Summary

Special 2012 pricing:

$4975 per person based on double occupancy

Price valid year round EXCEPT Jan/Feb 2012

12 nights in country included in price
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SLIDESHOW: Emerald Season in the South Laungwa

Emerald Season from The Bushcamp Company.

Remote, unspoiled, and astoundingly beautiful, Zambia is for those looking for an active safari adventure.

• Visit the mighty Victoria Falls
• Experience the Zambezi, one of Africa’s greatest waterways, by canoe while spotting elephants, hippos, and crocodiles
• Fish for the elusive Tigerfish, one of the world’s best sport-fishing subjects
• Explore the South Luangwa Valley on foot where the majestic animals of Africa congregate in massive quantities and the circle of life plays out on a daily basis

Accommodation throughout this itinerary is in remote bushcamps and luxurious riverside lodges, carefully selected for the quality guides and adventurous spirit!

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 & 2

LIVINGSTONE | VICTORIA FALLS AREA

THORNTREE LODGE

Upon arrival in Livingstone, Zambia, you are met and transferred to the Thorntree Lodge. Thorntree Lodge is a wonderfully situated camp on the banks of the Zambezi River with comfortable stone and canvas chalets hidden in the tangle of lush riverine bush. All chalets have large private bathrooms and are shaded by a large thatched canopy. The atmosphere is informal and one of classic safari style. The wide sweeping panorama of the river lends a special magic to the location.

One “must” activity is viewing the magnificent Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is where the Zambezi River opens out into an extravaganza of roaring, spraying water, known to the locals as "mosi oa tunya" (the smoke that thunders). Part of the raging river is compressed into a massive surge of green-white water known as the Devil's Cataract. Few sights are as awe-inspiring as this.

Other activities include:

Day 3 - 6

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

ROYAL ZAMBEZI LODGE

After breakfast you are transferred to the airport where you board your ProFlight commercial flight to Royal in the Lower Zambezi (via Lusaka). The Lower Zambezi is unquestionably one of the most beautiful places in Africa and home to a plentitude of wildlife, especially elephants. It is also the base for two of EXPLORE’s philanthropic projects.

The Lower Zambezi region is remote and unspoiled with a diverse range of eco-systems, offering stunning scenery and varied wildlife viewing. Until recently it was the private reserve of Zambia’s President, so it is extremely untouched. This area is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo, and lion are also common. Regular plains game sightings include kudu, zebra, impala, warthog and bushbuck. There are large “pods” of hippo in the river as well as crocodile. Hyena, porcupine, civet, genet and honeybadger can be sighted during night excursions. The area is also well known for its excellent sightings of serval, a medium sized spotted cat. Wild-dog and Leopard do occur in the Lower Zambezi National Park, but are not commonly sighted.

Royal Zambezi Lodge is located on the bank of the Zambezi River, at one of its broadest points. The lodge is a striking combination of contemporary style and comfort in a completely unspoiled bush environment situated directly across river from the famed Mana Pools World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe. Offering king-size beds in large, fully netted, canvas tents under thatched canopies, comfortable sofas in front of roaring open fires and airy verandahs, the lodge is a luxurious base from which to explore this beautiful area.

Activities at Royal Zambezi include:

Day 7

SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

MFUWE LODGE

Transfer to the airstrip where you board your commercial flight to Mfuwe (via Lusaka). You are transferred to the Mfuwe Lodge, situated in the South Luangwa National Park and built between two spectacular lagoons. Each chalet with an open plan design has a large private deck overlooking one of the lagoons. Elephant, hippopotamus, many antelope species and crocodiles are plentiful in this area and can be viewed from the comfort of the lodge as they come down to drink.

The South Luangwa National Park is renowned for its beauty and one of Africa’s richest concentrations of game and birdlife. Luangwa boasts Africa’s largest population of leopard. Over 50 species of large mammal and some 400 species of bird thrive in the South Luangwa Valley; including Thornicroft's giraffe which are unique to the valley and a healthy population of all the big predators.

Activities at Mfuwe Lodge include:

Day 8 - 11

SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

REMOTE BUSH CAMPS

After breakfast and your morning game activity, you are driven (2-3 hours with game viewing) through the park to one of the Bushcamp Company’s remote bushcamps (Bilimunguwe, Chindeni, or Chamiland) where you will spend the next 4 nights.

Chindeni is one of the Luangwa's most luxurious, well-furnished bush camps and is known for its stunning views, spectacular sunsets, and elegant, colonial style tents. There is an open-air central dining/bar area on wooden decking, overlooking the permanent Chayumba Lagoon which attracts a large variety of game to observe including elephants.

Chamilandu is a stylish camp with new chalets raised on timber platforms above the Luangwa's banks with sweeping 180 degree views of the river. Wake up in the morning and watch the sun rise over the hills from your bed! The chalets are luxurious and comfortable in the heart of the African bush!

Bilimungwe is an impressive camp with a central open-sided bar/dining area on wooden decking which looks out over a permanent waterhole. There have been impressive sightings - elephant, buffalo and giraffe (to name a few) - only meters away from the dining table. The comfortable chalets are made of cane and reeds with twin double beds under a tall thatched roof.

Activities at the Bushcamps include:

Day 12

SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

MFUWE LODGE

After breakfast and your morning activity, you transfer by road (2-4 hours with game viewing along the way) back to Mfuwe Lodge for your afternoon game drive and dinner.

Day 13

LUSAKA

Depart

After breakfast and your morning game activity, you are transferred to the Mfuwe airport where you board your flight to Lusaka, connecting to your international flight home.

General Information

Special 2012 pricing:

$4975 per person based on double occupancy

Price valid year round EXCEPT Jan/Feb 2012

INCLUSIONS

All ground transportation upon landing in Zambia; accommodation, guides and vehicle throughout; tourism taxes; meals, beverages, and activities stated below.

• Thorntree Lodge: All meals, tour of Victoria Falls
• Royal Zambezi: All meals, teas and coffee, activities, and laundry
• Mfuwe Lodge: All meals, teas and coffee, safari activities, and laundry
• Bushcamps: All meals, teas and coffee, safari activities, and laundry

EXCLUSIONS

U.S. domestic and international airfare; all internal commercial flights; medical immunizations; passport fees; some park fees; visa fee (if applicable); accident/baggage/ medevac & cancellation insurance; individual transfers; excursions deviating from the scheduled tour; excess baggage charges; medical expenses; airport departure fees and taxes ($25 per person when departing Lusaka); spa treatments; telephone or fax charges; room service; gratuities to guides and staff; and other items of a purely personal nature.

• Thorntree Lodge:  All beverages, additional activities, laundry
• Royal Zambezi: All beverages; premium wines and imported spirits
• Mfuwe Lodge: All beverages; premium wines and imported spirits
• Bushcamps: All beverages; premium wines and imported spirits

EXCLUDED INTERNAL COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS:

Day 3: Livingstone to Royal (via Lusaka)

Day 7: Royal to Mfuwe

Day 13: Mfuwe to Lusaka

Contact Us

Please call the EXPLORE office (970.871.0065) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details on our Affordable Africa itineraries.