7 Days Best Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari

Your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from Lusaka, followed by a scenic 150-kilometer drive (approximately 3 hours) to Lower Zambezi National Park. This pristine Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari destination sits along the mighty Zambezi River, known locally as "Zambezi Mukulu" (Great River), where elephants, hippos, and crocodiles congregate in impressive numbers. Your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari experience starts immediately upon arrival at your riverside lodge, where you'll check in and enjoy lunch before an afternoon boat safari along the Zambezi's channels. The day concludes with spectacular sunset views over the river and your first taste of African wilderness hospitality.

Dawn breaks on your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari with the sounds of the African bush awakening along the Zambezi River's pristine banks. Your thrilling Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari Day features an exhilarating canoe safari through the park's intricate waterways, covering approximately 15 kilometers of river channels where you'll encounter four of the Big Five species (excluding rhino) in their natural habitat. This unique Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari experience allows intimate wildlife encounters as you silently paddle past elephants drinking, buffalo herds grazing, and hippos wallowing in the shallows of areas known locally as "Mphande" (meeting place of waters). The afternoon offers a choice between a walking safari or classic game drive, both providing exceptional opportunities to spot lions, leopards, and the park's diverse wildlife population.

Your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari continues today with a morning transfer from Lower Zambezi to South Luangwa National Park, covering approximately 480 kilometers (6-7 hours) through Zambia's diverse landscapes. This journey of your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari takes you through rural villages and changing ecosystems before arriving at South Luangwa, known locally as "Nsefu" (place of the leopard). Your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari experience transitions to this legendary park, renowned as the birthplace of the walking safari concept and home to abundant wildlife including giraffes, which are absent from Lower Zambezi. Upon arrival at your lodge in the Mfuwe area, you'll enjoy lunch and prepare for an afternoon game drive to explore this remarkable wilderness that supports over 400 bird species and diverse mammal populations.

Today's Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari focuses on exploring South Luangwa's 9,050 square kilometers of pristine wilderness through morning and afternoon game drives. Your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari adventure begins with an early morning drive through the park's diverse habitats, from riverine forests along the Luangwa River to miombo woodlands where giraffes browse acacia trees and four of the Big Five roam freely. This exceptional Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari Day offers opportunities to witness the park's famous leopard population, often spotted in the area known locally as "Nsolo" (elephant path), along with large herds of buffalo, elephants, and the elusive lions that hunt along the riverbanks. The afternoon game drive focuses on different sectors of the park, maximizing your wildlife viewing opportunities while learning about conservation efforts protecting this UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate.

Your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari journey continues with a morning transfer to Mfuwe Airport for your flight to Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, covering approximately 1,200 kilometers in 2.5 hours. This transitional day of your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari includes a connecting flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), located just 40 kilometers from Kruger National Park's Phabeni Gate. Your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari experience transitions seamlessly to South Africa as you're met by your guide and transferred to your accommodation within or near Kruger National Park, known locally as "Kruger Nasionale Park." Upon arrival, you'll check into your lodge and enjoy an afternoon game drive to begin exploring this world-renowned conservation area that protects nearly 20,000 square kilometers of African bushveld.

Your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari reaches its climax today with comprehensive exploration of Kruger National Park's diverse ecosystems and complete Big Five population. This highlight of your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari features morning and afternoon game drives through different sections of the park, from the granite koppies of the south to the mopane woodlands of the north, covering approximately 80-100 kilometers of game viewing roads. Your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari experience in Kruger offers exceptional opportunities to encounter all Big Five species, including the white and black rhinos absent from Zambia's parks, along with cheetahs, wild dogs, and over 500 bird species. The day includes visits to areas like Skukuza, Satara, and Lower Sabie, known locally as "Nkuhlu" (place of elephants), where water sources attract incredible concentrations of wildlife throughout the year.

The conclusion of your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari begins with a final early morning game drive in Kruger National Park, offering last opportunities to spot any wildlife species you may have missed during your adventure. Your memorable Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari experience draws to a close as you're transferred 40 kilometers (approximately 1 hour) from Kruger to KMIA Airport for your flight to Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport. This final day of your Zambia Safari and Southern Africa Safari includes time for last-minute shopping at Johannesburg's craft markets or airport facilities before your international departure, carrying with you incredible memories of three countries, diverse ecosystems, and countless wildlife encounters spanning nearly 2,000 kilometers of southern African wilderness.