Zambia - Family Safari

Zambia - Family Safari

An exclusive safari experience in Zambia’s prime areas – homes away from home! If you are after an exclusive experience, perhaps to enjoy some family quality time or a getaway with friends…this safari is exactly what the doctor ordered. A combination of exclusive safari houses across the three prime Zambian destinations of South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi & Livingstone have been used. Highly personalised service is offered throughout, with all details of the safari tailored to your taste and preferences.

The Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoiled wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. The Luangwa River flows into the Zambezi River – just below the Lower Zambezi National Park. This park, scenically bordered by an impressive escarpment, has excellent game, which can be viewed from either the river or by land. Quietly drifting past a huge elephant feeding is a great experience. Livingstone is home to one of 7 natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls, and offers many opportunities, both adrenaline filled and more sedate, to view this amazing site. There are game viewing opportunities too, with a chance to see the white rhino in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and river trips on the Zambezi River. 

Tips on activities on offer: 

South Luangwa: walking, game drives (day and night), Kawaza Village Tour, Tribal Textiles tour (for souvenirs), Chipembele Wildlife Orphanage visit. 

Lower Zambezi: boating, game drives, walking, canoeing, fishing. 

Livingstone: Victoria Falls visit, Livingstone Island lunch/high tea, cultural tours, sunset cruises, canoeing, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, microlighting – this list is continuously being increased, contact us at time of booking for more.

Day 1 : Luangwa Safari House

On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you. The drive to the Luangwa Safari House is just under an hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. The Luangwa Safari House lies on the edge of a wonderful lagoon system – a highway for animals. The four rooms are all individually designed, are large and with fantastic views of the bush. The main sitting area is two storeys high and has an open view over the plunge pool and the lagoon. Lunch is served on the deck – that stretches out into the lagoon area, so you often eat lunch surrounded by elephants. Depending on your arrival time, in the day you will enjoy a lunch or if in the afternoon for tea and the afternoon and night game drive.

Day 2 : Luangwa Safari House

During your stay at the houses the rhythm of your day is your choice. This is the joy of staying at a private house. The usual day will start with breakfast at just after dawn. The morning walk or drive will leave soon after, entering the park by boat from the camp or by the nearby pontoon. The game in the area is excellent – and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic species of giraffe, the Thornicroft Giraffe. A mid-morning break of tea, coffee and cake will be taken by a scenic point on a lagoon or the Luangwa River. Return to the house for lunch around mid-day. After lunch you can cool off in the pool or siesta. Tea will be served in the afternoon and then off on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early night giving the chance to see the nocturnal world. Usually one returns to camp about 20.00 hrs with dinner generally at 20.30. 

Day 3 : Luangwa Safari House

Another day to enjoy the game viewing or you may wish to go on an all day picnic. Taking a scout with you, you will be able to enjoy a walk or explore further afield in the park. Lunch will be under a tree or next to a lagoon and you will then be able to take a siesta or simply spend a lazy couple of hours reading a book or watching the fascinating animals and landscape around you. Returning to the house when you are ready – you may decide to continue straight on your evening drive and return to come after sundowners – this is a very flexible day. With so much game coming past the house you may choose to spend a morning in, and book a massage while you watch the elephant nearby. Or again, go out into the bush to explore further. Another option is to visit the Kawaza Village in the community.

Day 4 : Chongwe River House

After breakfast you will transfer to Mfuwe Airport for your flight to Royal Airstrip. This could be either direct (1 hour 40 mins flight) or via Lusaka (1 hour flight then a 30 min transfer to another plane and a 30 min flight). At Royal you will be met by a representative from Chongwe River House. The transfer to the house is only 20 minutes. The house itself looks onto the Chongwe River and is near the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi rivers with the mountains of the escarpment to the north. The house is unique – built out of feral cement, following the lines of natural wood, there is not a straight line to be seen. Each room commands a spectacular view and has a bathroom with “waterfalls” for showers. You will arrive in time for a delicious buffet lunch. In the afternoon you will have the choice of game viewing by vehicle or you can jump in a boat and experience life on the Zambezi. Back in time for an alfresco dinner and chat around the campfire.

Day 5 : Chongwe River House

Today you can continue with the drives or walks or you may wish to take advantage of the fantastic fishing opportunities. The Zambezi is home to one of the world's premiere game fish, the tiger. The variety in the Zambezi, Hydrocynus vittatus, can grow up to 10 -12 Kg and is a superb fighter. A strict catch and release policy is adhered to. Canoeing for a morning or even the whole day is another option which is well work the effort – although an experience guide will be with you and you can actually just float along if you wish. The Lower Zambezi is renowned for superb canoeing safaris - the most unobtrusive way to encounter big game. Like the Luangwa Safari House your time is your own and the hosts will follow your wishes. 

Day 6 : Chongwe River House

A further day to take part in the various game viewing options or you may wish to relax in camp and enjoy the tranquil surrounding. A sundowner boat trip would be the perfect end to the day.

Day 7 - 9 : Tangala House

After breakfast and farewells, a drive through the park to the airstrip to meet the plane taking you to Livingstone via Lusaka (1.5 hours). On arrival you will be met and transferred to Tangala House, where you will settle into your accommodation and be served a delicious lunch. This is a large and stylish family house fabulously located on the banks of the Zambezi River. It is ideal for families or groups looking for exclusivity and complete privacy while visiting the Victoria Falls. Tangala sleeps eight and comes fully serviced and staffed by Tongabezi Lodge. The house is ideal for families and is designed to keep insects out, with glass windows all round. Large herds of elephant often come down to drink on the opposite bank and hippos are regularly seen and heard. There is fantastic birdlife, with over 145 species to date spotted from the kitchen window. Day 8-9 There is a wide range of activities on offer including fishing, canoe trips on the river, game drives in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. For the more adventurous, Livingstone boasts a whole host of adrenaline filled activities including whitewater rafting, bungee jumping and microlighting. Or you may just wish to rest and the house and enjoy the spectacular scenery and peaceful atmosphere.

Day 10 : Transit

After breakfast, a morning activity time permitting or a transfer to Livingstone Airport for onward connection.