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DAY 1: ARRIVE ZAMBIA - SOUTH LUANGWA On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport in Zambia, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Nkwali Camp, about an hour away. Nkwali is situated near the Luangwa River and overlooks the South Luangwa National Park, a perfect point from which to begin exploring Zambia. Settle into one of the six riverview reed and thatch chalets at the lodge and, depending on the time of day, enjoy lunch overlooking the lagoon behind Nkwali or head out on your first game drive. Your first meal might be a pleasant surprise: fresh salads and vegetables come directly from a garden at Nkwali. (D) DAY 2: SOUTH LUANGWA Life at Nkwali begins early, to take advantage of the gorgeous dawn light and comfortable temperature. An early breakfast is served around a campfire on which the porridge and toast is actually cooked. After breakfast, depart on the first game drive or walk of the day. Game viewing at Nkwali is excellent: you are likely to see herds of elephant, leopard, and the endemic Thornicroft Giraffe. Animals love to wade and bathe in the water nearby, so it is not uncommon to hear them splashing about during your stay. The Luangwa Valley is considered one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in all of Africa because of its plains, lagoons, and woodland areas. Enter the park either by boat from the camp or the nearby pontoon. In addition to scheduled game viewing outings and walks, guests can enjoy the new pool or savor a cocktail in the bar, which opens directly onto the lagoon and allows for quite wonderful animal watching. (B,L,D) DAY 3: SOUTH LUANGWA - SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK After breakfast, a transfer game drive through the park will take you to a crossing point on the Luangwa River. You will be met by representative of the Nsefu Camp and will be escorted across the river to a car for the 45-minute drive to the camp. Dating back to the 1950s, Nsefu was actually the first game camp in Zambia and has perfected the art of hospitality over those many years. On a quiet bend of the Luangwa River within the borders of the South Luangwa National Park, the six round rondavals of Nsefu offer sweeping views of the river and a comfortable verandah from which to enjoy the scenery. After settling in, enjoy lunch and a siesta before heading out on the afternoon game drive. (B,L,D) DAYS 4 & 5: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK Activities at Nsefu are limitless. In addition to the scheduled game drives, guests can take a walk through the ebony groves, take an all-day picnic drive to the salt pans, or visit Kawaza Village to meet local people and see life in an actual Zambian village (mention your interest in visiting either to your Absolute Travel specialist or upon arriving at Nsefu so that the visit can be arranged in advance). Nsefu is an exceedingly comfortable lodge: each rondavel features a bed with an unobstructed view of the river and en suite bathrooms. Because it is located in the heart of a largely undeveloped region, Nsefu offers excellent game viewing and an opportunity to truly experience the unspoiled Zambian bush. (B,L,D) DAY 6: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK - LOWER ZAMBEZI After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Mfuwe Airport (1.5 hours away) for a flight to Lusaka and then on to the Lower Zambezi. From there, you will be transferred overland to Chongwe River Camp, located along the river. The Zambezi River is wide and inviting, and an obvious popular spot for resident animals: elephants and hippos can usually be spotted feeding and resting along the riverbanks. After a late lunch, enjoy either a walk or game viewing outing in the afternoon. (B,L,D) DAYS 7 & 8: LOWER ZAMBEZI After thundering over Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River quiets down and eventually passes the Lower Zambezi National Park as it makes its way towards Mozambique and the ocean. The river creates the natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe; across from the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia is the Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. Both parks offer excellent game viewing and a lovely area to spend several days exploring. The three main environments of the Lower Zambezi area - riverbank, floodplains, and acacia groves - provide ample fodder for days of game viewing. (B,L,D) DAY 9: LOWER ZAMBEZI - VICTORIA FALLS Today you will transfer to Tongabezi Camp, located close to Victoria Falls. At Tongabezi, most of the private chalets feature an open-air portion, so guests in the comfortable rooms have the illusion of sleeping in the great outdoors and wake up to an unobstructed view of the river before them. As a result of this open style of accommodation and the fact that guests can hear the mighty rush of nearby Victoria Falls, visitors to Tongabezi feel immersed in the environment rather than removed from it. (B,L,D) DAY 10: VICTORIA FALLS Your lodge offers a perfect point from which to visit the mighty Victoria Falls while avoiding the crowds - trips for guests to Victoria Falls are arranged nearly every day. Nearby Livingstone has developed a reputation as an adventure capital, and active visitors may wish to go whitewater rafting or bungee jumping there. For those who would like to remain in the peaceful realm of their lodge, sunset river cruises, dugout canoe trips, nature walks, and fishing excursions are all exceedingly pleasant ways to spend your time in this island paradise. The day concludes with a relaxed dinner. (B,L,D) DAY 11: DEPART ZAMBIA Today you will be transferred overland to Livingston Airport for your onward departure flight. (B) |