In-Depth Zambia Safari - 10 Days

Guests are met on arrival at O.R. Tambo International in Johannesburg by an African Sky guide and assisted with checking in to their flight to Livingstone. Guests will be met on arrival at Livingstone Airport and visit the Livingstone Museum en route to the hotel. The museum still houses the largest collection of Sir David Livingstone’s letters and journals and bears testament to the legacy of this legendary man who spent more than half of his life in Africa. He was devoted to the exploration of the continent and the plight of its people who were, at the time, still brutally exploited by the slave traders. A glimpse of the thundering Victoria Falls is followed by check-in at the hotel where the late afternoon is spent at leisure.

The morning is devoted to visiting the falls section of the ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park’. The local name translates to ‘the smoke that thunders’ and has been commonly used in the area for many hundreds of years. The sanctuary affords incredible views in all directions. A walk across the knife-edge bridge with the falls thundering into the chasm below is sure to be an exciting prospect. During peak flow, the mist rising above the falls can be seen from as far as sixty kilometers away. At the falls entrance, there is also an extensive African curio market and guests may take some time to view the different arts and crafts on display before returning to the hotel around midday. In the late afternoon, a sunset cruise is enjoyed on the mighty Zambezi River. Traditional cocktails and snacks are served aboard the riverboat, with the sight of the sun setting over one of Africa's most impressive areas, sure to be remembered for a lifetime.

The morning is devoted to an elephant-back safari in a wilderness area not far from Livingstone. On arrival at the venue, guests will enjoy a short presentation about the project, as well as be given a short lesson on how to interact with the elephants, after which the safari begins. An experienced elephant minder accompanies each elephant and client. The route follows a trail through the surrounding woodland and might include a stop along the banks of the Zambezi River. Riding silently atop a gigantic pachyderm is certainly an unforgettable experience. Your safari ends with a short training session and interaction with the elephants, which is followed by a late breakfast or early lunch. Guests then return to the hotel, where the remainder of the day is spent at leisure.

After breakfast, guests are returned to Livingstone Airport for a flight of just over an hour to Lusaka. From Lusaka Airport, guests are chartered to the Chiawa Game Management Area, from where guests will be transferred to the Royal Zambezi Lodge on the banks of the northern Zambezi River. The Royal Zambezi Lodge is wedged between Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park and Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park - separated only by the prolific waters of the river. The late afternoon is devoted to your first safari in this far-flung African wilderness.

The day begins with an early morning river cruise on the Zambezi. Cruise along these wild waters in the lodge’s outboard power boat, encountering hippos, crocodiles and even elephant. Antelope typically approach the water with healthy caution to avoid the crocs. Choruses of water birds flutter and stalk among the reed beds, enhancing a truly magical morning. Guests spend the rest of the day at leisure before once again heading out for an afternoon safari. Guests also have the option of staying up for an after-dinner safari - the ideal time to encounter big cats out on the prowl.

Along with your twice-daily game drives, the Royal Zambezi Lodge offers a wealth of additional activities. Substitute a game drive with a river cruise or bush walk, take on the Zambezi’s famous tiger fish or glide serenely along on a guided canoe safari. Venture even further afield and opt for a cultural village tour of the nearby Goba community. Each experience in this wonderfully wild, remote corner of the world will prove unforgettable.

After breakfast, guests are returned to Lusaka. From Lusaka, guests board a domestic flight to Mfuwe, where they are collected and transported to the famous South Luangwa National Park. Luangwa River Camp is set beneath the dark spines of an ancient ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa River. This part of the river overlooks the wildlife-rich region known as the Luangwa Wafwa. The wonderfully intimate camp hosts only five thatched bush suites, ensuring an exclusive experience of South Luangwa. Tonight is dedicated to an unforgettable safari in this unique corner of the Zambian wilderness.

Spend your next two days at Luangwa River Camp enjoying the wild spoils of the African bush. Game drives are conducted in the morning and the evening, while walking safaris are led throughout the day in the company of an armed national park scout and a knowledgeable guide. Additional activities include venturing outside of the park to Kawaza Village for a cultural encounter or exploring the market near Mfuwe - ideal for purchasing a souvenir or two. Relax in the pool between your adventures and observe animals arriving at the riverbank to sate their thirst or indulge in a dip.

Breakfast is followed by a transfer to Mfuwe and a flight to Lusaka. In Lusaka, guests board a flight back to Johannesburg, bringing to an end a memorable exploration of Zambia’s premier wilderness areas.