Essential Zambia - Proposed Itinerary 12 nights Brief Itinerary Day 1 Day 2 Day 6 Day 8 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Fly Livingstone, Zambia Waterberry Lodge, 4 nights, full package Fly South Luangwa, Kafunta River Lodge, 2 nights, full-board Fly South Luangwa, Island Bush Camp, 3 nights, full-board Kafunta River Lodge, 1 night, full-board Fly Lusaka, Pioneer Camp, 1 night, half-board Fly home
Detailed Itinerary Day 1 Today you will check in for your overnight flight to Livingstone in Zambia. Day 2 On arrival at Livingstone Airport, you will be met and transferred by road to Waterberry Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi to stay for 4 nights. Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight. (Dr David Livingstone on first seeing the Victoria Falls) Livingstone is mostly visited for the incredible Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, but also has a huge range of activities on offer from micro-lighting across the Falls to swimming above the Falls, bungee jumping and white water rafting. The famous Flight of the Angels over the Falls in a small plane is a firm favourite, and for romantics you can have a champagne breakfast on Livingstone Island which is literally in the middle of the Falls. The area offers plenty of other gentler activities, including exploring the area on foot, horseback or on game drives through the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Waterberry Lodge is a lovely, good value lodge set on the beautiful Zambezi River and it has a lovely, relaxed feel about it. Secluded and with pretty gardens and wonderful views of the river, it is a great place to just relax on the sun deck, in the upstairs viewing lounge or around the pool, enjoying the odd sunset cruise, fishing trip or trip to Livingstone for some of the range of activities on offer. Its seven thatched cottages are comfortable and nicely decorated, close to the swimming pool and with views over the Zambezi and the private lake. The rooms include secluded riverside doubles, lakeside rooms with extra beds and two family chalets with adjoining bedrooms. They all have en-suite bathrooms, fans and high thatch ceilings which helps to keep them cool. Several have private decks overlooking the river or the private lake. Hippo and elephant are regular visitors to Waterberry, especially at dusk, and keen-eyed birders will enjoy the wide range of birdlife. Village walks, fishing, picnic cruises and sundowners on the river are all on offer. The lodge can also take you to visit Victoria Falls, Mosi Oa Tunya National Park or to Livingstone s Maramba Market, the local craft market in the local village. All the adventure sports at Victoria Falls and Livingstone can be booked from Waterberry Lodge, as can tours and activities both locally and to neighbouring countries. You stay at Waterberry Lodge on either a fully-inclusive package which includes all meals, local drinks, two in-house activities per day (tour of the falls (Vic Falls entry fee not included and payable direct), sunset cruise, daytime cruise, fishing, island picnics, guided birding, guided village walk, guided tour of the town and local markets) and laundry, or on a full-board package which is the same as the above but includes only one in-house activity per day or on a full-board basis with no activities included (but can be booked and paid for at the time). You will spend 4 nights at Waterberry Lodge staying in a double room on a full package basis.
www.waterberrylodge.com Day 6 This morning you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight to the South Luangwa (via Lusaka), where you will be met and transferred by road to Kafunta River Lodge to stay for 2 nights. I will make this land better known to men that it may become one of their haunts. It is impossible to describe its luxuriance... (Dr David Livingstone on first seeing the Luangwa Valley) The South Luangwa National Park is one of Zambia's finest parks and one of the world s most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries. This area of outstanding beauty is also where you can enjoy some of the best walking safaris in Africa. There is a huge variety of game within the park, including large numbers of lion and leopard, and it was originally established to protect the unique and beautiful Thornicroft's Giraffe. The best way to get close to the animals and learn about the flora and fauna is undoubtedly on foot, and Kafunta combines really well with a few nights at Island Bush Camp where you can do this. Kafunta River Lodge is a small owner-run lodge set among riverside forest on the banks of the Luangwa River, just outside and overlooking the South Luangwa National Park. It is a classically-built safari lodge, and offers all the creature comforts in a natural wildlife environment. The eight private thatched chalets are built on raised wooden platforms and have mahogany floors and walls giving a natural feel to the luxurious interiors. The spacious bar and dining area is built around a semi-evergreen wild mango tree and thatched in the traditional style. From the deck it offers panoramic views over the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park, and you will be able to enjoy great game viewing and bird watching from the lodge. As well as a swimming pool for cooling off in the heat of the day, Kafunta has the only natural hot spring 'tub' in the Luangwa Valley. The lodge has stunning views over the flood plains and the Luangwa River. From the lodge, you go out on morning and evening game drives. The lodge has its own pontoon just five minutes from the lodge, and the crossing takes you into the more remote areas of the park which is an adventurous alternative to entering the park by the main gate 10km north of the lodge. At Kafunta River Lodge you stay on a full-board basis (B,L&D) including activities. The price does not include drinks. You will spend 2 nights at Kafunta River Lodge staying in a double chalet on a full-board basis. www.luangwa.com Day 8 Today you will game drive to Island Bush Camp to stay for 3 nights. Please note Island Bush Camp is open 1st June-31st October. If you are travelling outside these dates these two nights will be at Kafunta River Lodge.
Island Bush Camp is two hours drive south of Kafunta River Lodge, and is set in a very remote, game-rich area of the southern section of the park (although no longer pitched actually on an island as the name suggests). With grass and reed huts, and the modern comforts of hot showers and running water, it offers a rustic and very special experience. In this complete solitude far away from any other operators, you will be able to view the game on foot rather than in vehicles, though there are vehicles available if you would like to do a bit of both. It s a lovely personal camp, and a great way to explore the untouched wilderness that surrounds it. At Island Bush Camp you stay on a full-board basis (B,L&D) including all game activities. The price does not include drinks. You will spend 3 nights at Island Bush Camp on a full-board basis. www.luangwa.com Day 11 Today you will game drive back to Kafunta River Lodge to stay for your last night on safari. Day 12 Today you will be transferred to Mfuwe Airport for your flight to Lusaka, where you will be met and driven to Pioneer Camp to stay for 1 night. Pioneer Camp is a simple and very good value lodge 20 minutes from Lusaka Airport and the main shopping areas of Lusaka. It has 11 individual, thatched chalets and a two-bedroomed cottage all set within 25 acres of miombo woodland. The luxury chalets are en-suite, private and have verandas with lovely woodland views. The cheaper pioneer chalets have shared facilities. There are also family chalets sleeping three people. At the centre of the Pioneer Camp is a large open thatched bar-restaurant, where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. There is a small menu offering various pasta dishes, or you could try the famous Pioneer T-bone steak, and you can enjoy candle-lit braai meals in the evenings. There is a swimming pool, and table tennis and billiards table as well as an informative library with books about the wildlife, fauna and flora of Zambia. The owner Paul is often to be found behind the bar and is a friendly, affable host. It is a great, inexpensive and personal place to overnight, and if you have a bit of time you can walk around the property, which is surprisingly good for birds. At Pioneer Camp you can stay on a B&B or half-board basis in a safari chalet (en-suite shower), luxury safari chalet (en-suite bathroom and king-size four poster bed) or the cottage (2 bedrooms/5 beds). You will spend 1 night at Pioneer Camp staying in a luxury chalet on a half-board basis. www.pioneercampzambia.com
Day 13 This morning you will be transferred to Lusaka Airport for your flight home. ******************** The price for this holiday will be from 2,065 (shoulder)/ 2521 (peak) per person subject to availability. International flight price estimated at 660 per person (not included in the above price). This includes: All internal flights and transfers All accommodation on a shared basis in double rooms Meals as indicated Drinks as indicated All National Park fees All game viewing activities with a qualified guide as indicated This does not include: International flights from the UK - quoted separately (non-refundable and non-exchangable once confirmed) Laundry as indicated Staff tips Travel insurance Items of a personal nature Visas ******************** All quotes are subject to alteration due to availability at the time of booking, currency fluctuations, fuel and rate increases, park fee increases and government action.