13 days
This itinerary is best for clients who are interested in the abundance of wildlife as it features Zambia’s top prime wildlife area the Kafue National Park which is one of the oldest parks in Africa with a visit to the vast Busanga Plains. It’s also Features the first wildlife area the famous South Luangwa National Park nicknamed the valley of the leopard as it’s the best place in Africa to spot the Leopard. You also have a chance to experience the walking safari that South Luangwa is also known for as the Home of the walking safari.
Highlights
Places Covered; Kafue National Park, Busanga Plains, South Luangwa National Park
At Pioneer Lodge & Camp – Lusaka
At Mukambi Safari Lodge – Kafue National Park
At Busanga Plains Camp – Kafue National Park, Busanga Plains
At Zikomo Safari Camp – South Luangwa NP, Nsefu Sector
At Mfuwe Lodge – South Luangwa National Park
Transfers and Flights Included Are:
Pioneer Lodge & Camp – Lusaka
The camp is the best place to stay in case you need to be near Lusaka but don’t want to be in it! Only 14 km about 30 minutes from the International Airport. We provide stopovers before, during and after your Zambian safari. We have a variety of chalets and a shady campsite, with the bar and restaurant at the heart of Pioneer, a great place to meet fellow travellers and discuss your safari experiences!
Mukambi Safari Lodge - Kafue National Park
Commonly known as “The Gateway to The Kafue National Park”, Mukambi Safari Lodge is centrally located in the park, right on the banks of the stunning Kafue River. The Kafue National Park is one of the largest national parks in Africa (roughly the size of Wales at more than 22,000km²) therefore we recommend you book with us for at least a week so you have time to explore this vast park and combine time at Busanga, Fig Tree and Mukambi. However, shorter bookings of 3 to 4 nights at Mukambi will also guarantee a truly unique safari!
The lodge itself consists of a thatched building with several decks overlooking the Kafue River and offers an infinity pool for ultimate relaxation on those hot days, looking over the vast Kafue River. Upon return from your activities, relax with a drink in hand in one of our lounge areas, all offering stunning views of the river. You might want to chat with one of our guides while gazing up at the stars in the night sky by our campfire. Don’t hesitate to visit our curio shop, which offers a selection of products made by the local village, or to ask for one of our massages on offer, which take place in the comfort of your room.
Finally, don’t forget to look out for the many animals, which find sanctuary around the lodge area; impalas, baboons, monkeys, elephants, hippos, even a small pride of lions, and of course our resident Wild Cat Mauw!
Busanga Plains Camp– Kafue National Park (Busanga Plains)
The Plains Camp is the seasonal luxury bush camp of Mukambi Safaris located deep in the heart of the famous Busanga Plains in the north of the beautiful Kafue National Park. The Busanga Plain is 720km2 of palm groves, papyrus-choked reed beds and lily-covered lagoons representing one of the few wetland wildernesses in the world − a place where authentic African wildlife thrives, and the safari experience is second to none.
A wide variety of species is found on the plains including Lion, Cheetah, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Oribi, Roan, Lechwe, Zebra and Blue Wildebeest. In addition, large numbers of elephants and 500 bird species are recorded.
The raised boma (communal area), with an open campfire and dining area, is rustic, informal and overlooks the openness of the plains, only interrupted by tree-studded islands where fig trees and wild date palms draw their nutrients from the remains of giant anthills. Relax and enjoy a refreshing dip in our pool or sunbathe on the wooden deck whilst overlooking the surrounding wetlands. A wooden viewing platform on stilts tucked away high up in the characteristic fig tree above the boma offers a breath-taking view directly onto the floodplain.
Busanga, a landscape so distinctive, it is like no other you will see in Africa. This is the Africa you have dreamt of and you can visit this unique area with Mukambi Safaris. It offers a real “home away from home” experience, where service is professional and friendly, yet unobtrusive.
Zikomo Safari Camp – South Luangwa National Park (Nsefu Sector)
Your private sanctuary in Zambia - Zikomo Safari is in Zambia, across the river from South Luangwa National Park. It is set amidst an ancient valley filled with diverse African wildlife. This peaceful eco-lodge in the African bush offers spacious accommodations: comfortable handcrafted chalets, or if you are self-driving, an expansive campground on the riverbank.
Our Main Block offers a fine restaurant, bar and gathering place overlooking the swimming pool and the sprawling flood plain of the tranquil hippo filled Luangwa River.
Mfuwe Lodge - South Luangwa National Park
Award-winning safari lodge set in the most prolific game area of the South Luangwa. The perfect place to enjoy excellent game viewing, recharge your batteries, or start and finish your journey to our Bushcamps.
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 mementos of your time in Zambia at our curio shop.
Upon arrival off your international flight meet and greet by a representative from Absolute Zambia Safaris, he will assist you with luggage and immigration and transfer you to Pioneer Lodge where you will spend 1 Night on dinner, bed and breakfast.
Today you will have breakfast at Pioneer Lodge, then you will check and your transfer Guide from Mukambi Safari Lodge will be ready to take you on about 4 hours of amazing road transfer to Kafue National Park.
You will arrive at the lodge, check-in and lunch will be served for you then free time to relax followed by a tea break and afternoon activities to include a sunset boat cruise or afternoon game drive. Or, simply relax at the lodge by taking take a dip in the pool. Dinner and overnight at Mukambi Safari Lodge.
Today you will have breakfast and check out at Mukambi Lodge and then depart with a game drive en-route to the Busanga Plains stopping on the way for a packed breakfast. Lunch followed by tea and cakes before the afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at Busanga Plains Camp.
Day 4 & 5 will start with breakfast followed by the morning activities include a game drive or guided bush walk on the Busanga Plains. Or, simply relax at the camp by taking take a dip in the pool or reading a book on our viewing platform overlooking the Plains. Afternoon tea break followed by the afternoon game drive then dinner and overnight at Busanga Plains Camp.
Breakfast and depart with a game drive from Busanga Plains Camp to Mukambi Safari Lodge. Brunch followed by a tea break and afternoon activities to include a sunset boat cruise or afternoon game drive. Or, simply relax at the lodge by taking take a dip in the pool or enjoy a massage. Dinner and overnight at Mukambi Safari Lodge.
Today you will have breakfast at the lodge and depending on your domestic flight time from Lusaka you may have a morning activity either a game drive or guided bush walk in Kafue National Park. Alternatively, visit our community school. Or, simply relax at the lodge by taking a dip in the pool or enjoy a massage followed by departure for Lusaka by private transfer.
When you arrive at Kenneth Kaunda Intl Airport in Lusaka (LUN) you will be assisted by our representative to check-in onto the domestic flight to Mfuwe. One-hour flight to Mfuwe and on arrival at Mfuwe Intl Airport you will be welcomed by the guide from Zikomo Safari Lodge who will then transfer you for about 45 minutes to an hour through the beautiful villages and bushes.
Check-in and relax. Later you will have dinner and overnight at Zikomo Safari Camp
On these days you will start with morning breakfast and then you will leave for a morning game drive or walking safari and return to the camp for a lunch break, relax and later it's afternoon tea and afternoon/night game drive and return to the camp for dinner and time. During your free time, you have an option of taking an excursion that can be a village tour, local school or Visit to Fabric Shop.
Breakfast is followed by a morning game drive and then you will return to the camp for a lunch break, after lunch you will be transferred to Mfuwe Lodge on the different side of the South Luangwa National Park, central area.
Check-in and relax. Later you will be served with afternoon tea followed by the afternoon and night game drive returning to the lodge almost in time for dinner and overnight at Mfuwe Lodge.
On these days you will have morning breakfast and then you will leave for a morning game drive or walking safari and return to the camp for a lunch break, relax and later it's afternoon tea and afternoon/night game drive and return to the camp for dinner and time. During your free time, you have an option of taking an excursion that can be a village tour, local school or Visit to Fabric Shop.
Morning Breakfast and depending on your flight time to Lusaka and you will check out of the lodge, and the guide will transfer you to Mfuwe Airport in time for your domestic flight to Lusaka.
On arrival at Lusaka International Airport, our representative will meet you and assist you with check-in onto the international flight and this Marks the end of your unforgettable Zambian safari experience.