10 Day In-Depth Zambia Safari

Arrival / Livingstone

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.

Livingstone

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.

Lower Zambezi

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.

South Luangwa

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 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.