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The Complete Zambezi Safari - 9 Days
offered by supplier M16637 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 9
- 12
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 8
people
Destination(s):
Zambia
Specialty Categories:
Wildlife Viewing
Season: April - November
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 1500 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 4925 US Dollar (USD)
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It is our intention to offer our guests the complete cross section of experience to be had whilst visiting the Lower Zambezi valley. We therefore suggest this 8 night safari that combines a full Vintage Camps experience with a stay at one of the 1st class lodges within the Lower Zambezi National Park. After a four-day vintage walking safari we travel by boat, down the Zambezi, into the heart of the National Park. We arrive at an enchanting location within outstanding wildlife country to spend a further four nights. Here we have the opportunity to undertake a number of memorable activities by vehicle, boat, canoe and with fishing rod in hand. These final days provide a fitting end to the safari, taking in the full diversity of the area from antique beginning to contemporary end.
Tour Itinerary
Days 1- 4: The Vintage Camps
Day 1: Arrive in Lusaka this morning and connect with a private flight to Kayila bush airstrip in the heart of the Lower Zambezi - a 30 minute flight. Here you are met by The Zambezi Vintage Camp team and walked from your aircraft some 10 - 15 minutes to camp, an echo of the 1920's, set beneath large Acacia trees on the banks of the Zambezi and framed by the escarpment hills to the north. The fully appointed mobile camp facilitates all the elegance and comfort of travel from a bygone age - classic, spacious tentage and first class dining under the African Sky.
We spend the rest of the day taking in the camp surrounds. A walk through the bush surrounding camp will serve as introduction to the area's abundant wildlife. The area is renowned for a large elephant population. They are found almost daily within camp itself. Buffalo drink nearby camp frequently and a number of antelope species can usually be found on the outlying plains. Lion are occasionally found close to camp and leopard sightings from camp itself are surprisingly frequent. We discuss the details and route for the next few days safari over an elegant candlelit dinner.
Day 2: A full day to explore, undertaking introductory walks in the surrounding area. There is nothing quite like a walk through the African bush, not only the excitement of encounters with big game on foot, but also the detail of the environment, leaves one with an intimate appreciation of creation. All walks are led by your guide and host who will interpret signs, sounds and smells to unravel the subtleties and skills of walking in the bush.
From leaving camp we walk through the game rich mixed woodland of the Zambezi valley, taking in the detail of the bush - a chance to safely approach game on foot and experience the nuances of the wild; tracking, bushlore, birding and natural history. We return to camp for a late breakfast beneath the shade trees of the Zambezi. The afternoon can be spent enjoying the wildlife activity surrounding camp. An enormous amount of game comes to water within 50 metres of camp and it is a joy to sit undetected, quietly observing the characteristics of animals and birds as they come and go.
Day 3: We leave camp after early tea/coffee and a light snack and decide to walk into the hills. After an hour or so we reach the foothills of the escarpment and begin to climb gently, following elephant paths that traverse the area. The walk involves covering an area of broken hill country, visiting genuinely remote and hidden valleys. There will be limitless opportunity to stop and discuss the signs and sounds of the bush and every likelihood of coming across game - elephant, the elusive greater kudu, klipspringer and bushbuck to name a few.
A stunning panorama reveals the vast expanse of the valley below and we enjoy a break for tea nearby a trickling natural spring. For the very fit, perhaps a chance to climb towards the high crest of the escarpment. We return to camp for a fresh salad lunch.
Day 4: We break camp after an early breakfast to travel north east towards the remote foothills of the escarpment. As we walk into undeveloped wilderness, the complete portable camp is transported and set ahead of us beneath a large Nyala berry tree overlooking an open plain. Our walk takes us through a new area and we take time to learn more about the areas' wildlife and discuss last nights' tracks and signs. If fresh tracks are found we can follow them to experience the thrill of walking up to animals, all the while safely guided by both armed guide and a game scout with added expertise.
We picnic in the shade of large trees on the edge of a dry river bed and arrive at the plains for tea. Here we detect a contrast to the river location as the still solitude of the back country is felt. Pearl spotted owls herald the dusk and the evening silence is broken only by the whoop of hyena or the call of a leopard. We sit around the fire and enjoy a final evening of fine dining beneath the stars.
Day 5: Lower Zambezi National Park
Having bid farewell to the Vintage team, we set off by vehicle to the river, a short 30 minute drive, where we are met by a motor boat. We continue downstream by boat for an hour, passing islands and riverbank alive with buffalo, elephant, hippo and crocodile: a grand display of the Zambezi's astonishing wealth of wildlife. On arrival at the lodge, there is the chance to enjoy a degree of comfort; spacious canvas tents and bathrooms en suite, with swimming pool and library within camp.
Days 6-9: Your guide will have discussed the next few days' agenda and we will have the time to take in a variety of unforgettable experiences on land and water. Nothing brings one closer to the essence of the Zambezi than to travel silently by canoe. It is quite simply the best way to become acquainted with this most beautiful of rivers. As wildlife is drawn to the waters' edge, you can witness game as never before. Exploring channels, drifting by herds of animals and marvelling at an ever-changing setting, you experience all the thrills this wilderness can offer in one day.
Canoeing further downstream or spending time on the river fishing from motorboats are options to complement morning and evening game drives. For fishermen, trying for the renowned tiger fish on this world-famous stretch of river is a must. On our final day, a short drive to the nearby airstrip, links us with a flight back to Lusaka and onward journey.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Full board accommodation
- Laundry
- Wines
- Spirits
- Heers and soft drinks
- Game viewing activities and fishing.
Price Excludes:
- Airfare to Zambia and Domestic flight into Lower Zambezi. (Approx US$220.00rtn for Domestic flight)
- Comprehensive health and personal effects insurance.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Zambia
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
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, ext: 16637
