14 days Wild Zambia Safari

Overview

14 days Wild Zambia Safari

Today on arrival you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your lodge. Mafumu Lodge offers a good standard of comfort.  Mafumu Guest House has 30 executive rooms, all larger in size than the normal hotel standard. All the rooms are air conditioned and en-suite, with digital satellite TV, international direct dialing and email facilities. This evenings dinner is at a nearby restaurant, where your guide will do the trip briefing.

Total Driving time is 10 hrs

After an early breakfast, depart for our adventure into Zambia. We head into Zambia, through Mchinji , en route to South Luangwa park. As we enter the Mfuwe area, we turn northwards and drive through the Nsefu sector , then aim for the north gate of Luambe park. Your guide will decide at the time, depending on road conditions as to where we overnight, but the aim is to a community campsite just North of Luambe Park. Arrival will be late afternoon, after a full days travelling.

Total Driving time is 5/6 hrs. depending on game sightings.

After breaking camp, continue to Zambia’s most iconic, remote and alluring Park – North Luangwa. Its another 3 hrs interesting drive through rural and remote villages till we reach the pontoon and entrance to North Park – Once entering the park, its a 2 hour hr game drive to Buffalo Camp. This park, covering 4636 square kilometers the area offers one of the finest wilderness experiences in Zambia, if not Africa itself. Until recently, it was not open to the public and there are no permanent lodges there. The beauty of visiting this park is the truly remarkable opportunities to experience Africa as it was – the Real Africa. The park is noted for its massive herds of buffalo, large prides of lion and other common mammals are hyena, Cookson’s wildebeest, bushbuck, zebra, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, puku and impala. Elephant and leopard are also seen, but not as frequently as in the South Park. You are however more likely to see wildebeest, hartebeest, reedbuck and eland here. Buffalo Camp is a seasonal bush camp opening at the beginning of June and closes at the end of October. The camp is rebuilt and taken down each year.

This morning we undertake a game walk – possibly the most exciting walk you will ever undertake in Africa.  Led by an experienced and qualified guide and supported by experienced game scouts, you will get an insight into wild Africa as never before – Insects, birds, plants, shrubs and all manner of wild and natural phenomenon are experienced and explained. Return to Camp for a rest then an afternoon sundowner drive is offered where we can fully appreciate the magnificent beauty of natural and wild Africa.

Total driving time is 5 hrs

After departing its a drive up the escarpment to then head to the unique Kapishya hot springs. Kapishya is a natural, hot, sulphur free spring set along the banks of the Mansha river. There are various activities available at Kapishya such as River floats, game drives, visits to the manor house, horse back riding and bird walks, but relaxing in the natural hot mineral water is not to be missed. It is situated on the Estate of Shiwa Ngandu (The Africa House) which is rich in history and we drive by this historic house en route to Kapishya.  Overnight Camping at Kapishya with unlimited access to the hot springs to swim and relax in.

Total driving time is 8 hrs.

Break camp early, then its a 2 hr. journey to Mpika where we stop for a few hrs to resupply, before continuing towards our next overnight – Kasanka Park. This park is a valuable conservation area with diverse flora and fauna including many endangered species and exceptional birdlife. Kasanka offers species like the rare sitatunga, sable antelope and bushpigs. Elephants, hippos and buffalos are all evident and the park is increasingly clear of grass and ideal for walking. The rivers are all perennial so there’s always water for the animals and boating for the visitors! The campsites only has a simple pit toilet, shower and shelter but staff are on hand to help with hot water for showers.

Today we explore this delightful area. We recommend an early morning walk onto the flood plain in front of the campsite where Sitatunga are seen, then a visit to one of the hides overlooking the lake and swamps.  Game drives are done in our own vehicles that have been specially modified for optimum game viewing with pop up roofs and big windows.

Total driving time is approx. 8 hrs.

Break camp and try to depart as early as possible, passing the junction to David Livingstone tree [where he died and his heart was buried, before his body was carried to Dar as Salaam then shipped to England]. Its a fairly rough, but interesting journey north to The Bangweulu wetlands.  This is one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife secrets. It boasts over 100,000 Black Lechwe and the world’s most visible Shoebill storks. When the Bangweulu swamp dries up, bird watching is mostly done of foot around the many pools which remain – with an appetizing stock of stranded fish and snails. The Shoebills storks can still be seen by the more determined – it does involve wading through swamp lands, so BRING WATERPOOF SHOES! Game drives are spectacular amongst the big herds of black Lechwe and black winged pratincole both attractive species found in the Bangweulu. The area supports an incredible diversity of water and plains-birds as well as Elephant, Buffalo, Tsessebe, Reedbuck, Oribi and Sitatunga . You don’t have to be a birding fanatic to love Bangweulu!.

A day to explore this unique area – In the morning, drive then walk through the swamp to try to see the shoebill stork.  Be prepared to wade through water, so waterproof shoes are needed. Its an adventure even though sightings of the shoebill cannot be guaranteed, the experience is un-forgetful. Return, depending on success, around midday, then the afternoon drive is a leisurely affair to experience the vast herds of Black Lechwe on the open plains.

Total driving time is 7 hrs.

This morning depart the swamps, then head back to the main “great north road” and our overnight camp – Mutinondo – 10,000 hectares of privately owned land encompassing pristine Miombo woodland, massive chunks of granite inselbergs, crystal clear rivers to swim in and picturesque waterfalls and glades (dambos). The campsite is set on the edge of a wooded rocky outcrop with cooking areas, pit latrines and nice hot showers. Overnight camping with our cook preparing all our camp meals. Arrival is mid afternoon with time to explore this area on foot.

A day  to explore this area. Walking trails are demarcated and trails are graded, depending on individuals capacity. Another option is horse riding – subject to availability.

Its a 5 hr. drive to the northern entrance gate of South Luangwa Valley.  From there we drive through the park for another 4 hrs, along the 05, to the Mfuwe Area.  Arrival at Mfuwe is late afternoon.

2 X game drives are included in your itinerary – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon/evening in the Lodges open game viewing safari cars.  Between game drives there is a pool for you to relax by. Game drives are undertaken in the lodges specially modified 4X4 open safari vehicles led by a Luangwa qualified guide with an intimate knowledge of the area and its fauna & flora.

Transfer you back to Lilongwe [with the option to add on a lake break] or to Mfuwe airport for your onward flight to Lusaka [not included] and home.  End of services.