Avila Travel Zambia South Luangwa NP

Zambia trip | Exclusive Zambia wildlife trip

  • Adventure
  • 13-day trip
  • From €18,995 per person

Zambia trip | Exclusive Zambia wildlife trip

This unforgettable journey takes you through some of Zambia’s most beautiful and remote wilderness areas. You’ll start in Kafue National Park, staying at Musekese Camp, where vast plains, miombo woodlands and the Kafue River provide an impressive first safari experience, including game drives, boat safaris and walks. You will then travel to the wildlife-rich northern plains of the Busanga Plains, where you will stay at Ntemwa Busanga Camp and come face to face with lions, wild dogs and large herds of antelope.

Your adventure continues to the Lower Zambezi National Park, where you’ll stay at Chula Island Camp, situated on an island in the river, and enjoy boat safaris, canoeing and tiger fishing, surrounded by the impressive wildlife along the river. In South Luangwa National Park, you’ll stay at Tafika Camp, with daily game drives and walking safaris, after which your safari becomes even more intimate at Chikoko Trails, where you’ll walk from one small-scale camp to the next and experience the bush up close.

Finally, you’ll travel to the remote North Luangwa National Park, staying at Kutandala Camp, an exclusive wilderness experience where you’ll walk and drive through an almost untouched ecosystem, teeming with elephants, lions, leopards and other wildlife. A journey full of diversity, authenticity and unforgettable safari experiences in the heart of Zambia.

Travel programme

Travel overview

  • Day 1 – 2 Flight to Zambia and stay at Kafue National Park
  • Day 3 – 4 Busanga Plains in northern Kafue
  • Days 5–7 Boat safaris in Lower Zambezi National Park
  • Day 8 Game drives in South Luangwa National Park
  • Day 9 – 10 Chikoko walking trail in South Luangwa National Park
  • Day 11 – 12 North Luangwa National Park
  • Day 13 Departure from Zambia
Day 1 to 2
Flight to Zambia and stay in Kafue National Park
Days 3 to 4
Busanga Plains in the north of Kafue
Days 5 to 7
Boat safaris in Lower Zambezi National Park
Day 8
Game drives in South Luangwa National Park
Days 9 to 10
Chikoko walking trail in South Luangwa National Park
Day 11 to 12
North Luangwa National Park
Day 13
Departure from Zambia

Accommodations

Destinations

Musekese Concession

Situated on the banks of the Kafue River, deep within Kafue National Park, the landscape of Musekese alternates between miombo woodlands, open plains and waterways, creating an environment that supports a wide variety of wildlife. Herds of elephants are often spotted during the dry season, whilst grassland dwellers such as sable antelopes, hartebeests, zebras and large numbers of puku are common.
Birdwatchers are particularly well catered for here, with hundreds of recorded species in the area. A permanent, water-fed lagoon, known locally as a ‘dambo’, attracts animals all year round. Canoe safaris offer a peaceful way to explore the river channels, which are teeming with birds and hippos.
Game drives and walking safaris give visitors the opportunity to explore the area further. A visit to the Musekese Conservation NGO Research Centre provides an insight into the ongoing efforts to protect this area.

Biodiversity Conservation in Kafue National Park, Zambia Marcus Westberg 1 36 Musekese Camp leopard

Zambia

This unique peanut-shaped country, once known as Northern Rhodesia, offers visitors an authentic African experience with adrenaline-raising adventure sports, a wide range of fascinating cultural activities and abundant wildlife in the country's National Parks. Spend your evenings enjoying the stunning views of the world's largest waterfalls, the Victoria Falls, after a thrilling day of rafting on the Zambezi River. Or, if this sounds a little too adventurous, take a boat ride through Lake Kariba while watching elephants drinking on the shores. However you decide to spend your time in this unique country, it will be hard to leave this beautiful country again and you will long to return to it soon!

Lower Zambezi

The Lower Zambezi region, located on the border with Zimbabwe in southern Zambia, is best known as home to the Lower Zambezi National Park, with its exceptional, undeveloped nature reserves. Known for its abundance of wildlife, you can spot hippos, buffalo, crocodiles, ospreys and herds of elephants, among others. The landscape is characterised by rugged, untouched wilderness with vast floodplains interspersed with indigenous forests. Visitors can look forward to a range of fantastic activities along the Zambezi, including game drives, walking safaris, canoeing and excellent tiger fishing.

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Kafue National Park

In western Zambia lies Kafue National Park, the country's largest and oldest National Park. The park has three rivers: the Lufupa, Lunga and Kafue rivers. The annual summer flooding of the Lufupa River creates an impressive landscape. The park boasts an impressive array of birds and other animals, and a number of private lodges make the beautiful reserve easy to visit. Visitors can look forward to catching a glimpse of swimming hippos, seeing an immense number of birds and a variety of other animals such as zebras and lions. In the more remote parts, antelope and elephants can also be spotted.

South Luangwa National Park

With its border on the Luangwa River, both the north and south of Luangwa National Park contain breathtaking sections of wilderness untouched. Because of this and successful anti-poaching campaigns, the park has developed into a world-renowned wildlife heaven. The south of Luangwa National Park is known for its walking safaris where visitors can see elephants, hippos and even lions up close under the watchful eye of professional guides.

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Northern Kafue

Kafue is Zambia’s largest national park and consists of two separate sections, the northern section being the largest and home to the highest concentrations of wildlife. Native wildlife includes elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos and antelopes, whilst hippos and waterfowl thrive in the wetlands of the Busanga Plains. This marshy wilderness covers approximately 750 square kilometres and transforms into a veritable expanse of water during the rainy season. Once the rain stops and the water recedes, a blanket of lush grassland remains, attracting large numbers of antelopes and other grazers.
In Northern Kafue, there are several camps offering a wide range of accommodation, from budget to luxury.

Antelope in Kafue National Park David Findlay 10 Biodiversity Conservation in Kafue National Park, Zambia Matt Todd 7

North Luangwa National Park

North Luangwa National Park is a highly authentic, yet consequently more exclusive, destination in Zambia. Tourists can only access this beautiful private park through a safari operator, who can take them on exciting walking safaris through the park. As a visitor, you are constantly surrounded by unspoilt wilderness. North Luangwa is home to an abundance of wildlife, including buffalo, lions, hyenas, wildebeest, zebras, warthogs, baboons, puku, elephants, leopards, hartebeest and elands.

Dmitrii Zhodzishskii x oi9 GS Ky E unsplash Catherine Merlin Nhitic7 c OM Unsplash

Luangwa National Park

The Luangwa National Park, situated in the eastern part of Zambia. This national park is divided into two areas along the impressive Luangwa River. South Luangwa National Park is easily accessible and is home to 50 different species of wildlife and 400 species of birds. It’s no wonder it has been named one of the world’s greatest nature reserves!
North Luangwa National Park, on the other hand, is virtually undeveloped. For instance, only two camps are permitted in the park, and these may only be set up for a few months each year. For this reason, the chances of encountering other tourists or cars in this park are very slim. This makes for a truly authentic experience.
The Luangwa River is one of the largest river systems in Africa and sustains the abundant flora and fauna in both national parks. Spectacular trees, plants and exotic wildflowers thrive in the Luangwa Valley. The culture of the local people is also a major attraction: the friendly, genuinely hospitable locals of Zambia welcome visitors and are happy to help them explore the area.

Mpika

Situated at the junction of the Great North Road and the Tanzam Highway to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the picturesque Zambian town of Mpika provides a fantastic and well-connected base for exploring the wider area. Surrounded by beautiful wild plains and flanking the Muchinga Escarpment, this is also a great spot for nature lovers and hikers. Cool off in the gorgeous Kapishya springs. The town is also home to an incredible attraction: the exquisite ancient rock paintings of the Nachikufu Caves. Other highlights include the fascinating Shiwa Ng’andu (a colonial-style manor house) and game drives in South Luangwa National Park.

Central Kafue

Zambia's Kafue National Park is the country's largest park and the second largest in Africa. Central Kafue's contrasting landscape is characterised by riverine forests, miombo and savannah woodlands, vast open plains and majestic granite outcrops. Visitors can enjoy the pristine natural beauty of the diverse landscape and natural, unspoilt beauty. Drive along the Spinal Road for a chance to explore the most remote parts of Central Kafue National Park. Don't miss the chance to spot a wide range of African wildlife with regular sightings of puku, impala and bushbuck and catch a glimpse of the countless bird species that call this area home.

Zambia trip | Exclusive Zambia wildlife trip

We offer this trip from €18,995 per person.
The tour price is indicative and is subject to factors including availability and travel dates.

Included

• Domestic flights as specified in the ‘itinerary’
• Accommodation in high-quality, atmospheric lodges and tented camps
• All meals as mentioned in the ‘itinerary’
• All necessary transfers as mentioned
• All excursions as mentioned in the ‘itinerary’, including safaris in South Luangwa National Park and the Lower Zambezi
• National park entrance fees (camp fees, concession fees, park fees)
• Meet & Greet on arrival
• Detailed day-by-day itinerary
• National Geographic or similar travel guide
• Administration fees (€50 per booking)
Positive impact of your trip:
• A contribution of €100 per person towards a positive impact via the Avila Foundation

Not included

• Intercontinental flights
• Visa fees
• Room category upgrade
• Travel and/or cancellation insurance
• Personal expenses/tips
• Other national park entrance fees, where applicable
• Meals and excursions not specified
• Contribution to the emergency fund (€2.50 per booking)
• SGR contribution (€5 per person)

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