Classic Zambia Safari

Itinerary Highlights

Classic Zambia combines three of our favorite lodges within Zambia’s two greatest safari reserves: Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Parks. While the journey provides ample opportunities for traditional game drives, each park offers its own preferred method of exploration. In the Lower Zambezi, prepare to dive in (somewhat literally!) to the mighty river with which the park shares a name as you canoe alongside elephant, hippo and crocodile for the ultimate water-based thrill.

As you head northeast to the South Luangwa Valley, you’ll rediscover wilderness in the most original form with walking safari. Time has stood still in this magnificent region of Southern Africa and there is no better way in which to explore it than on foot. You’ll even have the opportunity to walk from your second lodge to your third and final camp as part of thorough exploration of the fauna-rich savanna plains sandwiched between the Luangwa and Kapamba rivers.

The blend of three unique, owner-run camps, all incredibly personal and intimate, is what makes this itinerary truly unforgettable. Chiawa Camp sits just steps away from the banks of the Zambezi River in one of the most game-rich areas of Zambia. Nine luxurious "tents" are shaded by a grove of mahogany and acacia trees and the camp’s two viewing decks offer some of Africa’s most epic sunset views. With very little human presence in the area, game is plentiful and numerous elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and other species are literally on the camp's doorstep! Bilimungwe, the first stop in South Luangwa, overlooks three major watering holes regularly frequented by a resident elephant herd. Reach your final lodge Kapamba either by foot or 4x4 safari vehicle and find yourself along the river whose name the bushcamp shares. Spend your days bathing in the river or spotting leopard and end your days taking a dip in your private plunge pool or braving the dark sky with night drives. All three lodges are family-owned and managed by safari industry veterans whose passions lie with conserving wildlife and supporting the local communities in which the lodges operate.

Lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. With your feedback, we will similarly customize suggested activities, time spent in each location and trip extensions to additional destinations of interest nearby.

See “Expert Notes & Customization” section below.

Daily Itinerary

Welcome to Zambia! Depending on your point of entry, you will fly to the Jeki Airstrip and begin your adventure along the Mighty Zambezi River with a 40-minute boat ride as you enter Chiawa’s beautiful grounds. Chiawa Camp blends in effortlessly with its idyllic surroundings, resting peacefully on the banks of the Zambezi River under a grove of mahogany and acacia trees. It features a stunning thatched lounge/bar area with two viewing decks boasting amazing views of the Zambezi River- the best spot to watch the sun set over another day in Africa.

No two days are the same at Chiawa as you explore Lower Zambezi National Park by canoe, drives (both day and night), walks and even fishing. The multi-award-winning team of naturalist guides are some of the country’s best and will customize your daily schedule based on your interests. Walks are an interesting way to get a “back stage pass” look at the wildlife and how the ecology of the Lower Zambezi works. Guides can not only identify spoor, birds, plants and insects but also explain in interesting detail how these all interact with each other, how each relies on each other in this, the great circle of life. Taking advantage of the cooler weather these usually take place in the early morning and are led by one of our pro guides and a Zambia Wildlife Authority armed “escort scout”. Fishing for tiger fish, for those who are keen, is one of the seasonal specialties of the Zambezi River. Boat cruises or river safaris conducted on custom built, stable pontoon boats with a canopy that can be raised or lowered according to circumstance and powered by near-silent, environmentally sensitive 4-stroke outboard motors give guests the opportunity to see more of the river and perhaps more wildlife by being able to cover more area.

Chiawa boasts two nearby viewing hides, ideal for photographers and wildlife observers alike. Enjoy an an eye-level view of the animals drinking from a water tank. Do not expect vast vistas and plains with thousands of prey animals constantly being hunted down by dozens of predators. There are other places for this, other places with more animals and more variety – but these places are usually on the path more traveled, suffering from an overload of tourists and average guiding. Zambia’s wildernesses are still wild and not yet overrun with lodges and tourists. There is amazing quality and quantity of wildlife in Zambia, but tracking down its precious wildlife can require skilled guides and patient guests who appreciate the adventure and remoteness as much as the sightings.

Overnight at Chiawa Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

After three nights in the Lower Zambezi, you’ll fly to Mfuwe Airstrip and meet your guide on a 4x4 vehicle as you begin the journey to Bilimungwe.

Overlooking three waterholes with countless herds of resident elephant, Bilimungwe is a hidden gem under huge mahogony trees. Each of the four large thatched and grass chalets sit on stilts, each with magnificent views of one or two of the three watering holes. Bilimungwe has a secret breakfast spot on the edge of Luangwa Valley, perfect for watching the sun rise over the Chindeni hills.

When it comes to wildlife-watching at Bilimungwe, it’s hard to know where to look first: from the tangle of mahogany trees surrounding camp or the nearby plain where leopard prowl, the popular waterhole, or the open waters of the Luangwa River. Simply put, Bilimungwe is a nature-lover’s paradise with passionate and professional naturalist guides to help you discover a diverse wildlife experience, from large to small!.

Overnight at Bilimungwe Bushcamp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

After breakfast head toward your final bushcamp, Kapamba. You’ll have the option to transfer via game drive or embark on a walking safari through some of the park’s best wildlife. Arrive to Kapamba in time for lunch and enjoy some time at leisure by your personal plunge pool overlooking the river banks. As with Bilimungwe, you’ll be guaranteed an unrivaled wildlife experience in one of the last unspoilt wilderness regions of Africa– the very place where the African walking safari was pioneered.

Four large stone and thatched chalets with open fronts ensure unspoiled views across the Kapamba River mere feet in front of camp. The river is sandy, allowing guests to bathe, walk or enjoy sundowners in the water– a unique experience when next to the Luangwa River! The large deck and lounge area acts as a focal point with steps down onto the waters edge. The resident leopard keeps guests entertained as well as do the elephants eating seed pods off the roof of each chalet during October.

On your final day, depending on your outbound flight, you will head to either Lusaka or Livingstone (nearby Victoria Falls) for your departing flight. A night in Mfuwe at the charming Mfuwe Lodge can also be arranged to ensure a full final day of Zambian safari.

Overnight at Kapamba (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

• 8 nights accommodation based on double/twin occupancy

• All meals and drinks, wines and liquors (excluding premium brands and French champagne)

• All internal flights

• English speaking naturalist guides with twice daily game drives

• Additional guided activities at lodges (walking safari, canoeing, fishing, etc) as described

• All airport and ground transportation on private basis

• All conservancy and national park fees

• Daily laundry

• *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international flights, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature

• This itinerary is wonderfully complemented by a stay in Victoria Falls, preferably in the Livingstone area on the Zambia side, either at the beginning or end.

• For those flying from home directly into Lusaka, an overnight in the city is recommended upon arrival. This ensures no interruption to your itinerary as the flights in between destinations are somewhat limited and not always daily.

• Emirates Airlines offers a nonstop flight from Dubai into Lusaka, making it a wonderfully convenient way to either begin or end your trip into Africa. You can also easily arrive to Lusaka or Livingstone from other African hubs like Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi or Kigali.

• Few camps operate during the green season of December - March in these parts of Zambia. By April, the rains gradually subside and camps begin to open. By May the landscape is looking lush and green, and June is a lovely time to be on safari as temperatures are extremely comfortable especially for walking safaris. The grass is now flatter and the bush opens up offering better visibility. Wildlife sightings are beginning to be very good. We love this shoulder season time when rates are slightly lower, traffic is even more reduced and fauna abounds. July through September is peak season for Zambia and understandably so, as game viewing is excellent and temperatures are still moderate to make walking comfortable (particularly in July and August). Peak months tend to fill up quickly given the small size of the camps so we recommend making your arrangements as early as possible.