Day 1 - Flight to Zambia
A direct overnight flight with British Airways takes you from London to Lusaka: Zambia's capital city.
Includes dinner on the flight.
Day 2 - Lusaka
Upon arrival at Lusaka airport you are met and assisted with immigration procedures, including help purchasing your visa if you haven't arranged one in advance. You will then transfer by road to the simple but lovely Pioneer Camp on the outskirts of Lusaka. Your accommodation is in comfortable thatched chalets with en suite bathrooms. It's a good spot to get over your flight and relax into your safari.
Includes breakfast on the flight and dinner at the camp.
Days 3 & 4 - Lufupa, northern Kafue
You will be transferred to Lusaka Airport in the early afternoon. Once there, you board a light aircraft for the 80-minute flight to Kafue National Park and Lufupa Tented Camp, where your safari guide awaits you.
Lufupa Tented Camp is centrally situated in Kafue National Park's northern sector. It overlooks the confluence of the Lufupa and Kafue Rivers. The safari camp has 9 spacious en-suite tents set on concrete platforms and each with a small private deck overlooking the broad river view. The main building, which also overlooks the river, houses a dining area, lounge and bar. Nearby there is a small pool and a traditional boma where meals are occasionally served under the stars.
During your stay in this corner of the 22,500km2 Kafue National Park, your knowledgeable safari guide will take you out on day and night wildlife drives. You'll explore a diverse range of habitats including floodplains, miombo woodland, riverine vegetation and open grassy areas known as dambos. Along the way you may encounter large antelope species including kudu, Lichtenstein's hartebeest and sable; herbivores such as elephant and hippo; and occasionally predators such as lion. Leopards are spotted here reasonably regularly, especially on spot-lit night drives. The birdlife in this area of Zambia is colourful and varied and you are especially likely to see an array of species whilst on a boat trip along the Kafue River.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Days 5 & 6 - Musanza, northern Kafue
Your safari guide takes you on an early morning game drive before a tasty brunch back at camp. There is time to pack your belongings before departing Lufupa Tented Camp on a game drive transfer towards the next destination: Musanza Tented Camp. The drive will last about 3 hours depending on what wildlife you see along the way.
Whilst at Musanza Tented Camp, you'll stay in one of 4 en-suite tents set up under a grove of shady trees. These tents are simple rather than basic in style with large cosy beds, hanging canvas wardrobe and bedside tables. A rolled up canvas door leads through to the en suite bathroom which has a flush toilet and a bucket shower which is filled with warm water on request. A simple central marquee tent is used as a small lounge and most meals are taken at a dining table set up under the stars. Musanza offers a real bush camping atmosphere without scrimping on comfort.
A variety of wildlife is often spotted in this area where woodland opens up to reveal open grasslands. Your guide will explore with you on a number of day and night safari drives which often prove successful and exciting.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Days 7 & 8 - Busanga Plains
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Musanza area followed by a big brunch back at the camp. After a bit of time to relax and a hot drink during an early afternoon tea you head through the woodlands and out onto the impressive Busanga Plains. In contrast to the environments visited during the rest of your journey, the 750km2 plains is a wide, open grassland which floods seasonally (Nov to June). Large herds of red lechwe and puku antelope graze here whilst flocks of pretty crowned cranes 'dance' and the protected wattled cranes gracefully wander in search of food.
Occasionally the plains can seem quiet and devoid of life, more usually though there are fascinating and exciting wildlife spectacles. There is often a herd of very relaxed roan antelope found here, an antelope usually so shy that it is almost impossible to catch more than a glimpse of. The diminutive oribi antelope is often seen on the plains and herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest can attract predators such as cheetah (not often seen elsewhere in Zambia) and wild dog. Three different prides of lion make these plains their home - these lion are particularly renowned for their tree climbing antics.
Your base for your time here is Busanga Bush Camp, situated on a tree island in the north-western section of the plains. Tucked away under a lush canopy of giant sycamore fig trees and date palms, each of the 4 lovely wood-and-canvas chalets look out over the surrounding grasslands. The chalets have an open-air en suite bathroom with large walk-in shower, flush toilet and hanging space, complete with comfortable cotton robes. The director's chairs on each private deck offer a great spot from which to spot birds in the leafy canopy.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 9 - Lufupa, northern Kafue
You and the safari group depart early for a long game drive back to Lufupa Tented Camp for your last night in Kafue National Park. Although the length of the drive depends on what wildlife sightings you have on the way, the guide usually aims to arrive at camp in time for lunch. An afternoon drive or boat trip may be possible before you enjoy a tasty dinner under the stars.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 10 - Flight to London
After breakfast, a light aircraft transfer takes you from Lufupa Tented Camp to Lusaka Airport, where the Zambian safari ends. From here you will connect onto a flight travelling via Johannesburg, to the UK.
Includes breakfast and brunch. Dinner is on the flight.
Day 11 - Arrive in London
|
