8 Days Walking Safari, Cultural Experience & Canoe Safari : This itinerary features South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi. You will explore the wildlife safari, immerse yourself in a rich cultural experience at Kawaza Village, and enjoy world-class water-based activities in the Zambezi Valley.
Day 1 : Flight from Lusaka Airport to Mfuwe Airport
Upon your arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International (LUN) in Lusaka, Zambia, our representative will be there to assist you with the check-in process for your local connecting flight to Mfuwe Airport in South Luangwa National Park.
A representative from Zikomo Safari Camp will greet you at Mfuwe Airport and take you to the Camp for the initial two nights of your incredible Zambian safari. Arrive and relax; dinner will be available later, and you can choose your own bedtime.
Day 2 : Explore South Luangwa NP, Nsefu Sector
Your day will start with a delightful breakfast at 6:00 a.m. by the campfire in the Boma area. Afterward, you will set off for your morning game viewing activity, which may include either a game drive safari or a walking safari. There will be a pause for coffee or tea along with a snack break, after which you will resume your exploration of the incredible wildlife in the Luangwa Valley.
Afterward, you will head back to the camp just in time for lunch and some leisure time to relax. You can choose to nap, stroll around the camp, take a dip in the pool, or enjoy a game of backgammon in the lounge. In the afternoon, you will enjoy African tea or coffee accompanied by cakes before embarking on an afternoon or evening drive. During this drive, there will be a pause to take in the sunset while savoring sundowner drinks and snacks. Afterward, the journey will continue into the night, providing an opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife, including the elusive leopard, a pride of lions, or a pack of wild dogs. You will return to camp in time for dinner and bedtime.
Day 3: Game Viewing / Kawaza Cultural Village
Breakfast is ready, and afterward, you will set off for a morning game drive safari in South Luangwa National Park. At some point during your safari, you will pause for tea, and after approximately 4 hours, you will head back to the camp, check out, and be taken to Kawaza Village for a cultural and traditional experience.
This offers you a genuine glimpse into Kunda life. This is an exhilarating journey; it offers an authentic glimpse into the life of an African village!
Upon your arrival at Kawaza village, you will be welcomed by the village guide, who also serves as the tourism project manager. He will check you into the traditional rooms, constructed from mud and featuring a thatched grass roof. Afterward, lunch will be served, offering a wonderful chance to explore some traditional dishes.
After lunch, you will meet some of the villagers and be invited to choose which activities you would like to engage in. You will receive an extensive tour of the school and its facilities, which will be followed by a visit to the local clinic. Following that, you will embark on a tour of the village, allowing you to engage and interact with the locals. Time permitting, you will also have the chance to meet a local healer, who will share insights on the numerous therapeutic benefits of herbs and traditional healing practices.
Guests are invited to engage in daily village activities such as brewing local beer, grinding corn, fetching water from the well, and picking maize in the fields to fully immerse themselves in an authentic African experience.
In the evening, dinner will be served in a traditional manner, accompanied by entertainment from the villagers featuring dances, drumming, and theatre. The finest storytellers will share the timeless, dramatic Kunda tales with everyone gathered around the fire. When you feel inclined, make your way to your bed.
Day 4 : Village Experience / Zikomo Safari Camp
In Kawaza Village, breakfast is served in a traditional way; savor the flavor. Afterward, based on the day’s plans, you will engage in traditional experiential activities like drawing water, grinding grain, or producing local beverages.
After finishing the activities, our guide will collect you and take you to Zikomo Safari Camp, where you will spend your final night in South Luangwa NP, arriving just in time for lunch. Once you have checked in, you will have some time to relax. Tea or coffee is served later in the afternoon, just before the afternoon or evening game drive safari. Alternatively, you can relax at the lodge and take advantage of the amenities, such as the swimming pool. Dinner will be served later in the evening, and you may retire to bed at your convenience.
Day 5: South Luangwa / Lower Zambezi Valley
On this day, a delightful breakfast awaits you, followed by the choice of engaging in a morning game viewing activity or heading straight to the airport after your meal, based on your departure time to Lusaka.
Upon your arrival at Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, our driver will welcome you and take you on a scenic transfer to Kiambi Safari Lodge in the Lower Zambezi Valley. The journey will take approximately 3 hours, and depending on your arrival time, you will check in before enjoying a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon, you will embark on a two-hour Sunset Boat Cruise, returning to the lodge before nightfall to unwind a bit before dinner. Take in the stunning view of the Zambezi River while sipping on a few cocktails from the bar before heading to your room at your own pace.
Day 6 : Overnight Canoe Safari, Lower Zambezi
Breakfast is available at 07h30, after which your canoeing guide will provide a briefing on the canoeing excursion, including information on dangerous animals, safety precautions for the river and campsites, as well as canoeing techniques.
The journey commences at the jetty and flows along the river. A tea stop is arranged, facilitated by the backup boat. Afterward, there will be a break for lunch, which will be supplied by the backup boat. Following lunch, you continue your journey downriver.
The backup boat proceeds to the designated location to establish the camp. We reach Buffalo Beans Campsite, situated on an island, in the late afternoon. Upon your arrival, you will find tents, bedrolls, washrooms, a drop toilet, and a bucket shower facility all prepared for your convenience. We always provide dinner, along with fresh drinking water and juice.
Day 7 : Back to Kiambi Safari Lodge
Today at approximately 07:30 am, you will enjoy breakfast prepared over the fire, a delightful experience before departing for the river around 09:00 am with the backup motorboat. There is a possibility of making a stop to visit a local village along the banks of the Zambezi. Explore the school, browse the shops, and experience the local way of life. Your arrival at Kiambi Safari Lodge will coincide with lunch, providing you with an opportunity to unwind and enjoy the facilities at your leisure.
In the afternoon, you will have the choice of either embarking on a sunset boat cruise or remaining at the lodge to enjoy your leisure time. The evening meal is presented, followed by the time for rest.
Day 8: Departure
Today, you will enjoy breakfast, check out at a designated time, and be transferred from the Lower Zambezi to Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport to connect with your international flight back home.
End of 8 Days Walking Safari, Cultural Experience & Canoe Safari
