10 Days Zambia’s South Luangwa and Fishing Safari
10 Days Zambia’s South Luangwa and Fishing Safari
Zambia is a tropical realm of high plateaus, flood plains and incredible rivers, famous for its diverse landscapes of massive water bodies and multiplicity of wildlife. The country that created the legendary walking safari is home to a huge variety of mammal and bird species, on our 9 Days Zambia’s South Luangwa and Victoria falls will take you to some of the finest safari destinations and adventure destinations with exclusive natural habitat for wildlife.
Safari highlights
Detailed safari itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lusaka international airport and transfer to your hotel for Overnight
After your Long flight from home, upon arrival in Zambian Capital Lusaka our guide will be waiting for you at the airport, after clearing immigration you will be received and transferred to your hotel in Lusaka for relaxation and overnight.
Day 2: Domestic Flight from Lusaka to South Luangwa national park
After morning breakfast you will take a domestic flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe airstrip, upon arrival you will transfer to your first safari stop, South Luangwa National Park. You’ll be staying at a tented Camp, which is the closest camp to the park’s main gate and looks out to incredible views of the parklands. Relax and unwind after a long journey with a sundowner, looking out for your first glimpses of Zambia’s wildlife.
Day 2: Exploring South Luangwa National Park
Start exploring South Luangwa with a morning game drive in an open-top safari vehicle, spotting giant mammals, an exotic array of birdlife, as well as plenty of other wildlife sightings, especially as creatures come to drink at the Luangwa River. Keep your eyes peeled for some of Zambia’s endemic species, including Thornicroft’s giraffe, Crawshay’s zebra and Cookson’s wildebeest.
Spend the hotter hours of the day relaxing by the pool at your safari camp, where you might be visited by elephants, giraffes and impala. After an evening game drive, head out for an intrepid night safari, where you can see South Luangwa’s nocturnal wildlife come to life. Look out for big cats on the prowl, the critically endangered African wild dog and other rare species, such as the shy pangolin.
Day 3: Transfer to Nkonzi, South Luangwa National Park
After breakfast you will depart to the next camp, which is deeper into the national park by staying at Nkonzi Camp, a rustic safari lodge located in a remote area of South Luangwa. Getting back to nature, you’ll sleep in an open-air, en-suite safari tent (complete with hot water bucket showers and flushing toilets) and enjoy homemade meals including fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. In the evenings, you’ll enjoy campfire and enjoy stargazing without light pollution, out in the bush.
Day 4: Exploring South Luangwa National Park
Enjoy morning and evening game drives in this remote region of South Luangwa National Park. Rising before dawn, the soft dawn light and dewy conditions make for some of the most stunning wildlife photography. Explore the Mfuwe bridge area, head north to some of the least-visited areas in the park or enjoy the reliable game viewing found in the Mushilashi-Luwi area. Leaving camp around 4pm, evening game drives are picturesque sunset moments, but also give you the chance to see the park’s predators as they start to wake up and hunt.
Day 5: Walking safari in the park and Evening game drive
Zambia is a birthplace of the walking safari, an activity which provides a different perspective on the country’s diverse wildlife. Learn about the intricate ecosystems, Zambia’s rich flora and fauna, then learn to track big game using scat, footprints and other signs. All with the help of some of the most knowledgeable and highly-trained walking safari guides in Africa, later return to the lodge for hot lunch and relaxation and later head out for an evening game drive in the park.
Day 6: Transfer to Lower Zambezi National Park
Swapping South Luangwa for Lower Zambezi National Park, your Zambia safari adventure continues as you take another domestic flight and head to your next safari camp, Mvuu Lodge. Located on the scenic banks of the Zambezi, Mvuu is a luxury safari lodge nestled in the game-rich Chiawa region, right next to the national park and directly opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools.
Explore the Chiawa game management area before heading into Lower Zambezi. Here, you’ll see kudu, impala, elephants, buffalo, lions, hyena and leopards, as well as a variety of colourful birdlife. The wetlands, bushveld and riverine areas are home to kingfishers, bee-eaters, hornbills, vultures, owls and parrots.
Enjoy river activities on the Zambezi, including fishing excursions, canoe safaris and river cruises, where you can watch wildlife as they come to you and drink at the water’s edge. Or relax for sunset with a sundowner in hand, drifting down the currents with the hippos and crocodiles.
Day 6: Full day fishing on the Zambezi River
Start early for a day trip fishing on the river, where you can hope to catch a tiger fish (just watch out for their teeth!). This trophy species weigh up to nine kilograms, though you may also be lucky enough to hook a bream, chess, nkupi or vundu as well. Break for lunch during the hottest part of the day and return for sundowner in the evening.
Day 7: Domestic flight to Livingstone (Victoria Falls)
Say goodbye to the national parks and head to the historic town of Livingstone, the gateway to Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. You’ll be staying at Chundukwa River Lodge, a safari-style property on the banks of the Zambezi comprised of five stilted chalets and a family house, offering a private and relaxing riverside escape.
Day 8: Day Exploring Livingstone (Victoria Falls)
Known to locals as Mosi Oa Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a truly impressive sight to behold. With a huge variety of activities on offer, you won’t run out of ways to explore and enjoy the falls. Take a hike along the footpaths around the region for epic views and billowing spray, see the falls from above on a helicopter tour, then swim out to the edge of Devil’s Pool right next to the thundering cascades!, after the hike you will then visit the Livingstone Museum named for Scottish explorer David Livingstone, the first European to see Victoria Falls in 1855. The town itself is a great attraction, with its wide, tree-lined streets and colonial architecture. The Livingstone Museum is also worth a visit for some background on the region and its history.
Day 9: Departure from Zambia
Your Zambia safari and Victoria Falls holiday comes to an end depending on your fight time you will be transferred to the airport for onward journey.
Trip includes
- Accommodation
- Domestic flights
- All park entrance fees
- Fishing and fishing permits
- Walking safaris
- Night game drives
- Enroute meals
- All transfers and airport picks and drops
- Hike to Victoria Falls
Trip excludes
- International flight
- Zambia tourist Visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and hotels
When to book safari package
We recommend booking this safari package 1 year in advance to allow us tailor a perfect safari holiday in Zambia.
Best time to visit Zambia for a fishing safari
Fishing trips are available year round, but the best fishing is found in the dry season between May and November as the water levels start to recede. Tiger fishing in particular is best from August to November.
