This 9 Days Best Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays combines the raw wilderness of Zambia's pristine national parks with the tropical paradise of Zanzibar's idyllic beaches. Your carefully crafted Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays journey begins in the untamed Lower Zambezi National Park, where canoe safaris and walking experiences reveal diverse wildlife along the mighty Zambezi River. The adventure continues through South Luangwa National Park, renowned for its exceptional walking safaris and abundant Big Five encounters, before concluding with the ultimate beach relaxation in Zanzibar's pristine coastal haven.
Your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays experience seamlessly transitions from thrilling bush adventures to serene island tranquility, offering the perfect balance of wildlife excitement and tropical relaxation. The meticulously planned itinerary showcases Zambia's world-class safari destinations, known locally as "Mfuwe" (Valley of the Leopard) and "Zambezi" (Great River), before whisking you away to Zanzibar's spice-scented shores. This unique combination ensures you experience both the heart-pounding excitement of African wildlife encounters and the soul-soothing peace of Indian Ocean paradise.
The comprehensive Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays package includes expert-guided game drives, intimate walking safaris, peaceful canoe excursions, and luxurious beach resort accommodations. From tracking elephants in the Luangwa Valley to snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of Mnemba Atoll, this journey creates lasting memories that span from the African bush to the tropical shores of the Spice Island.
Day 1: Pick Up from Lusaka and Transfer to Lower Zambezi National Park
Day 2: Canoe Safari and Walking Experience in Lower Zambezi
Day 3: Continue with Classic Game Drives in Lower Zambezi National Park
Day 4: Transfer to South Luangwa National Park via Lusaka
Day 5: Walking Safari and Big Five Encounters in South Luangwa
Day 6: Proceed with Final Game Drive in South Luangwa National Park
Day 7: Transfer to Zanzibar and Beach Resort Check-in
Day 8: Stone Town Tour and Spice Plantation Experience
Day 9: Beach Relaxation and Sunset Dhow Cruise in Zanzibar
Your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays begins with an early morning pick-up from Lusaka, followed by a scenic 2.5-hour drive covering 130 kilometers to Lower Zambezi National Park. This exciting Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays adventure starts as you enter the park known locally as "Mana-Pools ya Zambezi" (Zambezi Pools), where you'll check into your luxury safari lodge overlooking the mighty Zambezi River. Your first day of the Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays concludes with an afternoon game drive along the river floodplains, offering opportunities to spot elephants, hippos, and various antelope species in this pristine 4,092 square kilometer wilderness sanctuary.
Dawn breaks on day two of your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays with an exhilarating canoe safari along the Zambezi River, gliding silently past pods of hippos and basking crocodiles. This unique Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays experience continues with a guided walking safari through the riparian forests, where your expert guide interprets the intricate ecosystems of the region known locally as "Chongwe" (Place of the Python). The afternoon portion of your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays features a boat cruise to the Zambezi's islands, offering close encounters with elephants crossing between Zambia and Zimbabwe while enjoying sundowners against the backdrop of the escarpment rising 1,000 meters above the valley floor.
Your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays continues with an early morning game drive through the diverse habitats of Lower Zambezi, from riverine forests to open grasslands spanning the 120-kilometer river frontage. This immersive Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays Day focuses on tracking the Big Four (lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant) through the park's varied terrain, with your guide sharing insights about the area's conservation success stories. The afternoon segment of your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays includes a final game drive to the Chongwe River confluence, approximately 25 kilometers from the main camp, where diverse wildlife congregates during the dry season before returning to the lodge for a farewell dinner.
Today's Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays journey involves a morning transfer back to Lusaka (130 kilometers, 2.5 hours), followed by a connecting flight to Mfuwe Airport and onward transfer to South Luangwa National Park. Your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays adventure continues as you enter the 9,050 square kilometer South Luangwa National Park, known locally as "Nsefu" (Place of the Fish Eagle), renowned as the birthplace of the walking safari. The afternoon of your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays includes settling into your luxury safari lodge and an introductory game drive through the park's diverse landscapes, from oxbow lagoons to woodland savannas teeming with over 60 mammal species.
Your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays reaches new heights with an early morning walking safari led by experienced guides and armed scouts through the Luangwa Valley, following ancient game trails used by elephants for centuries. This quintessential Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays experience allows intimate encounters with wildlife on foot, including opportunities to track lions, leopards, and the park's famous population of Thornicroft's giraffes found nowhere else on Earth. The afternoon portion of your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays features a classic game drive to the Luangwa River's oxbow lagoons, approximately 15 kilometers from camp, where hundreds of hippos gather alongside crocodiles in one of Africa's most pristine river ecosystems.
The final day of your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays safari experience begins with a dawn game drive through South Luangwa's renowned wildlife corridors, seeking any remaining Big Five members you haven't yet encountered. Your comprehensive Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays journey through Zambia concludes with exploration of the park's diverse habitats, from miombo woodlands to riverside ebony groves, accompanied by expert guides who share their knowledge of the area's 400 bird species. This memorable Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays Day ends with a transfer to Mfuwe Airport (10 kilometers, 20 minutes) for your flight to Zanzibar, marking the transition from African wilderness to tropical paradise.
Your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays transforms as you arrive at Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and transfer 60 kilometers (1.5 hours) to your luxury beach resort on the pristine northern coast. This relaxing phase of your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays begins with check-in at your oceanfront accommodation near Nungwi, known locally as "Ras Nungwi" (Northern Cape), where powder-white sands meet crystal-clear turquoise waters. The afternoon of your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays is yours to unwind on the beach, enjoy the resort's amenities, and acclimatize to the tropical island atmosphere after your exciting safari adventures in Zambia's wilderness.
Today's Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays adventure explores Zanzibar's rich cultural heritage with a morning transfer to Stone Town (55 kilometers, 1.5 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage site known locally as "Mji Mkongwe" (Old Town). Your cultural Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays experience includes guided walking tours through narrow alleyways lined with coral stone buildings, visiting the historic Forodhani Gardens, House of Wonders, and the old slave market site. The afternoon portion of your Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays features a spice plantation tour near Kizimbani village, where you'll discover why Zanzibar earned its nickname "The Spice Island" through aromatic encounters with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves before returning to your beach resort.
Your final day of the Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays begins with a leisurely morning at your beach resort, offering opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, or simply relaxing on the pristine sands of Nungwi Beach. This concluding Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays experience includes optional activities such as dolphin watching at Kizimkazi (45 minutes south) or snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll, located just 3 kilometers offshore and renowned for its vibrant coral reefs. Your unforgettable Zambia Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holidays culminates with a traditional sunset dhow cruise along the coast, where you'll sail on a traditional Arab sailing vessel while enjoying the spectacular Indian Ocean sunset and reflecting on your incredible journey from Zambia's wilderness to Zanzibar's tropical paradise.