Our Wild Zambia safari is a top favourite with our guests. You’ll discover why when you stay in these intimate and exclusive owner-operated camps in two of Zambia’s premier wildlife destinations. Zambia has long been a favourite destination for safari connoisseurs. Its wonderfully secluded parks and reserves see far fewer crowds than their counterparts in other countries and you’ll seldom see another vehicle on your game drives. From exceptional game viewing in Kafue National Park to canoeing on the mighty Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi this is a safari like no other.
Your Wild Zambia safari includes contributions to support local communities and wildlife. You’ll visit an anti-poaching base-camp, and learn from the officers and wildlife biologists the successes and challenges faced by the team.
We will be taking just 8 participants on this exclusive ‘safari in comfort’ and early booking is essential! The intimate and remote camps we love on our Wild Zambia safari fill quickly.
Optional extension: End your safari with a few relaxing days at our favourite lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. This stunning lodge is located away from the bustle of town but close enough to visit the Zimbabwe side of the Falls (included), or to do some shopping. Each spacious room has a private plunge pool and deck overlooking the river, and the meals, staff, and boat trips on the river are exceptional.
Your Wild Zambia safari starts in Kafue National Park, which is named after the Kafue River, the largest tributary of the mighty Zambezi River, which flows through it from north to south. You’ll enjoy game drives and walks with your guides, who will share their culture and traditions with you, along with discussions about wildlife and vegetation. A visit to an anti-poaching base-camp funded by guests staying at the camp will be a highlight.
Among the many highlights at your stunning camps in the Lower Zambezi are the daily visits from elephants as they make their way down to the river. Game drives in the National Park, canoeing on the river, and fishing for tiger fish on the mighty Zambezi River fill your days here.
The wildlife in these parks is exceptional and includes endangered African wild dogs, lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffalo, and much more. Watching a herd of elephants crossing a river is a memory you will cherish forever. Lower Zambezi has one of the highest densities of leopards in Africa and sightings of this elusive big cat are frequent. Night game drives allow you to see them when they are most active.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Day 1: Independent arrival in Lusaka. You will be met at the airport and taken to your city accommodation for your first night in Zambia.
Fly to Lufupa Airstrip in the Kafue – a wonderful flight taking in views of the Zambezi escarpment, the Kafue flats wetland system and the broad Kafue River. You will be met on arrival at Lufupa Airstrip by the Musekese Camp team who will drive you the 250 metres from the airstrip to the Kafue River for your boat trip transfer South, crossing the river to the remote Eastern sector of the national park where a safari game viewing vehicle will take you on a short drive into camp.
Situated in a very remote and untouched region in Northern Kafue, the camp overlooks the ‘Eden’ lagoon with its access to the broad Kafue river.
Activities here include bird watching, day and night game drives, boat safaris on the Kafue River, and walking safaris. Immerse yourself in the ‘feel’ of this truly remote area, the history of the camp and its ethos entrenched in exploration and conservation.
A highly recommended experience whilst staying at Musekese Camp, is a visit to the ‘Musekese Conservation’ anti-poaching base-camp. Our guides will take conservation-interested guests to see a real life anti-poaching and conservation camp and get to learn from the officers and wildlife biologists what life is really like in the world of conservation and the specific successes and challenges faced by the team in the Kafue. The whole project was founded on the back of tourist revenues from visiting our camps!
After breakfast take a leisurely boat transfer back across the river to meet your transfer game drive vehicle to Busanga. The journey from Lufupa Harbour (from Musekese Camp) through the heart of the park to Ntemwa-Busanga is a fascinating one. There is plenty to see on this ‘game drive transfer’, from granite outcrops to film-set-like riverine scenery.
Ntemwa-Busanga Camp is the smallest camp in Kafue with just four guest chalets. The vast open plains are home to a huge diversity of wildlife and birdlife.
A spectacular 1hr 35mins flight from Busanga to Jeki Airstrip in the Lower Zambezi National Park, followed by a short but exciting transfer game drive from the airstrip to Kutali Camp.
Kutali is a comfortable owner-run tented camp with all the luxuries one could wish for, but with the charm and ethos of a true seasonal bush-camp. With just 5 guest tents, catering for no more than 10 people in camp at once – each tent is carefully and expertly located for the best possible views across the Zambezi River. The Kutali tents are bespoke and very comfortable, with high quality linen and mattresses, alongside flushing toilets, running water taps and traditional bucket-showers! A main area stretch-canvas tent set beneath the towering Winterthorn trees makes for an exceptional location for meals, reading, charging cameras and wildlife watching.
The Lower Zambezi has some of the finest big game wildlife viewing in Africa. This, coupled with the variety of safari activities on offer and the aesthetics of this park, make for a truly fantastic wildlife spectacle. High densities of elephant gather on the valley floor as the dry season commences, along with large herds of buffalo and impala. In attendance are all of the large predators one might expect, with lion, leopard and wild dog very well represented here. The only notable omission might be the giraffe, but a night-time safari scouting for honey badger and aardvark should help you forget about our long-necked friends!
Your ‘transfer’ between Kutali and Chula is taken at the whim of the wildlife and your guide – we leave the timing and means of transport to the team on the ground. Sometimes a morning drive is in order, maybe a canoe, maybe a walk, are all options get you to your next camp.
Chula Island camp, sister camp to Kutali, is situated on Discovery Island, a small island in the Zambezi River with no vehicle access, in the heart of the Lower Zambezi N.P. The camp is built under Natal mahogany trees and it overlooks a beautiful lagoon! This is one of the most sought-after and dramatic locations in Africa.
The tent walls are made of netting and are one of the most appealing aspects of the camp, providing a 270-degrees view of the African bush at all times of day and night. Black-out curtains are available, if need be. The four guest tents have twin beds (which can be joined to make a double), reading lights, and a couple of comfy camp chairs – it really is rustic, simple and all you need. The washing facilities are just to the side of your tent, and they comprise flush toilet, washbasin with mirror over, and classic bucket shower. Hot water for your shower is supplied on request. A main area stretch-canvas tent, set beneath the massive mahogany trees, makes for an exceptional location for meals, reading, charging cameras and wildlife watching.
Your amazing safari ends with a flight back to Lusaka International Airport to connect with your flight home.
End your safari with a few relaxing days at our superb lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. It’s located away from the bustle of town but close enough to visit the Zimbabwe side of the Falls (included), or to do some shopping. It’s located within the National Park and elephants and warthogs regular lodge visitors. Each spacious room has a private plunge pool and deck overlooking the river, and the meals, staff, and boat trips on the river are exceptional. My guests LOVE this lodge and are always very reluctant to leave!
“I was fortunate to enjoy one of Karens safaris to Botswana and Zimbabwe. We had beautiful accommodation throughout the trip, then we arrived at The Old Drift Lodge. Wow! What a way to finish a magical ten days, in this luxurious Lodge, right on the Zambezi River. The Old Drift Lodge is stunning throughout, the staff could not do enough for you, and the food was exceptional. The rooms were beautifully appointed, indoor and outdoor showers, plus an outdoor bath and your own private plunge pool. This was just such a treat, especially after a morning of game drives or walking around Victoria Falls. I would highly recommend this Lodge to anyone looking for a memorable finish to one of Karen’s fabulous safaris.” Anne Merritt, Hawkes Bay
International airfares are not included. We are happy to recommend a travel agent to book your flights.
Emirates, Qatar and Ethiopian airlines all offer flights from New Zealand or Australia to Lusaka, with stops in Dubai, Doha, and Addis Ababa respectively.
Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days.
There are no mandatory vaccinations, however malaria prophylaxis (tablets) is strongly recommended.
We are happy to arrange accommodation before or after your safari.
Most of our guests are from New Zealand and Australia. They are typically aged 50+, active and adventurous, well travelled people who are looking to venture off the main tourist route to explore some of Africa’s less well-known destinations. But they also appreciate quality accommodation back at base after an exciting day of game drives and guided walks! They are flexible and easy going, and they are keen to supporting local conservation and community projects during their safari. A sense of humour is always welcome!
This has been our fifth trip to Africa with Karen. As always the trip has exceeded our expectations with brilliant organisation, fabulous accommodation and wondrous close encounters with the animals, especially elephants! We loved it all, lots of laughs and the finale at Kaya Mawa on Lake Malawi was spectacular.
Zimbabwe & Zambia, September 2018
