After breakfast we depart through Livingstone in the direction of the capital city, Lusaka. The drive is an easy one through beautiful Zambian landscapes and typically rural areas. We will stop for a picnic lunch along the way.

Finally we descend into the Zambezi valley towards Chirundu. At this chaotic border post we turn North East on a gravel road until we reach the Kafue River. Here we cross on a bridge (finished only in 2014) and arrive at our destination in the afternoon. 

Tonight will be our first night of camping and after settling in at the campsite, enjoy a swim overlooking the Zambezi River and the Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through rural Zambia
• Dinner next to the Zambezi river

DRIVING DISTANCE

Approximately 550 km

TRANSPORT

Fully Air-conditioned Toyota Hilux 4x4 or similar

ACCOMMODATION

Mvuu Lodge Campsite or similar

MEALS

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast we travel into the Lower Zambezi National Park for a day of game viewing and camping. Expect some great game viewing in a wonderfully scenic park.

To experience these afternoons and evenings in this remote part of Africa is what travelling is about. This park is well known for its diverse and plentiful wildlife, stunning scenery and a moderate number of tourists.

Game drives are conducted early morning and late afternoon after which we return to a hot shower and a cold beer. If you are interested, we can arrange a half-day canoe trip on the Zambezi on one of these days in Lower Zambezi.

On Day 5 we depart from Mvuu and drive to Kiambi for another night on the banks of the Mighty Zambezi (own expense dinner).

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:

• 3 hours canoe safari: US$ 55 pp
• Half day fishing trip: US$ 96 per boat
• Sunset boat cruise: US$ 30 pp

HIGHLIGHTS

• Lower Zambezi National Park Game Drives
• Optional Canoe Trip

DRIVING DISTANCE

The distance covered will differ daily

TRANSPORT

Fully Air-conditioned Toyota 4x4 or similar

ACCOMMODATION

Lower Zambezi camping

MEALS

Breakfast, lunch and dinner (no dinner on Day 5)

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

• 2x daily game drives through Lower Zambezi Nat. Park

Today is a long drive as we head back up to the Zambesi plateau and from there to Lusaka. We drive through the bustling capital and enjoy lunch before heading on in a eastern direction towards Chipata where we overnight at Mamarulas B&B - a well-known overlander landmark along the Great East road between Lusaka and Malawi.

Here we overnight in chalets to break the monotony of the setting up camp. Lunch is own expense in Lusaka and dinner is own expense at Mamarulas.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Lusaka
• Drive along the Great East Road

DRIVING DISTANCE

Approximately 650 km (7 hours)

TRANSPORT

Fully Air-conditioned Toyota 4x4 or similar

ACCOMMODATION

Mamarulas B&B or similar

MEALS

Breakfast

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Drive through Lusaka along the Great East Road

Today we head to one of Africa’s prime wildlife destinations – South Luangwa National Park. We leave early to make the most of this wildlife sanctuary. The drive can take longer than expected, depending on the road conditions. It takes us through rural villages deeper into the Zambian bush. We arrive at the gate and enter for an afternoon game drive along the Luangwa River. Upon exiting the gate we head to the nearby Wildlife Camp where we will overnight for the next three nights. The camp is situated on the Luangwa River and it is constantly busy with animals roaming round or through camp. The setting is as wonderful as the hosting and we will enjoy our three days here.

The next 3 days we enter the park once more for a full day game drive. We enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before returning to camp in the afternoon for some relaxation next to the swimming pool with a view.

HIGHLIGHTS

• South Luangwa Game Drives

DRIVING DISTANCE

Approximately 130 km (3.5 hours)

TRANSPORT

Fully Air-conditioned Toyota 4x4 or similar

ACCOMMODATION

Wildlife Camp or similar

MEALS

Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

• South Luangwa National Park Game Drives

This morning we cross into the tiny landlocked country of Malawi – the warm heart of Africa.

We travel through the capital of Lilongwe before arriving at the welcoming waters of Lake Malawi at Cape Maclear. Here we spend three days exploring the Lake Malawi Nature Reserve – swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and walking through the village.

Our first night is spent at Cape Cottage (Kayak Africa) on the edge of the water. Enjoy the beach and seaside restaurants and bars tonight.

The next three nights are spent at the secluded, remote and exclusive Domwe Island Lodge. We can either kayak to the lodge ourselves or take a boat transfer. Accommodation is basic but comfortable. The main attraction is the location on Mumbo Island – an unpopulated island on Lake Malawi teeming with life. 

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:

• Boat trips
• Sunset cruise
• Kayaking
• Hiking trails
• Fishing
• Scuba diving
• Snorkelling
• Village tours and dance

HIGHLIGHTS

• Lake Malawi
• Kayak/boat to Domwe Island
• Domwe Island Hike

DRIVING DISTANCE

Approximately 400 km (5 hours)

TRANSPORT

Fully Air-conditioned Toyota 4x4 or similar

ACCOMMODATION

Cape Cottage or similar - chalet

Domwe Island - Fully furnished safari tents with shared ablutions

MEALS

Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

• Domwe Island hike
• Boat transfer/kayak hire to Domwe Island

Upon returning to mainland, we depart to the nearby Liwonde National Park, well known for herds of elephant and pods of hippos in the Shire River. We will do a short game drive here while you will have the opportunity for an optional boat ride.

We will enjoy our last two nights at Mvuu Camp - the ultimate bush experience in a relaxed setting overlooking the banks of the Shire River. The spacious main dining area offers spectacular views of the river and its surrounding vegetation, floodplains, marshes and mopane woodlands. 

The camp is located in the heart of Liwonde National Park, one of Malawi’s premier wildlife destinations. The 580 sq km reserve supports a diversity of plants, wildlife and birdlife and is home to an abundance of elephant, hippo, sable antelope, crocodile, impala, zebra and reedbuck. There are also occasional sightings of serval, lion, leopard and black rhino in the park. Birdlife in Liwonde is prolific, and the park is considered one of the finest birding spots in South Central Africa.

A variety of activities are available at the camp including boat safaris along the Shire River (US$40 - 60 pp), game drives, guided walks and a black rhino tracking experience. Guests can also opt to explore the nearby villages and local schools by bicycle and can even spend the night at a traditional rural village.

We end the tour with a traditional farewell dinner at Mvuu Lodge. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Liwonde National Park game drives

DRIVING DISTANCE

Approximately 250 km (3 hours)

TRANSPORT

Fully Air-conditioned Toyota 4x4 or similar

ACCOMMODATION

Mvuu Camp campsite or similar

MEALS

Day 15: Breakfast

Day 16: Breakfast & lunch

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

• Liwonde game drives

After an early breakfast we depart to Lilongwe where the guide will drop you off at the airport in time for your flight home.

DRIVING DISTANCE

Approximately 250 km (4 hours)

TRANSPORT

Fully Air-conditioned Toyota 4x4 or similar

ACCOMMODATION

N/A

MEALS

Breakfast

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

• Transfer to Lilongwe