South Luangwa & The Zambezi: Wildlife & Waterfalls on a Luxury Holiday

Visiting Zambia is an experience of two halves. From luxurious lodges to sleep-outs under the stars, and from game filled plains to the cascading Victoria Falls, it is a country that is sure to tick every box. Come with us on this nine-night tour where you can be a part of it all, starting in Luangwa Valley. Here you will go game spotting to your heart’s content on private walking and driving safaris and spend an incredible night sleeping out under the star-filled sky. From the Valley, you will move on to the Lower Zambezi to a luxurious riverside retreat for a few days of canoeing, freshwater fishing and riverbank dining. To end on a high we will take you to Livingstone for three days full of romantic adventure- sunset boat trips, sampan dinners in the middle of a river, and of course an unforgettable helicopter ride over Victoria Falls and a thrilling swim in their natural infinity pool, Devil’s Pool. How can you say no?

Starry-eyed

Touchdown at Zambia’s Mfuwe Airport where we will be on hand to whisk you off to Chinzombo Camp in South Luangwa National Park, your home for the first three nights of this spectacular safari trip. Designed by award-winning architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, Chinzombo is a place of luxury and sophistication on the edge of the Luangwa River.  The Luangwa Valley is renowned for its high concentration of game animals, especially predators such as leopards, so you have front row seats when it comes to spotting African wildlife. Wake up for early morning game drives and walking safaris and return for an afternoon in-villa spa treatments, a dip in the pool or a boat trip. After a snooze on the sun lounger or massage table, you can head out on a night game drive to see all the animals at their most active. The highlight of your time here though is the sleep out under the stars. After a breath-taking three hour walking safari along the river bed, you will be guided to your stargazing spot where you will lie back and take in the sights. With no light pollution and totally clear skies, you will see more stars than you ever thought humanly possible.

Water Based Wonders

It’s time to move on now to the Lower Zambezi National Park, to Anabezi Camp. In a region that remains off the tourist trail and with 12 luxury tented suites, each with their own private decking and plunge pool, you are in for a secluded and peaceful few days. Expect to see game animals roaming metres from your camp as they feed on the Anabezi tree pods that surround it. You will spend three relaxing days here making the most of the Zambezi River and its wildlife by canoeing and boating, fishing for the tiger fish and bird watching. There are over 500 species of bird in the area including the Ground Hornbill, African Skimmer and Roufous Bellied Heron and Anabezi’s expert guides will point out the rarest and most beautiful to you. As if that isn’t enough your evenings will consist of river sundowners and riverside three-course meals with an elephant or two for company if you’re lucky.

Soar above Victoria Falls

For your final three nights, we’ll have you ending on a high (quite literally) as you move up the Zambezi River to Tongabezi Lodge. Perched on the riverbank in a grove of African Ebony trees, it is the height of romantic African lodge experiences. A short distance upstream from the Victoria Falls, it would be criminal not to witness this African icon, but this is Black Tomato, so we’ll send you with added panache. Instead of driving, hop in a helicopter or aboard a microlight plane and take to the skies, to see the water thunder down from above. Trust us; it is a real once-in-a-lifetime-experience seeing one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in this way. If you’re a bit of a thrill seeker, you must visit Livingstone Island to swim in the natural infinity pool, forebodingly named Devil’s Pool. Hanging atop the Victoria Falls, swim to the edge and peer over to see the falls below – if you dare.  After such breath-taking sights, we couldn’t let you back down to reality just yet and so your final night will be spent dining at a floating table, set up for just the two of you in the middle of the Zambezi River. Come the end of your meal, allow us to whisk you away to a private island for one last night beneath the stars, feeling like the only people in the world. A peaceful and romantic end to an unbeatably exciting trip.