LIUWA: EXPLORING ZAMBIA'S WILDERNESS

ZAMBIA'S WILDERNESS ITINERARY

Day 1: Livingstone
Pick-up from the airport in Livingstone and transfer to our lodge in the outskirts of town. In the late afternoon a visit to the Victoria Falls, Overnight in Thorntree House, or similar. Dinner in a restaurant will be at your own expense.  

Day 2: Ngonye Waterfalls
Pick-up from your lodge after your breakfast and start an early morning drive to Mosi oa Tunya National Park where you will do a game walk with a ranger to see the rhinos. Lunch will be in a shaded place in the park. Afterward, we carry on along the course of the Zambezi river up to the beautiful Ngonye Falls; not as mighty as the “big brother” further south, but equally impressive. The Zambezi splits into several channels and the masses of water find their way through the basalt rock formations. You will be camping near the river, dinner will be back at the lodge. 

Days 3, 4, 5, and 6: Liuwa Plains National Park
In the morning you will hike to an island to get the best view of the falls after your breakfast. You will drive further north to Mongu and cross the Barotse flood plains to the Liuwa Plains National Park. There are few roads; however, this is part of the park’s attraction: around 3660km of untouched Africa. Most of this is a vast honey-colored plain of grass, with just the occasional water pan, the island of raffia palms, or a small tree-belt interrupting the scenery. End of October tens of thousands of Gnu, as well as zebra and buffalo, will join the more resident red lechwe and reedbuck. The open plains are particularly good for oribi. Hyenas are the main predators here, wild dogs, cheetah, and lion are dispersed on the plains. Camping in the bush (running water, showers, and flush toilets are present).

Day 7: Mongu
Drive to Mongu after your breakfast, our stop-over at the edge of the Barotse floodplains. Here we have the possibility to stock up for the next few days in Kafue National Park. Camping on the shore of a beautiful lake. 

Days 8 and 9: Chunga (Central Kafue National Park)

We drive through the Miombo forest to Chunga after a full breakfast at the lodge. Several small rivers cross this area. These leave a number of waterholes in the dry season for the animals to quench their thirst. Wild dogs, which roam large areas of the park, cheetah, and lion are among the inhabitants here. The birdlife is prolific. Camping on the banks of the Kafue River at Mayukuyuku Camp. 

Day 10: Lusaka

Stomachs full of today's breakfast we will leave the wilderness and drive on a tar-road to Zambia’s capital Lusaka. Lunch will be served in the camp. You will spend the night in chalets at Pioneer Camp or similar. 

Days 11, 12, 13, and 14: South Luangwa National Park

Transfer to Lusaka’s airport and domestic flight to Mfuwe near South Luangwa National Park, after taking your breakfast. Afterward, transfer to our campsite outside the park border. South Luangwa NP is known for its abundance of African wildlife: Thorneycroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s Gnu, Crawshay’s Zebra, and big herds of buffalo and elephant. Game drives along the Luangwa River often produce spectacular sightings. Hippo families can be seen in great numbers in the river, unparalleled in Africa. During the dry season (July to October), During the dry season (July to October), many side channels of the river dry up, leaving the fish trapped. This attracts many different species of predators, such as the African fish eagle, jackal, and hyena, to mention but a few. The colorful Carmine bee-eaters are often seen perching in front of their nests in the riverbanks. Camping in Croc Valley Camp, Marula Game Lodge, or similar.

Day 15: Departure

Transfer to the airport at Mfuwe and flight back to home. 

Inclusions:

• Accommodation as indicated in the program

• Meals as mentioned

• All transport (including transfers to/from the airport on the date of arrival and departure)

• Competent English-speaking guide and driver/cook.

• All Camping equipment (except sleeping bag and pillow) with big tents (1.80 m height), high-density mattress, stretcher and linen.

• Domestic flight day 11 including 23 kg luggage and 5 kg hand luggage

• All entry fees (except Victoria Falls)

• All activities as indicated in the program

Exclusions: 

• International flights and domestic flight from Mfuwe on day 15.

• Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks (we supply juice and drinking water).

• Visa fees to Zambia (single entry: US$ 50-00 pp).

• Entrance fee to the Victoria Falls (US$ 20-00 pp)

• Sleeping bag and pillow

• All optional activities not offered by Adventure Purists Ltd / Bundu Safaris Ltd

• All activities in Livingstone

• Personal insurance, personal expenditure (i.e. curios)

• Tips