This was a wonderful introduction to the beauty and spirit of Zambia, and I highly recommend Absolute Zambia Safaris and thank Robert for making this adventure possible to anyone considering a tailor-made safari adventure in this incredible country.
Zambia's Animal Kingdom
Thirteen-day private safari across Kafue, South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi
Zambia doesn't have the infrastructure of Kenya or the marketing budget of Tanzania. But it does have space – and lots of it.
Kafue is one of the largest national parks in Africa and sees a fraction of the visitors. South Luangwa is where the walking safari was invented - and still does it better than anywhere else. The Lower Zambezi puts you on the water in a national park that most safari-goers have never heard of.
We recommend Absolute Zambia Safaris because in a destination where itinerary design and local relationships matter this much, Robert and his team - based in Chipata, on the doorstep of South Luangwa - are exactly who you want planning your trip.
This 13-day private circuit covers all three wilderness areas without rushing any of them: four nights in Kafue, four in South Luangwa with walking safaris and night drives, and three on the Lower Zambezi with canoe safaris and game drives in the national park.
The itinerary below is a starting point. Get in touch to discuss your options.
Good to know
- Kafue, South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
- Walking safaris and night drives
- Canoe safari on the Zambezi
Duration
13 days
Price
$4,654 pp
This was a wonderful introduction to the beauty and spirit of Zambia, and I highly recommend Absolute Zambia Safaris and thank Robert for making this adventure possible to anyone considering a tailor-made safari adven…
Your specialist
Detailed itinerary
What you'll see and do
This is a customisable trip
Use the following itinerary for inspiration. Remember: all days, hotels and activities can be altered to suit your requirements. A Absolute Zambia Safaris travel specialist will be happy to advise.
Day 1
Arrive to Lusaka
Lusaka
You are met at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and transferred to Pioneer Camp and Lodge for an overnight stay on a bed-and-breakfast basis. This is a transit night before the safari begins in the morning.
Day 2 –5
Kafue National Park
Kafue National Park
After breakfast, you leave Lusaka for the four-hour road trip north to Mwamfushi Safari Lodge, your base for the next four nights on a full-board basis. The first afternoon sets the pattern: tea or coffee at the lodge, then out for either a game drive or a boat cruise, returning after dark for dinner.
Over the following two full days, two daily activities take you deeper into the park. Morning game drives head out after breakfast; afternoons bring the choice of a further drive or a boat cruise on the water, depending on conditions. Kafue's scale means routes rarely repeat.
On your fourth day here, an early start and a packed picnic take you south into the lower reaches of the park for a full-day game drive. The southern sector offers different terrain and a broader mix of species before you return to camp for a final evening.
Day 6 –9
South Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa National Park
After breakfast and check-out, you drive back to Lusaka to connect with a domestic flight to Mfuwe Airport, the gateway to South Luangwa. The Njobvu Safari Lodge team meets you on arrival for the 45-minute transfer into the park, where you check in for four nights on a full-board basis.
South Luangwa's daily programme runs morning game drives before the heat builds, followed by afternoon and night drives - the afternoon session transitions naturally into darkness, giving you time to search for nocturnal wildlife without a break in between. Leopard are consistently present in the valley; the park's dense riverine vegetation concentrates sightings. Over three full days your guide will adapt routes to recent activity and conditions. One day may extend to a full-day drive at your guide's recommendation.
Day 10 –13
Lower Zambezi
Lower Zambezi National Park
An early morning game drive precedes breakfast on your final South Luangwa morning before you transfer to Mfuwe Airport for the flight back to Lusaka. From there, the road east to the Lower Zambezi takes around three hours, passing through local settlements and the hills of the escarpment. You check in at Kiambi Safari Lodge on the river bank for three nights on a full-board basis, with dinner that first evening served outside overlooking the Zambezi.
The following morning you depart around 9am for a three-hour guided canoe safari through the channels, returning to camp by midday for lunch and a rest. The afternoon brings a sunset boat cruise on the river.
The third day is a full-day game drive in Lower Zambezi National Park: you cross the river by boat with packed breakfast and lunch, transfer to a 4x4 vehicle and spend the day tracking game before cruising back to camp before dark.
On your final morning you check out after breakfast and make the three-hour road transfer back to Lusaka for onward or return flights, with a packed lunch for the journey.
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Lusaka
Sprawling Lusaka is Zambia’s capital and commercial centre... -
Kafue National Park
Kafue National Park is one of Zambia’s oldest — and largest — national parks... -
South Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa National Park, in the Eastern province of Zambia, is one of the most wildlife-rich national parks in the country... -
Lower Zambezi National Park
The Lower Zambezi National Park’s wildlife is centred around the floodplain along the northeastern side of the Zambezi River...
Robert
Absolute Zambia Safaris · Africa
Usually responds within 4 hoursWhat's included
What you get for your money
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Accommodation |
All nights in carefully-selected, quality-assured accommodation including unique, independently-owned boutique hotels, safari camps, lodges and resorts. All accommodation can be upgraded or changed on request. |
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Expert guiding |
All trips and excursions accompanied by expert, bi-lingual guides to give you an insider’s view of Zambia Safaris and more. |
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Local transport |
All airport collections, hotel transfers and any other ground transfers in private or shared vehicles and comfortable minivans. |
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Internal flights |
Domestic/internal flights are included. |
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Camping equipment |
Tents and all necessary camping gear and equipment supplied. |
Where to stay
Some of our sample accommodation
Reviews
What people are saying about Absolute Zambia Safaris
David P, USA
01/08/2025
Edward, NL
01/09/2025
Everything perfectly organized. We visited Malawi and Zambia. We were met at every arrival point, so that gave confidence. All transfers on time and well arranged with water and possibly packed lunches.
Comfortable transportation. Highly recommended!
Nilima D
05/02/2020
My husband and I were on a 10-day trip to Zambia organized perfectly by Absolute Zambia Safaris.
We visited the lower Zambezi national park, South Luanga Park and Victoria Falls. The entire Iterinary along with flights and road transport whenever needed well planned as according to our requirement. Would recommend their guidance for anyone looking for a wonderful holiday in Zambia.
Gary V
14/01/2020
Fantastic planning and arranging of this trip by Robert of Absolute Zambia Safaris — everything was perfect from start to finish. We were picked up on time for all activities, the hotel was great — good food, nice pool, wifi, etc and good location, the white water rafting was great, Angel Pool was very much enjoyed by everyone and the sunset cruise was almost empty — so we had the entire upper deck of the boat to ourselves. The food on the boat was tremendous, and the sunset magnificent. Everyone said this was possibly the best holiday ever. We are very grateful to Absolute Zambia whose flawless organising of all of this made it happen.
Clare D
17/07/2019
Absolute Zambia Safaris organised a 2 week trip in Zambia for us — to South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Livingstone. We cannot thank them enough for their wonderful organisation, thoughtful communication and great value for money. This was our first visit to Africa and they made it a breeze, with excellent choices of accomodation, transport, and drivers etc. At all times we were well looked after and had absolutely no concerns regarding safety or anything else for that matter. Thanks so much Absolute Zambia, we will get back to you for our next holiday in Africa.
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Hi, I'm Robert from Absolute Zambia Safaris. Tell me about your trip and I'll take it from there.
Absolute Zambia Safaris customer reviews
Gary
Fantastic planning and arranging of this trip by Robert of Absolute Zambia Safaris — everything was perfect from start to finish. We were picked up on time for all activities, the hotel was great — good food, nice pool, wifi, etc and good location, the white water rafting was great, Angel Pool was very much enjoyed by everyone and the sunset cruise was almost empty — so we had the entire upper deck of the boat to ourselves. The food on the boat was tremendous, and the sunset magnificent. Everyone said this was possibly the best holiday ever. We are very grateful to Absolute Zambia whose flawless organising of all of this made it happen.
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