Safari Houses of Zambia
9 night itinerary combining:
- Combining Luangwa Safari House in the South Luangwa 3 nights,
- Chongwe River House in the Lower Zambezi 3 nights &
- Tangala House in Livingstone 3 nights
This safari covers two of the premier parks in Zambia - The South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi - and Livingstone, home to the spectacular Victoria Falls. 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 gameviewing opportunities too, with a chance to see the white rhino in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and river trips on the Zambezi River. Combining these three areas in Zambia gives you an exceptional safari.
Itinerary
Day 1 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.
LUANGWA SAFARI HOUSE
Day 2 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 swimming 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.
LUANGWA SAFARI HOUSE
Day 3 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.
LUANGWA SAFARI HOUSE
Day 4 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.
CHONGWE RIVER HOUSE
Day 5 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.
CHONGWE RIVER HOUSE
Day 6 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.
CHONGWE RIVER HOUSE
Day 7 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.
Tangala House
Day 8-9 There is a wide range of activities on offer at Tongabezi 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 in camp and enjoy the spectacular scenery and peaceful atmosphere. The day will end with a relaxed dinner served either in the main dining area or as a private meal outside of your room.
Tangala House
Day 10 After breakfast, a morning activity time permitting, or a transfer flight (1hr) to Lusaka to connect onto the onward flight.
This package includes
- All domestic flights and transfers
- Luangwa Safari House ~ accommodation, meals, drinks, laundry, game activities, transfers, national park fees
- Chongwe River House ~ accommodation, meals, drinks, laundry, game viewing activities, canoe trips, river cruises, fishing trips, National Park fees
- Tangala ~ accommodation, meals, drinks except premium spirits, champagne, sparkling wines and premium wines, laundry, sunset and sunrise boat trips, fishing, bird walks, gorge walks, afternoon canoeing, visit to Zambian side of Victoria Falls, visit to Livingstone markets and the local Chief's village, game drives in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, road transfer between Tangala and Victoria Falls & National Park fees
This package excludes
- International flights, visas, airport taxes; external activities, premium spirits, champagne, sparkling wines and premium wines at Tongabezi
Conditions
- Minimum 4 people. Children above 7 years welcome and rates may be reduced depending on numbers
Luangwa Safari House
This stunning private house is situated on Nkwali land, approximately 1 km from camp. Built on the edge of a seasonal lagoon and with a backdrop of the Chindeni Hills the game, including herds of elephants and journeys of giraffe, use this area to feed and water throughout the day. The house is castlesque as you enter the vast pivot door into the main room. The view from here is stunning with one side of the room completely open to the bush. There are four bedrooms, two downstairs and two upstairs. They are large, stylish and individual - each with different metals, colours and marble used. The meals are served on a marble table in the house or out on the deck, accessed by a raised walk way, overlooking the waterhole. The plunge pool also looks out over the lagoon.
- private safaris - walking, drives, night drives, visit to Kawaza Village and school, Tribal Textiles
- transfer time from Mfuwe Airport: 40 mins
- on mains 220v - battery charging possible, 3 pin square plugs - adaptors available
- credit card - Visa only accepted - 5% handling fee
- fully inclusive (imported wines and spirits included)
- open all year
Chongwe River House
The location of this extraordinary house is at the end of a massive winterthorn grove, on the banks of the peaceful Chongwe River, a tributary of the Zambezi. The entire house is built of ferro walls and wild wood. There is not a single straight line to be seen! From the main room you look out over the deck and pool to the river and mountains beyond. The Chongwe area is famous for huge male elephants feeding through the winterthorn grove. From the bedrooms, the sitting room and the deck you will have game in view, feeding and watering.
- 8 beds, in 4 large twin/king bedrooms. Bath and waterfall shower
- private safaris - walking, drives, night drives, boating, canoeing and fishing
- transfer time from Royal Zambezi airstrip 15 mins
- 220v generator and solar power, square plugs - adaptors available
- fully inclusive (imported wines and spirits included)
- open April - November
Tangala House
Tangala House 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. Located 5km upstream from Tongabezi, Tangala sleeps eight and comes fully serviced and staffed by Tongabezi. 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.
- 8 guests in 3 double en-suite rooms and one twin room
- minimum stay of 3 nights
- fully serviced (guide, chef, waiter, housekeeper)
- Included use of boats, trips to the Falls, shops, curio markets, museums and game park
- Tangala comes with 3 friendly dogs
- Livingstone Airport 45 mins transfer
