Zambia: Leopards, Elephants & Waterfalls Oh My!

Fly into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI). Our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, our home for the next few nights.

In the late afternoon, we'll meet in the lobby and set off on a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. This is an excellent way to unwind and appreciate the stunning beauty and wildlife of the river.

There are great photo opportunities against often spectacular African sunsets. Flocks of birds skim the waterline as the sun sets behind the skyline. We'll enjoy snacks and drinks while watching the sunset on the river.

The rest of the evening is on your own. Perhaps enjoy dinner at the hotel's restaurant with new friends for the group, or call it an early night.

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before our tour of Victoria Falls. The falls stretch across the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, offering distinct and equally mesmerizing experiences from both sides. 

For those feeling adventurous, walk along the Knife-Edge Bridge, and feel the power of the falls. The mist creates rainbows that add to the vibrant, magical atmosphere.

After touring the spectacular falls, we'll head out on a Rhino Walking Safari, an activity unique to this area. We'll join a guide and Zambia Wildlife Authority escort who will lead us through he bush in search of White Rhinos and other big game. Refreshments will be served halfway through, and our guide will educate us about the surrounding wildlife along the way.

Take some time to rest and refresh after the walking safari. We'll meet in the hotel lobby at 5 pm and transfer to our dinner spot for the night. Chef Sungani is located right within the chef's private residence, and is a renowned Zambian restaurant serving up seasonal, locally sourced dishes. 

After breakfast, we're off to Zimbabwe for the day! We'll learn all about the historic Victoria Falls Bridge, an engineering masterpiece of its time, built over 100 years ago. Our guide will regale us with stories of how this iconic bridge was built across the Zambezi River to connect Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

Next up is the Dusty Road township experience. Here, we'll step into a welcoming and thriving local community and experience its vibrancy. Local vendors sell their wares as enticing smells from the charcoal fires waft through the air. We'll be surrounded by vibrant, innovative regional works infused with a strong dose of African humor and creativity.

While we wander Dusty Road, we'll discover the Zimbabwean way of cooking food over open fires and in cast-iron pots and ovens. This experience offers us an authentic, wholesome, and tasty food experience. 

Sarah, a local restaurant owner, is hugely concerned about the welfare of women, female empowerment, and Zimbabwean cultural awareness. We'll take our time to enjoy a nice meal at her place. 

We'll return to the hotel to freshen up and maybe go for a swim before indulging in an afternoon high tea at the Royal Livingstone. Complete with luxury loose-leaf teas from around the world, a traditional selection of sandwiches, patisserie creations, and scones with preserves, this is a real treat to round out the day. 

The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy. If you need recommendations for light dinner spots, your guide will be happy to point you in the right direction. 

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we'll transfer to the Baobuyu Learning Center to learn about the work they're doing in the community to provide free education and other resources at no cost.  

We'll also learn about a women's needlework project that empowers local women with employable skills. 

Later in the afternoon, we'll head to the Elephant Cafe. The members of a magnificent herd of rescued elephants are waiting for a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with you.

Experience an unforgettable close encounter with these gentle giants and a hosted informative viewing of the herd around the venue's vicinity. Once the herd retires to forage in the bush, we'll head for the cafe overlooking the Zambezi River for a wonderful dining experience.  

Relax over the delicious bush gourmet cuisine unique to this restaurant. Specialties include wild edibles and locally sourced fresh and organic ingredients. The Elephant Café has proudly been rated the #1 Restaurant in the country.

After breakfast this morning, we'll head to WayiWayi Art Studio and Gallery to admire local artists who are dedicated to empowering other artists in Zambia. 

Mid-morning, we'll take a flight to Lower Zambezi National Park via Lusaka. The flight between Livingstone and Lusaka will serve a snack. Should you need another snack, a lovely little shop at the Lusaka departure lounge serves light meals to passengers.

Our guide will meet us once we touch down at the Royal Airstrip and take us to the lodge to freshen up before dinner. Our home for the next few days is the Baines River Camp. Set upon the banks of the mighty Zambezi, nestled ideally near the Lower Zambezi National Park and opposite Mana Pools. 

To get a proper introduction to the area, we'll go on a sunset game drive and look out for local wildlife, including lions, leopards, rhinos, and zebras. 

We'll enjoy dinner at the Baines' Restaurant, and then retire for the day, resting after a day of travel to our new basecamp. 

Enjoy the crisp morning air in the park with a quick breakfast before we start on today’s adventures.

We'll head out on an early birding game drive. Whether you're already a hardcore bird enthusiast or have never thought about birding before, your first safari to the Lower Zambezi will ensure that birds will win over your heart. We'll stop for tea and biscuits along the way. 

After a buffet lunch at the lodge, we'll enjoy some free time around the camp. If the river is low, sit back and relax on the riverbanks with your toes in the sand as the water flows by. 

In the afternoon, we'll glide along the Zambezi River, looking out for wildlife at the water’s edge. Expect to see the Big Four, although rhino populations are rare because of poaching. Lions, hyenas, wild dogs, and leopards are the primary predators in this area. Leopards tend to be more visible in the many large trees where they like to hide, despite being somewhat elusive. 

This evening, we'll toast our amazing safari experience with drinks at sunset and dinner. 

Wake up and start your day with a light breakfast. Today’s adventure begins with another game drive in the heart of the park. On the fertile banks of the river, elephant herds and other herbivores feast on juicy green leaves. Rich soil, tall green trees, elephants, birds, and diverse wildlife create a breathtakingly beautiful landscape, a genuine utopia for anyone longing to experience pure Africa. 

Along the way, savor tea, coffee, and biscuits while spotting wildlife. 

After the drive, we'll return to our riverside camp, relishing the scenic views, and enjoy a delicious lunch. Spend a leisurely afternoon at camp, relaxing before our next late-afternoon safari adventure. Spotting wildlife never gets old! 

This time of day offers an opportunity for another exciting game drive with snacks and drinks as you watch the sunset, followed by a relaxing farewell dinner back at camp.

After breakfast, we'll bid farewell to our new friends, reminiscing about the wonderful moments shared. We'll transfer to the Royal Airstrip for our flight back to Lusaka, landing at 11:30 am. 

If you are joining us for the extension, you'll fly back to Lusaka, then on to Mfuwe. 

If not, feel free to book your onward flights anytime after 2 pm, so you have adequate time to get through the airport. 

After we bid farewell to our core trip friends who aren't traveling onward with us, we'll head to the Royal airstrip for our flight to Lusaka. From there, we'll smoothly connect to a plane headed for Mfuwe International Airport.

Touching down at Mfuwe, a warm welcome awaits as a guide from Kafunta River Lodge stands ready to escort us to our haven of relaxation. 

Settle into our accommodations and have lunch at our leisure. The rest of the day is yours to unwind and explore the surroundings before we gather for a delightful four-course dinner under the stars.

After breakfast, we'll head out on an exhilarating morning game drive through the pristine wilderness of South Luangwa National Park. This is indeed the premier park in Zambia and one of the best national parks in Africa. As we explore the terrain, stay alert for sightings of majestic lions, graceful giraffes, and elusive leopards.

We'll pause in the wilderness for a refreshing break, savoring hot tea, aromatic coffee, and delectable biscuits while we're surrounded with the sights and sounds of the African bush.

We'll return to the lodge for lunch, replenishing our energy for the adventures ahead. Later in the day, we'll enjoy a classic afternoon tea at the lodge while overlooking the Luangwa River.

As the sun begins its descent, we'll venture into the depths of the wilderness on a nighttime game drive. The night safari begins as we board an open-air vehicle designed for nocturnal excursions. With a knowledgeable guide at the helm, we'll venture into the heart of the wilderness, where the typically unseen world comes alive. 

Dinner will be at the lodge tonight.

Our day begins with a hearty breakfast at the lodge. Afterwards, we'll have our choice between a game drive through the wilderness or a walking safari.

If you're choosing the game drive, take the chance to spot majestic wildlife amid nature's splendor. On the other hand, adventurers on the walking safari will get an up-close and personal experience with the local flora and fauna.

Before lunch, we'll visit Project Luangwa and Tribal Textile to admire local jewelry and beadwork. What a great place to find a last-minute souvenir.

We'll return to the lodge for a freshly made lunch and some relaxation. Enjoy a classic afternoon tea at the lodge, relaxing in the peaceful setting and reflecting on the day's adventures.

As the day unfolds, we'll take off on an evening drive into the wilderness. We'll round out the day with a group dinner at the lodge, savoring African flavors and exchanging stories about the day's adventures beneath the expansive African sky.

As our journey comes to an end, we'll return to the airport after breakfast for our flight to Lusaka, landing at 1:30 pm. Plan any onward travel after 4 pm to allow ample time to clear customs and security. 

While our adventure may be over, the memories we've created and the connections we've made will last a lifetime.