On this unforgettable 10-day safari through the best of Zambia, we'll travel from Livingstone to Lusaka to see the most famous animals of the savannah and learn about traditional African culture.
Description
Day 1: Livingstone
Welcome to Zambia! We'll pick you up at Livingstone Airport and transfer you to a centrally located hotel in the city, where you can relax after your flight.
After a couple of hours of downtime at the lodge, we'll pick you up for an unforgettable sunset boat ride on the Zambezi River. On this exciting trip, we'll see Victoria Falls, a spectacular waterfall located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
At the end of the boat ride, which lasts about an hour, we'll return to the hotel and we'll discuss our upcoming activities. After this brief talk, you'll reenergize with an exquisite dinner at the hotel in Livingstone before spending the night.
Day 2: Livingstone - Victoria Falls - Livingstone
Once you've had breakfast at the hotel, we'll pick you up and drive to Victoria Falls. There we'll take a 2.5-hour tour to admire the spectacular waterfalls up close. As we'll see, the water plunges from a height ranging from 60 to 120 meters (up to 393 feet), resulting in a captivating natural wonder.
After admiring the falls, we'll return to the city to visit the Livingstone Museum. In its exhibition, we'll see an outstanding collection related to the historical and natural heritage of Zambia. We'll then head back to the hotel for lunch.
In the afternoon, we'll pick you up again and pay a short visit to the National Gallery of Art. Then we'll drive to the outskirts of Livingstone, where we'll visit the traditional African Mukuni Village. From there we'll return to the hotel to have dinner and spend the night.
Day 3: Livingstone - Mosi Park - Kalomo - Choma
We'll pick you up at dawn at your hotel in Livingstone and drive to the southwest of the city, where we'll enjoy a sunrise safari in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. The main protagonists of this protected natural area are the white rhinos, which we'll see during a tour of approximately 2 hours. We'll then return to Livingstone for breakfast at the hotel.
After an energizing breakfast, we'll leave Livingstone and take a 2-hour drive to Kalomo. In this southern Zambian town, the former capital of the now-extinct Northern Rhodesia, we'll break for lunch. After refueling we'll drive to the lodge in Choma where you'll have dinner and rest until the next day.
Day 4: Choma
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll start the day by visiting the Choma Museum. Its exhibition houses an outstanding collection of pieces that'll allow us to learn about the cultural heritage of the city, which is also the capital of the Southern Province of Zambia. We'll have lunch in a restaurant near the museum before going to the Mukanzubo Kalinda Institute, a perfect place to discover the culture and traditions of the Tonga people.
We'll spend the night in this village, the perfect way to immerse yourself fully in the culture!
Day 5 and 6: Mukanzubo Kalinda Institute
On the fifth and sixth days of our journey, we'll immerse ourselves in a rich cultural experience at the Mukanzubo Kalinda Institute. Mornings will kick off with a hearty breakfast at the Chisekesi Lodge, followed by an exploration of Tonga culture. Activities will include music and dance classes, museum visits, and various handicraft workshops.
We'll have tasty meals at the Kalinda Choma Institute, and we'll take advantage of the opportunity to interact with the locals, even getting to try on some of their traditional attire. After 2 days full of village life, we'll provide you with some well-deserved downtime to rest and have dinner.
Day 7: Mukanzubo Kalinda Institute - Monze - Chikakanta
After a morning meal at the hotel, we'll bid farewell to the Mukanzubo Kalinda Institute and journey towards the village of Monze. This rustic enclave will offer us insights into the local customs and way of life.
Our next destination will be the Samu Lya Moomba National Heritage Site, situated on the outskirts of Monze. Here, we'll uncover Zambia's rich cultural heritage, including its significance as a meeting place for the country's freedom fighters during the struggle for independence.
Continuing our expedition, we'll make our way to Mazabuka, with a lunch stop along the route. Mazabuka, often referred to as the "sweetest town" in Zambia, will greet us with sprawling sugar cane plantations. As the day winds down, we'll approach Chikakanta, specifically Chieftainess Mwenda's Chiefdom, where we'll stay for the night.
Day 8: Chikakanta
Following breakfast at the Chikakanta Lodge, our cultural exploration continues as we venture to a traditional village. Here, we'll have the privilege of meeting a Tonga family, gaining insights into their daily routines and activities.
After a full day immersed in village life, we'll retreat to the lodge for a well-deserved rest, preparing for the following day's adventures.
Day 9: Chikakanta - Lusaka
After breakfast, we'll depart for Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. Around noon, we'll arrive at a centrally located hotel in the city, where you'll stay for the day.
After dropping off our luggage, we'll continue to delve into the country's history by visiting the Lusaka National Museum. We'll return late in the afternoon to the hotel in Lusaka, where a farewell dinner will take place.
Day 10: Lusaka
On the last day of our tour, you'll have breakfast at the hotel, where we'll pick you up in time to take you to the airport in Lusaka. Have a very happy flight!
Accommodation and meals
This 10-day safari through the best of Zambia includes nine nights of accommodation with breakfast and dinner at the following 3-star hotels:
- Livingstone (2 nights): Woodlands Lodge or similar
- Choma (2 nights): Leon's Lodge, Twin Cave Lodge, Meridian Lodge, or similar
- Namwala (1 night): Mike Map Lodge or similar
- Itezhi Tezhi (2 nights): Nkonzani Lake Safari Lodge, Jankuni Guest House, CMC Lodge, or similar
- Lusaka (2 nights): Pebble View Luxury Apartments or similar
Lunches will take place in restaurants in the localities where we stop, where you can choose between different traditional African dishes.
Return flight
This tour lasts 10 days. For example, if you book it to start on Monday, the return flight should be on Wednesday of the following week.