8 Days Zambia Safari to South Luangwa and Botswana Safari

Your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari journey begins with an early morning pick up from Lusaka, followed by a scenic 1-hour flight (approximately 600km) to Mfuwe Airport, gateway to South Luangwa National Park. This exciting Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari adventure continues with a 45-minute transfer through traditional villages to your luxury lodge in the heart of the Luangwa Valley, known locally as "Nkwali" (Place of the Leopard). Your first day of this remarkable Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari experience concludes with an afternoon game drive along the Luangwa River, where you'll encounter the park's famous concentration of wildlife including elephants, hippos, and the legendary Thornicroft's giraffe found nowhere else in the world.

Day two of your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari experience begins with the highlight of South Luangwa - a guided walking safari through the pristine wilderness of the Nsefu sector, located 30km north of Mfuwe. This authentic Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari adventure allows you to track wildlife on foot with expert guides who pioneered walking safaris in this region over 60 years ago. Your immersive Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari Day continues with afternoon relaxation at the lodge before another game drive along the Luangwa River, where large pods of hippos and massive crocodiles congregate in the permanent water channels that sustain this remarkable ecosystem.

Continue your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari journey with a full day exploring the diverse habitats of South Luangwa, from the riverine forests along the Luangwa River to the vast plains of the Nsefu sector 25km upstream. This comprehensive Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari experience showcases the park's incredible biodiversity with morning and afternoon game drives targeting the four Big Five species present (lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo), plus the endemic Cookson's wildebeest. Your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari adventure today focuses on the famous leopard population of South Luangwa, considered one of the best places in Africa to observe these elusive cats, particularly in the ebony groves near the Luangwa River where they frequently hunt.

Today marks the transition from your Zambia Safari to Botswana Safari experience with a morning transfer to Mfuwe Airport, followed by a 2-hour flight covering approximately 800km to Maun, the gateway to Botswana's Okavango Delta. Your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari adventure continues with a scenic light aircraft transfer over the pristine waterways of the Delta to your exclusive safari camp in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. This exciting phase of your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari journey begins with an afternoon mokoro excursion through the crystal-clear channels of the Delta, known locally as "Okavango" (River That Never Finds the Sea), where you'll glide silently among papyrus and water lilies.

Your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari experience deepens today with a full day exploring the pristine wilderness of the Okavango Delta from your exclusive camp located on Chief's Island, approximately 150km northwest of Maun. This remarkable Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari adventure offers morning and afternoon activities including traditional mokoro canoe safaris and guided walks on the seasonal islands known locally as "Motlhaba" (Place of the Baobab). Your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari Day concludes with exceptional game viewing opportunities for species unique to the Delta ecosystem, including the endangered African wild dog, plus excellent chances to spot the elusive sitatunga antelope in the permanent swamplands.

Continue your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari journey with an authentic mokoro safari experience, gliding through the maze of channels and lagoons that define the Okavango Delta ecosystem covering approximately 22,000 square kilometers. This traditional Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari activity allows intimate encounters with the Delta's diverse wildlife, from elephants swimming between islands to the hundreds of bird species that inhabit these pristine wetlands. Your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari adventure today includes visits to remote islands accessible only by mokoro, where your expert guide shares knowledge of the traditional uses of Delta plants and the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem.

Your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari experience reaches its climax with a transfer to Moremi Game Reserve, located in the eastern section of the Okavango Delta approximately 80km from your previous camp. This final phase of your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari adventure focuses on encountering the complete Big Five, including the white rhino recently reintroduced to the Moremi ecosystem after decades of absence. Your Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari Day features intensive game drives through the diverse habitats of Moremi, from the permanent waters of the Khwai River to the seasonal floodplains where massive herds of buffalo and elephant congregate during the dry season.

Your unforgettable Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari adventure concludes with a final morning game drive in Moremi Game Reserve, offering last opportunities to spot any remaining species on your wildlife checklist. This memorable Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari journey ends with a scenic light aircraft transfer back to Maun Airport, covering approximately 150km over the spectacular landscapes of the Okavango Delta. Your comprehensive Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari experience has showcased the remarkable diversity of southern African ecosystems, from the walking safari capital of the world in South Luangwa to the pristine waterways of the Okavango Delta, creating memories that will last a lifetime.