-
8 Days from$2390 p/p in USD -
DeparturesApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Destinations
Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Tour Type
Guided, Small Group
Safari Standard
Budget, Camping
Tour Overview
Spoil yourself with a memorable visit to the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia, an undiscovered wildlife gem. Take a close look at game wandering in and out of the Zambezi River channels and enjoy this undeveloped park with its beautiful wilderness. Then cross the Zambezi River at the Chirundu border post into Zimbabwe. Head to Mana Pools National Park, a rewarding destination where you can delve deeper into Africa’s little known wilderness area. One of Africa’s greatest natural spectacles, Mana Pools attracts hordes of animals during the long, hot African summer, drawn by the abundance of water and lush grazing along its banks.
General Information
-
Safari types:Birding Safari, Camping Safari, Guided Safari, Walking Safari, Wildlife Safari
-
You will visit:Lower Zambezi National Park, Mana Pools National Park
-
Wildlife:Birds, Antelope, Zebra, Hippo, Crocodile, Giraffe, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Hyena, Impala
-
Activities:Game Drive, Game Viewing, Walking Safari, Canoe, Boat Cruise, Nature Walk, Sightseeing Tour, Optional Activities, Fishing
-
Getting around:Transfer Vehicle, 4x4 Vehicle, Overland Truck
-
Start/end:Start/end in Lusaka, Zambia
-
Minimum age:12
Style of Travel
The entire 8-day trip will be done in a comfortable overland safari 4×4 vehicle well equipped with all the required camping gear and other accessories. The tour will be supervised by a dedicated Tour Director. They will be assisted by a team of highly experienced Tour Guides, camp assistants and a chef to take care of your meals.
Note:
What to take with you:- -Mosquito and tsetse fly repellent -Binoculars, camera, guide books -More details will be given at the time of booking
Price Per Person – USD
From USD 2390 per person
What's Included
- Meals and full board accommodation while on safari
- Transfers to and from the airports
- A safari briefing at the start
- English-speaking guides and professional photographers
- Excursions and scheduled activities as per the itinerary
- Unlimited bottled drinking water while in our safari vehicle
What's Excluded
- International airfares
- International and domestic departure tax
- Laundry services
- Meals and excursions not included in the itinerary
- All alcoholic drinks
- Entry visas
- Travel and health insurance
Disclaimer
- This itinerary is owned and delivered by ‘Lochinvar and Nahubwe Safari Lodges‘
- All prices are ‘From’ and may vary at the time of booking
- Display price is usually based on two people sharing
- ‘Lochinvar and Nahubwe Safari Lodges‘ reserves the right to change the content and price of the itinerary
- All itineraries and services are subject to availability
Day by Day Overview
The tar road from Lusaka to Chirundu (D152/RD491 about 115 km) is an important commercial artery route that crosses the Zambian border and continues to Harare, Zimbabwe. So at most this road is always kept in good repair condition.
About 50 kms on D152 road from Lusaka, you will reach a small road-side town of Kafue (its name is derived from the Kafue River, one of Zambia’s major rivers). This town has no major things of interest worth a stop-over. Between Kafue and Chirundu, there are occasional craft stalls set up on the side of the road selling carved wooden animals, drums and other mementos. Just in case you wish to buy any of t these items, you may do so on the return trip to Lusaka.
Mineral water will be served during the journeys. Lunch and refreshments are provided on board en-route to Lower Zambezi.
About 200–300m from the Chirundu border, the unsignposted road to the Lower Zambezi branches east from the main road. We will head to Mukuyu Campsite in a Game Management Area (GMA) covering a distance of 50 km for an exciting camping excursion.
Time allowing, after checking-in at Mukuyu Campsite, you will stretch your legs by going for a short walk. You will experience the thrill of a walking closer to nature than ever before. If time will be short to go for a walk, you will be at liberty to explore the nearby surrounding green environment of Mukuyu Campsite.
18:00 pm: Evening relaxation
19:30 pm: Dinner
21:30 pm: Early sleep
05:10 am: Wake up
05:20 am – 05: 45 am: Morning breakfast
05:45 am – 05:55 am: Receive a short briefing by the Tour Director on some pertinent facts such as personal safety, required eco-tour practices and some important country information and social etiquette
06:00 am: Leave for a full day game viewing in Lower Zambezi National Park. Enjoy the morning and afternoon scheduled game activities, exploring by canoe/boat and game drive vehicle.
Temperatures of up to 38°C (100°F) or higher are quite common in the Lower Zambezi valley. It’s prominent feature are massive albida or winter-thorn trees (Faidherbia albida) which are foraged mostly by elephants. The apple ring acacia keeps the elephant herds alive during the fierce October-November dry season. These handsome trees paint a unique picturesque landscape which this park is famous for.
The Zambezi River basins provides the much needed relief from the scorching valley heat for a variety of wild animals for a frequent drink of water to cool off. Therefore, the game cruise will give you an exciting opportunity to view a variety of wild animals notably hippos, buffaloes and elephants among others. We will make many stops on the river whilst you continue enjoying viewing animals both on land and on the river. Lunch and refreshments will be provided whilst on this exciting tour.
05:10 am: Wakeup
05:20 am – 05: 45 am: Last sumptuous morning breakfast
06:00 am: Check-out and commence on the second phase of this exciting tour to Mana Pools National Park, the Jewel of Zimbabwe, a distance of about 260 kms. We will head to the Chirundu border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. You will do all the necessary immigration and customs clearance formalities before crossing over the bridge to the Zimbabwean side.
08:00 am: We will drive along the main Chirundu/Harare tarred road. About 40 kms from the Chirundu border we reach the bottom of the Zambezi escarpment, turn off the tarred road onto a 70 kilometre (43.5 mile) dirt road and travel towards Nyamepi Camp.
17:00 pm: Arrive at Mana Pools Camp situated in untouched wilderness in Mana Pools National Park. You will be at liberty to explore the surrounding camp bushes before the sun set.
Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe is known as a place with no crowds, where walking safaris are preferred and elephants rule the wilderness. The park also provides excellent sightings of large herds of buffalo, eland, zebra, baboon and waterbuck. The game is very relaxed about people on foot, making Mana Pools one of Africa’s best national parks for walking safaris. There are big elephant herds in the region as well as buffaloes in large numbers, not to mention the predators that depend on them while hippos and Nile crocodiles gather in the river.
18:00 pm: Evening relaxation around a camp fire
19:30 pm: Dinner
21:30 pm: Good night sleep
You will experience a pure African wilderness in Mana Pools National Park which is rated the fifth best park in Africa. Enjoy morning and afternoon activities, including game drives, walking safaris, canoeing an, fishing interspersed over two days. The camp’s close proximity to water means plenty wildlife at close range to view. It is here that you can experience an ‘armchair safari’ where often the best wildlife viewing is experienced while you are relaxing in camp.
The following are some of the main activities that you will undertake in Mana Pools National Park, should conditions and weather patterns permit.
Walking Safaris
Mana Pools National Park offers unique unguided walks in the wilderness, seeing nature at its best. A walking safari will provide an incredible experience for you to be able to walk through the African bush on foot with a guide and view animals only a few metres away.
Canoe Safaris
Due to the abundance of water in the area, a canoe safari is used as one of the best ways in which to view wildlife as you canoe down the Zambezi River.
Fishing
Opportunity and time available, you will fish in the Zambezi River and experience the excitement of hooking large fish for the pot. Half of the joy is experiencing the quiet, solitude and beauty of the unspoiled bush around you.
Curio Shopping
There are quality souvenirs that you may buy at the Nyakasikana entrance gate and most of them are Mana Pools branded.
Wilderness Trails
These walking safaris are offered only at full moon, a rare and exclusive activity in a park.
IBA – Important Bird Area
Mana Pools National Park is also an Important Bird Area (IBA) with more than 350 bird species. Its banks flutter with goliath herons, Egyptian and spurwing geese, cormorants, storks, brilliantly coloured bee-eaters, and kingfishers. You will experience the highlights of a bird watching safari concentrated along the same Zambezi riverine frontage without fighting the peak season crowd common in other national parks!
18:00 pm: Evening relaxation around a camp fire
19:30 pm: Dinner
21:30 pm: Good night sleep
05:30 am: Morning wake up and breakfast
06:30am – 12:30pm: Travel to and arrive in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia
12:40 pm – 13:30 pm: Check-in in at a good tourism accommodation facility and enjoy a meal
13:30pm – 15:00 pm: Take a rest
15:00 pm – 17:00 pm: Visit one or two of the prominent shopping malls in Lusaka
18:00 pm: Evening relaxation
19:30 pm: Dinner
21:30 pm: Early sleep
0530 am: Wake up and have breakfast
06:00 am: Transferred to Lusaka International Airport (Kenneth Kaunda) to board your return flight home.
