Lower Zambezi Valley & National Park, Lake Kariba, Victoria Falls
Overview
9-days (8-night) motorcycle safari dedicated to the enjoyment of riding in some of Africa’s most unique and picturesque sceneries along the Zambezi River, immersed in the most teeming nature and wildlife. This unforgettable motorcycle safari offers A new and unique way to explore the untamed African bush as never before, where purist bikers and adventure seekers can take freedom and excitement to the next level.
Every Safari is guided by a motorcycle-riding professional guide and can count on a 4×4 support vehicle to provide assistance, carry all luggage, supplies, camping gear, and conduct game viewing activities in the National Parks.
Highlights
- Total adventure, in its purest form!
- Boat Cruise and Game Drives in Lower Zambezi National Park
- Exclusive Lake Kariba
- The Mighty Victoria Falls
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. At the Lodge, you will take possess of your motorcycle and have time to familiarize with the vehicle before the Safari starts.
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.
Breakfast at the lodge at 06.30 for departure at 07.00. The road to Chirundu is 135km of tarmac road that we should cover in approximately 2 hours. Along the way, the group will stop to visit the Chirundu Fossil Forest, a heritage site containing petrified trees from more than 160 million years ago, learning a bit more about the history and geography of this area.
In Chirundu we will fill up the tank again before starting a stretch of 50km of off-road bush trails into the heart of the Chiawa Game Management Area, visiting the numerous villages that we will come across along the way and a local school.
Upon arrival at Elephant Crossing Safari Bushcamp, preparation of our camp and lunch prepared by our accompanying chef. Afternoon Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River, with any opportunities to spot the abundant wildlife populating the shores of the Zambezi River. Dinner around the fire and night camping.
Alternatively: Lodging options available from 3* to 5*
Wild Camping in an unfenced, high-density elephant area with no electricity nor running water, bush toilets and bucket showers
Wake up and sunrise breakfast.
Back on your bike for an exciting ride to the gates of the Lower Zambezi National Park, where you will leave your motorcycle and board the support vehicle for a full-day Game drives in the Lower Zambezi National Park with pic-nic lunch in the park and return by sunset.
Dinner prepared by our accompanying chef. Night camping.
Alternatively: Lodging options available from 3* to 5*
Wild Camping in an unfenced, high-density elephant area with no electricity nor running water, bush toilets and bucket showers
Wake up at sunrise and breakfast.
At 07.00 the group will depart on the return journey to Chirundu. Along the way, we will stop at Kiambi Safari Lodge and have a breathtaking 3 to 4 hours canoe safari for a real explorer’s adventure, while the support vehicle will reach our location and reconvene with the group.
After the canoe safari, we will enjoy a quick lunch on the shores of the Zambezi before riding for approximately 90km on a tarmac road that winds through the mountains and descends on Lake Kariba, reaching Siavonga in the early afternoon. Upon arrival, we will immediately visit the Kariba Dam that creates Lake Kariba, the largest artificial lake in the world.
Accommodation in a good level hotel and dinner (not included)
Breakfast at the lodge and morning relax on Lake Kariba. Early lunch in Siavonga (not included) before starting off before 12.00 to Choma using the lake-side road that includes an off-road/lose gravel mountain pass that will need to be negotiated carefully.
We will reach Chisekesi, along the main Lusaka-Livingstone road after approximately 3 hours and proceed for another 1 hour on the tarmac road to Choma, where we will spend 1 night en-route in a local guesthouse. Dinner not included.
Breakfast at the guesthouse before proceeding to cover the remaining 180km to Livingstone. Upon arrival, we will check in for 2 nights at Maramba River Lodge on a B&B rate. Own arrangements for lunch followed by a guided visit of the Victoria Falls, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Dinner (not included) in Livingstone or at the lodge.
Breakfast at the lodge.
Rhino Experience in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, that combines a regular game drive with a short walking safari to try and get as close as possible to the last remaining Zambian White rhinos.
Return to the lodge and jump on your bike for a thrilling ride through the Mopane forest up to the Batoka Canyon, where we will enjoy a fantastic pic-nic in one of the most picturesque areas in Livingstone.
Return to town and sundowner in an exclusive location on the Zambezi river. Dinner in Livingstone not included.
Breakfast at the lodge and departure for a 450km ride to Lusaka, with a lunch break along the way. Check in at Sandy’s Creations and drop of the bikes.
Meals not included.
Breakfast at the lodge and time available to relax and close your luggage. Depending on the time of your flight, you will be transferred to Lusaka international airport.
End of arrangements.
Rates
The Rates Include:
- All accommodations specified in the itinerary on a sharing basis
- All National Parks Entry Fees
- All meals specified in the itinerary
- Support Vehicle (with fuel and professional driver), Motorcycle rider guide, chef
- All game viewing activities specified in the itinerary
The Rates Exclude:
- Motorcycle rental and fuel for own motorcycle
- Personal Protective gear
- Alcoholic beverages
- Activities not offered by African View Tours and Safaris and not specified in the itinerary / specified as “optional”
- Personal comprehensive insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- 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.
