Zambia Classic Safari

Itinerary

Day 1 – 2 : Nkwali Camp

On arrival at Lusaka International Airport, you will be met by a Robin Pope Safaris’ representative who will have a name board with your names. He/She will assist you with immigration and customs clearing and then you can check in for your flight to Mfuwe, South Luangwa. The flight is on average one hour. At Mfuwe International Airport you will be met by another guide from Robin Pope Safaris. The drive to Nkwali Camp is 1 hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture and bush. Nkwali Camp has a wide view of the Luangwa River. On Robin’s private land, and overlooking the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is ideally situated for the start of your safari. The six rooms all look out over the river and have open air bathrooms. Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the lagoon to the back of Nkwali or if you arrive in the afternoon you can enjoy tea and the afternoon and night game drive.

At dawn breakfast is served around the campfire, with the porridge heated on the fire and the toast cooked by the coals. The morning walk or drive will leave soon after, entering the park by boat from the camp or by the nearby pontoon. The game in the area is excellent – and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic species of giraffe, the Thornicroft Giraffe. A mid morning break of tea, coffee and cake will be taken at a scenic point on a lagoon or the Luangwa River. Return to camp for lunch around mid day. After lunch you can cool off in the swimming pool or siesta. Following tea you will go out on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early night giving the chance to see the nocturnal world, returning to camp about at about 20:00 pm with dinner generally at 20:30 pm.

Day 3 – 6 : Nsefu Camp OR Tena Tena

After an early breakfast, you will get a transfer game drive through the park into the Nsefu Sector of the park and onto Nsefu Camp. Nsefu was the first game camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognised then as a phenomenal area and it still is. Robin Pope Safaris owns the only two camps in this sector of the Park. There are six round rondavels with luxurious en suite facilities and each room has a clear view of the sweeping bend of the Luangwa River through large windows and from the wooden verandas. On arrival you will be shown to your rondavel and then lunch will be served followed by a well deserved siesta before the afternoon and evening game drive.

(Note: option of booking Tena Tena for the 3 nights).

On day 4 you will have a chance to drive or walk through the ebony groves, or you may decide that this is an ideal day, depending on the heat and time of year, to explore the Nsefu Sector of the National Park with an all day picnic drive to the salt pans, covering different habitats making for an exceptional day’s safari.

On day 5 you could visit Kawaza village. This community tourism initiative is a great opportunity to meet local people and experience life in a real non-tourist village. If you wish to visit, then it is best to mention this when booking your holiday or with Robin Pope Safaris on arrival.

Day 6 – 9 : Chiawa Camp

After an early breakfast you will be transferred to Mfuwe Airport (1.5 hours) for the flight to the Lower Zambezi. As you fly into the area you will see the wide Zambezi River, dotted with islands. Buffalo and elephant are usually seen feeding along the banks, and pods of hippos can be seen in the water or along the banks too. The transfer to Chiawa Camp is through the park and there is the chance of game viewing along the way. Resting on the banks of the Zambezi under a lush grove of mahogany and acacia trees, eight spacious tents on elevated wooden platforms with en-suite facilities offer Chiawa’s guests ample comfort and stunning views. Game viewing in the pristine Lower Zambezi National Park is superb and big game, such as elephant, hippo, buffalo and the big cats can be seen regularly, even in and around the camp! After a late lunch there will be a chance for an afternoon activity, be it on the river or by vehicle.

At Chiawa there are various activities to choose from. On offer are exciting day and night drives and bush walks, but Chiawa’s guests can also choose their own day’s itinerary from a selection of canoe trips; river safaris on safe, stable pontoon boats and catch & release angling for the infamous tiger fish.

Day 9 – 11 : Tongabezi Lodge

Today (usually in the morning) you will take a flight transfer to Livingstone via Lusaka (1.5 hour flight). On arrival you will be met and transferred to Tongabezi Lodge where you will settle into your accommodation and be served a delicious lunch. Accommodation at Tongabezi Lodge is set in a tranquil grove of ebony on a sweeping bend of the Zambezi River, and consists of colonial-style river cottages and spacious open-planned stone and thatched houses. There is a wide range of activities on offer at Tongabezi including fishing, canoe trips on the river and game drives in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. For the more adventurous, Livingstone boasts a whole host of adrenaline filled activities such as whitewater rafting, bungee jumping and micro-lighting. Or you may just wish to simply rest in camp and enjoy the spectacular scenery and peaceful atmosphere.

Day 11 : transit

After breakfast you may have a morning activity, time permitting or a transfer to Livingstone Airport for your onward connection.

Valid: April to mid-November.