Best of Zambia Safari

 

Click here for more information on Nkwali Camp
Click here for more information on Nsefu Camp
Click here for more information on Tena Tena Camp
Click here for more information on Lunga River Lodge
Click here for more information on Chiawa Camp
Click here for more information on Busanga Bush Camp

 

14 Nights / 15 Days Itinerary

This safari covers the three premier parks of Zambia - The South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and the Kafue. The Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. The Luangwa River flows into the Zambezi River - just below the Lower Zambezi National Park. This park, scenically bordered by an impressive escarpment, has excellent game viewing which can be viewed from either the river or by land. Quietly drifting quietly past a huge elephant feeding is a great experience. The Kafue is one of the largest National Parks in Africa - and the ecology is different from the two river valleys. The mature miombo woodland and the wide open flood plains of the Busanga host more mammal species and different birds species. Combining the three parks gives you an exceptional safari.

Combining Robin Pope Safaris in the Nkwali Camp 2 nights, Nsefu Camp - 3 nights, Chiawa Camp - 4 nights, Lunga River Lodge - 2 nights, Basunga Bush Camp - 3 nights.


NKWALI CAMP

Day 1 On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you. The drive to Nkwali Camp is 1 hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as 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 in the afternoon for tea and the afternoon and night game drive.


NKWALI CAMP
Day 2 At dawn breakfast is served around the campfire. The porridge heated on the fire and 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 by 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. Tea will be served in the afternoon and then off on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early night giving the chance to see the nocturnal world. Usually one returns to camp about 20.00 hrs with dinner generally at 20.30.


NSEFU CAMP
Day 3 After an early breakfast, a transfer game drive through the park takes you to a crossing point on the Luangwa River. The Nsefu staff will meet the party, cross the river by boat, and then a 45 minute drive to Nsefu camp , game viewing on route. 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. The camp is on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River. There are six round rondavels with luxurious ensuite facilities and each room has a clear view of the river through large windows and from the new wooden verandahs. 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).


NSEFU CAMP
Day 4 Today is a chance to drive or walk through the ebony groves. Or you may decide this is an ideal day depending on the heat and time of year to explore the Nsefu Sector of the National Park possibly with an all day picnic drive to the salt pans that will cover different habitats and is an exceptional day's safari.


NSEFU CAMP
Day 5 Another relaxing day at Nsefu with morning and evening game activities. Being the last whole day at Nsefu you resume game activities in the morning and evening with the possibility of visiting Kawaza village as an option to meet local people and experience life in a real Zambian village. If you wish to visit then it is best to mention this when booking your holiday or with Robin Pope Safaris on arrival.


CHIAWA CAMP
Day 6 After an early breakfast, transfer to Mfuwe Airport (1.5 hours) for the flight to Lusaka (1.5 hours) and then onto the Lower Zambezi (30 mins). As you fly into the area, you will see the wide Zambezi River, dotted with islands. Buffalo and elephant are always seen feeding along with the pods of hippos that rest on the edge of the sandbanks. 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 are even seen regularly 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.


CHIAWA CAMP
Day 7 At Chiawa there are various activities to choose from. Not only on offer are exciting day and night drives and bush walks, but Chiawa's guests can 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.

CHIAWA CAMP
Day 8


CHIAWA CAMP
Day 9

 

LUNGA RIVER LODGE
Day 10 After breakfast and farewells, a drive through the park to the airstrip to meet the plane taking you to the Kafue National Park (1.3 hours). Landing on the private airstrip of Lunga River Lodge you will be met with welcome drinks. The camp is only 5 minutes from the airstrip and so you are soon settling into your spacious chalets. The main area overlooks the Lunga River and the craftsmanship of the bar and decking is exceptional. Lunga also has a swimming pool and steam room. The river is clear and deep, and lined with lush trees in which live many interesting birds. The Kafue area hosts many species of birds and mammals not (or rarely) seen in the Luangwa and Zambezi Valleys including hartebeest and sable antelope and cheetah.


LUNGA RIVER LODGE
Day 11
The day will be spent exploring the area with the option of boating, canoeing, walking or game drives.


BUSANGA BUSHCAMP
Day 12
After an early breakfast you will leave on the helicopter transfer to Busanga Bushcamp on the Busanga Swamps. This vast area is flooded during the rains but dries up annually leaving short and rich grazing for the many herds of different antelope. And where there is game in numbers, so there are predators. The lion population in the area is well known, and there is a good chance of sighting cheetah. You will arrive in time for lunch - at the small and discrete bush camp built on an "island" in the plains. After a siesta and tea, the afternoon game drive will continue into the night when there is a good chance of following lions.

 

BUSANGA BUSHCAMP
Day 13
The bush camp is built of grass and reed - each room with a view of the floodplain and an en suite bathroom (with long drop loo). It is simple and extremely remote and makes a superb base from which to explore the unusual ecosystem of the floodplains. In the morning the chance to drive up the waterway of the floodplain will be an excellent long morning drive. There is also the option of a morning walk.


LUNGA RIVER LODGE OR BUSANGA BUSHCAMP
Day 14 Depending on the outward flight time, you will either transfer back to Lunga River Lodge to be ready for an early morning flight the next day or spend another day at Busanga.

 

Day 15 After breakfast, a morning activity, time permitting, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight to Lusaka to connect onto your onward flight.

Prices:

BEST OF ZAMBIA SAFARI – 14 nights / 15 days - PRICES ARE IN US$

2 Nights Nkwali Camp, 3 nights, Nsefu Camp, 4 nights Chiawa Camp, 2 nights Luangwa River Lodge,3 Nights Basunga Bush Camp

An fourteen day safari combining 2 nights Nkwali Camp in South Luangwa, with walks and night drive, boat transfer, game drive in South Luangwa National Park for viewing herds of elephants and the endemic species of Giraffe, the Thornicroft Giraffe followed by 3 nights at Nsefu Camp, across the Luangwa River via boat transfer, guided walks, game viewing drives, also possible visit to Kawaza Village a Community Tourism Initiative. Then 4 nights Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi, with domestic flights Mfuwe to Lower Zambezi via Lusaka, airstrip transfers, day & night game viewing drives, guided walks and canoe trips or a selection of river safaris, thereafter depart and drive through the park to the airstrip for the domestic flight to Kafue National Park for 2 nights at Lunga River Lodge, Option of boating, canoeing, walking or game drives is available here. Next day on a helicopter transfer to Basunga Bush Camp for 3 nights. Experience long morning drives or the option of morning walks at Basunga plains.

 

Full board accommodation, laundry, drinks (Except premium spirits, champagne, sparkling wine and premium wines), National Park fees and Internal Flights. All Game drives are in 4x4 safari vehicles. [Minimum 2 people].

 

NKWALI CAMP

NSEFU CAMP OR TENA TENA,

CHIAWA CAMP,

LUANGWA RIVER LODGE,

& BASUNGA BUSH CAMP

DATES FROM

DATES TO

PER PERSON SHARING

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT

01-Jan-08

21-May-08

CLOSED

22-May-08

30-Jun-08

$10230

$2520

01-Jul-08

30-Sep-08

$10670

$2945

01-Oct-08

31-Oct-08

$10230

$2520

January to March - Rainy Season.

Children under 13 years are NOT ALLOWED. Children of 13 years and above pay full adult rates.

All above Prices Exclude: International Flights, Airport Taxes, Visas, and any additional activities not mentioned above.

Note: For the possible visit to Kawaza Village a Community Tourism Initiative, you have to mention at the time of booking this safari package. The village is open April – December.

You can explore the Nsefu Sector of the National Park possibly with an “All-Day” picnic drive to the salt pans that will cover different habitats and is an exceptional day’s safari.

 

 

 
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