7 Day Vic Falls & Lower Zambezi Safari

Guests are met at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and assisted with checking in for the regional flight to Livingstone in Zambia. On arrival, a local guide welcomes you and accompanies you to the historic Livingstone Museum. Here you can browse engaging exhibits that trace the life and travels of Dr. David Livingstone, including original letters, maps and personal memorabilia that illuminate his explorations and the history of the region.

Afterward, you continue to your hotel near the Zambezi River. As you approach, you may catch your first glimpse of the mist rising from Victoria Falls – a dramatic preview of the days ahead. Once checked in, the remainder of the afternoon and evening are at leisure. Stroll the manicured grounds, enjoy refreshments on the terrace, or simply rest after your travels while listening to the distant roar of the “Smoke that Thunders” drifting across the river.

The morning is devoted to exploring the falls section of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, whose name means “the smoke that thunders.” A guided walk takes you along a network of trails and viewpoints that reveal different angles of the cascading curtain of water. When the river is in full flow, plumes of spray rise high above the gorge and rainbows frequently arch through the mist. Your guide shares insight into the geology, local folklore and seasonal character of the falls while you enjoy ample time for photos and quiet appreciation.

After returning to the hotel around midday, you have time at leisure to relax or book additional optional activities. In the late afternoon, you are transferred to the river for a gentle Zambezi sunset cruise. From the comfort of the boat’s deck, watch hippos snort in the shallows, crocodiles bask along the banks and, with luck, elephants drinking at the water’s edge. Sundowners and snacks are served on board as the sky glows with warm colors over one of Africa’s iconic rivers.

This morning you travel to a nearby wildlife reserve for a respectful elephant interaction experience. After a safety briefing and an introduction to the herd, guides explain the animals’ histories, behavior and conservation challenges in the region. From safe viewing distances on foot and from raised platforms, you are able to observe the elephants as they move, feed and interact with one another in a natural bush environment. The focus is on learning and photography rather than riding, in line with more modern animal-welfare practices.

Under the guidance of experienced handlers and wildlife professionals, you have the opportunity to gently touch an elephant, feel its textured skin and appreciate its size and intelligence up close. There is ample time for questions and photos before returning to the lodge for a late breakfast or early lunch. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure – relax by the pool, schedule a spa treatment, or simply soak up the riverside atmosphere as the Zambezi flows quietly past your hotel.

After breakfast, you are transferred to Livingstone Airport for a short flight to Lusaka and a connecting charter into the Lower Zambezi region. Upon arrival at the airstrip, you are met by a representative from Royal Zambezi Lodge and transferred a short distance to the lodge, set on the banks of the Zambezi River. From here, you enjoy views across the water toward Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, together forming a remarkable transboundary wilderness area.

After check-in and time to settle into your suite, you may enjoy lunch or afternoon tea overlooking the river before heading out on your first safari activity. The Lower Zambezi is known for its combination of land- and water-based experiences, offering a diverse and immersive safari environment.

Activities may include a game drive, a boat cruise along the Zambezi, or even a guided canoe safari, each offering a unique perspective on the surrounding wildlife. Elephant, hippo, crocodile and a wide variety of birdlife are commonly encountered, with the river itself playing a central role in shaping the experience. As the afternoon light softens, the landscape comes alive, marking the beginning of your time in this wild and scenic corner of Zambia.

Your first full day in the Lower Zambezi National Park begins with an early morning activity, when the bush is at its most active. You may head out on a sunrise river cruise along the channels and sandbanks of the Zambezi, or explore the surrounding woodland and floodplains on a game drive, each offering a different perspective on this diverse ecosystem. The combination of river and bush habitats supports a wide variety of wildlife, and your guide will interpret animal movements and behavior throughout the morning, making the experience both engaging and informative.

Return to the lodge for a relaxed brunch, and the warmer part of the day is spent at leisure. You may choose to unwind by the pool, enjoy the views from your suite, or simply take in the constant activity along the riverbanks as animals come down to drink.

In the late afternoon, you head out once again, either by vehicle or boat, as the light softens across the landscape. There is also the option to continue after dark on a short night drive, offering the chance to encounter some of the area’s nocturnal species.

Another day in the Lower Zambezi offers the opportunity to experience the area from a different perspective. Guided canoe safaris are a highlight here, allowing you to drift quietly along the Zambezi’s channels and explore the river at water level, where wildlife activity often unfolds at close range.

Alternatively, you may choose to head out on a guided bush walk, focusing on the smaller details of the ecosystem. Tracks, plants, and animal behavior are interpreted by your guide, offering a deeper understanding of the natural environment beyond what is seen from a vehicle. For those interested, there is also the option to enjoy catch-and-release tiger fishing on the Zambezi, targeting one of the river’s most iconic species.

The remainder of the day is spent at leisure, with time to relax at the lodge or enjoy the ever-changing activity along the riverbanks. As your final evening in the Lower Zambezi draws in, you gather around the campfire or dining area, reflecting on your safari experience beneath a clear African sky.

After a final breakfast overlooking the Zambezi, you say farewell to the lodge team and transfer back to the local airstrip. A charter flight returns you to Lusaka, where you connect with your onward flight to Johannesburg. As you trace the course of the river from the air, you can reflect on the contrasting experiences of your week in Zambia – the dramatic spray and viewpoints of Victoria Falls and the tranquil, wildlife-rich floodplains of the Lower Zambezi.

On arrival in Johannesburg, your Zambian safari with African Sky comes to an end. Depending on your international arrangements, you may connect directly with your homeward flight or overnight in the city. Either way, you depart with vivid memories of mist-shrouded gorges, glowing sunsets over the river, close wildlife encounters and the warm hospitality of the lodges and guides who hosted you along the way.