Great Adventure Trips

Zambia

Real Zambia / Luangwa Walk / Zambezi Canoe Safari / Zambia Meander
Kafue Safari / Nsefu Walking & Wildlife / Footsteps Through the Valley / Gems of Zambia

Blessed with some of the finest wildlife experiences, and one of Africa’s greatest rivers, Zambia is the essence of raw Africa. Its game reserves are wild and remote, appealing to those hungry for an intimate safari experience in a pristine environment. An atmosphere of adventure and exploration is all-pervasive. Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is on the border shared with Zimbabwe and Zambia’s charm and political stability is now recognised by savvy travellers.

Victoria Falls and the Upper Zambezi are marvellous year round, but most of Zambia is ‘closed’ during the rainy season from January to March. The all-weather areas open in April and at this time, roads are remade into more remote areas, so that seasonal camps can re-open for the dry season from June to October. Our visitors usually combine several areas, travelling between regions in small planes.

Zambia Meander

This safari combines South Luangwa, the Lower Zambezi and the Victoria Falls. The five day Kafue Safari can easily be added at the end.

Meals As text
Accommodation Varied - 6 nights game lodges, 1 night country lodge near Lusaka, 2 nights 5 star resort at Victoria Falls
Departure Dates On request
Transport Light aircraft transfers between regions with 4x4 transfers to the lodges
Price Includes Meals as shown in text or above, accommodation, transfers and all game activities on safari.
Price Excludes International flights, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified
Minimum Number 2
Climate Sub-tropical climate with hot, rainy summers and warm, sunny & dry winters
Best time to go Suitable in dry season from June to November only
Health Requirements Anti-Malarial precautions essential
Other Ideas BA overnight flight Wednesday and Saturday to Lusaka, returning Sunday or Thursday (daytime) from £469 including taxes. Other flight options include weekly flights via Lilongwe (Saturday) or daily connections via Johannesburg.
Notes 15kg luggage restriction, US$20 departure tax payable locally, visa issued on arrival (currently fee-waived)

Day 1 : Start from Lusaka with an air transfer to South Luangwa. 2 nights Tena Tena, Fully Inclusive
Lusaka airport, fly to Mfuwe airport in South Luangwa. Transfer by road to Tena Tena lodge for 4 nights on safari. On arrival at Mfuwe airport, you are met by a driver from Tena Tena. Your luggage is loaded on the 4x4 and then you set off for the lodge, about a 40 minute drive away. This is quite a busy road in the season and you travel through villages, so your drive is punctuated by the opportunistic greetings of savvy youngsters, who wave madly in the hope of sweets! Tena Tena Camp is a renown safari camp with a stunning location on a remote wooded bend of the Luangwa River. A grove of mahogany trees shades the seven large en suite tents. The beauty of this Southern part of the Park is that, because there are a number of lodges in the area, which was first proclaimed a National Park at the turn of the last century, the game has become habituated to game vehicles so there is plenty of opportunity for viewing animals at close proximity. A game scout is based at the lodge so that you can walk instead of drive, if you wish, but the general idea is that you start the holiday with a couple of days of game drives in the more accessible area of Luangwa.

Day 4 : Transfer to Nsefu Camp for 2 nights, Fully Inclusive
Your South Luangwa safari ends with two nights at one of our favourite camps, Nsefu. This is a stylish and utterly charming camp in the exclusive Nsefu sector, where RPS has the only two camps. Originally dating from the early 1950s, this was among the first camps in the park, but the bright, light rondavels have been skilfully remodelled with an open-air en suite bathroom/dressing room added and wooden verandas with superb views of the river. The view of the river is superb and includes a terraced area where game grazes during the day. The bar, tucked in beside a huge extinct termite mound, overlooks a waterhole that is very productive for game, especially leopard at night. An affable team offer great hospitality and game viewing on foot and on day and night drives.

Day 6 : Transfer by air to the Lower Zambezi, 2 nights Chiawa Camp, Fully Inclusive
Return to Mfuwe and then transfer by air to the Lower Zambezi National Park for 2 nights at Chiawa Camp on safari.

The Lower Zambezi National Park is a rich and beautiful water sanctuary for wildlife - great herds of impala, elephant and buffalo, and small groups of warthog, zebra and baboon are drawn to the river and this in turn attracts lion and hyena. Behind the floodplain grasslands rises the picturesque wooded escarpment. Game viewing is on foot, in open vehicles and, most characteristically, by canoe, enabling the visitor to glide silently among animals quenching their thirst.

Chiawa Camp has a beautiful river setting under the shade of ancient mahogany trees. Eight spacious safari tents are elevated on timber decks, each with en suite facilities, insect screens, mosquito nets and solar-powered lighting. Activities at the owner-run camp include day and night drives in open 4x4 vehicles, nature walks with professional armed rangers, fishing for tiger fish on a catch and release basis, sunset boat cruises and, the highlight, canoeing to view game at close quarters, particularly elephant.

Day 8 : 2 nights, Royal Livingstone Hotel, Victoria Falls Bed & Breakfast
Transfer by air to Livingstone on the edge of the Zambezi River for 2 nights at the Royal Livingstone Hotel. The Victoria Falls is a dramatic scenic contrast and a change of pace from the reserves. The most spectacular views of the Falls are from the Zambian side of the gorge. Activities include canoeing and river cruises on the tranquil Upper Zambezi above the falls and for the more adventurous, microlight flights over the gorge and white water rafting below the falls

The Royal Livingstone Hotel is an elegant 5 star hotel in an unrivalled setting overlooking the Falls. The 173 rooms, with their hand-carved mahogany furniture, have an African feel with eastern overtones. All have a balcony or patio with views of the mature acacia trees, lawns and river. The hotel has a superb restaurant, large pool (which seems almost in the Zambezi) pool bar and small casino. A splendid large wooden deck affords sweeping views, ideal for cocktails at sunset.

Day 10 : Return to Lusaka for overnight at the Lilayi Lodge
Enjoy morning at leisure before your short flight back to Lusaka for an overnight stay at the pleasant and green Lilayi Lodge.

Day 11 : Depart from Lusaka
Early morning transfer to Lusaka airport for your onward flight arrangements. End of Tour.
Alternatively you might like to take the Kafue Safari extension.

Kafue Safari from Livingstone to Lusaka

This Kafue Safari can be easily added to other Zambian safaris and takes you into the untamed Kafue National Park.

Meals Full Board and Game Activities
Accommodation Simple game lodges
Departure Dates Scheduled safari flights on Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays
Transport Mix of 4x4 vehicle and boat
Price Includes Safari flight from Livingstone and return to Lusaka, meals as shown in text or above, accommodation, transfers and all game activities on safari.
Price Excludes International flights, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified
Minimum Number 2
Climate Sub-tropical climate with hot, rainy summers and warm, sunny & dry winters
Best time to go Suitable in dry season from June to November only
Health Requirements Anti-Malarial precautions essential
Combines well with Zambia Meander Livingstone Explorer Nsefu Walking Trail
Other Ideas BA overnight flight Wednesday and Saturday to Lusaka, returning Sunday or Thursday (daytime) from £469 including taxes. Similar safaris can start or end in Lusaka, Jeki or Mfuwe with the number of nights in each camp depending on flight schedules.
Notes 15kg luggage restriction, US$30 departure tax payable locally, visa issued on arrival (currently fee-waived)

Day 1 : Depart Livingstone for Lunga River Lodge
Fly from Llivingstone to Lunga River Lodge, arriving in time for an afternoon game activity. Lunga River Lodge offers six well-appointed thatched chalets under large jackalberry trees. A narrow band of riverine forest and miombo woodland, borders the wide, clear river. It serves as an ideal starting and ending point for any Kafue safari and offers day-night game drives, game walks, river cruises and canoeing.

Day 2 : Busanga Floodplains
This morning you enjoy a game-viewing transfer into the seasonally flooded Busanga floodplains, a unique delta system not unlike the Okavango. Busanga Bush Camp is an attractive camp comprising four rustic en suite thatched chalets.

Day 4 : Lunga River Lodge
Game-viewing transfer back to Lunga River Lodge. A unique range of habitats, from the memorable Busanga floodplains in the northwest to the verdant vegetation of the south, supports a rewarding variety of wildlife. It is a birder’s paradise with over 400 species. Red lechwe, puku, sable and roan attract serval and plenty of lion.

Day 5 : Return to Lusaka
After a final early morning game activity, you fly back to Lusaka. Alternatively there are private charter flights to Livingstone or Jeki (at an extra cost).

Price per person sharing: 1 Jun 2005 to 15 Nov 2005 ZAR R 25,833
Single supplement ZAR R 6,044

Nsefu Walking and Wildlife

This walking safari in the magnificent South Luangwa National Park uniquely mixes traditional game camps with fly-camping/walking in the Nsefu area where the channels and lagoons attract prolific game. It's aimed at those keen to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the real bush, but with a touch of luxury at the camps where you?ll also enjoy day and night game drives. Itineraries are flexible and include 1 or 2 nights fly-camping - very simple mobile camps with walk-in tents, a shower under a tree and long drop toilets. Fully Inclusive.

Meals Fully Inclusive
Accommodation 4 night in game lodges, 3 nights in simple bush camps
Departure Dates On request June through October
Transport 4x4 transfers from Mfuwe to Nkwali and back to Mfuwe
Price Includes Meals as shown in text or above, accommodation, transfers and all game activities on safari.
Price Excludes International and domestic flights, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified
Minimum Number 2
Climate Sub-tropical climate with hot, rainy summers and warm, sunny & dry winters
Best time to go Suitable in dry season from June to October only
Health Requirements Anti-Malarial precautions essential
Combines well with Kafue Safar, i Malawi tours
Other Ideas BA overnight flight Monday, Wednesday and Friday to Lusaka, returning Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday (daytime) from £470 including taxes. Other flight options include daily connections via Johannesburg.
Notes 15kg luggage restriction, US$30 departure tax payable locally, visa issued on arrival (currently fee-waived)

Day 1 : Depart Mfuwe for Nkwali Camp
Depart Mfuwe by road for Nkwali Camp for 2 nights. Nkwali Camp has 6 cool and spacious chalets with a captivating location in a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grass plains. Elephants often cross the Luangwa river and come to the waterhole near the thatched dining room. The ares is known for its leopard and giraffe sightings.

Day 3 : Game-viewing en route to Tena Tena camp in the northern sector
Travel on to Tena Tena game-viewing en route. Tena Tena Camp is a renowned safari camp with a stunning location on a remote wooded bend of the Luangwa River. A grove of mahogany trees shades the seven large en suite tents. Game viewing is done on foot and in day and night drives as well as from the comfort of the thatched lodge itself.

Day 4 : Trails Camps
Today you start 3 days of walking from trail camp to trail camp in the Nsefu area where the channels and lagoons attract prolific game. The trail camps are very simple mobile camps with walk-in tents, a shower under a tree and long drop toilets.

Day 6 : Nsefu Camp
Return to civilization for 2 nights at Nsefu Camp. This was among the first camps in the park, but the spacious rondavels have been skilfully remodelled with an open-air en suite bathroom/dressing room added and wooden verandas with superb views of the river. An affable team offer great hospitality and game viewing on foot and on day and night drives.

Day 8 : Return to Mfuwe
After a final game activity, you are transferred back to Mfuwe. END OF SAFARI

Price per person sharing: 1 Jun 2005 to 31 Oct 2005 ZAR R 22,678

Footsteps Through the Valley

Operates: 1 May - 31 October

The Luangwa Valley is one of the finest wilderness sanctuaries in the world, a safari destination hat really needs no explanation among enthusiasts. The highlights of this safari are the quality of guiding, the opportunity to track big game on foot and walk between the remote but luxurious bushcamps. It is not strenuous but exhilarating nonetheless.

Day 1 - Connect to a morning flight from Lusaka or Livingstone Airport to Mfuwe International Airport in the South Luwangwa National Park. A guide from Kapani Lodge will meet you and drive you to the lodge. Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch or if in the afternoon for tea and the afternoon game drive.
Overnight at Kapani Lodge on a full board basis

Kapani Lodge
Kapani is a beautiful, permanent lodge, situated on one of the many ox-bow lagoons in the South Luangwa. Accommodation consists of eight standard suites and two new Lagoon Houses, 20 beds all in all. The brick chalets have thatched roofs, spacious living areas, luxurious interiors and walk-in mosquito nets. The Lagoon Houses offer more spacious rooms, private views and elegant furniture. It is the ideal place for people to spend their first night in Africa, before moving on to the more rustic bushcamps. There is a main chitenge with a bar and lounge area.

Day 2 - This morning guests will transfer to Luwi Bush Camp with game viewing en route. The following two days will be filled with a day and night game drives and walking safaris, There will be leisurely walks along the Luwi River.
Overnight at Luwi Bush Camp on a ful board basis

Luwi Bush Camp
Luwi is a seasonal camp nestled under huge mahogany trees on the banks of a permanent lagoon. Accommodation is in four huts that are made of grass and thatch with polished mud floors. All meals are served in the shade of the trees, with a view of the grassy plain that normally attracts lots of wildlife. Luwi is one of the camps situated deepest in the Luangwa wilderness, lending the camp a rustic appeal and providing a truly African bush experience.

Day 3 - Morning and afternoon game activities and walks
Overnight at Luwi Bush Camp on a ful board basis

Day 4 - Today guests will walk from Luwi Bush Camp to Nsolo Bush Camp (luggage is taken separately) tracking game and enjoying the spectacular surroundings, Walks are not strenuous. Afternoon is relaxing, walking or game drives.
Overnight at Nsolo Bush Camp on a full board basis

Nsolo Bush Camp - Nsolo Camp is a romantic, thatched camp, situated on a waterhole in the shade of a large grove of trees. Accommodation consists of four rooms, built on raised wooden platforms under a thatched roof. Where possible, the natural features have been incorporated into the structure. At night, the canvas curtains can be drawn for added security. Rooms are open-fronted allowing extensive views. There is a small waterhole in front of the camp, which attracts

Day 5 - Today guests will walk from Nsolo Bush Camp to Mchenja Bush Camp (luggage is taken separately) tracking game and enjoying the spectacular surroundings, Walks are not strenuous. Afternoon is relaxing, walking or game drives.
Overnight at Mchenja Bush Camp on a full board basis

Mchenja Bush Camp
Mchenja is a seasonal camp on the banks of the Luangwa River. Five wooden chalets have been built on raised platforms under thatch and nestle under a grove of ancient ebony trees. There is main chitenge under thatch, which houses the bar and lounge area, although most meals are enjoyed under the canopy of the magnificent trees outside.

Day 6 - Morning and afternoon game activities and walks
Overnight at Mchenja Bush Camp on a full board basis

Day 7 - After breakfast and farewells, a drive through the park to the airstrip to meet the plane taking you back to Lusaka Airport for your onward arrangements.

2006 Price: US$3457 per person double, single supplement = US$899

Included:
Charter Flights, All accommodation and meals, All game activities

Excluded:
International Flights, Items of a personal nature, Porterage and tips

Gems of Zambia

Operates: 1 June - 31 October

This safari covers the two premier parks of Zambia - The South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi. The Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. The Luangwa River flows into the Zambezi River - just below the Lower Zambezi National Park. This park, scenically bordered by an impressive escarpment, has excellent gameviewing which can be viewed from either the river or by land. Quietly drifting quietly past a huge elephant feeding is a great experience. Combining the two parks gives you an exceptional safari.

Day 1 - Connect to a morning flight from Lusaka or Livingstone Airport to Mfuwe International Airport. A guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you and drive you to Nkwali Camp. This is 1 hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. Nkwali Camp has a wide view of the Luangwa River. Nkwali is ideally situated for the start of your safari overlooking the South Luangwa National Park. The six rooms all look out over the river and have open air bathrooms. Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the lagoon to the back of Nkwali or if in the afternoon for tea and the afternoon and night game drive.
Overnight at Nkwali Camp on a full board basis

Day 2 - At dawn breakfast is served around the campfire. The porridge heated on the fire and toast cooked by the coals. The morning walk or drive will leave soon after, entering the park by boat from the camp or by the nearby pontoon. The game in the area is excellent - and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic species of giraffe, the Thornicroft Giraffe. A mid morning break of tea, coffee and cake will be taken by a scenic point on a lagoon or the Luangwa River. Return to camp for lunch around mid day. After lunch you can cool off in the swimming pool or siesta. Tea will be served in the afternoon and then off on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early night giving the chance to see the nocturnal world. Usually one returns to camp about 20.00 hrs with dinner generally at 20.30.
Overnight at Nkwali Camp on a full board basis

Day 3 - After an early breakfast, a transfer gamedrive through the park takes you to a crossing point on the Luangwa River. The Nsefu staff will meet guests and cross the river by boat, it is then a 45 minute drive to Nsefu camp, gameviewing on route. Nsefu was the first game camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognised then as a phenomenal area and it still is. The camp is on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River. There are six round rondavals with luxurious en suite facilities and each room has a clear view of the river through large windows and from the new wooden verandahs. On arrival you will be shown to your rondavel and then lunch will be served followed by a well deserved siesta before the afternoon and evening game drive. (Note: option of booking Tena Tena for the 3 nights).
Overnight at Nsefu or Tena Tena Camp on a full board basis

NSEFU CAMP
On a sweeping bend of the river, 12 kilometers north of Tena Tena, lies Nsefu. Nsefu was the first photographic safari camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognised then as a phenomenal area and it still is. We re-opened the camp in 1999, in keeping with the original style, and so operate the only two camps in the Nsefu Sector of the park. The view of the river is superb and includes a terraced area where game grazes during the day. The bar, tucked in beside a huge extinct termite mound, overlooks a waterhole that is very productive for game, especially leopard at night. The original rondavels have been extended, with a spacious bathroom added. Each room has a clear view of the river, through large windows and from the new wooden verandah. The camp lies in the heart of the undeveloped Nsefu sector and so offers charm and total comfort in remoteness and seclusion.

TENA TENA
This remote and small camp lies within the National Park and enjoys a stunning location on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River. A grove of mahogany trees shade the large custom-made tents. From the thatched dining room and bar, guests can watch the elephants, hippo and antelope on the river banks. Near by there is a spectacular lagoon, Buca Buca, where a whole morning can be spent quietly sitting while the game comes down to feed and drink. With the camp being remote and small, we have these scenes to ourselves.

Day 4 - Today is a chance to drive or walk through the ebony groves. Or you may decide this is an ideal day depending on the heat and time of year to explore the Nsefu Sector of the National Park possibly with an all day picnic drive to the salt pans that will cover different habitats and is an exceptional days safari.
Overnight at Nsefu or Tena Tena Camp on a full board basis

Day 5 - After an early breakfast, transfer to Mfuwe Airport (1.5 hours) for the flight to Lusaka (1.5 hours) and then onto the Lower Zambezi (30 mins). As you fly into the area, you will see the wide Zambezi River, dotted with islands. Buffalo and elephant are always seen feeding along with the pods of hippos that rest on the edge of the sandbanks. The transfer to Chiawa Camp is through the park and there is the chance of gameviewing along the way. Resting on the banks of the Zambezi under a lush grove of mahogany and acacia trees, eight spacious tents on elevated wooden platforms with en-suite facilities offer Chiawa's guests ample comfort and stunning views. Gameviewing in the pristine Lower Zambezi National Park is superb and big game, such as elephant, hippo, buffalo and the big cats are even seen regularly in and around the camp! After a late lunch there will be a chance for an afternoon activity - be it on the river or by vehicle.
Overnight at Chiawa Camp on a full board basis

CHIAWA CAMP
Resting peacefully inside the National Park, on the river bank, in a grove of mahogany and acacia trees, the lodge is constructed essentially of natural materials, and is designed to ensure its idyllic setting can be fully appreciated. All tents are under shade, have en-suite facilities with hot & cold running water, twin or double beds, insect screens and solar powered lighting. Only 16 guests can be accommodated in 8 well- appointed safari tents, each on a raised timber deck with private veranda. Access paths to the tents run through a grove of Mahogany trees behind them, maximizing privacy. The spacious lounge and bar area has an observation platform built into its roof, providing one of the best views in the valley. Of course the dining area also looks out onto the river and the animals which regularly come to drink and feed at and near the lodge.

Day 6 - At Chiawa there are various activities to choose from. Not only on offer are exciting day and night drives and bush walks, but Chiawa's guests can choose their own day's itinerary from a selection of canoe trips, river safaris on safe, stable pontoon boats and catch & release angling for the infamous tiger fish.
Overnight at Chiawa Camp on a full board basis

Day 7 - After breakfast and farewells, a drive through the park to the airstrip to meet the plane taking you back to Lusaka Airport for your onward arrangements.

2006 Price: May, June & Oct. = US$3770 per person double, single supplement = US$1498. July - Sept. = supplement of US$278 per person double, $92 single

Included:
Charter Flights, All accommodation and meals, All game activities, Internal Transfers

Excluded:
International Flights, Items of a personal nature, Porterage and tips