Zambia Walking Safari Duration: 9 days / 8 nights Start: Lusaka Finish: Lusaka Price From: $8,495 pp (based on 4 people, double occupancy) Request your date for exact pricing. Designed by Michele Harvey Michele spent family holidays in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe before entering B&R history as our first-ever guide in South Africa in 1996. Today she designs incredible journeys in and around her native South Africa and beyond. This is one of our Private Ready-to-Book trips. Think of B&R s Ready-to-Book collection of carefully crafted itineraries as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer. These trips showcase the essential highlights of each destination, and because they are set to go, booking your private trip couldn t be easier. Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly from this one as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather though we d like to think there won t be any may also necessitate minor alterations. All pricing in U.S. dollars. 2018 Butterfield & Robinson Inc.
Your Journey A place of meandering rivers and lagoons, forests and woodlands, the southeast of Zambia is home to the original walking safari and some of the most spectacular wildlife in the world. Your journey combines three intimate Bushcamp Company properties, accessible only by foot and safari vehicle. Begin in Mfuwe and feel the solitude set in as you make your way to the spectacular Bilimungwe Camp. Continue south to the Kapamba River where you ll stay in rustic luxury camps and spend time with the elephants, giraffe, buffalo and other animals who rely on this water source to survive. This is pristine Africa; no doubt the wilderness of the Luangwa Valley leave you yearning to return. Day 1 Mfuwe Lodge Welcome to Zambia! Upon arrival in Lusaka you ll be met and escorted to the adjacent domestic terminal for the light aricraft flight to Mfuwe Airport, gateway to the Luangwa Valley. A lodge representative will meet your arrival at Mfuwe Airport, and then it s a 40-minute drive onto the South Luangwa National Park and Mfuwe Lodge. Mfuwe provides the perfect introduction to the relaxed atmosphere of Luangwa. Set beneath a canopy of ebony and mahogany, its thatched buildings are arranged around the banks of two lagoons. Here, an endless stream of wildlife will keep you enthralled as you lounge on the open deck or take a dip in the swimming pool. The airy interior of the lodge is an exquisite complement to its natural surroundings. This region of the park is renowned for its prolific game giraffe, buffalo, antelope, and crocodile are constant visitors to Mfuwe Lodge s lagoon. Depending on your arrival, you may have time to embark on an evening game drive. Accommodation: Mfuwe Lodge x 1 night Includes: All meals, local brand drinks, two scheduled activities daily and park fees
LODGE Mfuwe Lodge Scattered along the banks of two shady lagoons, Mfuwe Lodge is the perfect place to enjoy your own private piece of Africa. Covered verandas look out over wallowing hippos and thirsty game drinking from the lagoons. The property features comfortable sitting rooms and ensuite bathrooms with panoramic walk-in showers; the perfect place to wind down after a day of exploring. Bilimungwe Bushcamp Days 2 & 3 Your days will begin just before sunrise when wildlife is most active, before the lethargy of the day s heat sets in. You ll spend the next six days exploring the game rich South Luangwa Park on foot and by vehicle in the company of enthusiastic guides with excellent wildlife knowledge. During the dry months, the concentration of game around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons intensifies with huge pods of hippo, basking crocodiles and large herds of elephant and buffalo. Leopards, lion and wild dog, as well as the endemic species of Thornicroft giraffe, Cookson s wildebeest, and a variety of antelope may be spotted. You ll head off from Mfuwe Lodge on a three- to four-hour game drive down to Bilimungwe Bushcamp, home for the next two nights. There s always a warm welcome at Bilimungwe. The heart of camp is the lounge, built around a termite mound and set beneath a huge winterthorn tree, which looks out over a shady waterhole an establishment favoured by local warthogs, elephant, and other thirsty game throughout the day. Each of Bilimungwe s four raised thatched chalets offer spacious accommodation with an ensuite bathroom, an indoor and outdoor shower and a private porch that looks out onto one of three waterholes. Both walking safaris and game drives around Bilimungwe explore the impressive range of habitats in the area and when it comes to wildlife-watching from Bilimungwe, it s hard to know where to look first. Accommodation: Bilimungwe Bushcamp x 2 nights Includes: All meals, local brand drinks, two scheduled wildlife activities daily, park fees and laundry
LODGE Bilimungwe Bush Camp Overlooking three waterholes with many herds of resident elephant, Bilimungwe Bushcamp is a hidden gem under huge mahogany trees. There are four open-fronted thatched chalets on wooden decks. Each chalet has an ensuite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers with cold and solar-heated water. Kapamba Bushcamp Days 4 & 5 Set off after breakfast on foot from Bilimungwe on a three- to four-hour journey through the bush to Kapamba Bushcamp, where you will spend the next two nights. Kapamba combines the isolation and superb game-viewing opportunities of a true bushcamp with a touch of dare we say it luxury. Set on the banks of the shallow, spring-fed eponymous river, Kapamba is surrounded by some of the park s most diverse wildlife. The central bar and dining room is positioned under a huddle of matumi and sausage trees, with a wide deck that stretches out with views of the Kapamba River. The charm of Kapamba is most obvious in its four spacious ensuite chalets; cool, simple and utterly original, these entirely open-fronted rooms boast wide verandas with river views, twin showers, and sunken stone plunge pools - watching an elephant take a dip in the river from your bathtub is an unforgettable experience! Clever wrought-iron shutters are drawn each evening so that you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the African night without worrying about unwanted visitors wandering into your room whilst you sleep. And if that s still not close enough for you, why not enjoy your G&T from the middle of the river itself, your feet dipped in the cool, crystal shallows. Get out into the bush and explore the rich diversity of the surrounding area on morning and afternoon walks, or jump into a Land Rover for a day and night game drives. Accommodation: Kapamba Bushcamp x 2 nights Includes: All meals, local brand drinks, two scheduled wildlife activities daily, park fees and laundry
CAMP Kapamba Camp This property's chalets with open fronts ensure unspoiled views across the Kapamba River. Bathe, walk or enjoy sundowners in the refreshing water the building's lounge deck offers steps directly down to the water's edge. The resident leopard keeps guests entertained alongside the elephants eating seed pods off the roof of each chalet during October. Zungulila Bushcamp Days 6 & 7 This morning you will leave Kapamba Bushcamp for about a 2.5-hour stroll along the river in time for lunch at your next camp, Zungulila, where you will spend your last 2 nights. Zungulila is a charming camp that embodies the essence of old Africa and a bygone era, with breathtaking views onto a bend in the river and an expansive plain where natural springs attract a variety of game. Your guides will lead you on foot through some of the park s most untouched wilderness, where large herds of buffalo roam the grassy plains and thirsty elephants come to drink at the springs and along the Kapamba River. Activities focus around walking, but to get even further afield, day and night game drives are also on offer. In the evening, after wading through the river, we invite you to join your hosts for sundowners, or sit around the campfire for a drink, before recounting the day s adventures over a starlit supper overlooking the river. Accommodation: Zungulila Bushcamp x 2 nights Includes: All meals, local brand drinks, two scheduled wildlife activities daily, park fees and laundry
CAMP Zungulila Camp Rustic, comfortable, and intimate, Zungulila offers canvas and thatched classic Meru-style tents, each with bathroom amenities, an ensuite toilet and a shower under the stars. Relax on your private deck in the sunken plunge pool while you admire stunning views over the Kapamba River and Muchinga Escarpment. Return to Mfuwe Day 8 Today you leave Zungulila, and the remote bush camps, and make your way back to civilization. A three- to four-hour game drive across ever-changing terrain will have you back at Mfuwe Lodge in time for a late lunch. You may decide to embark on one final sunset game drive this afternoon, or enjoy the tranquility of your chalet, reflecting on the activities and wilderness experience of the last six days. Accommodation: Mfuwe Lodge x 1 night Includes: All meals, local brand drinks and two scheduled activities daily and park fees LODGE Mfuwe Lodge Scattered along the banks of two shady lagoons, Mfuwe Lodge is the perfect place to enjoy your own private piece of Africa. Covered verandas look out over wallowing hippos and thirsty game drinking from the lagoons. The property features comfortable sitting rooms and ensuite bathrooms with panoramic walk-in showers; the perfect place to wind down after a day of exploring.
Farewells Day 9 This morning you may have time for one final activity before you return to Mfuwe Airport and make your way back to Lusaka and O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for your evening departure home. Safe onward journey!
The Details Pricing From: $8,495 pp (based on 4 people, double occupancy) NOTE Regional flights from Johannesburg to Lusaka return are included in the trip price. Start: Lusaka Finish: Lusaka SEASON Open May early January Note mid-january to March most camps are closed due to the rainy season. Peak safari season is July September October December offers great wildlife viewing too but very hot, you need to be comfortable with high temperatures and humidity LEVEL OF ACTIVITY Enthusiast This trip is rated Enthusiast, meaning it s appropriate for travellers who are in good shape and relatively active. The nature of the trip assumes a good sense of adventure and one who is seeking to be engaged with the natural environment. NOTES Luggage allowance 20kgs / 44lbs per person in soft bags only South Luangwa is a malarial area, please take anti-malarial precautions Please ensure you have a minimum of 2 blank visa pages in your passport and it remains valid for 6 months after your return date Visas for Zambia are issued on arrival Binoculars, hats, sunscreen, cameras, good walking/hiking boots are a must for the trip. WHAT S INCLUDED All lodge accommodation as indicated All meals with local drinks Laundry All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off All baggage transportation Flights: OR Tambo (Johannesburg) Lusaka & return. Light aircraft Lusaka to Mfuwe Airport & return WHAT S NOT INCLUDED International flights Cancellation insurance Items of a personal nature Lodge gratuity Gratuity for your local guide(s) Zambia Visa Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly from this one as we continuously research and develop each trip, customizing your experience to match your interests and tastes. Inclement weather though we d like to think there won t be any may also necessitate minor alterations. 2017 Butterfield & Robinson Inc.
About our Private Trip Collection The ready-to-book trips in our Private Trip Collection offer all the hallmarks B&R s known for great hotels, unparalleled immersion and unforgettable experiences with the flexibility of going on your own schedule and with your own travel companions. Think of these trips as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer: simply pick your dates, pack your bags, and go. How it Works 1. Get Inspired. Go to www.butterfield.com/tripfinder/?ftt=private to browse our Private Trip Collection and find a flavour of adventure that suits your palate. 2. Get in Touch. Found a trip that s caught your eye? Call our Private Travel Advisors at 1-800- 387-1147. Just give them a few details about your group and your preferred dates, and they ll spring into action. 3. Have it Tailored. Our ready-to-book Private Trips are designed to be enjoyed off-the-rack, but there is room for minor adjustments to fit the trip to your needs. Looking for something totally customized? One of our expert Private Trip Designers will take on your request and tailormake a Bespoke trip for you from scratch. 4. Pack your Prada. Once the date and the price is finalized, we ll take care of the rest, confirming hotels, finalizing events and mobilizing our expertly trained local partners. All you have to do is prepare to be transported 5. Bon Voyage! Next Steps READY TO BOOK? Contact us at 1-800-387-1147 or bespoke@butterfield.com with any remaining questions, or consult your travel professional. Note that a $500 deposit is required in order to reserve dates. After you ve booked, you will receive a confirmation package containing detailed information to help you prepare for your trip.