Zambia:  From Awesome to Zest

Time of year

May/June 2021

Itinerary and other information

Zambia is one of the undiscovered gems of Africa and this Safari will take you to all the hidden secrets of this country. The safari includes all the highlights of Zambia namely South Luangwa, North Luangwa, Kapishya Hot Springs, and the South of Kafue NP’s as well as many of the stunning waterfalls in the north-east of Zambia, including the world famous Victoria Falls at Livingstone.
 
Day 0      23 May 2021

Martin Slabbert from Explore Africa Adventures will meet you at Big 5 Safari Lodge campsite in Kazangula. We will have a briefing and explanation on what lies ahead, thereafter will have a nice “kuier” around the braai fire. Camping fee included in the price.


 

Day 1      24 May 2021      +- 80 km

We will do a morning game drive (cost around 290 Pula for a vehicle with 2 persons, excluded) in the Chobe National Park. The park is famous for its abundance of elephants, herds of buffalo, rich bird life and exquisite sunset boat cruises, definitely a wildlife experience not to be missed. The cost of the afternoon cruise is included, leaving the main lodge at 15:00 and return just after 18:00.

Day 2      25 May 2021      +- 360 km

We leave early morning. Cross the Zambezi River at Kazungula, change money at the border and/or in Livingstone and head for the town of Monze where we will overnight. Good ablution serves the whole campsite and electricity is available. This is just an overnight stop on route to where the real experience will begins. Firewood needs to be catered for by ourselves.

Day 3      26 May 2021      +- 250 km 

Today we are heading further north/north-east. We will stop for a quick top-up on food, fuel and other forgotten items in Lusaka before we leave the city and head 60km north to Frangilla campsite. Firewood is not supplied.

Day 4      27 May 2021      +- 470 km

From Frangilla, it is a relative easy drive to Kasanka NP. Here we will camp on the edge of a natural vlei. Expect to see Sitatunga, commonly known as water kudu, as well as an abundance of birdlife, including Pel’s fishing owls. Warm showers and flushing toilets are available, no electricity available.

Day 5      28 May 2021      +- 80 km   
We spend the day exploring Kasanka NP, which boasts with one of the tallest trees in Zambia, what a sight! For the fishermen, there are opportunities, albeit, you have to get the necessary permits in order to be legal.

Day 6      29 May 2021      +- 430 km

Leaving early on a long day’s drive, we are heading for our first of a few waterfalls on our visit. Travelling via Samfya, across the Bangweulu swamps and the town of Mansa, we reach Ntumba Chushi Falls. It is situated on the Ngona River in the Luapula Province. The main falls occurs when the river split into two channels, each about 10m wide and some 30m high. Ntumba Chushi is also known for a series of smaller falls, pools and rapids some 2 km upstream from the main falls. After a quick photo session, we leave for our overnight spot at some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Zambia, namely Lumangwe, Kabweluma and Chimpembe falls. There is a flushing toilet, but washing can be done in the river downstream if your vehicle is not equipped with a shower and hot water, but the scenery makes up for it.

 

 

Day 7      30 May 2021      +- 70 km

Day off to recoup, wash vehicles and clothes and explore the scenery and other waterfalls in the area.  

 

Day 8&9      31 May - 01 Jun 2021      +- 230 km

We are heading towards Lake Tanganyika. Leaving the town of Chimpembe, we travel to Ndole Bay Lodge near the town of Sumba. Today we are in for an adventure as far as the road conditions are concerned where we will stay for 2 days in the lovely shaded campsite, right on the beach of the lake. Lake Tanganyika is the largest rift lake in Africa, lying in the Western rift of the Great Rift Valley. 722 km long and on average 50 km wide, Lake Tanganyika has the second highest volume of fresh water in the world (after Lake Baikal in Eastern Siberia,) is the longest freshwater lake in the world and at 1420 m deep, the second deepest in the world. Snorkelling, fishing, sunset cruises and kayak trip can be arranged if you want to enjoy the lake to its fullest. There are also thatched on-suite rooms and chalets if you want to upgrade for the duration of our stay, availability provided.

 

Day 10      02 Jun 2021     +- 320 km

We drive today on a challenging road via Mporokosa to our last waterfall, Chisimba Falls. We enjoy the beauty the falls has to offer. Fed by the Luombe River, Chishimba Falls are actually a combination of three successive falls, incorporating Mutumena Falls and Kaela Rapids as well as Chishimba itself. The spot is situated about 33 km from the town of Kasama, in the Northern Province. The impressive main part of the falls is around 20 metres high.

On the Eastern bank of the river just above the falls is a camp site. There are flushing toilets available but drinking water, shower- and cooking facilities needs to be provided for by yourself. One can bath in the river directly beneath the weir. There is a rainforest on the Western Bank. There are various trails and viewing points around the falls.

The Bemba people regard the Chishimba Falls as one of the most sacred places of power. The nature spirit Chishimba resides in the cave below the falls which is a place of prayer and honour. No insults, curses, words of vengeance or hatred may be uttered in the vicinity of the cave. You can walk behind the falls into this cave.  There is a hydroelectric diversion canal at the falls which helps provide power to Kasama and other neighbouring villages.

 

Day 11      03 Jun 2021      +- 220 km

Today we leave the waterfalls to set up camp at Kapishya Hot Springs. Kapishya is situated close to the Estate of Shiwa Ngandu (The Africa House) and is set along the banks of the Mansha River. The main attraction of Kapishya is its natural, sulphur free hot spring. Kapishya has a fully stocked bar and a restaurant serving high standard cuisine. Firewood is supplied, but no electricity available in the campsite.

 

Day 12      04 Jun 2021      +- 200 km

From Kapishya, we are heading for North Luangwa National Park, one of the last unspoiled true wilderness areas left in Africa. North Luangwa is normally open from the 1st of June to the 1st week of November. We will travel through the park and overnight at a community camp on the banks of the Luangwa River. Facilities are scares, no electricity available.

Day 13      05 Jun 2021      +- 350 km (11 hrs)

We leave early and head through Luambe NP to Wildlife camp in Mfuwe. The campsite is situated on the banks of the Luangwa river with spectacular views of the river. A swimming pool and bar, as well as a restaurant at the main lodge just adds to the experience. We will overnight for 2 nights.

 

Day 14      06 Jun 2021      +- 70 km

We will go on an early morning game drive (entry & vehicle fee included) into the park. For those who are interested, you can join the night drive (50US$ p/p), leaving the camp at 16:00 and return around 20:00.

Day 15      07 Jun 2021      +- 650 km

As it is a long day’s drive, (the longest daily stretch of the route) be prepared to leave early. We will make our way towards Lusaka, via the town of Chipata, and will overnight at Pioneer campsite on the eastern outskirts of Lusaka.
 
Day 16      08 Jun 2021      +- 280 km

Once we have filled up on provisions in Lusaka, we head for Kafue NP and camp on the banks of the Kafue river inside the southern part of the park. Beautiful scenery on the banks of the Itezhi- Tezhi dam awaits.

 

Day 17      09 Jun 2021      +- 290 km

We travel through the park to exit at Ndumdumwense gate heading for Livingstone. Depending on the progress we make, we should be in time to have a sundowner drink at the Royal Livingstone Hotel, or for those that prefer, we can pre-arrange for a microlight flight over the Victoria Falls. Since it is our last night together, we will all have dinner together at a local restaurant (excluding drinks) to say our farewells. You are welcome to join me the next morning on my way back to RSA.

 

COST

The cost of this safari is R 27 500 per person.
Cost is subject to change if any of the service providers increase their prices.  The cost will include and exclude the following:  

 

Included           Guide fee
All Park entry fees (Accept optional Chobe on 23 May).
All camping fees.
All vehicle entry fees.
Note: ALL waterfall entrance in Zambia is regarded as Parks, hence vehicle and entrance fees on top of camping fees are applicable.
Sunset cruise on Chobe & last night’s dinner in Livingstone.

 
Excluded   Road tax
Third Party Insurance
Carbon Tax
Council levy’s
Camping Equipment
Fuel
Firewood
Food and Beverage
All additional personal optionals