8 Days Explore South Luangwa & Victoria Falls Safari, Zambia

South Luangwa NP, Victoria Falls

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Duration

8 Days

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

7 people

Languages

English

Overview

Safari Overview

Fly to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, before taking a picturesque flight to South Luangwa National Park. This wildlife sanctuary, dubbed one of the world’s best, is home to more than 60 mammal species and 400 bird species. Take a walking safari into the bush to get closer to the wildlife, or look for the Park’s iconic leopards. Travel to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls after your safari. There are various viewing spots, but those seeking an adrenaline rush might try swimming in the Devil’s Pool, which is located right on the edge of the 100-meter-high falls.

South Luangwa National Park:

With its lush vegetation, the South Luangwa National Park and the Luangwa River attract a large number of animals. Elephant and buffalo herds abound, as do major antelope species such as impala and puku. Common waterbuck, bushbuck, eland, kudu, grysbok, oribi, reedbuck, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable, and roan are among the other antelope species. The area’s leopard watching is superb, with species like Thornicroft’s giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest found nowhere else on the planet.

Lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and wild dogs are the principal predators in South Luangwa Park. The Luangwa River’s dry season, when all game is compelled to congregate along its banks, is an unforgettable experience. The local lion prides are fed by large hippo populations, while yellow baboons and Defassa waterbuck give contrast to their southern cousins, and even the endangered wild dog thrives.

Victoria Falls:

Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will leave an unforgettable impression on you. April or May are the best months to visit if you want to see the falls at their most spectacular. The water levels are at their highest point of the year in April, but the geological formations of the falls are at their purest in the dry season (particularly October and November). The wildlife is also great, and there are numerous safari possibilities in the area, especially between May and October.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive /Flight to Mfuwe in South Luangwa NP

When you arrive at Lusaka International Airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Absolute Zambia Safaris, who will assist you with your luggage and check you into your local aircraft to Mfuwe in South Luangwa National Park, which will take around 1 hour and 10 minutes.

A guide from Chikunto Safari Resort will meet you at Mfuwe Airport, and you will be transferred for around 45 minutes to the South Luangwa National Gate, where you will enter the park for another game drive to the lodge. After checking in, you will have the rest of the evening to yourself before dinner is served, followed by bedtime at your leisure.

Overnight: Chikunto Safari Lodge | Dinner

Day 2 – 4: Explore South Luangwa National Park

You will have three full days to explore South Luangwa National Park, with two game viewing activities per day: a morning and evening game drive safari, or a walking safari — the best in Southern Africa.

After a wonderful breakfast, we will depart for a game viewing excursion in the South Luangwa. During the day, you may pick between game drives and walking safaris, and after sunset, you can go on a night game drive in pursuit of nocturnal species like the elusive leopard and lion hunts. You’ll go back to the lodge in time for dinner, and then go to bed when it’s convenient for you.

Overnight: Chikunto Safari Lodge | Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner

Breakfast is served first thing in the morning, and then your guide will drive you to Mfuwe airport in time for your flight to Livingstone. You’ll fly to Lusaka first, then switch to an aircraft to Livingstone.

When you arrive at Livingstone International Airport, a driver from Chundukwa River Lodge will greet you and transfer you for around 1 hour. Check-in at Chundukwa, then have lunch overlooking the Zambezi River (lunch or snacks depending on your arrival time).

Your Boat Cruise will depart from the lodge at 5 p.m., complete with sundowners and snacks. As the sun sets on another African day, the river is a riot of Color… On your first day, you’ll see hippos, crocodiles, and wildlife drinking at the water’s edge, which will be a fantastic, relaxing way to get into the rhythm of Africa.

You return to the lodge shortly before dusk, freshen up, and relax before dinner and a later bedtime.

Overnight: Chundukwa River Lodge | Breakfast /Packed Lunch/ Dinner

Breakfast in the morning then you will depart for a full day trip to Victoria Falls. This is your Victoria Falls Day Trip – you will have a private vehicle and guide/driver to entertain you for a full day. This is the opportunity for visitors to enjoy a private vehicle for a day at their leisure, Victoria Falls, the historic Livingstone Museum and the town with its bustling and colourful markets and people.

Guided Tour of the Falls – You will first do a guided tour of the Falls in the morning with some quick curio shopping in the falls market.

Livingstone city tour – You will then be taken for a Livingstone city tour that combines shopping in cultural Markets and touring around the city as well as the visit to the Livingstone Museum. Then you 12:30 you will be dropped at the Livingstone Island launch site for your Devil Pool Lunchtime section.

Devil’s Pool – Your tour starts with a boat that will speed you across the top of the falls and onto a small island in the middle of the 1.7km ridge of the falls. Here you will have the added vantage point of seeing the full extent of the falls, the gorge and its rainbows. You will be offered a swim in the infamous Devils Pool. Afterwards, you can celebrate with a delicious three-course lunch served in a quaint little tent in the forest on the edge of the falls. The food we might add is cooked by three African lady chefs who have cooked passionately for 17 years in their bush kitchen upon this island. This is a once in a lifetime experience that you will remember for years and your activity will finish between 2:30 pm and 3 pm.

The Flight of the angels (15 Minutes Helicopter flight) – After the devil’s pools you will be taken to the launch site where your guide will be waiting for you then he will take you to the Helicopter Flight Base where you will do your 15 minutes’ helicopter flight.

Experience the Flight of Angels, an unforgettable helicopter flight over the spectacular Victoria Falls, Batoka Gorge, Zambezi River and the lush Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. With Batoka Sky, adventurers can choose from three magnificent scenic flights; Options: The Short 15-minute Flight, the 22-minute Gorge Flight and the longer 30-minute Scenic Flight.

You will return to the lodge for sundowners on the patio followed by dinner in the evening before bedtime at your convenient time.

Overnight: Chundukwa River Lodge | Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner

Day 7: Bush Experience and Local Culture Tour

Your day will start with a Morning Horse Ride 2-hour ride. We have horses to suit all levels of riders. Join us on our most popular ride for a 1h30 – 2h ride in the riverine woodland area on our property departing early morning and returning for a delicious breakfast.

Late morning – Visit our Nakawa school project, meet the children, meet the teachers and community. Meet the amazing people who make it all work! Return for lunch at Chundukwa River Lodge. (We donate K300 to the school fund for every guest who visits the project. There is also a lovely curio shop, and all the items are made by the young boys who are learning carpentry skills – you may like to buy something for a friend, and it will go to a good cause).

You will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure or optional activities River Cruise, Guided Bushwalk, Horse Ride, or Birding Tour.

Overnight: Chundukwa River Lodge | Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner

Last day, you will have breakfast in the morning and depending on your flight time before departing there will be the option to do an additional early morning Horse Ride. You will later be dropped at Livingstone International airport flight your flight back home or onward arrangement. Note: If your outbound flight is from Lusaka, we can book a one-way domestic flight from Livingstone to Lusaka. Mention it to your Travel consultant. Overnight: N/A| Breakfast /Lunch

Included/Excluded

7 Nights fully inclusive Accommodation at Chikunto Safari Lodge & Chundukwa River Lodge
All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea/coffee and Dinner)
All Non-Premium Drinks (All soft drinks, wine, beers water)
South Luangwa NP Activities: Two Game Viewing activities per day (Morning /night Game drive and Walking Safar), Cultural/village tour – on request (trips take place instead of a game drive) and visit a local market and Tribal Textiles – on request (trips take place instead of a game drive).
Park Entry fees / Tourism Levy /All taxes / Laundry Services
Victoria Falls Activities: Sunset Boat Cruise, Guided Tour of the Falls, Livingstone city tour, Devil Pool Lunch, 15 minutes Helicopter flight, 2hrs Horse Ride, Visit our local village and community preschool (1.5-2 hrs).
Mfuwe and Livingstone Airport Road Transfers
One-way domestic Flight (Lusaka – Mfuwe)
One-way domestic Flight (Mfuwe to Livingstone) via Lusaka