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 Larger than France, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary combined Zambia sprawls over 750 000km in Central Africa. Completely landlocked by Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, The Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, the country consists mainly of a kidney shaped plateau about 1300m above sea level that descends gently in the south towards the Zambezi River.
Dotted with vast open grassy plains, Zambia is also an extremely well watered country. The Zambezi and Kafue rivers and tributaries, Lake Kariba and Lake Tanganyika and the hundreds of other smaller rivers comprise about 45% of all the water in Southern Africa.
Liuwa Plains are known for one of the great migrations of antelope in Africa. Is the route of their incredible journey hard-wired into their genes. Does it drift to them on the wind or is it the fruit of bitter, generational experience. As the horizon dissolves into dust at the approach of thousands of Blue Wildebeest and Zebra across the Liuwa Plains, these are questions that clamour for clarity. They may never be answered. Sometimes the creatures travel in bunches, at other times in ling lines, which seem to stretch endlessly across the plains. the trek is not always co-ordinated. There's coming and going and some creatures seem to mill about in dusty confusion.
The Western Zambia Safari Circuit includes the following venues:
- Chobe River (Botswana)
- Kabula Tiger Lodge (Western Zambia)
- Kafue National Park
- Liuwa Plains
- Livingstone (Victoria Falls)
- Nata Lodge
- 21 October 2007 to 4 November 2007
| Day 1 |
André Van Vuuren, Managing Director of Explore Africa and fully qualified safari guide, will meet you at Maartinsdrift border post with Botswana from where we will depart for the campsite at Nata Lodge where we will spend the first night. It is quite a long drive from Gauteng (800 Kilos) but the roads are good and it is worthwhile since "the real Botswana starts here". |
Day 2 |
Leave early morning for Kasane (300 Kilos) and stay over at Chobe Safari Lodge, which is located on the lush banks of the Chobe River. (Beautiful campsite and ablutions, hot water showers, swimming pool and a characterful thatched pub overlooking the Chobe River.)
The Chobe is proud of, and very famous for it's abundance of elephants the highest concentration to be found anywhere in Africa. Chobe is also famous for its huge herds of buffalo, for its rich bird life and, not least, for its exquisite sunset boat cruises (included in the package), a wildlife experience not to be missed. We spend the night in the Explore Africa private campsite at Chobe Safari Lodge. |
Day 3
Day 4 |
From Botswana we enter into Namibia at the Ngoma border post and we will refuel and stock up in Katima Mulilo. From here we travel via Wenela border post to Kabula Tiger Lodge. (Total distance 208 km). The last 30km could be tough going depending on the condition of the road.
Kabula Tiger Lodge was developed by Explore Africa and we will stay for the next two nights in the exclusive campsite on the banks of the Zambezi. Tiger fishing is the main activity at Kabula. The days other adventures could include a ride in an authentic mokorro (dug out canoe) in search of a Pel's Fishing Owl's nesting site and later perhaps an exotic island walk or a visit to a nearby cultural village. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi is a magnificent experience along with the sounds of the wild, which only Africa can provide. (Chalet accommodation will also be available at additional cost. Visit www.kabulalodge.com for more details). |
Day 5 |
We have a long hard day of driving, thick sand, lots of bush and mud. This is real 4X4 stuff. We will enter the Barotse Flood Plains just before dark and pitch a bush camp next to the road where we will spend the night. |
Day 6
Day 7 |
We drive up to Kalabo (distance +/- 270 km. from Kabula Tiger Lodge) where we will cross the Lualinga River by hand driven pontoon and head into Liuwa Plains, one of Africa's last hidden secrets where we will spend the next two nights in our own exclusive tented bush camp pitched in one of the beautiful tree islands. This is serious, un-commercialized Africa and a once in a lifetime experience for most of us. Minimum driving. Explore Liuwa Plains and be a part of the migration. |
Day 8 |
After breakfast we take down camp, do a final game drive in the park and return via the ferry to Kalabo where we will have a rest day - doing washing and small repairs if necessary. There is a reasonable campsite at Nalusheko lodge with flushing toilets, hot water showers and (maybe!) cold beers in the pub overlooking the river. |
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11 |
Leave early morning via Mongo for Kafue National Park where we will stay at Lufupa Camp for the next three nights. Africa's largest game reserve, the Kafue, diverse and richly endowed, remains as it has been for centuries. Bordered by the blue-green Kafue River, the park stretches from the vast Busanga Plains in the north to the Miombo woodlands of Nanzhila in the south. The vast Basunga Plains - flooded in the wet season - and a dry season spectacle: red lechwe congregate in thousands, zebra and wildebeest frolic, buffalo swarm in reedbeds, sablerace and hippos squable in mudholes, black maned lions lead huge prides, cheetahs stalk and dash, vultures circle and there is nobody there!
Prolific indigenous as well as migrant bird life is encouraged by the Kafue and Luangwa rivers as well as Lake Itezhi-Tezhu in the south. |
Day 12 |
Time to move south again and we head for New Kalala which is situated on Lake Itezhi-Tezhi where we will spend the night. |
Day 13 |
Break down camp and leave for Livingstone for a vist to the Victoria Falls. The Victoria falls is approximately 1690m wide and varies in height from 62m (Devil's Cataract) to 109m (Eastern Cataract). In comparison the Niagra falls are 968m wide and 45m high.
Various activities e.g. bungi jumping, white river rafting, jet boating, Flight of the Angels etc. are available at the Falls.
We will spend two nights in the campsite at the Zambezi Waterfront in Livingstone. |
Day 14 |
Leave for Nata on our way back to South Africa and overnight in the campsite at Nata Lodge. For those of us who do not want to camp, the option is available to stay in one of the chalets or Safari tents. |
Day 15 |
This is the end of our Safari and we are heading for South Africa. |
The cost listed below is based on a minimum of 6 vehicles/12 adults.
- FGASA & DEAT registered guide
- Level 2 First Aid Personnel
- Fully equipped recovery vehicle
- All park entry fees
- All camping fees
- All vehicle entries
- 3rd Party insurance
- Road tax
- Ferry fees
- Personal purchases
- All Activities
- Camping Equipment
- Fuel, Food and Beverages
- Activities at Kabula Tiger Lodge
A non-refundable deposit of R 2,500 per person is required in order to confirm a booking. The balance is due a minimum of 14 days prior to departure.
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