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ZAMBIA SAFARIS

Zambia-Overview

               (inset) ........ undoubtedly one of the most beatiful sceneries in the world, The Niagara falls

Although to many it may seam that Zambia is the 'New' safari destination, Zambia has long been recognised as 'the real Africa' by the seasoned safari traveller for many years and justly so. There are many well established and very professional safari operators who have had many years of experience in the 'High end' luxury safari business. Zambia is now becoming more recognised world wide as a destination having received a lot of very positive press as the National Economy has stabilised and is growing with fifteen years of democratic political rule. This has attracted new investors into the Safari business and there is a steady increase in destinations available to the safari traveller, which in turn is leading to positive growth of tourism and funding for conservation efforts.

Capital City: Lusaka
Main Towns: Livingstone, Ndola, Kitwe. Population: 9.2 million
Area: 752,610 sq.km
Independence: 24th October 1964
National Parks: 19
Currency: Kwacha
Politics: Free Democracy
Time: GMT+2hrs
Religions: Christian, Animist
Tribes: 74
Principal Languages: English, Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja other Bantu dialects

Zambia is home to world-class game reserves, lush floodplains, verdant woodlands and the world’s largest waterfall – the Victoria Falls – which Zambia shares with its neighbour Zimbabwe. A land of spellbinding natural scenery, Zambia covers 750 000 sq kms and sits on a plateau averaging 1300 metres above sea level.

The Victoria Falls is a primary tourism draw card to Zambia. The town of Livingstone is situated about 10 kms from the magnificent Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. The Livingstone Museum is the national museum of Zambia and traces the history of man in Zambia. The Victoria Falls Field Museum stands on an archaeological site and displays stone tools from some 2.5 million years ago. The Maramba Cultural Village and Mukuni Victoria Falls Craft Village both provide an interesting look at culture in Zambia and display arts, crafts and carvings, highlighting the rich culture to be found in Zambia.

Zambia offers a wide variety of adventure travel activities including kayaking, canoeing, micro lighting, river rafting and a wilderness walking vacation. The Victoria Falls in Zambia provides a haven for adventure travel enthusiasts. River rafting is a major attraction and river rafting specialists arrange a variety of river rafting options including half-day river rafting, full-day river rafting and varying degrees of river rafting, ranging from more sedate river rafting to totally extreme river rafting! The Lower Zambezi area of Zambia is popular for fishing, canoeing, river rafting and provides for an excellent walking vacation. A walking vacation in Zambia has becoming increasingly popular as a walking vacation allows one to truly savour the African wilderness on foot, letting the senses flow.

There are 19 national parks in Zambia! The most frequented parks in Zambia are the North and South Luangwa National Parks, the Lower Zambezi National Park and the Kafue National Park.

The Kafue National Park is one of the oldest wildlife reserves in Zambia and one of the largest in Africa. A profusion of wildlife including elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, buffalo, roan, sable and a wide variety of other antelope can be sighted regularly. Bird life is extensive and rich in variety. Most of the safari lodges in Kafue will tailor make an African safari, walking vacation or both.

The Luangwa Valley is named after the Luangwa River which flows from Tanzania into Zambia where it joins the Zambezi. The valley is home to the North and South Luangwa National Parks. With a combined area of 20 000 sq kms, the two parks encompass a raw wilderness of abundance and diversity. The valley is home to over 50 mammal species; predators are common; buffalo and elephants abundant and hippo choke the river in vast numbers. Over 400 bird species have been recorded. Walking safaris and an African walking vacation were pioneered in the Luangwa Valley, enabling the tourist to hike through the park on foot, guided by a local tracker. Nights are spent listening to the sounds of the wild whilst camping under the stars. The increasing popularity of a walking vacation in Luangwa has culminated in purpose-built walking vacation fly-camps being erected, and has also given rise to a number of walking vacation specialists who will tailor make a walking vacation ranging from two days to weeks.

While most tourists to Zambia only visit the Victoria Falls and surrounding areas, an exciting and interesting country lies beyond, waiting to be discovered.......by you !

ITINERARIES (see also: Zambia Tanzania Combination Safaris)

  Remember, we create individual, tailor-made itineraries so please don’t feel you have to stick to the following. It is just one example of the many trips we can arrange in Namibia.

Day 1
A long drive today, making use of the Trans Kalahari Highway, a relatively new road that provides an invaluable communication link between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The road takes us first to the small town of Gobabis, one of the main livestock farming centres of Namibia, and then on to the border with Botswana.

After completing the immigration formalities we continue, through rural Botswana to the town of Ghanzi, located in the centre of cattle farming Botswana. Ghanzi is located almost in the middle of the Kalahari Desert and was almost unknown before the Trans Kalahari Highway.

Driving time: approx. 7.5 hrs. (600 km).

Overnight: Camping/Communal ablutions. Lunch and Dinner.

 Day 2

An early start and a quick stop in Ghanzi to collect any last minute supplies before continuing west, traversing the linear dunes of the Kalahari and passing through small towns along the way.

A change in vegetation heralds our arrival on the very western edge of one of the natural wonders of the world, the Okavango Delta. Here we turn north for some way before again pointing our wheels west as we enter the Delta proper. We see our first glimpse of the crystal waters through the lush vegetation and we make our camp on the banks of a pristine African lagoon.

Driving time approx. 6hrs. (450 km).

Overnight: Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

 Day 3

 We are in the territory of the River People, so this morning we leave our vehicle behind and travel in a more appropriate fashion, first by motor-boat and then by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), deep into the Delta.

Mokoro's will be our main form of transport for the next two days. These amazing traditional craft are perfectly designed for the narrow waterways of the Okavango and allow us to travel further into the Delta than if we were using more modern forms of transport. Mokoros carry three people, two seated passengers and one driver. The driver stands in the rear of the canoe, (a real feat of balance), and uses a long wooden pole to propel and steer the mokoro through the twisting channels. It really is the only way to travel.

Back to camp in the late afternoon for another night by the Okavango waters.

Overnight: Guma Camp.Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

 Day 4

Back on the road today, destination Namibia. Passport formalities completed we go directly into the Mahango Game Reserve, a small but excellent park right on the edge of the Okavango River. We game drive our way through Mahango and have the chance to spot rarely seen Namibian species such as roan the majestic sable antelope.

Our camp for tonight is just outside the Game Reserve, and we are again beside the Okavango, but this time the main river, on its journey from the Angolan highlands, through the pan handle to waters end, the delta.

Driving time approx. 4 hrs. (350 km).

Overnight: Camping/Communal ablutionsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 5
The Caprivi Strip is a long narrow stretch of territory running along the Botswana's northern border. It is a landscape of broadleaf forest with many small communities dotted along our route. The locals in this area are the Kavango people and we make a cultural visit to a local community. The people here have taken the initiative to establish a traditional "kraal" which will be opened for us and we will give a guided tour.

We have the chance to gain a significant insight into the local customs and culture, including demonstrations of traditional medicine and superstition.

From here it is only a short drive to our camp for the night, also operated as a community project, located on the banks of the Kwando River in a beautifull setting. There is a craft market nearby where you can shop for truly Namibian souvenirs.

Driving time approx. 3 hrs. (200km).

Overnight: Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 6
We finish our long transit of the Caprivi region this morning when we arrive in Namibia's easternmost town, Katima Mulilo. A short break here before crossing back across the border into Botswana. The road takes us directly into the world famous Chobe National Park. Chobe has the world's largest population of African Elephants and the chances of seeing some big game are very good as we transit through the park to the small town of Kasane. We make camp in the grounds of a local lodge, right on the banks for the Chobe River. Time to relax in the afternoon before joining a river boat cruise, back into the park. From the boat we will have the chance to see a huge amount of wild game, both on the river banks and in the waters swirling around us.

Crocodiles and hippos abound in the forbidding Chobe River and on the land side there is often a kaleidoscope of different antelope and species such as elephant, buffalo and even the Big Cats come to the river banks for their sundowner drink. The Chobe River provides a very broad habitat for bird life and it is possible to see many beautifull species of our feathered friends.Driving time approx. 4hrs. (300km). Overnight: Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

 Day 7
Another border crossing today, we drive out of Kasane to Kazangula ferry depot and complete our Botswanan exit formalities. We cross the Chobe on the local ferry boat, enter Zambia and from here it is a short drive to the town of Livingstone. Named after the famous British missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone, the town is a bustling African centre. We make our camp on the banks of the Zambezi River and have time to explore the town and to visit the might Victoria Falls.

The views of the waterfall from the Zambian bank are fantastic, there are many small paths and lookout points to explore.

This afternoon your guide will help you organise the many optional activities available in Livingstone. These include white water rafting, bungi jumping, other excursions on the river and scenic flights to mention but a few.

Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant at the client's own expense.

NB: All extra activities are subject to availability and are done at the clients own risk and expense.

Driving time approx. 2hrs. (100km).

Overnight: Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast and Lunch.

 Day 8
After breakfast the safari is finished. Your guide will be able to offer advice on other travel plans you have in this region. We pack up our campsite.

For clients transferring back to Windhoek tomorrow this is a free day for you to explore the area or to take part in optional activities. Lunch and dinner are not included in the price of the trip. Your guide will arrange a time to collect you for the return journey in the morning.

Overnight: Breakfast.

 Day 9
An early start and a long drive. We are in transit only and will not be stopping to take in the sights along the way. We will traverse the Caprivi Strip and will spend the night near the small town of Rundu in northern Namibia.

We camp in the grounds of a lodge on the banks for the Okavango River, looking into Angola on the far river bank.

Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge and is included in the price.

Driving time approx. 9 hrs. (700km).

Overnight: Communal ablutions/camping. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 10
Another early start and another long drive. We head south through Kavango Province, down through the towns of Grootfontien, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja before reaching our final destination, Windhoek.
There will be stops at some of the local woodcarving stalls as well as the market at Okahandja before arriving in the city.

You will be dropped off at your accommodation.

Driving time approx. 10hrs. (800km).