Zambia's Wild West (12 days)

Escape the crowds in the wildlife-rich but under-visited national parks of Western Zambia. Enjoy exceptional guided tours, unique wildlife encounters and some of the continent’s best lodges, rounded off with a few days of relaxation at Victoria Falls.

Day 1: Arrive in Lusaka

Fly to Lusaka via Johannesburg in the morning and land there in the early afternoon. A driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you into the city, where you will spend the night at the beautiful Latitude 15, an oasis of calm in the heart of this bustling metropolis. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool and admiring the significant art collection before enjoying dinner and drinks in the cozy bar and restaurant area.
Overnight: Latitude 15, Lusaka

Day 2: On to Kafue National Park

After breakfast, your driver will take you back to Lusaka airport, from where you will fly to Kafue National Park. From the airport, you will take a game drive through the park, where you will be accommodated for the next 3 nights at the beautiful Ila Safari Lodge. Located on the banks of the Kafue River, it is the perfect modern interpretation of a traditional safari lodge and the ideal base for exploring this mighty national park – one of Zambia’s less visited gems.
Overnight: Ila Safari Lodge, Kafue National Park

Day 3: Exploring with your guide

After getting a taste of Kafue yesterday afternoon, today you can explore the park together with your guide. In addition to the traditional game drives, the lodge takes advantage of its proximity to the Kafue River to also offers boat trips where you can see the wildlife from a different perspective. Guided walks and fishing are also offered. Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and various antelope species, including the rare Sable antelope, are among the wildlife you will see on your journey of discovery.
Overnight: Ila Safari Lodge, Kafue National Park

Day 4: Relax and enjoy Ila

Not only does Ila Safari Lodge offer access to fantastic game viewing, it is also one of the most luxurious lodges in Kafue with an incredible all-round experience. The tented suites are very spacious and luxurious and have their own private terrace, while the swimming pool is one of the most enviable in all of Zambia and offers magnificent views of the Kafue River. The food is superb and when you relax at the lodge between activities, you will be impeccably looked after by the charming staff.
Overnight: Ila Safari Lodge, Kafue National Park

Day 5: Time to drive to the Liuwa Plains

This morning you will undertake one final safari activity from the lodge and have breakfast before being transferred back to the airstrip to fly to Kalabo in western Zambia. There, a helicopter will be waiting to take you over the Liuwa Plain National Park to the beautiful King Lewanika Lodge, the only lodge in the park, where you will spend a few nights. Spend the afternoon enjoying the lodge’s majestic location with its stunning views over the plains.
Overnight: King Lewanika Lodge, Liuwa Plain National Park

Day 6: Time to explore the park

As the only permanent camp in the park, King Lewanika offers guests a unique combination of privacy and flexibility, allowing you to explore the park at your leisure with your guide. Game drives are the ideal way to explore the park’s wide-open spaces as they cover the most terrain, but the open terrain is also ideal for walking safaris. During the early months of the year, visitors can also enjoy boat safaris on the flood plains.
Overnight: King Lewanika Lodge, Liuwa Plain National Park

Day 7: Wildlife and wide-open spaces

Liuwa was best known in the past for its lion sightings, which still hold a major attraction today, but most importantly it is also the chance to see huge hyena clans, up to 50 strong, roaming the plains. Their position as an apex predator makes this ecosystem unique and attracts safari enthusiasts from all over the world. A little-known feature of Liuwa is that it is also home to Africa’s second largest wildebeest migration – an incredible sight to experience away from the crowds of the Serengeti.
Overnight: King Lewanika Lodge, Liuwa Plain National Park

Day 8: Revel in the seclusion

Alongside the stunning views and abundant wildlife, it is the peace and quiet that makes Liuwa such a special place. Sit back and relax at the lodge with a good book and enjoy the plains views. The lodge offers in-room spa treatments throughout the day and superb cuisine that befits the lodge’s remote location. An evening drink under the stars with the guides telling stories of Lady Liuwa – the park’s legendary lioness – is also a highlight of any stay.
Overnight: King Lewanika Lodge, Liuwa Plain National Park

Day 9: To Victoria Falls

Of course, no Zambia trip would be complete without a visit to one of Africa’s true icons, the mesmerizing Victoria Falls, which you will head to today. A helicopter will take you back to Kalabo from where you will fly to Livingstone where a driver will be waiting to take you upriver to Tongabezi, another icon of the continent. Spend 3 nights here to relax and enjoy the myriads of activities this magical place has to offer.
Overnight: Tongabezi Lodge, Livingstone

Day 10: Exploring Victoria Falls

Spend today exploring the area around the falls and the mighty Zambezi. Visiting the falls early in the morning tends to be quieter and the light is great for photography, leaving you with most of the day at your leisure. The Tutajane Trust School is a great project run by Tongabezi and is also worth a visit. A sundowner cruise on the Zambezi is the perfect way to end the day in this little corner of paradise.
Overnight: Tongabezi Lodge, Livingstone

Day 11: Relax in Tongabezi

Given Tongabezi Lodge’s reputation for luxury, excellent food, and service, it would be a shame not to spend a day at the lodge and enjoy what it is best known for. Kick back in your private home, take a dip in the pool, or sit in one of the cosy ‘hides’ overlooking the river. Meals here are a true delight for the senses and one of the reasons why many visitors return year after year raving about the many charms of ‘Tonga’.
Overnight: Tongabezi Lodge, Livingstone

Day 12: Departure

After a relaxing morning at the lodge, you will be collected and taken to Livingstone airport for your flight to Johannesburg and overnight to Europe.