Details
A basic itinerary, designed for the budget-conscious first time safari visitor, and which we have dedicated to the legendary American author and rugged safari enthusiast, Ernest Hemingway. A visit to Livingstone and Victoria Falls is combined with both game viewing and walking safaris in the South Luangwa National Park.

This itinerary is principally put together by combining the main elements of the Visit Victoria Falls (D1), South Luangwa Encounter (A1) and the South Luangwa Walking Safari (B1) basic itineraries, allowing for internal flights between Lusaka and Livingstone, Livingstone and Mfuwe, and Mfuwe and Lusaka, together with a final overnight in Lusaka. The cost of excursions taken within Livingstone, together with transfers here are additional.

Day 1. London to Lusaka

The British Airways flight to Zambia is overnight and, with only a one hour time difference, there is no problem with jet lag on arrival.

Day 2. Transfer from Lusaka to Livingstone (Zambezi Sun Hotel)

After arriving at Lusaka Airport early in the morning, you will take a short internal flight to Livingstone - home to the Victoria Falls - and transfer to the Zambezi Sun Hotel, where you will be staying for your first night. From here it is only a short walk to the falls, and guests are free to visit as many times as they wish. The remainder of the day can be spent viewing the falls and exploring the surroundings. The hotel is superbly located and offers a wide variety of activities for guests to choose from. Thus, visitors can view the falls from above in a Microlight aircraft or helicopter, go white water rafting on the Zambezi River, below the falls, or bungee jump from the road bridge connecting Zambia with Zimbabwe, just in front of the falls themselves.

Day 3. Zambezi Sun

Having sated your desire to view the Falls and their surroundings, you now have the opportunity to take a number of excursions, such as visiting Livingstone’s colourful Maramba Market or the ancient Mukuni Village. Your day can be concluded by taking a sunset cruise on the Upper Zambezi River.

Day 4. Livingstone to South Luangwa (Flatdogs Camp)

Since your flight to Mfuwe, for South Luangwa, doesn’t leave until early afternoon, your road transfer back to Livingstone International Airport can be combined with a game drive through the small, but select, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, giving you your first opportunity to sample Zambia ’s big game - elephants especially - together with a chance to view Zambia ’s sole remaining (white) rhino.

On arrival at Mfuwe airport, you will be met by your first hosts in South Luangwa and taken to Flatdogs Camp where you will spend the first of two nights in the South Luangwa National Park. You should arrive in time to take your first evening game drive, accompanied by the traditional sundowners, followed by a night drive, before your evening meal, and an early night.

Days 5 & 6. Flatdogs Camp

An early breakfast leads on to your first full game drive, with the opportunity to view the rich variety of both small and big game that make South Luangwa such a prized destination. After lunch and a siesta you will continue with a late afternoon and then night game drive, as previously. A similar programme takes place on the following day.

Day 7. Transfer from Flatdogs Camp to Wildlife Camp

Your safari continues with a transfer to Wildlife Camp, set within its own private land directly on the bank of the Luangwa river. A similar programme of game viewing activities continues at Wildlife Camp, providing you with your final opportunity to view big game from the security of a vehicle, before you begin the walking safari part of your visit.

Day 8. Wildlife Camp

For the first time you will take to your feet in the bush, accompanied by an armed ranger and experienced guide. Zambia is the original home of the walking safari, which still remains - in our own opinion - the most exciting and interesting experience of all available in Africa. After lunch, and the traditional early afternoon siesta, you can take to your feet once more, before returning to camp for an extended sundowner during which you can relive the experiences of the day.

Day 9. The Wildlife Bush Camp

The true walking safari experience traditionally takes place from a bush camp (a seasonal camp, usually tented, in a more remote location, that is reconstructed from new each year, after the end of the rainy season, during which time it would be inaccessible anyway). Today you will walk from the main Wildlife Camp - actually a lodge - to their own private bush camp. The accommodation here is as real as it gets, with comparatively small fly tents accompanied by the traditional bucket shower and long drop loo. This is undoubtedly an experience that you will never forget!

Day 10. Transfer from Wildlife to Kaingo

The final part of your walking safari begins with a vehicle transfer within the South Luangwa National Park itself to the remotely located Kaingo Lodge (its name means ‘leopard’, and if you haven’t spotted this elusive animal already, now is your opportunity). Kaingo offers an entirely different habitat within which to continue your game viewing, either by vehicle or again on foot.

Day 11. Kaingo to Mwamba

Mwamba is Kaingo’s own bush camp, but distinguished from Wildlife’s bush camp by combining remoteness and basic (hut-type) construction with numerous touches of luxury that make this the ideal location for your final night in the Valley. You will travel on foot to Mwamba (your baggage being driven on for you) and your final sundowners, experienced at the top of Mwamba’s celebrated termite mound provide a fitting conclusion to your visit to the African bush.  

Day 12. Transfer from Mwamba back to Lusaka, via Mfuwe

Your transfer from Mwamba back to Mfuwe airport (for travel onward to Lusaka ) doubles up as your final game drive in this marvellous wilderness area. Since the British Airways flight back to the UK departs early in the morning, it is necessary to have a stopover in Lusaka the night before. However, rather than staying in a hotel, tonight you’ll be staying at the Chaminuka Private Game Reserve. From here you can gradually reaffirm your roots in civilisation and enjoy some warm hospitality and wonderful food.

Day 13. Lusaka to London

After an early breakfast, you will be driven to Lusaka Airport where you will catch your flight home.

Please note that the above itinerary can readily be modified to suit your own personal preferences.

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