THE GREAT ZAMBIA JOURNEY
A Discoverer Exploration – 6 nights / 7 day

Tour direction: Livingstone to Lunga River Camp

Combination Wilderness Vintage lodges and fully serviced Discoverer camping in private concession areas.

Kafue National Park , Zambia 's largest protected area, is easily accessible from Livingstone and Lusaka . It extends over 22 400 square kilometres and is roughly the size of Wales . This enormous and little-developed pristine wilderness area is home to an impressive variety of big game including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and hippo. In addition, the Kafue conserves some fascinating species of special interest including Lichtenstein's hartebeest, sable, roan, puku, the diminutive oribi, and, incredibly, lechwe in their thousands. Boasting almost 500 recorded bird species, Kafue is truly a diverse African National Park .

The spectacular Busanga Plains in the north of the park is a vast flat expanse and forms one of Zambia 's most significant wetland resources. This enormous watery wilderness, flooded in the wet season (mid-December to end May) by several rivers and tributaries covers an enormous 750 square kilometres. After the rains the floods reach their height from March to May, and large pods of hippo are stranded in the shallow pools that are left as the water recedes in the dry season.

Kafue, combined with the cascading waters of the thundering Victoria Falls (one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World) creates a short diverse itinerary that is perfectly for add-on tailored extensions to Cape Town , Botswana , Luangwa and Malawi .

Experience a nostalgic, old-style luxury serviced camping / lodge safari that recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers in the vast Kafue National Park .

The style of accommodation in the private Busanga Bush Camp (Discoverer) takes you back to the era of Africa 's exploration. A small camp set up on ground level and surrounded for hundreds of square kilometres by pure wilderness and privacy creates a unique experience. Furnished with pure linens of cotton, hot showers and en suite bathrooms all add to the unique atmosphere with simple style and a rich evening campfire atmosphere.

Discoverer styled camping aims to bring the guest closer to nature, by means of a lively camp fire and hurricane lanterns. Wide-ranging activities complement the comfort and added luxury of the lodges visited. Discoverer Camps are specifically outfitted to ensure that traditional camping feel with a clear emphasis on necessary and stylish comfortable interiors, creating a peerless wilderness experience.

Guides : The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional trained guides, who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.

Exclusive experience : There is an 8 sq. km zone around our private camps. As the area in which we operate is a public, there is a small chance outside this zone to encounter other guests. Busanga Bush Camp is private and for the use of Exploration travellers only, while River Club and Lunga River Lodge are open to all Wilderness Safaris guests.

Routes : To maximise guests' travel time, a variety of travel modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in charters and private overland transfers which provide both a bird's-eye view and an in-depth visual experience of the contrasting landscapes of Zambia .

Seasonality : We believe that to truly enjoy an amazing journey in the Kafue , you will need three nights in Busanga. Due to the immense diversity of habitat and associated experiences, from riparian forest, broad-leafed and Miombo woodlands (around the Lunga River Camp to the open plains of Busanga, each camp and guide can take ample time to clearly showcase these highlights.

ITINERARY
Day 1: River Club, Livingstone

On arrival in Livingstone you are met by a Wilderness representative and transferred to The River Club.

Your guide will meet you in the reception area at approximately 18h00 for a safari briefing and welcome drink.

The River Club is situated on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River , 18 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls . The camp has a distinct Edwardian flavour and guests here have the opportunity from here to travel a short distance to enjoy the sights and sounds of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River in a peaceful and tranquil setting away from the crowds. Ten luxurious, thatched chalets overlook the Zambezi River , and have en-suite facilities including a bath, shower, toilet and basin. All the rooms have fans. The rooms are all completely open in the front giving guests the best possible views of the Zambezi . The main dining room and lounge also has an interesting library.

The Zambezi National Park is located just across the river, and elephants are often seen on the riverbank. A rich bird life is found in the area. Hippos are regularly sighted (and heard) along the river's edge. Enjoy a guided tour of the Victoria Falls , one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 metres wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge. Boating to the Zambezi River 's islands provides relaxed afternoon activities, and fishing and sundowner trips are offered.

Days 2 & 3: Lunga River Lodge, Lunga River , northern Kafue
Located on a raised bank of the Lunga River and within lush riparian bush each of Lunga River Lodge's six well-appointed thatched roof chalets share a brilliant vantage point over the river's meandering channel. Each room is stylishly furnished (with minimalist touches) and includes an en suite shower, flush toilet and vanity basin. Lighting is by 12v lamps, candles and kerosene lamps.

Activities through the Miombo woodland, riverine forest and grasslands include day and night game drives in open Land Rovers, walks, canoe trips, river cruises and possibly bream fishing.

Days 4, 5 & 6: Busanga Bush Camp, Busanga floodplain, north-western Kafue
Busanga Bush Camp is located deep inside the wildlife haven of the Busanga Plains. Placed under the large thorn trees of a small tree island, the camp features superb views of the flat game-rich plains that surround it. Accommodation is in four canvas mini-chalets with thatched roofs and en suite hot and cold shower, flush toilet, and basin. Each room has a wooded feel, with reed blinds, teak wooden chairs and a wooden bed frame surrounded by a mosquito net. A large canopy tent, bar and lounge provides a perfect ambience to make friends and share stories around the campfire. Floodplain, grassland and woodland islands comprise a habitat suited to extended game drives, by day and night.

Day 7: End of Exploration
After a morning activity our safari ends at the airstrip. Due to guests combining Kafue with various other destinations, our safari ends at the Lunga airstrip, allowing our guests the flexibility to tailor their onward arrangements.

All rates can change without prior notice.