Description
Kafue 14 Days
Longer and Luscious
Your safari starts and ends in Livingstone, Zambia.
This Kafue 14 Day tour is an epic adventure into one of Africa’s largest National Parks.
Arrive in Victoria Falls a few days before the tour departs. There are too many things to see and do so you will want time before or after the tour to relax and enjoy your surroundings. We will gladly advise and book accommodation to suit your budget and arrange activities that we can recommend. Sunset cruises on the Zambezi river, walking with Rhino and White Water Rafting are just a few.
Hop into a helicopter and view the Falls National Park from the sky. This perspective is truly unique, you now really got to see how amazing the Batoka Gorge is and how far it stretches, its exhilarating. The Smoke that Thunders, depending on the time of year and how much water is flowing, can be amazing to see. In full flood the force of all that water plummeting down sends the spray vertically.
Exploring Kafue National Park with experts is the best way to get the most out of such a vast park. We know where to look for which animals and we are always blessed with fantastic wildlife sightings and interactions. We support Elephant conservation so on all the tours we will visit the Kafue Release Facility of Game Rangers International. You will witness first hand the baby Elephants and how they are reintegrated into the wild.
Bush camping, bird watching, going into places in the park that less than 1% of tourists ever venture is thrilling and exciting. Lying in your rooftop tent at night while animal sounds come from all around. Spoor in the morning reveals late night visitors.
Join us for one of these tours and create a memory of a lifetime with Zambia and African Safari Experts.
Read our Country Information for travel advice to Zambia.
Looking for a tour? Explore our Classic Zambia expedition.
For more information on our 4X4 tours read our blog on Safari Questions.
How to Get There
Fly In
Fly in to Livingstone in Zambia with British Airways, South African Airways or Kenya Airways from Cape Town, Johannesburg and other origins.
If you need to overnight in Johannesburg please get in touch with us for accommodation.
On your arrival in Livingstone you will be met at the airport and driven to your accommodation. The airport is a mere 15 minutes from town and most hotels are very close to this on the banks of the Zambezi River.
For flights and on the ground arrangements, get in touch with us for expert advice.
Full Itinerary
Day 1 – Livingstone
On arrival at Livingstone International Airport you will be met by Charles who will drive you to Maramba River Lodge, a short 15-minute drive. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. At around 15h00 we will be collected by our transport for the short ride to the Zambezi Waterfront where we will board Lady Livingstone for a 2-hour sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Bring your binoculars and a warm jacket.(D)
Day 2 – Wild Bushcamp
We meet at 08H00 to pack the vehicles and depart Livingstone at 09h00. Our first destination is Kalomo (+-180 km’s from Livingstone). This road was recently upgraded and the scenery changes from dense bush to the occasional roadside village, tobacco and maize farms.
At Kalomo we will have a brief stop to stretch our legs and take on fuel. We drive through the town and make our way to the road that leads to the Ndumdumwezi Gate of Kafue National Park. You will experience the true culture of this beautiful country as we wind our way through the foothills passing rural villages and schools along the way. We will be driving through the Bilili Springs Game Management Area, and there is always the possibility of seeing wildlife in these areas’. After entering the gate, we will begin a leisurely game drive, here there will be plenty of time for game viewing and birding. We will stop at around 15h00 once the team has found a suitable bush camp. This is a truly “African” experience of camping in the bush and enjoying the many night sounds while we sit around the fire after a delicious dinner. (BLD)
Day 3 to 5 – Wild Bushcamp
A hearty breakfast is prepared for you before we begin breaking camp and making our way slowly Northwards, there are many “loops” to be discovered here & game viewing in this this section of Kafue is good. Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, Oribi, Elephant, Wild Dog, Sable and Roan antelope and Lion are all possible sightings. Birds are plentiful and include Palm Nut Vulture, Black Cheeked Lovebirds, Herons, Kingfisher, Hornbills, Pygmy Geese, Wattled Crane and many more. There are over 500 bird species in this park including the endemic Black Cheeked Lovebirds, a “lifer” for ornithologists.
We will stretch our legs & have a mid-morning cup of coffee. Continuing North through some very dense Miombo Woodlands we will explore the Katinti Track for a distance before returning to the Western Boundary Track. For the next 3 days we will be exploring the areas of Katoka, Mufunta, Katobo and Kamano. Depending on the game viewing in this area the tour will be flexible to ensure you as our guest derives the maximum benefit from your safari. If game is scarce we will cut a days bush camping for an additional day at another location. (BLD)
Day 6 & 7 – Mayukuyuku
We will arrive at Mayukuyuku in the late afternoon to piping hot showers and a delicious meal prepared by the chef at the lodge. If you would like to stay in one of the chalets here please remember to book this with us in advance to avoid disappointment.
Set on the banks of a tranquil river, elephant visit the lodge often.
Tomorrow will be a day of rest, a chance to get some much-needed washing done and the opportunity to sit by the banks of the river and take in the serenity of this magnificent park. Our chef will need to restock the food supplies and we will need to refuel the vehicles. Take a book and a lazy chair, park yourself on the bank in the shade & enjoy the views!
A night drive has been booked for you tonight after dinner so take a warm jacket, hop on the vehicle with your guide and head out in search of the elusive night creatures. A walk has also been arranged here with one of the local guides and a ZAWA scout for the early morning. (BLD)
Day 8 & 9 – Busanga Plains
Heading North we will be following the course of the Kafue River towards the Busanga floodplains and the game rich area of the far North of Kafue. This area is well known for Lion, Leopard & Cheetah not to mention the possibility of Wild Dog packs. We may well head North out of the park into the Kasonso Busanga Game Management Area tracing the path of the swamps as they flow Southwards. We will take coffee, tea & snacks along for the day and stop for a chance to look around, explore & simply enjoy this incredible experience of the swamp area. The idea is to spend as much time game viewing, exploring & discovering as much as we can about this stunning wetland area.
We will make camp in the late afternoon with enough time to enjoy a shower, relax and share some stories of the day while your chef cooks your evening meal.
If our game viewing in the South of the park was not good, then we will spend an additional day up here in the Busanga area to ensure we capitalize on game viewing. (BLD)
Day 10 – Mayukuyuku
We will take a slow drive back in the direction of Mayukuyuku where we will once again be spending the night to break our journey. It is not possible to traverse certain distances due to road conditions as well as the fact that we are “game viewing” all the time so slow speeds mean less ground covered but better opportunities to spot wildlife. (BLD)
Day 11 – Kasabushi
Departing Mayukuyuku early we are in for a treat today! We will cross the Kafue River once again at Hook Bridge and explore the loops in this area. There will be invaluable information from Mayukuyuku camp on the recent game sightings. We will explore the Shishamba Loop along the Shishamba River and then slowly head South towards Kasabushi to spend the evening with Andy & Libby at their amazing campsite. Once again set on the banks of the river the views of the river islands, pods of hippo and elephant coming down to drink make this a very memorable overnight stop. There will be time to visit the Kalungu waterfalls. A night drive has been booked for tonight. (BLD)
Day 12 & 13 – Hippo Bay
With a leisurely start to the day we bid Kasabushi farewell and continue South along the Spinal Road. We will be crossing several rivers as well as intersecting with the Kantinti – Mufuta Track. Rounding the Southern part of Lake Itezhi-Tezhi we will arrive at Hippo Bay around midday, here we will have the opportunity to exit the park & visit the local town where we can purchase fresh produce, re-fuel the vehicles and return to the camp in time for a magical sunset on the waters of the lake. A walk and a drive has been booked here with a local guide and the area is well visited by animals. If you would like to do some fishing this can be arranged. Once again chalets are available for you. Please remember this is a surcharge and advance booking is essential. (BLD)
Day 14 – Nanzhila Plains
Departing Hippo Bay we have an adventurous day ahead – we will spend time in the loops of the Ngoma Teak Forest looking for the very rare antelope of this area as well as visiting the David Shepherd Elephant Orphanage where we will have a tour by Rachel. She will explain how baby elephants are reintegrated into the wild as well as other work that Game Rangers International are conducting.
There are several interesting loops in the Nanzhila area which have dambo’s (seasonally flooded water holes) that support a myriad of wildlife. We will camp along the Cordon Road. (BLD)
Day 15 – Livingstone
Our final breakfast in the bush!
We will break camp & exit the park mid-morning. Passing once again through Kalomo we will arrive back in Livingstone in the late afternoon. Arriving at the lodge will be bliss! A swim in the pool or a pool-side massage – your choice! Sundowners on the deck followed by a final tour dinner together will round this experience off to a tee. (BL)
Included/Excluded
Included:
- Meet & transfer from Livingstone Airport to Maramba River Lodge (a 15-minute drive)
- 2 nights’ accommodation at Maramba River Lodge – one night before the tour, one night after the tour
- Guided tour of the Victoria Falls by your guide
- Vehicle use for the duration of the expedition
- All National Park entrance fees’
- Private Chef preparing all meals (Our chef has 25 years’ experience & will provide delicious meals with silver service dinner table dining)
- Accommodation (roof top tent)
- Bedding & linen
- Safe, clean drinking water for the duration of the tour
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner while on tour)
- All camping site costs
- All guiding by professional guides & 4X4 experts
- Satellite phone – medical emergencies only.
- Charging facility for camera batteries
- Mosquito repellent
- A head torch – to be returned at the end of the tour
- Should you wish to do personal laundry whilst in the bush we will provide water & detergents as well as a washing line.
- Biodegradable soap & shampoo
Optional Activities on tour:
- Sunset cruise on the Zambezi river on “Lady Livingstone” (includes return transfer from the Maramba River Lodge, National Park Fees’, snacks, selected drinks and 2-hour boat cruise)
- Organised game drives – provided by one of the lodges where we will camp using their guide & vehicle
- Night drives – a night drive provided by one of the lodges where we will camp using their guide & vehicle
- Bush walks (Guide & ZAWA Scout) – a walk with a guide from one of the lodges where we will camp as well as an armed Zambia Wildlife Authority game scout
Excluded:
- Personal travel insurance
- Local and international flights
- Any additional or optional activities not listed above
- Any items of a personal nature
- Gratuities of any kind
- Malaria medication – please consult your Doctor.
Please note:
No children under 16 years of age are allowed on the tour.
A maximum of 20kg soft bag is appropriate. No hard-shell cases can be carried. Excess luggage can be stored safely in Livingstone.
Only bio-degradable products are allowed on tour – we will provide this.
It is preferable to plan your itinerary for an early morning arrival in Johannesburg with a connecting flight to Livingstone the same day.
No white, blue or black clothing is advised for your own comfort.
Vehicle fridges are for catering purposes & a very limited amount of personal alcohol or drinks can be stored.
Only medical dietary requirements will be catered to due to availability.