Kafue National Park & Western Zambia Expedition Route

The vegetation in the Kafue national park changes from lush swampland to grassy plains to woodlands, depending on the area of the park. World renowned for its night game drives, Kafue National Park offers superb chances of spotting the shy nocturnal leopard. In addition, there are lions, elephants, buffalo, hyena, hippo, kudu, lechwe and other antelopes. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded in this park alone!

Western Zambia, part of which was formerly known as Barotseland, is a Kingdom with the Litunga being the king of the Lozi people. Still a remote section of African continent, traditional ways of life are the norm and cattle are the mainstay of the economy. In this beautiful section of the country, edging the mighty Zambezi River, and encompassing amazing wildlife and stunning scenery, we will each have a chance to involve ourselves in the old age traditions of rural life.

Day 1( Lunch and Dinner)

Depart early from Livingstone and travel north towards Kafue National Park by road. Our lunch sport will be enjoyed in Kalomo, the previous capital of Northern Rhodesia. We then head on to Kafue National Park and enter through Dudumwenze Gate where we have our first opportunity of chancing game as we meander towards our camp. In the evening will have the first opportunity to learn about African campfire cooking and assist with preparing traditional dishes. After a stunning sunset, the evening will be spent around the campfire swapping stories and enjoying the sounds of the Kafue nightfall.

Day 2 ( Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Awake for sunrise and some steaming hot drinks before we venture out for a 3 hour morning game drive. We will have amble opportunity to take in the wide variety of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, which this park is famous for. Cheetah, eland, sable, elephant, zebra, roan, waterhog and lion are common sightings! Back at our camp, your guide will prepare a delicious lunch, and there will be some time to relax and enjoy before a casual afternoon boat cruise on Itezhitezi Lake. This three hour cruise will give you another opportunity to see the huge red African sunset across the wilds.

 Day 3 (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

After breakfast, we will each have a choice of either a morning fishing excursion, river safari or a participatory canoe safari. After a well deserved lunch, we will depart for a late afternoon game drive. As the night falls, we will each take turns with the spot light to find the solitary game in the dark of the park. This is our best chance for gazing up on the shy and nocturnal leopard, the most elusive of the African Big Five!

Day 4 (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

The early morning will be spent leisurely driving to the gates of Kafue National Park for the last chance at game sightings. After a stopover in Kaoma to refresh ourselves, we will proceed to Mongu, the bustling capital of Zambia's Western Province. Mongu is located on high ground overlooking the Zambezi flood plain. It is also the centre of Barotseland and the Kingdom of the famous Lozi people . Traditional culture is visibly alive here and the Lozi King, the LITUNGA, has his winter palace (dry season) at Lealui, 15km north west of Mongu, and his summer palace (wet season) at Limulunga 15km north of Mongu. It is at Limulunga where we shall be spending our next two nights, sleeping in traditional Lozi huts.

Day 5 ( Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

After breakfast, we will visit the Litunga's palace and have an informal tour of the surrounding village. We may even have the special opportunity to chat with the Lozi King! There will always be ample opportunity to ask questions, interact and make new friends. You may find that many times the local people have plenty of questions about where you come from! Together we will enjoy a cooked traditional Lozi lunch, with the opportunity to join in and learn some new culinary skills . The afternoon will be spent visiting a company project after which we will visit the Nayuma Museum to learn more of the Lozi culture and their annual Kuomboka traditional ceremony. The Kuomboka is one of the last remaining, entirely weather dependent traditional ceremonies in Africa. Yearly, thousands of Zambian visitors, tourists and international dignitaries line the river to view the regal splendor of the Lozi King being paddled down river by hundreds of his tribesmen.

Day 6 ( Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

We have an early start as we follow the curves of the Zambezi River to Senanga town. It is here that we will stop for breakfast and enjoy the views of flood plains rich with wildlife on the banks of the Zambezi River. Continuing on to Sioma village, we shall go to visit the famous Sioma Falls(also known as Ngonye Falls). These beautiful waterfalls mark the transition point of the Zambezi River's flow from Kalahari sand floodplain to basalt dyke-the latter eventually contributing to the magnificent gorges of the Victoria Falls.

Day 7 ( Breakfast and Lunch)

After breakfast, we will head back to Livingstone, having a stop over lunch at Sesheke town, across the river from Namibia. We arrive back in Livingstone late afternoon where you will be dropped off at your choice of accommodation.

Inclusive of all meals, transfers, activities, safari accommodation, camping equipment and transfers!

Not included: Sleeping bags, alcohol, snacks and items of personal nature.