Africa | A Classic Safari

A Classic Safari

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10 nights

The Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoiled wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. The Luangwa River flows into the Zambezi River - just below the Lower Zambezi National Park. This park, scenically bordered by an impressive escarpment, has excellent game, which can be viewed from either the river or by land. Quietly drifting past a huge elephant feeding on the river bank is a great experience. Livingstone is home to one of 7 natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls, and offers many opportunities, both adrenaline filled and more sedate, to view this amazing site. There are game viewing opportunities too, with a chance to see the white rhino in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and river trips on the Zambezi

Detailed Itinerary

Days 1 & 2:
After being met at the airport your guide will drive you to Nkwali Camp through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. Nkwali Camp overlooks a wide bend of the Luangwa River into the South Luangwa National Park and is ideally situated for the start of your safari. All rooms have a view of the river and open air bathrooms. The game in this area is excellent - and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic Thorneycroft Giraffe.

A typical day at Nkwali has you waking with the dawn to enjoy breakfast round a camp fire before heading out on your morning activity. A delicious lunch is enjoyed on the bank of the lagoon, which is frequently visited by our local wildlife. The afternoon is the quiet part of the day - for siesta or swim in the pool. In the mid-afternoon you meet up with your guide before heading out for an evening adventure, finding a beautiful location to watch the sun go down with a well earned drink in hand. The opportunity to discover the nocturnal world by spotlight is a wonderful treat before heading back to Nkwali for dinner

Days 3 to 5:
After an early breakfast, a game drive through the park and across the river takes you into the Nsefu Sector, which is recognised as a phenomenal game viewing area. Nsefu Camp was the first game camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. 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 verandas.

During your stay you have the opportunity to drive or walk through the ebony groves or, depending on the heat and time of year, to explore further afield with an all day picnic drive to the salt pans that will cover different habitats and is an exceptional day's safari. There is also the option of visiting the community at Kawaza Village to experience life in a real non-tourist village.

(Note: option of booking Tena Tena for the 3 nights).

Days 6 to 8:
After an early breakfast, transfer to Mfuwe Airport and onto Lower Zambezi via Lusaka (about 4 hours door to door, depending on flight schedules). As you fly into the area, you will see the wide Zambezi River, dotted with islands. Buffalo and elephant are usually seen feeding along with the pods of hippos that rest on the edge of the sandbanks. Chongwe River Camp is a short 15 min trip (taken in an open game viewing vehicle) and looks onto the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi rivers and the mountains of the escarpment to the north. The chalets are large, well-appointed Mulati tents under thatch, with a luxury open-air bathroom on suite. Situated under a canopy of Albida thorns and surrounded by cool lawns, they command fabulous views over the Rivers. The bathrooms are an experience on their own, open air with fittings made from natural materials found near the lodge. At Chongwe there are various activities to choose from. Not only on offer are exciting day and night drives and bush walks, but 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 (seasonal).

Day 9 to 10:
After breakfast and farewells, a drive through the park to the airstrip to meet the plane taking you to Livingstone via Lusaka (1.5 hours). On arrival you will be met and transferred to either Tongabezi Lodge or Tongabezi Island Camp (Sindabezi). Accommodation at Tongabezi Lodge is set in a tranquil grove of ebony on a sweeping bend of the Zambezi River, and consists of five tented cottages and four spacious open-planned stone and thatch houses. Tongabezi Island Camp is three kilometres downstream from the lodge and accessed only by either motorised banana boat or canoe. This unique camp consists of 4 cottages built from local timber, reed and thatch. Each has a spectacular private view overlooking the Zambezi. The birdlife is outstanding and game is often seen around the Island Camp and Lodge.

There is a wide range of activities on offer at Tongabezi including fishing, canoe trips on the river and game drives in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. For the more adventurous, Livingstone boasts a whole host of adrenaline filled activities including white-water rafting, bungee jumping and micro lighting. Or you may just wish to rest in camp and enjoy the spectacular scenery and peaceful atmosphere. The day will end with a relaxed dinner served either in the main dining area or as a private meal outside of your room.

Day 11:
After breakfast you may be able to squeeze a morning activity in, before your transfer flight to Lusaka and your onward connection home.

Please ask about the extension options to this itinerary.

END

Tour Pricing

Each of our tours is individually priced at the time of your enquiry to ensure that you benefit from the most current special offer airfares and accommodation rates. Please contact us either by e-mail or telephone quoting the tour and your preferred travel dates and we will respond with our most competitive quote.

Accommodation For A Classic Safari

Nkwali Camp

Nkwali Camp
Nkwali is located on Robin's private land, overlooking the National Park. The area surrounding Nkwali is superb game viewing country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grasslands. We have put driving loops in this area and often see as much behind camp as in the park - including leopard, lion and occasionally wild dog. This area is particularly good for elephants and Thorneycroft giraffe (an endemic species) Elephants also regularly cross the Luangwa, seen from the bar, or come to the waterhole near the thatched dining room. The chalets are large, cool and spacious, with a great view of the river. The front of the room is open during the day and then closed by a grill doors at night. The en-suite bathroom has double sinks and showers, which are open to the skies during the dry season. The bar area, right on the edge of the Luangwa banks, is built around a huge ebony tree with fantastic views of the river and across to the park. The open deck is wonderful for moonlit dinners. The dining room is a simple thatched structure, by the lagoon but we rarely eat meals there - they are served under the trees by the lagoon or the river, on the deck, or in the bush! Although the camp is outside the national park we access the park by either by boat (2 minutes) or our nearby pontoon (10 minutes). And of course the main bridge is only 15 minutes away - giving us 3 options for entry. We therefore easily cover a large game viewing area from Nkwali. This central area of the park is accessible all year and so the game is very relaxed and used to the vehicles. This gives great photographic opportunities as the game allows the vehicles to get close. Nkwali is open all year and the seasons are basically divided into the "Dry Season" (mid May - October) and the "Emerald Season" (November - mid May). This is a broad brush approach and every month produces a special natural happening - here are monthly details on the and what each season brings. more...

Nsefu Camp

Nsefu Camp
Located on a sweeping bend of the river, 12 kilometres north of Tena Tena and in the heart of the South Luangwa National Park, lies Nsefu. This was the first photographic safari camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The bar and sitting room, tucked in beside a huge extinct termite mound, overlooks a waterhole that is very productive for game. The original rondavels have been extended, with a spacious bathroom added. The furnishings and fittings are in keeping with an old fashioned feel. As one guest put it - Nsefu is "understated elegance". Each room has a clear view of the river, through both the large windows and from the wooden verandas. The dining room has a superb view of the river and throughout the heat of the day, elephants come to drink and then cross the river. The camp lies in the heart of the undeveloped Nsefu sector and so offers charm and total comfort in remoteness and seclusion. more...

Tena Tena

Tena Tena Camp
This remote and small camp lies within the National Park and enjoys a stunning location on a wide bend of the Luangwa River. A grove of mahogany trees shade the large custom-made tents. From the thatched dining room and bar, guests can watch the elephants, hippo and antelope on the riverbank. Tena Tena has 5 large custom made tents, each with a dressing room and open air bathroom that overlooks a water hole. Most meals are taken under the shade of a huge Mahogany tree in the centre of the camp. On arrival you will be shown to your tent and then lunch will be served followed by a well deserved siesta before the afternoon and evening game drive. Time to rest those weary legs!! more...

Chongwe River House

Chongwe River House
Chongwe River Camp is situated on the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers, directly opposite Mana Pools. The Chongwe River is the boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park. The camp itself looks onto the confluence of the two rivers and the mountains of the escarpment to the north. Situated under a canopy of Albida thorns and surrounded by cool lawns, the 8 chalets are large, well appointed safari tents under thatch, with luxury en-suite open air bathrooms. The bathrooms are an experience on their own. All fittings are made from natural materials found near the lodge. more...