The
Great Zambia Journey - Zambia Safari
Vintage lodges and fully
serviced Discoverer camping in private concession areas - 6 nights
/ 7 days
Kafue National Park, Zambia’s
largest protected area, is easily accessible from Livingstone
and Lusaka. It extends over 22 400 square kilometres and is
roughly the size of Wales. This enormous and little-developed
pristine wilderness area is home to an impressive variety of
big game including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo
and hippo. In addition, the Kafue conserves some fascinating
species of special interest including Lichtenstein’s
hartebeest, sable, roan, puku, the diminutive oribi, and, incredibly,
lechwe in their thousands. Boasting almost 500 recorded bird
species, Kafue is truly a diverse African National Park.
The
spectacular Busanga Plains in the north of the park is a vast
flat expanse and forms one of Zambia’s most significant
wetland resources. This enormous watery wilderness, flooded
in the wet season (mid-December to end May) by several rivers
and tributaries covers an enormous 750 square kilometres. After
the rains the floods reach their height from March to May,
and large pods of hippo are stranded in the shallow pools that
are left as the water recedes in the dry season.
Kafue, combined
with the cascading waters of the thundering Victoria Falls
(one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World) creates a short
diverse itinerary that is perfectly suited for tailored
extensions to Cape
Town, Botswana, Luangwa and Malawi.
Experience a nostalgic,
old-style, luxury serviced camping / lodge safari that recreates
the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times
of the great African explorers in the vast Kafue National Park.
The
style of accommodation in the private Busanga Bush Camp (Discoverer)
takes you back to the era of Africa’s exploration.
A small camp set up on ground level and surrounded for hundreds
of square kilometres by pure wilderness and privacy creates
a unique experience. The camp is furnished with pure linens of
cotton, hot showers and en-suite bathrooms, all adding to the unique
atmosphere with simple style and a rich evening camp fire setting.
Discoverer
styled camping aims to bring the guest closer to nature, by
means of a lively camp fire and hurricane lanterns. Wide-ranging
activities complement the comfort and added luxury of the lodges
visited. Discoverer Camps are specifically outfitted to ensure
that traditional camping feel with a clear emphasis on necessary
and stylish comfortable interiors, creating a peerless wilderness
experience.
KAFUE HABITATS & GAMEVIEWING
The northern sector of Kafue is
remote, wild and diverse with vast tracts
of pristine ‘pure wilderness’. The team who
initially visited the area came back raving about the
wilderness aspect (‘The wildest area I’ve
ever seen’ according to Keith Vincent) and
also the diversity of the region.
The Lunga River in
the east is a permanent tributary of the Kafue River
and beyond its narrow strip of riverine forest the landscape
is patterned with broad-leafed woodland, open plains,
floodplains and island thickets. In the north west of
Kafue the Busanga Plains is a vast savannah of seasonally
inundated grasslands dotted with riverine islands and
areas of broad-leafed woodland.
Birdlife is
abundant and includes many species that do not occur
elsewhere in southern Africa. Zambia’s single endemic
species, Chaplin’s Barbet, does occur, but the
thrill is to be found in the diversity and abundance
with nearly 500 species recorded and good concentrations
of species such as Wattled Crane (Zambia contains more
than half the world’s population) and various pelicans,
storks and herons. Other specials of the plains are Locust
Finch, Rosy-throated and Fülleborn’s Longclaws,
Kori and Denham’s Bustards, while birds of the
woodland and riverine areas include Ross’s Turaco,
Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Pale-billed Hornbill, Miombo
Pied Barbet and Red-capped Crombec.
Mammals are
equally diverse and aside from the high profile species,
such as Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Cheetah,
commonly seen in countries like Botswana and Zimbabwe,
a number of other species, not readily encountered further
south are often seen. Chief among these are Puku, Defassa
Waterbuck and Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest with rarer
species such as Oribi and Roan regularly encountered.
A further unusual species for those accustomed to game
viewing further south is the Tree Hyrax – a small
population of which is resident in the camp at Lunga,
their calls echoing through the camp at night.
This notwithstanding,
it is the high profile species that most guests are after
and in this regard Kafue certainly delivers the goods!
Good Lion and fantastic Cheetah (some of the best in
Africa) sightings are common, Leopard viewing is a regular
highlight, Wild Dogs are occasionally seen, Elephant
and Buffalo sightings are excellent, and there are abundant
Hippo and good numbers of plains game such as Zebra and
Wildebeest.
The game viewing experience
of Kafue is not the wooded savannah of the South African
lowveld, the woodland and floodplain of northern Botswana,
the broad-leafed woodland of Hwange or the Albida woodlands
of Mana Pools, rather it is a combination of all of these
and is well suited to itineraries which include any of
these destinations or indeed Zambia alone. |
Guides: The entire safari
is guided and hosted by professional trained guides, who share
their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.
Exclusive
experience: There is an 8 sq. km zone around our private camps.
As the area in which we operate is a public, there is a small
chance outside this zone to encounter other guests. Busanga
Bush Camp is private and for the use of Exploration travelers
only, while River
Club and Lunga River Lodge are open to all
Wilderness Safaris guests.
Routes: To maximize
guests’ travel
time, a variety of travel modes that bring out the best of
each area is used: flying in charters and private overland
transfers which provide both a bird’s-eye view and an
in-depth visual experience of the contrasting landscapes of
Zambia.
Seasonality: We believe
that to truly enjoy an amazing journey in the Kafue, you will
need three nights in Busanga. Due to the immense diversity
of habitat and associated experiences, from riparian forest,
broad-leafed and Miombo woodlands (around the Lunga River Lodge
to the open plains of Busanga), each camp and guide can take
ample time to clearly showcase these highlights.
Safari Style: Discoverer |
|
For
2008: This safari is cancelled for 2008; however, we can put together this same itinerary upon request. Call for pricing.
|
DAY 1;
(1 Night)
RIVER CLUB, Livingstone  Jump
to River
Club
|
 On
arrival in Livingstone you are met by a Wilderness representative
and transferred to The River Club. Your guide will meet you
in the reception area at approximately 18h00 for a safari briefing
and welcome drink.
The River Club is situated
on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, 18 kilometres upstream
from Victoria Falls. The camp has a distinct Edwardian flavor
and guests here have the opportunity from here to travel a
short distance to enjoy the sights and sounds of Victoria Falls
and the Zambezi River in a peaceful and tranquil setting away
from the crowds.
Ten luxurious, thatched chalets
overlook the Zambezi River, and have en-suite facilities including
a bath, shower, toilet and basin. All the rooms have fans.
The rooms are all completely open in the front giving guests
the best possible views of the Zambezi. The main dining room
and lounge also has an interesting library.
The Zambezi National Park
is located just across the river, and elephants are often seen
on the riverbank. A rich bird life is found in the area. Hippos
are regularly sighted (and heard) along the river’s edge.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the seven
Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 metres wide, it is the
largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100
metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge. Boating to the Zambezi
River’s islands
provides relaxed afternoon activities, and fishing and sundowner
trips are offered. |
DAY 2 - 3;
(2 Nights)
LUNGA RIVER LODGE, Lunga River, northern
Kafue Jump
to Lunga
River Lodge
|
 Located
on a raised bank of the Lunga River and within lush riparian
bush each of Lunga River Lodge’s six well-appointed thatched
roof chalets share a brilliant vantage point over the river’s
meandering channel. Each room is stylishly furnished (with minimalist
touches) and includes an en suite shower, flush toilet and vanity
basin. Lighting is by 12v lamps, candles and kerosene lamps.
Activities
through the Miombo woodland, riverine forest and grasslands include
day and night game drives in open Land Rovers, walks, canoe trips,
river cruises and possibly bream fishing. |
DAYS 4 - 6;
(3 Nights)
BUSANGA BUSH CAMP, Busanga
floodplain, North-western Kafue Jump
to Busanga
Bush Camp
|
 Busanga
Bush Camp is located deep inside the wildlife haven of the Busanga
Plains. Placed under the large thorn trees of a small tree island,
the camp features superb views of the flat game-rich plains that
surround it.
Accommodation is in four canvas
mini-chalets with thatched roofs and en suite hot and cold shower,
flush toilet, and basin. Each room has a wooded feel, with reed
blinds, teak wooden chairs and a wooden bed frame surrounded
by a mosquito net. A large canopy tent, bar and lounge provides
a perfect ambience to make friends and share stories around the
campfire. Floodplain, grassland and woodland islands comprise
a habitat suited to extended game drives, by day and night. |
DAY 7
End of Safari
|
After a morning
activity our safari ends at the airstrip. Due to guests combining
Kafue with various other destinations, our safari ends at the
Lunga airstrip, allowing our guests the flexibility to tailor
their onward arrangements.
|
NOTE: THIS
ITINERARY IS AVAILABLE ON FLEXIBLE DATES AND ITINERARIES, FOR TAILOR-MADE
TRIPS FOR SMALL GROUPS.
NOTE: THIS SAFARI
ALSO RUNS IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION (BUSANGA TO LIVINGSTONE).
SAFARI NOTES:
• Each departure is guaranteed from a minimum
of 2 confirmed guests, with a maximum of 8 guests per safari.
• Children from the age of 12 are welcome on all scheduled
departures. For groups with children under 12, we recommend a
private tailor-made safari, on request. For guests over the age
of 75, a certified medical certificate of full health must be
provided.
• Luggage limitation of 20 kgs per person in a soft bag. This limit includes camera equipment and hand luggage. Passengers weighing more than 100kg (220 lbs) must please advise us in advance, as an extra seat will then have to be costed into the package for safety purposes.
• Due to situations beyond our control, a substitute a lodge or location
of comparable quality may be used on the safari. This will be advised timeously.
• We gladly arrange competitively priced flexible tailor-made departures,
subject to availability of space.
• If a 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. No triple rooms
are accepted.
• Please note that all scheduled Exploration safaris operate with a minimum
of two guests. Should all other bookings on an Exploration cancel or that there
is only a single guest booked, we will convert the booking to an FIT package,
which is in all likelihood subject to a higher price.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals and drinks (except premium
brands), national park fees, laundry (except River Club and Lunga),
activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed
itinerary.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary), flight
taxes (US$25.00 per person payable on departure for international flights
and U$8.00 per person payable on departure for internal flights), visas,
compulsory insurance, all relevant entry and departure government taxes,
all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls
etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities and all pre and post safari
tours, meals and accommodation.
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Safari Packages
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