The Discovery Journey to
Zambia
Africa's Less Discovered Wilderness
Lions, leopards and hippo – oh my! On safari in Zambia, discover a wilderness of plains and rivers called home by some of the most impressive wildlife in the world. From zebra to warthog and the countless number of bird species in the sky and along the river banks, your daily wildlife-viewing by foot, 4x4 open land cruiser, boat and canoe gives you rare access to this untamed part of the world.. Experience the unparalleled excitement of tracking leopards and lions on foot in South Luangwa and Kafue National Parks and discover the wealth of wildlife that inhabit the banks and islands of the Lower Zambezi National Park. At night, return to the safari chic comfort of your camps for more wildlife viewing from your en-suite tents, viewing decks, and canvas lounges and dining rooms, where the fine cuisine is only upstaged by the view – herds of elephant and antelope drinking at the river.
Days 1/2 - New York or Washington, D.C./
Johannesburg or Lusaka
Board your overnight flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival in Johannesburg the next morning, you are escorted to your hotel. INTERCONTINENTAL SUN. (Meals Aloft)
Days 3/4/5 - Lusaka/Kafue National Park
Return to the airport and fly to Lusaka from where you take off on a short flight by light aircraft to Kafue National Park, Zambia’s oldest park and the second largest national park in the world. From the astounding Busanga Plains in the Northwestern section to the tree-choked wilderness and the lush dambos in the south, the park sustains herds of a great variety of wildlife and the highest diversity of mammal species in Zambia. The Lufupa area is home to hundreds of ubiquitous puku and Defassa waterbuck. Lichtenstein's hartebeest, warthog and elephant are often seen, while at twilight hippo emerge from their deep-water channels to graze, attracting predators like leopard and lion. Birdwatching, especially on the rivers and the dambos, is superb with nearly 500 species recorded throughout the park. In addition, Kafue is also part of a trans-frontier park initiative – the Kavango-Zambezi Transfontier Conservation area, or Kaza Park. The aim is to establish a world-class conservation area linking a vast network of national parks, wildlife management areas and conservancies over five African countries and eventually covering over 108,000 square miles. Each night, relax under your en-suite tent or gaze out onto the emerald waters of the Lufupa River from the open-sided canvas lounge and dining area. LUFUPA TENTED CAMP. (B, L, D Daily)
Days 6/7/8 - South Luangwa National Park
Fly to South Luangwa National Park, one of Africa’s prime wildlife sanctuaries, the boasting a variety and concentration of animal and birdlife that have made it world famous. This is the landscape one thinks of when Africa comes to mind, with herds of antelope sheltering under thorn trees or roaming the plains, predators skulking in the shadows and primordial drama in every vale. Zambia, and South Luangwa in particular, is the birthplace of one of the finest wilderness experiences in Southern Africa – walking safaris – and Robin Pope is one of its pioneers. Setting out on foot is thrilling exposure after riding in a vehicle. Here, the emphasis is less on spotting the wildlife and more on absorbing the smaller details of the African bush, from following leopard tracks at dawn, to walking among grazing zebra, or watching a weaver bird building its nest. The park has over 60 mammal species, including 14 different antelope species, and one of the densest populations of leopard in Southern Africa. Lions are plentiful, too, and often roam in prides of up to 30. The area explored on morning and night drives in open 4x4 land cruisers, or by foot, is famous for giraffe and leopards. With about 400 of Zambia’s 732 bird species appearing in the Valley, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season. Your home for the next three nights includes safari-style tents, a “dining room” populated by majestic trees and a viewing deck overlooking the spectacular Kwena Lagoon. KWENA LAGOON CAMP. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 9/10 - Lower Zambezi National Park
Take to the sky again and land in the Lower Zambezi Valley. The beauty of this park is its state of absolute wilderness. Lying between the rolling hills of the hazy escarpment and the Zambezi River, it is sprinkled with reed islands, the home and feeding ground for many animals. These waters are a focal point for elephant, hippo, buffalo, zebra, lion, leopard, wild dog, various antelope species, baboon and vervet monkey, together with an abundance of birdlife estimated to include almost 400 species. You will experience exciting wildlife viewing in open 4x4 vehicles, boats or canoes. Fish the Zambezi for tigerfish and bream. Your beautiful camp consists of six large tented chalets under thatched roofs, with private verandahs overlooking the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers, with wonderful views of the Muchinga Mountains to the north. CHONGWE CAMP. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 11/12 - Lusaka/Johannesburg/Washington, D.C. or New York
Return to Lusaka and your flight to Joahnnesburg. Relax at the Premier Lounge before boarding your overnight flight home. (B, Meals Aloft)
Optional Post-Extension to Victoria Falls, Zambia
Extend your adventure to one of nature’s most magnificent sights – Victoria Falls. At more than twice the size of Niagara Falls, it’s no surprise that Victoria Falls is among the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Mosi-oa-Tunya, or ‘Smoke that Thunders,’ is the name derived from the towering columns of spray. Five separate falls make up this incredible spectacle that plunges more than 300 feet into a sheer-sided chasm which separates Zimbabwe from Zambia. Your visit will include a tour of the Falls on the Zambian side. An afternoon sundowner cruise will be a highlight as you glide along the Zambezi River. Tour an authentic native village, escorted by your English-speaking village guide, to see a culture and way of life that remains virtually unchanged through the ages.
Your Safari Includes:
- All local flights within Zambia and Southern Africa per itinerary.
- Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
- All meals while on safari. Other meals as specified in the itinerary.
- All wildlife viewing by private 4x4 open vehicles, driven by professional driver/guides, by foot, boat or canoe.
- Complimentary bottled water in vehicles.
- All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- All park entry fees.
- Complimentary baggage tags and passport wallet.
2010 & 2011 Dates |
Main Trip |
SRS |
Airfare |
Pre |
SRS |
Post |
SRS |
Jun |
$8,595 |
$1,995 |
$2,200 |
$2,195 |
$795 |
$1,495 |
$495 |
Jul 24 |
$8,595 |
$1,995 |
$2,600 |
$2,195 |
$795 |
$1,495 |
$495 |
Aug 21 |
$8,595 |
$1,995 |
$2,200 |
$2,195 |
$795 |
$1,495 |
$495 |
Oct |
$8,595 |
$1,995 |
$2,200 |
$2,495 |
$995 |
$1,495 |
$495 |
Nov |
$8,595 |
$1,995 |
$1,900 |
$2,695 |
$1,095 |
$1,495 |
$495 |
Jun |
$9,395 |
$1,995 |
$2,200 |
$2,395 |
$795 |
$1,595 |
$495 |
Jul 23 |
$9,395 |
$1,995 |
$2,600 |
$2,395 |
$795 |
$1,595 |
$495 |
Aug 20 |
$9,395 |
$1,995 |
$2,200 |
$2,695 |
$995 |
$1,595 |
$495 |
Oct |
$9,395 |
$1,995 |
$2,200 |
$2,695 |
$995 |
$1,595 |
$495 |
Nov |
$9,395 |
$1,995 |
$1,900 |
$2,995 |
$1,095 |
$1,595 |
$495 |
*Prices do not reflect applicable departure taxes.
*SRS = Single Room Supplement.