – South Luangwa National Park
Chamilandu Bushcamp - South Luangwa National Park
Transportation included are;
Day 1 - 6: Royal Zambezi Lodge – Lower Zambezi
Located on the opposite bank to Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools, the Royal Zambezi Lodge is situated on the majestic Zambezi River. This intimate, family-owned lodge makes the most of the environment in which it is situated, letting nature provide guests with a magnificent setting for their African holiday. The lodge is positioned to allow visitors to take full advantage of a wide variety of safari activities in the area, which is home to elephants, buffalo, lions and the elusive leopard! Activities are offered by highly experienced guides, with over 50 years of experience in the Lower Zambezi region.
The Royal Zambezi Lodge offers guests outstanding hospitality and luxury, with attention paid to the finest detail. The thatch and copper roofs create a natural but sophisticated setting for you to relax. Our chef sources fresh, local ingredients to treat you to exciting and healthy cuisine.
The accommodation
The Royal Zambezi Lodge has 15 suites, all overlooking the river. Throughout the lodge, the décor combines contemporary, understated design with traditional safari elegance.
If you are looking for the ultimate indulgent experience, the Deluxe and Presidential suites allow you to submerge yourself into the natural surroundings without compromising on luxury. Unwind and sip on chilled champagne just meters from the river, whilst relaxing in your own private deep copper bath. Or enjoy a refreshingly cold, outdoor shower or dip in your private plunge pool while the wildlife drinks from the river below.
The Classic suites treat guests to cotton linen, feather pillows and extra length beds. The rich textures and natural tones will create a relaxing environment in which you can unwind and listen to the African bush outside. Join us for a true African experience, wide-open spaces and magnificent sunrises and sunsets.
More details; https://www.royalzambezilodge.com/
Day 6 - 8: Mfuwe Lodge – South Luangwa National Park
Ease yourself in Luangwa life with a stay at the award-winning Mfuwe Lodge. Set inside the park, just five minutes drive from the main gate, the lodge's allure is instantly obvious. Beneath a canopy of ebony and mahogany, its eighteen air-conditioned chalets are arranged around the banks of two lagoons where an endless stream of wildlife will keep you enthralled as you lounge on the open deck or take a dip in the swimming pool. The airy interior of the lodge is an exquisite complement to its natural surroundings.
This region of the park is renowned for its prolific game - giraffe, hippos, buffalo, antelope, and crocodile are constant visitors to Mfuwe Lodge's lagoon, whilst in November the local elephants regularly wander right through the lobby, lured by a nearby wild mango tree. Whether you stay overnight or just have lunch En route to a Bushcamp, Mfuwe Lodge's relaxed charm and enviable surroundings make it the perfect stopover. Voted Best Lodge in Zambia in 2009 Mfuwe Lodge also offers you the chance to relax at its Bush-Spa or buy a few mementoes of your time in Zambia at our curio shop.
Mfuwe Lodge Accommodation:18 Guest Chalets (2 suites, 3 family rooms, 3 doubles, and 10 twin rooms)
Each chalet has its private deck the chalets are equipped with an en-suite shower, twin washbasins and toilet, international power sockets, toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, skin moisturizer), hairdryers, personal safe, mosquito nets, and air conditioners.
More details; https://bushcampcompany.com/mfuwe_lodge.php
Day 8 – 11: Chamilandu Bushcamp – South Luangwa National Park
A breathtaking camp on one of the South Luangwa's prime river locations, perfect for a bird's-eye view of the wildlife that the river and its lagoons attract.
There's nothing quite like waking up at Chamilandu.
Early morning views don't get much better than the rippling waters of the Luangwa River, the gentle rise of the Chindeni Hills and a vast African sky - especially when you're lying in a four-poster bed in a handsome stilted tree-house. You don't even need to leave your bed to see the wildlife - from your unique vantage point, you can watch as animals roam across the landscape, or swing through the trees above your head.
There are just three stilted chalets at this exclusive camp, set on the riverbank beneath a soaring ebony grove. Enjoy a sundowner from the comfort of the thatched bar and dining area, as you watch the wildlife do the same at the river.
Exceptional game viewing and understated elegance make Chamilandu a place to remember.
Summary
Location: Overlooking the Luangwa River and the Chindeni Hills, South Luangwa, Zambia (2 ¼ hours from Mfuwe Lodge)
More details; https://bushcampcompany.com/bushcamps/chamilandu.php
Day 11 – 12: Latitude 15 Degrees Hotel- Lusaka, Zambia
Latitude 15° is located in the well-to-do suburb of Kabulonga, with embassies for neighbours.
Featuring 2 restaurants and 2 outdoor pools, Latitude 15 Degrees offers luxury accommodations in Lusaka. The individually decorated rooms with attached bathroom offer air conditioning, a sofa, telephone and a flat-screen TV. They also include a mini-bar and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. The bathrooms have a shower and bath. Local cuisine with an international twist is served in the restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Crossroads Shopping Mall is 5 minutes walk away and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the property.
Design aficionados will love this boutique hotel in Lusaka. It’s an ideal stop-over for visitors before or after safaris and merits a night here in its own right because of its chilled ambience and beautiful, eclectic décor. Popular with affluent locals and ex-pats, it’s the place to go for a meal, music or meeting.
More details; Latitude 15-degree Hotel, Lusaka
You tour being when you arrive at Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda Intl airport or Lusaka International airport (LUN). On arrival, you will be welcomed by our representative who will assist you with the luggage and depending on your arrival time you will be check-in onto the local flight to the Royal airstrip in Lower Zambezi.
When you get to Royal Airstrip you will be met by the guide from Royal Zambezi Lodge where you will stay for 5 nights. Check-in and you will be served some snacks and tea/coffee then you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure and later in the evening, you will be served some delicious dinner before bedtime at your leisure.
During these days you will have two game viewing activities each day. However, the plan below is flexible as you will have private guiding you will agree with your guide on how you go about your day to perfectly suit your photography activities.
Early Morning: An early start means an equally early wake-up call. We serve a continental breakfast from about 6 am and at sunrise, you head off on your selected early morning activity. These early starts are generally the best times to spot the wildlife as the temperature is fresh and the animals are still very active, especially the big cats who will be returning from their night’s hunting.
Safaris are planned very carefully to coincide with the times when you are most likely to see wildlife. This means early, late afternoon, or even night game drives are essential for better chances of seeing animals at their most active. Here’s how a typical day may unfold:
Late Morning: Around late morning, you will return to the lodge maybe for brunch or relax before lunch. If you opt to stay out all day, we will furnish you with a bush lunch to make the most of your time outdoors
Lunch & Afternoon: Particularly in the hot season, it is usually much hotter in the middle of the day, and so most of our guests opt to have lunch in the lodge then either relax in their suites, have a dip in the pool or treatment in the bush spa. Tea and cake are available from 3.30 pm before you then head out for an afternoon activity.
Evening: As with the early morning, the evening game drive is often the best time to see the wildlife. The predatory animals begin to stir from their heat-of-the-day slumber, and similarly, their prey becomes ever more active and alert as darkness falls. Vehicles and boats usually return just before dark giving time for a shower, pre-dinner drinks and then dinner. The evenings are often rounded off with a few drinks around the bar or campfire swapping safari stories.
Night: At times, you will have the opportunity of going on a night game drive. Vehicles are equipped with powerful spotlights, and our expert trackers will generally spot any wildlife well before you will. The night is often the best time to spot the elusive leopard, which more often than not will be high up in a tree.
A game drive at night gives you a completely different perspective of the bush and is an unforgettable experience
Today you will have breakfast in the morning possibly a Morning game viewing activity either a Game Drive Safari or River Cruise then you will have lunch and depending on your flight time from Lower Zambezi to South Luangwa your guide will take you to Royal airstrip then a local flight to Mfuwe.
On your arrival at Mfuwe Airport you will be met by the guide from Mfuwe Lodge, he will assist you with luggage and transfer you for about 45 minutes to the Lodge.
Check-in and relax. Later in the afternoon, you will have afternoon tea/coffee with some snacks followed by your afternoon/night game drive Safari and returning to the lodge almost in time for dinner and later bedtime.
Breakfast in the morning followed by the Morning Photographic Safari activity for about 4 hours then back to the lodge in time for brunch and free time to relax. In the afternoon around 3 pm afternoon tea/coffee followed by afternoon game viewing activity and back to the lodge almost in time for dinner and later bedtime.
Note: You will have private Guiding hence the program will be flexible to suit your photographic requirements or plan.
Today you will have breakfast early in the morning and then you go out for your photographic Safari activity and return to the lodge in time for Brunch and check out. After Brunch you guide will take you on a Transfer of 2hrs -2hrs30min a beautiful game drive safari through the park to Chamilandu Bush Camp where you will spend another 3 night of unforgettable Photographic Safari experience in the Southern Part of the park, a more remote and private area perfect for Photo Safaris.
You will be arriving almost in time for afternoon tea/coffee time. Check-in and you will relax then followed by afternoon tea/coffee and then you will go out for the afternoon/evening game drive Safari or you have an option of staying in Camp and enjoy the wonderful view at leisure or you can spend some time at the fantastic Game viewing Hide by the lagoon.
Then in the evening dinner is served followed by bedtime at your convenient time.
On these days you will have all meals as scheduled and you will have two Game viewing activities for your photography Safari each day.
Daily Routine;
Breakfast: Delicious breakfast around the Campfire before your morning Safari
Morning activity: Game drive or walking safari with a stop for tea/coffee break
Midday lunch: delicious buffet lunch freshly prepared by our chefs
Early afternoon: Relax in camp, time to visit the Hide and enjoy the wildlife viewing at leisure. It's perfect for photographers with different animal species visiting the lagoon as well as amazing birds’ activities.
Afternoon tea: Tea and coffee time and Snacks before your afternoon Safari
Afternoon and evening activity: 4-hour afternoon and evening game drive with a stop for sundowner drinks and snacks. Continue with spotlight viewing after dark to see nocturnal animals in action.
Sundowners: Enjoy sundowner drinks and delicious snacks during your evening activity out in the bush.
Dinner: Enjoy the delicious Three-course meal
Bedtime: Very comfortable Cotton sheets and expansive mosquito nets
Depending on your flight time from Mfuwe to Lusaka, you have the option of doing the Morning game Drive Safari then transfer to Mfuwe lodge for about 2 hrs and then your transfer to Mfuwe Airport followed by a scenic 1hr10min Domestic flight to Lusaka.
On your arrival in Lusaka, you will be met by our representative who then transfers you to Latitude 15 degrees Hotel where you will overnight on dinner, bed and breakfast stay. Check-in and then you will relax depending on your arrival time, dinner will later be served before you retire to bed.
Breakfast in the morning and later you will check out of the hotel, depending on your international flight our driver will transfer you to Lusaka International airport and our representative will assist you to check-in onto your flight back home.
Optional: In the Morning before being dropped off at the airport in Lusaka, you can do a short Lusaka City Tour to get to know this beautiful city and its people.
Notes:
Chamilandu Bushcamp has Photography Hides, the best time to visit the hide is between after lunch and before the afternoon game drives Safari or You can decide we are very flexible on this.
Chamilandu is very well positioned and if the hide is quiet your guide can take you to the River Elephant Crossing point where you can take photos of the Elephant Cruise the river between the National Park and the Game Management Area, this offers a very beautiful background of the Chindeni Hills.