Scenic Splendour And Wildlife Wonders Tour

This safari combines two incredible wildlife areas and the world-famous Victoria Falls. The Busanga Plains in Zambia’s Kafue National Park are home to vast herds of lechwe and puku, and a high density of lions that prey on them. No visit to the region would be complete without taking in Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, and the neighboring attractions. The last stop on the safari is the wildlife-rich Hwange National Park. The diversity of habitats, from woodlands to plains, means that a wide range of species are encountered regularly, many at the waterhole right in front of camp!

Trip Highlights:

Hwange National Park - Game drives in National Park plus walking safari & optional night drive in the Makalolo Concession

Kafue National Park - is home to vast herds of lechwe and puku, and a high density of lions that prey on them.

Victoria Falls - one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, and the neighboring attractions.

Notes:

Departure Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays

Standard Itinerary

Days 1,2 & 3: Arrive in Lusaka, fly to Busanga Bush Camp, Kafue National Park, Zambia

Fly from Lusaka Airport to the Busanga Plains in northern Kafue National Park. At 22 500 km2 (8 600 sq. miles), Kafue National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Africa. The Busanga Plains is one of Zambia’s most important wetland and grassland resources and is untouched by development and human activity – the jewel in the Kafue crown.

AREA AND LOCATION: The amazing landscapes of the Busanga Plains comprise a web of estuaries, grassy plains, and island thickets. Comprising 750 km2 (290 sq. miles) of untouched Africa, our massive private concession is centrally located on the Plains – ensuring seclusion and optimal wildlife viewing in a truly remote setting.

WILDLIFE: This area of the Kafue offers fantastic opportunities to see plains game, predators, and water-loving animals on game drives and from secluded hides overlooking waterholes. The camp is perfectly situated to see large numbers of puku and red lechwe as well as herds of buffalo and wildebeest.

The most notable predators in the area are lions, with up to four pride moving around the Busanga area. Their tree-climbing antics are quite unique and allow for amazing photographic opportunities. Cheetahs and side-striped jackals also roam the grassy areas as do the rare roan antelope which are locally common. For birders, Busanga boasts over 400 species, including over half the world’s endangered wattled crane population. Other notable species are black-backed barbet, rosy-throated longclaw, and red-throated twinspot.

THE CAMP: Busanga Bush Camp lies hidden in an island thicket. This camp accommodates eight guests in four well-appointed tents. The main, dining and bar area of the camp is under a large canvas canopy and has a sweeping view out over the plains and dramatic sunrises.

Overnight Comfortable Camp Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

THE CAMP: Shumba Camp, situated in the center of the Busanga Plains, is named after a favorite species in the area: prides of lions sometimes up to 20 strong! Comprising six spacious tents, the entire camp is raised on wooden platforms to take in the impressive vista and each morning’s spectacular sunrise.

Days 4 & 5: Fly to Zambezi Sun (bed & breakfast basis), Livingstone, Zambia

After an early morning drive to Busanga Airstrip, fly from Kafue to Livingstone Airport and then transfer by road to the Zambezi Sun. The historical town of Livingstone was founded by the first European explorers to ‘discover’ the impressive Victoria Falls and is today the tourism capital of Zambia.

AREA AND LOCATION: Mosi-oa-Tunya is directly translated as ‘the smoke that thunders, the local name for Victoria Falls which is found a short walk away from the Zambezi Sun. This small but significant national park of the same name is 63km2 (24 sq. miles) and is host to a wonderful variety of habitat types from mopane woodland to a rich riverine fringe, and home to some unique wildlife.

ACTIVITIES: A guided tour of Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side is included. This will require obtaining a multiple-entry Zimbabwe visa but is well worth it. Other activities while staying at the Zambezi Sun are at additional cost, however, should you upgrade to Toka Leya or The River Club (see surcharge below), the cultural, museum, and market tours, morning/evening game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya and morning/evening boat cruises on the Zambezi River are also included. Seasonal white water rafting, bungee jumping, gorge swing, micro lighting over Victoria Falls, and Falls-edge dining are available at additional cost.

The Tour of Victoria Falls is approximately a 1-1/2 hour guided tour through the Rainforest along a 1.7km ramble. After a briefing and explanation of the Falls, the guide accompanies guests along the scenic pathways, stopping at numerous viewpoints to gaze at the Falls. Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. David Livingstone was the first European to visit the Falls and named it after Queen Victoria. To the locals, it is known as “Mosi oa Tunya” – The Smoke that Thunders – an accurate description of what happens when the waters of the Zambezi River plunge over the 1700-metre-wide and 100-meter deep chasm, creating a shower of spray and deafening noise.

THE HOTEL: The Zambezi Sun Hotel is located on the eastern cataract of Victoria Falls and reflects the diversity of the country’s heritage; unpretentious, fun, and welcoming, it is in essence the rich soul of Africa. The Zambezi Sun’s architecture is inspired by an African village and depicts a warm and earthy character. Zambian artworks and accessories are in stark contrast to the simple finishes in bright mosaics and fabrics. An inviting pool area, spacious rooms, and sprawling gardens allow for the perfect relaxed atmosphere, a mere few minutes from the famous Victoria Falls.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel Meals Included: Breakfast

THE CAMP – TOKA LEYA: This contemporary but warm camp within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park consists of 12 climate-controlled units on elevated wooden decks. Each unit has inside and outside showers as well as sweeping views of the Zambezi River from a comfortable balcony. Extending out onto the Zambezi River is the main area with a novel pizza oven, bar and infinity pool, and spa area.

THE CAMP – THE RIVER CLUB: On a bend in the Zambezi River, the River Club and its 10 well-appointed, air-conditioned chalets have commanding views over the river. The main area is an attractive Edwardian house with a lounge, dining room, library, shop, and verandah on which breakfasts and teas are taken. For the energetic the gym, running track, and all-weather tennis court are perfect. The swimming pool, with its infinity aspect, provides a magnificent view of the Zambezi.

Days 6, 7 & 8: Drive to Davison’s Camp, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Transfer by road from your camp/hotel across the border into Zimbabwe, for your onward journey to Davison’s Camp, Hwange National Park. This 5 - 6 hour scenic drive through Northern Zimbabwe provides a comfortable and wonderful introduction to the landscapes and rural life of the countryside.

Located on the border with Botswana, Hwange was proclaimed some 75 years ago and has served as a haven for one of the densest concentrations of game in Africa. Hwange further has some of the highest mammal diversity in the world, with over 100 species. This is greatly due to the varied habitats and vegetation types.

AREA AND LOCATION: Davison’s Camp is located in the southeastern corner of the Park – an exclusive concession area of about 500 km2 (193 sq. mi.). The Makalolo Concession is ecologically diverse, with large flat grasslands, vast palm-spotted plains, acacia woodlands and teak forests. This lends itself well to the vast number of plains game that moves in the area together with attendant predators.

WILDLIFE: Big game such as elephant, buffalo, sable, roan, southern giraffe, zebra, and blue wildebeest are the most commonly seen mammals, enjoyed via game drives, guided nature walks, and hides. The Park’s waterholes and seasonal pans attract game in both quantity and variety – notably in the winter months.

The high occurrence of plains game also results in some first-class predator sightings such as lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah, spotted hyena, and the smaller African wild cat, serval, honey badger, bat-eared fox, and civet. Home to a varied bird community of over 420 species, these include martial eagle, secretary bird, crimson-breasted shrike, cut-throat finch, and southern pied babbler.

THE CAMP: Davison’s Camp is a classic tented camp, with its nine twin units tastefully hidden beneath a grove of false mopane trees, overlooking a waterhole and open plain. Named after the founder of Hwange National Park and its first warden, Ted Davison, the camp’s extremely productive waterhole attracts a variety of plains game and predators. The camp also boasts a family room and a separate main area, comprising a lounge and dining room –offering a wonderful bush experience.

Overnight Classic Tented Camp Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Fly back to Victoria Falls Airport for onward arrangements

Return to Victoria Falls Airport by air for outbound flight or onward arrangements.

Adventurer Exploration Includes:

Accommodation on a per person sharing basis, all meals to the end of the scheduled safari, a reasonable amount of soft drinks, mineral water, fruit juice, house wine, and beer, as well as local spirits such as gin and Amarula while on safari, National Park fees, scheduled activities, guided tour of The Victoria Falls and all internal charters on a seat-rate basis.

Adventurer Exploration Excludes:

Flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary), visas, compulsory comprehensive insurance, all relevant entry and departure Government taxes, all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls, etc.), gratuities, laundry, optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours, all other travel arrangements pre and post the safari and any new Government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control.

Notes:

1. Please note that various policies apply to each safari in terms of age limits, the number of guests required/accommodated, arrival/departure times, luggage allowance, additional overnights required, etc. Please ensure that you are aware of these when booking a safari or contact us for further details.

2. If a single guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply.