From animal encounters to adrenaline activities, this classic Zambia safari holiday showcases the best the country has to offer. Start with South Luangwa National Park for game drives, walking safaris and night game drives. Next, it’s Lower Zambezi National Park for canoe safaris, fishing trips and sunset river cruises. You’ll end at Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the natural World. Explore game-rich parks and feel the fresh spray from the falls with this Zambia holiday adventure.
15-Day Best of Zambia – Safari & Waterfalls
Arrival
Day 1:Arrival in Zambia & Transfer to South Luangwa National Park
Arriving in the capital city Lusaka, you’ll take a domestic connection to Mfuwe and a transfer to your first safari stop, South Luangwa National Park. You’ll be staying at Flatdogs Camp, which is the closest camp to the park’s main gate and looks out to incredible views of the parklands. Relax and unwind after a long journey with a sundowner, looking out for your first glimpses of Zambia’s wildlife. Flatdogs is proud to support local communities and you can visit many of their projects, such as those in the nearby Mfuwe village.
- Main Destination: South Luangwa National Park
- Accomodation: Flatdogs Camp
Day 2-3: Exploring South Luangwa National Park
Start exploring South Luangwa with a morning game drive in an open-top safari vehicle, spotting giant mammals, an exotic array of birdlife, as well as plenty of other wildlife sightings, especially as creatures come to drink at the Luangwa River. Keep your eyes peeled for some of Zambia’s endemic species, including Thornicroft’s giraffe, Crawshay’s zebra and Cookson’s wildebeest.
Spend the hotter hours of the day relaxing by the pool at your safari camp, where you might be visited by elephants, giraffes and impala. After an evening game drive, head out for an intrepid night safari, where you can see South Luangwa’s nocturnal wildlife come to life. Look out for big cats on the prowl, the critically endangered African wild dog and other rare species, such as the shy pangolin.
- Main Destination: South Luangwa National Park
- Accommodation: Flatdogs Camp
Day 4:Transfer to Nkonzi, South Luangwa National Park
Leaving Flatdogs behind, you’ll delve deeper into the national park by staying at Nkonzi Camp, a rustic safari lodge located in a remote area of South Luangwa. Getting back to nature, you’ll sleep in an open-air, en-suite safari tent (complete with hot water bucket showers and flushing toilets) and enjoy homemade meals, including fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. In the evenings, you’ll watch some bush TV (the campfire) and enjoy stargazing without light pollution, out in the bush.
- Main Destination: South Luangwa National Park
- Accommodation: Nkonzi Bush Camp
Day 5-7:Exploring South Luangwa National Park
Enjoy morning and evening game drives in this remote region of South Luangwa National Park. Rising before dawn, the soft dawn light and dewy conditions make for some of the most stunning wildlife photography. Explore the Mfuwe bridge area, head north to some of the least-visited areas in the park or enjoy the reliable game viewing found in the Mushilashi-Luwi area. Leaving camp at around 4 pm, evening game drives are picturesque sunset moments, and also give you the chance to see the park’s predators as they start to wake up and hunt.
Zambia is also the birthplace of the walking safari, an activity that provides a different perspective on the country’s diverse wildlife. Learn about the intricate ecosystems, Zambia’s rich flora and fauna, then learn to track big game using scat, footprints and other signs. All with the help of some of the most knowledgeable and highly-trained walking safari guides in Africa.
- Main Destination: South Luangwa National Park
- Accommodation: Nkonzi Bush Camp
Day 8:Transfer to Lower Zambezi National Park
Swapping South Luangwa for Lower Zambezi National Park, your Zambia safari adventure continues as you take another domestic flight and head to your next safari camp, Chula Camp – one of the fantastic Tusk & Mane collection. It is located on Discovery Island and is near to Jeki Airfield. This island is like jurassic park, full of surprises! It is full of hidden lagoons and open dambos. The game is unbelievable, expect to see leopard, lion, hyena, buffalo herds and lots of elephant just to mention a few.
- Main Destination: Lower Zambezi National Park
- Accomodation: Chula Island Camp
Day 9-11:Exploring Lower Zambezi National Park
Explore the Lower Zambezi National Park, on foot, by car and by boat. Here, you’ll see kudu, impala, elephants, buffalo, lions, hyena and leopards, as well as a variety of colourful birdlife. The wetlands, bushveld and riverine areas are home to kingfishers, bee-eaters, hornbills, vultures, owls and parrots.
Enjoy river activities on the Zambezi, including fishing excursions, canoe safaris and river cruises, where you can watch wildlife as they come to you and drink at the water’s edge. Or relax for sunset with a sundowner in hand, drifting down the currents with the hippos and crocodiles.
Start early for a day trip fishing on the river, where you can hope to catch a tigerfish (just watch out for their teeth!). This trophy species weigh up to nine kilograms, though you may also be lucky enough to hook a bream, chess, nkupi or vundu as well. Break for lunch during the hottest part of the day and return for sundowners in the evening.
- Main Destination: Lower Zambezi National Park
- Accommodation: Chula Island Camp
Day 12:Transfer to Livingstone (Victoria Falls)
Say goodbye to the national parks and head to the historic town of Livingstone, the gateway to Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. You’ll be staying at Chundukwa River Lodge, a safari-style property on the banks of the Zambezi comprised of five stilted chalets and a family house, offering a private and relaxing riverside escape.
- Main Destination: Victoria Falls (Zambia)
- Accommodation: Chundukwa River Lodge
Day 13-14: Exploring Livingstone (Victoria Falls)
Known to locals as “Mosi Oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders), Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a truly impressive sight to behold. With a huge variety of activities on offer, you won’t run out of ways to explore and enjoy the falls. Take a hike along the footpaths around the region for epic views and billowing spray, see the falls from above on a helicopter tour, then swim out to the edge of Devil’s Pool – right next to the thundering cascades!
Livingstone is named after Scottish explorer David Livingstone, the first European to see Victoria Falls in 1855. The town itself is a great attraction, with its wide, tree-lined streets and colonial architecture. The Livingstone Museum is also worth a visit for some background on the region and its history.
- Main Destination: Victoria Falls (Zambia)
- Accommodation: Chundukwa River Lodge
Day 15: Departure from Zambia
Your Zambia safari and Victoria Falls holiday come to a close, but you’ll head to the airport with a camera full of photos and a heart full of memories, from wildlife encounters to chasing waterfalls, to share with friends and family back home.
- Main Destination: No major destination visited
- Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
| Accommodation | Chundukwa River Lodge, Chula Island Camp, Nkonzi Bush Camp, Flatdogs Camp, |
|---|---|
| Meals | All Meals |
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