Safaris

Zambia Explorer

Small group safari into the wilderness along the Luangwa, Kafue & Zambezi rivers

Reiseübersicht

Camping safari for experienced Africa enthusiasts to Zambia's 3 major national parks
7-day expedition through the Luangwa Valley – South & North Luangwa National Park
3-day exploration of Kafue National Park / Busanga Plains
Rich wildlife & walking safaris off the beaten track

Reisedetails

  • Tourcharakter
  • Reiseverlauf
  • Leistungen/Termine/Preise
  • Buchung

On this safari off the beaten track, we experience a truly authentic Africa in almost untouched wilderness. This challenging expedition, led by an English-speaking team of safari guide and cook, traverses the entire Luangwa Valley and demands a deep respect from each participant for local customs and the unpredictable nature of the weather. Our specially equipped 4x4 safari vehicles and onboard camping equipment ensure flexibility and self-sufficiency. Most nights are spent in spacious dome tents at nature-based camps with showers and toilets. Participants bring their own sleeping bags and sleeping mats. Meals are prepared in an expedition style by a cook in our mobile bush kitchen.

Requirements & notes
This tour has an expeditionary character. The detailed itinerary may change on-site due to local conditions (weather, roads, authorities, the African concept of time, unforeseen events). Flexibility, team spirit, and a willingness to support your tour guide in difficult situations are indispensable on this tour! Please bear in mind that you will be traveling through regions that are rarely visited or even undeveloped by tourists and are NOT comparable to East or South Africa. Some areas can only be visited during the dry season.

The accommodations, especially the campsites and their sanitary facilities, are sometimes very basic. Power outages and temporary water shortages are possible. Depending on the time of year, good heat tolerance is required. Participants should also be prepared to forgo some comforts on sometimes very long journeys and have an interest in and tolerance for other cultures.

The "Zambia Explorer" is an active, participatory safari. Participants' support with all tasks, such as loading and unloading the vehicle, helping with meal preparation, washing up, tidying up, etc., contributes significantly to the success of the trip. The tour leader or cook takes care of shopping and preparing all included meals. Lunch is picnic-style, and dinner is usually eaten around a campfire.

1 Arrival Lusaka
Arrival at Pioneer Camp, a peacefully situated lodge in a green setting on the outskirts of Lusaka. Travel time approx. 30 min.
1 night in a 3-star lodge

2-5 Flight to Mfuwe / Nsefu Sector / Luambe & North Luangwa National Park
Transfer to Lusaka Airport and flight (not included in the tour price) to Mfuwe – gateway to South Luangwa National Park.
From there, we travel directly to our first tented camp, located either south or north of the Nsefu sector. Our expedition into the Luangwa Valley begins. We will enjoy extensive wildlife viewing in the area east of the Luangwa River. Travel time approx. 2 hours.
At a leisurely pace and prepared to encounter the occasional obstacle, we make our way north along rocky 4x4 tracks and sandy trails. The crossing of the Lukusuzi and Lundazi Rivers during our traverse of Luambe National Park will be particularly exciting. This route is only accessible with our specially equipped 4x4 vehicles. A major highlight of this Zambian journey is undoubtedly North Luangwa National Park. Situated at the foot of the steep Muchinga Escarpment, the over 4,000 km² North Luangwa National Park provides vital habitat for a multitude of wildlife. Large herds of buffalo, wild dogs, elephants, zebras, various antelope species, big cats, and much more inhabit this remote region, which is extremely rarely visited by tourists. In addition to safari drives, we will also undertake a walking safari. An experienced ranger will accompany us, explaining fascinating facts about the wildlife, both large and small, as well as the plants that grow here and their importance to the ecosystem. Our camp is situated in a secluded location on the banks of the Luangwa River, offering a unique "Out of Africa" ​​experience. Travel time approx. 6 hours.
4 nights in tents at different camps (B/P/D)

6-8 South Luangwa National Park
The density of wildlife in and around the Luangwa River is among the highest in all of Africa. The vast lagoons and treeless plains are home to elephants, giraffes, baboons, leopards, buffalo, zebras, crocodiles, hippos, a rich variety of birdlife, and much more. Huge colonies of scarlet bee-eaters overwinter in burrows they dig into the sandy banks of the river. We spend three days in the park discovering the diverse wildlife along the scenic and wild Luangwa. We undertake several game drives, both during the day and at night, when the chances of spotting a leopard are particularly high. Overnight stay in a camp also frequented by elephants, who come to feast on the fruit of the marula trees. Travel time approx. 8 hours.
3 nights in a lodge / tented camp (B/P/D)

9-10 Lusaka
Early in the morning, we return to Lusaka via the Great East Road. Travel time approx. 10-11 hours.
Towards evening, our hosts at the lodge await us with a delicious dinner. Many exciting and very interesting days lie behind us. Over a sundowner, we reminisce about the adventures we've experienced and look forward to the challenges that still lie ahead.
Day 10: Time for a visit to the Elephant Sanctuary, souvenir shopping, or simply relaxing by the beautiful pool. We also restock our supplies for the second part of our wilderness journey.
2 nights in a 3-star lodge (B/P/D)

11-13 Kafue National Park / Busanga Plains / Chunga-Area & Itezhi-Tezhi Lake
With an area of ​​22,400 km², Kafue National Park is half the size of Switzerland and one of the largest protected areas in the world. Located on the edge of the Kalahari Desert and traversed by the Kafue River, it boasts a wide range of vegetation zones: from savannahs and miombo woodlands to dense mixed deciduous forests. Here you'll find Zambia's greatest biodiversity, offering excellent opportunities to observe lions, cheetahs, and wild dogs, which we'll track on full-day game drives between Lufupu and the Busanga Plains. After approx. 6 hours, we'll reach the northern part of Kafue National Park. From there, it's about another 1.5 hours to the Busanga Plains.
3 nights in tents (B/P/D)

Alternatively (depending on the season), we will focus on the central Chunga area and the southern part of the park. Monitor lizards, crocodiles, water birds, and even elephants can be found along the riverbanks or at the lagoons. In the afternoon, we will take an extensive boat safari on the Kafue River. We will reach the Itezhi-Tezhi Reservoir via the so-called Spinal Road. In the warm light of the sunset, hippos, zebras, and numerous water birds against a backdrop of skeletal trees offer unparalleled photo opportunities. Here our expedition ends, and we leave Kafue National Park. Travel time approx. 4-6 hours.
3 nights in tents at different camps (B/P/D)

14 Lusaka
After a final morning game drive, we return to Lusaka and conclude our expedition with a traditional dinner or braai. Travel time approx. 5-7 hours.
1 night in a 3-star lodge (B/P/D)

15 Departure
After eventful weeks in the diverse national parks of Zambia, today is the return flight.
 

Optional extensions on request

e.g. to the Lower Zambezi National Park

Leistungen

Tour Management
English-speaking WILD DOGS tour guide
in a team with local, English-speaking guides, driver, and cook

Activities / Other Services
7-day Luangwa expedition
2 walking safaris in Luangwa National Park
Night game drive in South Luangwa National Park
3 days in Kafue National Park or Busanga Plains (depending on the season)
Boat trip in Kafue National Park
All game drives in National Parks
Camping equipment
All permits, entrance fees, and national park fees

Accommodation
4 nights in a 3-star lodge in Lusaka
3 nights in a 2-3 star lodges / tented camps on the Luangwa River
7 nights in tents

Meals
14 breakfasts, 13 picnic lunches, 14 dinners

Transportation
All game drives and overland journeys in special 4x4 safari vehicles
with pop-up roof and guaranteed window seat

Optional Services
Domestic flight Lusaka – Mfuwe: approx. €330
Scheduled flights from approx. €1,200 depending on departure airport, booking date, travel dates, and airline
Extension programs
 

Participants

Min. 5 / Max. 13
 

Termine

2026
30 May – 13 June
27 June – 11 July
25 July – 8 August
22 August – 5 September
19 September – 3 October
17 October – 31 October
 

Preise

2026: 15-day land program from/to Lusaka: €3,890

Single room supplement: €350
Single tent supplement: €100