9-Day Famous Busanga and the Lower Zambezi Explorer Tour

Upon your arrival at Lusaka Airport, a dedicated member of our team will be there to greet you. We will then provide a seamless transfer to your luxurious accommodations at Ciela Resort, where you can relax and begin your unforgettable journey.

Air Transfer

Following your restful first night, we will begin the next phase of your adventure. You will be transferred to Lusaka Airport to board a private light aircraft, offering you a spectacular bird’s-eye view as you fly north to the Busanga Airstrip. Upon landing, you’ll be greeted and transferred directly to the enchanting Kafue River Lodge, your home for the next part of this incredible journey. Please be aware that due to the weight and space limitations of the light aircraft, it is essential that all luggage is soft-sided and kept to a minimum.

Afternoon Game Drive

After you’ve settled in at Kafue River Lodge and enjoyed a delicious lunch, we will head out on your very first afternoon game drive. This is the perfect way to begin your safari adventure, with the chance to spot amazing wildlife before stopping to enjoy a refreshing sundowner as the sun sets over the African bush.

Today’s full-day game drive will take you deep into the heart of the Busanga Plains, a truly remarkable ecosystem within Kafue National Park. This magnificent landscape, renowned for its golden grasses and seasonal floodplains, is a wildlife paradise. You will have the chance to witness an incredible array of animals, from vast herds of red lechwe, puku, and roan antelope to the iconic African buffalo and majestic elephants. The Busanga Plains are also famous for their high concentration of predators, so keep your eyes peeled for powerful lion prides, elusive cheetahs, and even the rare African wild dog. This immersive experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to see Zambia’s wildlife in a truly wild and pristine setting.

Walking Safari

Embark on a captivating walking safari this morning. After an early breakfast, we will depart from the fire pit and head out into the stunning Lunga-Luswishi area. Guided by the sounds of the bush and the tracks left by animals overnight, we’ll follow the calls of the wild, all while our expert guides introduce you to the smaller wonders of the ecosystem. This isn’t a forced march, but rather a comfortable and enriching stroll, designed to fully immerse you in the environment. It’s a highly educational experience where you’ll learn about everything from tracking and botany to the intricate relationships between different species. We’ll even take a break for a refreshing cup of tea along the way. Your walk will conclude with either a delicious brunch back at the lodge or a surprise feast set up for you in a picturesque bush location.

Boat Trip

A final, serene boat cruise is the perfect way to wrap up your unforgettable stay at Kafue River Lodge. As we glide gently along the Kafue River, you’ll see how this lifeline of the park changes with the seasons. Early in the season, our focus will be on the captivating birdlife and unique plants lining the banks. However, as the dry season intensifies and the river becomes the only reliable water source, it transforms into a bustling hub of activity. By September and October, you might be lucky enough to witness big cats sneaking to the water’s edge for a drink or even see the majestic sight of elephants crossing the river to seek respite from the heat under the cool shade of the waterberry trees. It’s a truly beautiful and genuine experience that connects you with the heart of the wild.

Light Aircraft Transfer

After a memorable and eventful stay at Kafue River Lodge, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for your private flight to Jeki Airstrip in the Lower Zambezi. Upon your arrival, your guide will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to the stunning Kutali Camp, your home for the next part of your safari adventure.

Boat Trip

Upon your arrival at Kutali Camp, you will have a chance to settle in before enjoying a delicious lunch. Afterward, your adventure continues with a spectacular boat trip on the magnificent Lower Zambezi. This is a truly captivating way to experience the river’s power and beauty. The vast, clear waters of the Zambezi are a lifeline for countless animals, and you will have a front-row seat to an incredible display of wildlife and a stunning variety of birds that flock to its banks.

Early Morning Game Drive

Begin your day with an exhilarating early morning game drive into the heart of Lower Zambezi National Park. This pristine wilderness, framed by the majestic Zambezi River and a dramatic escarpment, is a haven for an incredible diversity of wildlife. You’ll have the chance to spot impressive herds of elephants and buffaloes, as well as various antelope species like waterbuck, kudu, and impala. The park is also renowned for its thriving predator population, so keep a keen eye out for lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas. If you’re particularly lucky, you may even encounter the rare and highly endangered African wild dog, which makes this region a critical habitat. This immersive experience offers a perfect opportunity to witness the park’s vibrant ecosystem in action.

Afternoon Canoeing

After your rewarding morning game drive you will have lunch then you’ll embark on a quintessentially Zambian safari—a canoe trip! Led by our highly qualified guides, you’ll paddle silently along some of the most tranquil and stunning channels of the Lower Zambezi. This unique, peaceful experience allows you to get incredibly close to both big and small creatures, from hippos and crocodiles to the diverse birdlife, all from a genuinely intimate and respectful perspective.

Walking Safari in the morning

In the early morning, we will set off on a walking safari, a signature experience for which the Lower Zambezi is justly famous. This is the ideal time to explore on foot, as the temperatures are cool and the animal tracks and signs are fresh from the night. As usual our walks are not a forced march, but rather a gentle amble through the bush, allowing you to connect with the wilderness on a deeper, more intimate level. You’ll have the chance to discover the intricate details of the ecosystem often missed from a vehicle, from tracking spoor and identifying plants to observing smaller creatures and birds in their natural habitat. It’s a truly immersive and educational experience that brings you closer to the heart of the Lower Zambezi.

Evening Game Drive

Following your walking safari and a chance to rest, the evening game drive promises a truly different spirit of exploration. As the day’s heat fades and the golden hour sets in, you will head out to explore this magnificent area at its most dynamic time. This is when the rhythm of the bush changes, offering a spectacular showcase of both diurnal and nocturnal animals. While you’ll still encounter grazing elephants, buffalo, and various antelope, the focus shifts as the sun dips below the horizon. Our guides will use spotlights to seek out the park’s elusive nocturnal residents. Keep a keen eye out for the powerful and stealthy leopard, often seen on the prowl. You might also spot a pride of lions becoming more active and preparing for their nightly hunt. Additionally, this is the best time to see smaller, captivating creatures such as the spotted hyena, genet, civet, and porcupine, providing a truly intimate and comprehensive look into the vibrant life of the Lower Zambezi.

Following a truly unforgettable stay at Kutali Camp, we will ensure a seamless journey for you as we transfer you back to Jeki Airstrip. From there, a private light aircraft will be waiting to fly you to Lusaka Airport, offering one last spectacular aerial view of the Zambian landscape. Upon landing in Lusaka, you will be met by our dedicated driver for a comfortable transfer back to the luxurious Ciela Resort. Here, you will spend one final night, where you can unwind, indulge in the resort’s world-class amenities, and reflect on the extraordinary memories you’ve made during your safari adventure.

And so, your extraordinary Zambian safari journey concludes. We hope you will return home with your heart full of cherished memories, from the vast plains of Busanga to the majestic waters of the Lower Zambezi. Whenever you are ready, our driver will pick you up from Ciela Resort and transfer you to Lusaka Airport for your departure. We sincerely hope to welcome you back to the heart of Africa again soon to create even more unforgettable memories.