Zambia
Best of Zambia Guided
11 days · 10 nights. The same Kafue camps, ending on the Lower Zambezi instead of Chobe.
From US$6,130View
Overview
Two countries in ten days, driven throughout in one air-conditioned safari vehicle with one guide, refreshments on board and no handoffs.
The wildlife weight of this trip is in Kafue, and unusually you see both ends of it. Ila Safari Lodge sits on the banks of the Kafue River in the centre of the park — ten luxury safari tents along the water with outdoor showers and wrap-around decks, and elephants that walk through camp on their way to drink. The schedule here runs to three activities a day if you want them: armed guided walks, day and night drives, boat cruises, fishing and village visits.
Then a full day’s game drive south through the park to the remote southern section, two more nights, and out through the Dundumwezi gate to Livingstone for the falls from the Zambian side — a sunset cruise, the guided falls tour, and lunch with an elephant interaction.
Finally across to Kasane on the Chobe riverfront for two nights of game drives and game-viewing boat cruises in Chobe National Park, at a lodge with river-facing rooms, a pool, and a hairdressing salon in a tree house, which is not a sentence we get to write often.
At a glance
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One guide, one vehicleAir-conditioned, with refreshments on board, the whole way.
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Up to three activities a dayIn northern Kafue, if you have the appetite for it.
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Two countriesZambia end to end, then over the border into Botswana.
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Park fees includedAll national park entry fees are in the rate.
Day by day
Day 1
Lusaka
Met at Lusaka International Airport and driven the 30 minutes to a small guesthouse near the National Assembly — eighteen air-conditioned en-suite rooms, a restaurant and bar, and an outdoor pool.
Latitude 15 · dinner, bed & breakfast
Days 2 & 3
Northern Kafue National Park
An early breakfast and a 09:00 departure for the guided drive to the northern part of Kafue, arriving in time for lunch before the first activity.
The lodge sits on the banks of the Kafue River in the centre of the park, close enough to the Lusaka road to be reachable and far enough to feel remote. Ten luxury safari tents along the river, each with an outdoor shower and bath and a wrap-around viewing deck; the water comes right up to the edge of the decks, and elephants stroll through camp on their way to drink.
Two nights, ideally three activities a day: armed guided walks, day and night game drives, boat cruises, fishing, park excursions and traditional village visits.
Ila Safari Lodge · all meals, activities, local drinks, park fees and levies
Days 4 & 5
Southern Kafue National Park
A 09:00 pick-up for the drive south through the park — a game drive throughout, with several stops and a picnic lunch along the way.
Two nights in the remote southern section on the edge of a large dambo among jackalberry and sausage trees. Four chalets and two Meru tents, all en-suite with hot and cold running water, a large thatched lounge and dining area on an elevated teak deck.
A minimum of two activities a day, scheduled with you on arrival: armed guided walks, morning and late afternoon drives, night drives, park excursions and village tours.
Nanzhila Plains Safari Camp · all meals, activities, local drinks, road transfers and park fees
Days 6 & 7
Victoria Falls, Zambian side
An early breakfast and a drive south out of the park at the Dundumwezi gate, arriving in Livingstone in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to rest before a Zambezi sunset cruise at 16:00 and dinner at the hotel.
The next day: a guided tour of the Victoria Falls rainforest at 07:30, then lunch at the elephant café with an elephant interaction, and dinner at the hotel.
The resort is built along the edge of the Zambezi with direct walking access to the falls — open, airy en-suite rooms in earthy colours, some facing the bush and some the landscaped pool, and vervet monkeys around the bar.
Avani Victoria Falls Resort · all meals and selected activities
Days 8 & 9
Chobe National Park, Kasane
There is time for a morning activity before you leave — a helicopter flight over the falls, or a rhino walk in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, both bookable locally. Depart Livingstone at 10:00 for Kasane, arriving in time for an optional lunch before the afternoon activity.
Two nights on the banks of the Chobe River close to the national park, with a minimum of two activities a day — one morning, one afternoon. Included activities are game drives and game-viewing boat cruises in Chobe; mokoro trips and fishing are optional extras.
River-facing rooms with air-conditioning, mosquito nets and tea and coffee facilities, an outdoor pool set in natural landscape, a restaurant and a bar over the river, a spa, and a nine-hole golf course.
Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge · meals and activities
Day 10
Departure
A final transfer to the airport, timed against your departure flight — either Kasane or back across to Livingstone, whichever suits your routing.
Breakfast included
What’s included
Included
- All accommodation and all meals
- All activities stated in the itinerary
- All national park entry fees
- All road, airport and inter-lodge transfers with our guide and safari vehicle
- An air-conditioned vehicle with refreshments on board
- Local drinks at both Kafue camps
Not included
- International flights
- Visas and any visa costs — you will cross into Botswana
- Premium imported wine and spirits
- Drinks and laundry at Chobe
- Optional extras such as the helicopter flight, rhino walk, mokoro trips and fishing at Chobe
- Gratuities and items of a personal nature
- Travel and medical insurance
Rates
Per person in US dollars, for the full 9 night safari.
| Basis | Rate |
|---|---|
| Per person sharing | US$6,560 |
| Single room supplement | US$2,320 |
One flat rate rather than seasonal bands, which makes this good value in July to October when most Zambian rates rise. All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice. Terms and conditions apply.
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