Overview
Enjoy an unforgettable 8-day (7-night) Classic Tour of Zambia, where you’ll explore the country’s most iconic attractions and experience the diversity each destination has to offer. Begin with the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, including a guided Tour of the Falls and a unique Rhino Experience. Continue to the breathtaking Lower Zambezi Valley for a Canoe Safari and River Safari, then head to the renowned South Luangwa National Park for thrilling Game Drives, with an optional Walking Safari for those seeking a closer connection to nature. This itinerary offers 1–2 confirmed departures each month and can also be customized as a private tour. Tailoring options include camping, alternative activities, extended stays, and additional destinations to suit your preferences.
Highlights
- The Mighty Victoria Falls (Tour of the Falls, Rhino Experience)
- Lower Zambezi Valley (Canoe Safari and River Safari
- South Luangwa National Park (Game Drives – Optional Walking Safari)
Itinerary
Upon landing at Livingstone international airport, you will be welcomed by our drivers and transferred to your accommodation at Maramba River Lodge, where you will spend three nights in a B&B rate in a Safari Chalet on a B&B basis. Dinner at the Lodge’s restaurant not included.
NOTE: it is also possible to land in Victoria Falls (VFA – Zimbabwe) at no extra cost. If you land in VFA you will have to pay Zimbabwe Visa (if applicable) and you will have the opportunity to enjoy a Tour of the Victoria Falls before crossing the Victoria Bridge to Zambia (Guiding fees and Park Entry Fees not included)
Breakfast at Maramba River Lodge, followed by a guided tour of the Victoria Falls from the Zambian side.
The Victoria Falls (also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “Thundering Smoke” in local Lozi language) is one of the world’s largest waterfalls with a width of 1,708 m and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, protected by UNESCO. The falls are formed where the full width of the river plummets in a single vertical drop into a transverse chasm 1,708 meters wide, carved along a fracture zone in the basalt plateau. The depth of the chasm, called the First Gorge, varies from 80 metres on the Zimbabwean side to 108 metres in the centre (Zambian side). The only outlet from the First Gorge is a 110-metre-wide gap about two-thirds of the way across the width of the falls from the western end (called “The Boiling Pot”). The whole volume of the river pours into the Victoria Falls gorges from this narrow cleft, forming astonishing views and breathtaking sceneries. The region around it (the “Mosi-Oa-Tunya” National Park) is inhabited by several species of plants and wild animals.
Own arrangements for lunch (either at the lodge or in any other restaurant in Livingstone) and afternoon Rhino Experience in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, aiming to find the last remaining white Rhinos in Zambia. Dinner in town or at the lodge not included.
Breakfast at the lodge, followed by an early departure (07.00) for a long transfer on tarmac road (approximately 8 hours) to Chirundu. Depending on the time, lunch (not included) will be along the way (your guides will point fast-foods and restaurants where you can eat while they are refuelling) or in Chirundu upon arrival. From there, you will continue for approximately 15km of gravel road to Kiambi Safari Lodge, where you will be accommodated for 2 nights in a beautiful en-suite safari tent facing the Zambezi River. If time allows: Afternoon sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River. Dinner at the lodge.
The Lower Zambezi Valley is renowned for its breath-taking views and for the abundance of wildlife that lives along the shores of the Zambezi river. This valley hosts both the Lower Zambezi National Park (on the Zambian shores) and Mana Pools National Park (on the Zimbabwean shores) creating a vast protected area where animals are free to roam without boundaries. This area deserves to be visited both by river and by land in order to fully understand the wild beauty of this place. Lower Zambezi National Park is the most recent park in Zambia and one of the wildest and most picturesque in the whole Africa.
Breakfast at the lodge, followed by a breath-taking 3-hours canoeing safari on the Zambezi river for a real explorer adventure! You will be taken by boat to the departure point for this safari and receive instructions on how to paddle your canoe in all safety. From here, you will continue paddling among hippos, crocodiles, elephants and the stunning birdlife and wildlife that populates the Zambezi river. The boat will then take you back to the lodge at the end of the activity for lunch.
In the afternoon, sunset Cruise on the Zambezi river before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Alternatively, guests can choose other activities such as full-day boat safari, fishing, village tour, birding tour, etc. It is also possible to organise a full day Game Drive in the National Park at a supplement.
Breakfast at the lodge, followed by 2.5 hours transfer to Lusaka, with an en-route visit to the Chirundu Fossil Forest, where you will have the chance to visit a fossil site with petrified trees from more than 160,000,000 years ago and learn a bit more about the history and geography of this area.
Upon reaching Lusaka, you will be taken to the airport where you will embark an afternoon domestic flight to South Luangwa National Park.
Our resident guides will collect you from the airport and transfer you to Thornicroft Lodge, where you will spend 3 nights in a bush-style Chalet. Your stay includes 2 Game Drives per day on board of our vehicles and all meals prepared by our chef. Dinner and night lodging.
South Luangwa National Park is the most famous of National Parks is Zambia due to the abundance of wildlife and the great opportunities to spot large predators. In addition to a large population of felines (mostly leopards and lions), it is home of a large number of elephants, hippos, buffaloes and numerous endemic species such as Thorncrofft giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeests, Crashway’s zebras. The Luangwa River has the highest concentration of hippos and leopards per km2 in the whole Africa and offers great reproduction and hunting ground for many animals, such as fish eagles, jackals, hyenas, crocodiles and countless birds. Sunsets on the Luangwa River are unforgettable experiences and the visit to this National Park is consider one of the highlights for any true Africa lover.
During your stay, you will have 2 game drives per day and all meals at the camp. Nights will be at Thornicroft Lodge in a Bush-style chalet (or similar, depending on availability).
Alternative activities, such as Walking Safaris, Local tours and wilderness Bush camp extensions will be available for you at a supplement and can be decided in advance or booked directly during your stay.
During your stay, you will have 2 game drives per day and all meals at the camp. Nights will be at Thornicroft Lodge in a Bush-style chalet (or similar, depending on availability).
Alternative activities, such as Walking Safaris, Local tours and wilderness Bush camp extensions will be available for you at a supplement and can be decided in advance or booked directly during your stay.
Breakfast at the lodge. Depending on the time of your flight you will be taken to Mfuwe airport for a domestic flight to Lusaka (included). Connection with your return international flight. End of arrangements
Rates
The Rates Include:
- All accommodations indicated in the itinerary, with the specified arrangements.
- All meals specified in the itinerary.
- Vehicle, fuel, certified professional local guide (English speaking), chef.
- All Park Entry fees in Zambia.
- All game-viewing activities specified in the itinerary.
The Rates Exclude:
- International flights.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Visas.
- Activities not offered by African View Tours and Safaris and not specified in the itinerary / specified as “optional”.
- Personal comprehensive insurance.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips (Tips are not compulsory, but always welcomed. We suggest: 5 US$ per day per person /couple for the chef, 10 US$ per day per person /couple for the local guide, on discretion for the international guide, when present).
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
