Day 1, 2 & 3: South Luangwa National Park

Arrive in Lusaka, Zambia’s capitol city, where you are met and assisted with the light aircraft transfer to Mfuwe. Upon arrival you are met by your Puku Ridge guide and transferred through Mfuwe village and into the park. South Luangwa’s history dates back some 30 years and is where the concept of walking safaris originated. This national park lies along the Luangwa River and is home to some of Africa’s largest concentrations of wildlife. The lifeblood of the park is the mighty Luangwa River which is one of the most pristine river ecosystems in Africa. The vegetation of the park is predominately dry woodland interspersed with floodplain grasslands, coupled with the dominating Luangwa River and its many languid oxbow lakes. The diverse wildlife along the dambo offers great opportunities for photography, whether you choose to explore on foot with a keen-eyed guide, or range further afield in a safari vehicle. And in the evenings, you dine with the night sounds of Africa for a soundtrack. Well-lit pathways cleared of undergrowth connect the tents to the main bar/lounge. The natural vegetation has been left as undisturbed as possible. Puku Ridge inhabits a remote world of its own, watching the ancient patterns of life and survival while treating its visitors to enjoyably civilized hospitality. Activities include day and night game drives in South Luangwa National Park in open four-wheel-drive vehicles driven by a knowledgeable guide, as well as Guided Walks by a professional guide and an armed national parks scout.

Unique and varied animal species are found here, from large herds of elephant and buffalo to impala and puku. Dominant predators include lion and leopard. The wide variety of antelope species seen include common waterbuck and reedbuck, bushbuck, kudu, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable and roan. Unique to the area are Thornicroft’s giraffe as well as the Cookson’s wildebeest, both sub-species found nowhere else in the world. A healthy hippo population dots the riverbanks and the lagoon in front of camp. The birding is equally diverse, with regular sightings of Saddle-billed Stork, Lilian’s Lovebird, African Skimmer and even Bat Hawk.Overnights Puku Ridge Tented Camp. All meals & drinks.

Puku Ridge Tented Camp

Day 4, 5 & 6: Lower Zambezi National Park

Depart after breakfast for your flight via Lusaka to Lower Zambezi National Park and your luxury tented camp. The Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 1,800 square miles with most of the game concentrated along the valley floor. There is an escarpment along the northern end that acts as a physical barrier to most of the parks animal species. The river’s edge is overhung with a thick riverine fringe. Further inland is a floodplain fringed with mopane forest and interspersed with winterthorn trees. This is Zambia’s newest Park and as such is still relatively undeveloped. Walk under the guidance of your professional guide, game drive in an open safari vehicle or take the water in a canoe to view animals all along the banks of the Zambezi. Overnights Chiawa Camp. All meals & drinks.

Chiawa Camp

Day 7 & 8: Victoria Falls, Livingstone

Fly from Lower Zambezi to Livingstone this morning, where your guide meets and transfers you to your camp on a private island in the Zambezi River. A guided tours of Victoria Falls, cultural, museum and market tours, morning or evening game drives in Mosi-Oa-Tunya Park and morning or evening boat cruises on the Zambezi River. Livingstone is rated as one of the world’s top destinations for adrenaline and river activities. The most popular of these include (at additional cost) seasonal white water rafting, bungee jumping, gorge swing, microlighting over the Falls, brunch and breakfast canoe trips on the Zambezi and Falls edge dining. Overnights Sindabezi Island. All meals and drinks are included.

Sindabezi

Day 9: Depart

Today you are transferred to the Livingstone Airport for your departing flights. Breakfast.