25 Night Zambia Lodge-based Self-drive (Lvi-Lvi)

Pick up your vehicle at Livingstone Airport. Accommodation is at Avani Victoria Falls Resort close to the entrance to the Falls. Many activities can be arranged from the lodge once you are there – and you can also cross over to Zimbabwe and see the falls from there too.

Your next 6 days are spent exploring the Kafue National Park. Drive first to Nanzhila Plains Safari Camp in the south of the park. Nanzhila offers excellent opportunities to see the healthy populations of a number of antelope species as well as all the major carnivores, with a particularly strong population of Wild Dog and Cheetah.

Make your way north. The next night in Kafue is spent at Konkamoya Lodge – an owner run lodge on the banks of Lake Itezhi-Tezhi in the southern regions of the unspoilt Kafue National Park.

Drive north through the park to Kaingu Lodge, where you spend the next two nights. Kaingu is situated overlooking the Kafue river. Accommodation is in an ensuite tent and includes all meals and activities.

Continue north to Mayukuyuku. The camp is very relaxing and peaceful, just downstream from a number of small rapids facing a small island where the river fans out, with spectacular views in many directions.

Head north east via Landless Corner and Kapiri Mposhi to Forest Inn, a convenient stop-over en route to Kasanka.

Spend two nights in the Kasanka National Park – Zambia’s first national park under private management and as such entirely reliant on tourism revenue and charitable funding. Kasanka is a valuable conservation area with diverse flora and fauna including many endangered species and exceptional birdlife.

The next night is spent in the Mutinondo Wilderness area. Mutinondo is an off the beaten track destination – ideal for the adventurous self-drive visitor. Mutinondo offers a range of activities including hiking, riding, birding, swimming, and canoeing.

Kapishya is a quiet secluded lodge just off the Great North Road, situated on the estate of Shiwa Ngandu (The Africa House) and is beautifully set along the banks of the Mansha River. The main attraction of Kapishya is its natural sulphur-free hot springs.

The next two nights are spent in the heart of the North Luangwa National Park. Buffalo Camp is a seasonal bush camp which is rebuilt and taken down each year. The reed and thatch chalets all overlook the Mwaleshi River.

The focus here is on walking safaris which are conducted by highly experienced Zambian guides and are always accompanied by an armed Zambia Wildlife Authority guard.

Leave Buffalo Camp and continue south through North Luangwa, crossing the Luangwa River by pontoon. You then follow a bush track south to Luambe National Park where you spend two nights at Luambe Camp. The tents are located on the banks of the Luangwa River overlooking a hippo pool.

Your next four nights are spent in the South Luangwa, first at Kafunta River Lodge.

Kafunta River Lodge is set on the banks of the Luangwa River, and the chalets are built on raised platforms with views over the river. Accommodation includes all meals and guided activities.

Island Bush Camp lies under a grove of mahogany trees on the only habitable island in the Luangwa River. Accommodation is in reed huts, with modern comforts of hot showers and running water. Each stilted chalet, with open frontage has a private verandah overlooking the Luangwa.

Head south via Petauke to Redcliffs Zambezi Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River close to Lower Zambezi National Park. This lodge is only accessible by boat with transfers included. Activities focus on the river with fishing and birding particularly good – the scenery is spectacular too.

Travel back to Lusaka where you spend the night at Pioneer Safari Camp just outside of the city.

Return the vehicle in Livingstone – your final night is again at AVANI Victoria Falls.