Lower Zambezi Valley & National Park , Likumbi Lya Mize traditional ceremony
Overview
Embark on a cultural journey into Zambia’s traditional Ceremony: the Likumbi Lya Mize of the Luvale people. Recognized by UNESCO in 2005, this vibrant ceremony marks the climax of the mukanda initiation for young boys. Experience powerful Makishi dances, sacred masked characters, and symbolic rituals reflecting ancestral beliefs and spiritual rebirth. Accommodation includes mixed camping and city lodges, with local guides and chefs enhancing authenticity. Witness the chilende graduation and discover rare cultural teachings on manhood, values, and survival. This exclusive expedition offers a profound and mystical encounter with one of Africa’s most sacred and awe-inspiring traditional celebrations.
Highlights
- Experience a world-recognized celebration of ancestral traditions and values.
- Witness powerful masked performances symbolizing spirits, identity, and transformation.
- Discover sacred rites guiding boys into adulthood through ritual teachings.
- Travel with expert guides and chefs for deep cultural understanding.
- Celebrate with the community as initiates rejoin society as men.
- Visit one of Zambia's most pristine National Parks
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Lusaka international airport, you will be welcomed by your guides and assisted in final preparations (local SIM card, forex, etc.) before your Safari starts. Short transfer across town and check-in at Sandy’s Creations, a beautiful accommodation immersed in wonderful gardens with two swimming pools, bars and restaurants. Dinner in Lusaka not included.
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.
Departure after breakfast and reach your accommodation after approximately 4 hours (130km tarmac road + 40km gravel). Set up camp at Elephant Crossing Safari Bushcamp, a fantastic campsite by the Zambezi river (Alternatively: Mvuu Lodge or similar) and lunch prepared by our accompanying chef. Afternoon River Safari / Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Dinner by the campfire prepared by our accompanying chef and night camping.
Option for Lodging
Wild Camping in an unfenced, high-density elephant area. The area has no electricity nor running water but provides composting toilets and bucket showers.
Wake up and sunrise breakfast.
Full-day Game drive in the Lower Zambezi National Park with pic-nic lunch in the park and return to the lodge by sunset.
Dinner prepared by our accompanying chef.
Night camping.
Option for lodging
Wild Camping in an unfenced, high-density elephant area. The area has no electricity nor running water but provides composting toilets and bucket showers.
Wake up and sunrise breakfast.
Full-day Game drive in the Lower Zambezi National Park with pic-nic lunch in the park and return to the lodge by sunset.
Dinner prepared by our accompanying chef.
Night camping.
Option for lodging
Wild Camping in an unfenced, high-density elephant area. The area has no electricity nor running water but provides composting toilets and bucket showers.
Sunrise breakfast and return transfer to Lusaka. Along the way you will visit to a local school and/or the Chirundu Fossils Forest heritage site. Upon arrival you will check in at Wild dogs Lodge (or similar), in the northern part of Lusaka and have a free leisure afternoon. Dinner in Lusaka not included.
Sunrise breakfast at your lodge and early transfer to Lusaka airport, where you will catch a 6.30 a.m. domestic flight to Solwezi (1 hour).
Solwezi used to be a small, quiet village counting a thousand people until just a few years ago, when it experienced a sudden growth thanks to the discovery of precious metals and the opening of some of the most important mines in the Copperbelt region.
Upon landing at 07.30 a.m. you will be welcomed by our drivers and start a long transfer (500km – tarmac road) by minibus on tarmac road to a small village called Zambezi, where the Likumbi Lya Mize will take place. Packed lunch along the way and arrival expected in the early afternoon.
ATTENTION: ZAMBEZI IS A VERY RURAL AREA WITH ONLY ONE GOOD LEVEL LODGE, USUALLY RESERVED FOR POLITICIANS AND HEAD OF STATES WHO VISIT DURING THE LIKUMBI LYA MIZE CEREMONY. DUE TO OUR LONG-ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LUVALE ROYAL CHIEFTAINSHIP WE WILL HAVE A PREFERENTIAL LANE TO BOOK THIS LUXURY HOTEL. HOWEVER, PAYMENT FOR THESE ROOMS MUST BE DONE WELL IN ADVANCE AND IF THE PRESIDENT OR HIS DIGNITARIES WILL DECIDE TO OCCUPY THE WHOLE LODGE, THEY WILL HAVE THE PRIORITY OVER ANY OTHER EXISTING BOOKING.
IF IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO FIND ACCOMMODATION IN THIS LODGE, WE WILL HAVE TO RESORT TO LOCAL GUESTHOUSES WHERE STANDARDS MIGHT BE MUCH INFERIOR TO THOSE OF WESTERN ACCOMMODATIONS. THEREFORE, SPIRIT OF ADAPTATION IS ESSENTIAL!
After arrival you will check in for the next 6 nights on a Full Board basis, and have the opportunity to wander around the small village of Zambezi, that will be a hive of activities for the Likumbi Lya Mize or rest at your accommodation. Night lodging.
Makishi (the spirit of the ancestors of the Luvale people) emerge from their graves and possess the bodies of the dancers. These spirits, confused and disorientated are led by the Luvale women along the streets of Zambezi, screaming, shouting, dancing, and performing esoteric rituals along the way. At sunset, they will gather along the shores of the Zambezi River and cross by boat on the other side, symbolising the crossing of the passage from the world of the dead to the world of the living. Your expert guide will lead you through the village, ensuring you will always be at the centre of the celebrations.
Full board at the Hotel. Night lodging.
After breakfast, you will have a meeting with your expert guide during which you will learn about the history of the Luvale people, their traditions and the Likumbi Lya Mize, explaining the rituals and meaning. Afterwards we will break for leisure and lunch before proceeding to attend the second day of celebration of the Likumbi Lya Mize on the white beach of the Zambezi (second day of celebration usually starts after 12.00). At Sunset, return to the hotel by canoe or boat. Full board at the Hotel. Night lodging.
After breakfast, Local tour to see and explore the most interesting landmarks of the Region. Afterwards we will break for leisure and lunch before proceeding to attend the second day of celebration on the white beach of the Zambezi (usually starts after 12.00). At Sunset, return to the hotel by canoe or boat. Full board at the Hotel. Night lodging.
After breakfast, visit of the Zambezi village and purchase of gifts to present to the Senior Chief to thank him for his hospitality. We will then try to obtain a private meeting with the chief inside the Royal Palace of Mize, during which we may ask questions about the tradition of Likumbi Lya Mize or simply pay our respects (Please note: The chief will be extremely busy during this day, so we might have to wait a long time and audience might be rejected if he will be too busy meeting with politicians and dignitaries). In the afternoon, the celebrations of Likumbi Lya Mize will take place outside the royal palace. At Sunset, return to the hotel by canoe or boat. Full board at the Hotel. Night lodging.
Immediately after breakfast, we cross the Zambezi River and reach the Royal Palace Arena, where the climax of Likumbi Lya Mize will take place. We will have VIP seats in a vantage position, being personal guests of the Royal Family.
Attention: it is possible that we will have to wait for quite some time to allow all the head of states, the politicians, and representatives of all tribes to reach the Arena. Therefore, we will have to be patient while waiting for everything to be ready.
During the day, there will be many celebrations and rituals that will be explained by your guide. Makishi will enter the arena and kneel in front of their king, while the living will be chanting the prise of the Luvale people. There will be numerous dances by the traditional dancers, animal sacrifice and finally the Tudanji children will come back to life in a climax of dances. Lunch and drinks can be bought from the numerous stands next to the arena. At Sunset, return to the hotel for our last night in Zambezi. Full board at the Hotel. Night lodging.
Early breakfast at the lodge followed by departure for a long return transfer (500 km of tarmac road) to Solwezi, the capital city of the Luba-Kaonde people, the final chapter of our cultural journey among the culture of the Luba, Lunda and Vaka Chinyama Tribes. Pic-nic lunch along the way and arrival in Solwezi expected in the early afternoon. Time available to relax by the pool or to visit the town, market, and/or the art gallery. Accommodation will be at the Royal Solwezi hotel, a comfortable accommodation in this very remote region. Dinner at the lodge is not included
Breakfast at the lodge and time to relax and prepare your luggage. Based on your flight schedule, you will be brought to Solwezi airstrip, where you will board a domestic flight to Lusaka and connect with your international return flight. End of the tour.
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 camping gear, excluding pillows, towels and torch for personal use
- All associated participation fees
- 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)
- Anything not stated under “standard inclusions”
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.
