Off the Beaten Track: Wildlife Safari and Beach, Zambia and Madagascar

Discover adventure in remote places in Zambia. Enjoy remote wildlife safaris in the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Park, then finish your trip at a luxury beach villa in the unparalleled Madagascar.

We planned this Wildlife Safari and Beach, Zambia and Madagascar for a retired couple from Los Angeles. They were quite adventurous and wanted to go off the beaten path for this trip, being as it was their fifth time to Africa. We sent them to 3 incredible wildlife safari parks in Zambia, followed by a beach retreat on the wild island of Madagascar.

They started their Wildlife Safari and Beach, Zambia and Madagascar in the Lower Zambezi National Park. This park is a magnet for wildlife like lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, zebras, wild dogs, and so much more. They spent 3 nights at the gorgeous Chongwe Camp, which offers the perfect blend of nature and luxury. They enjoyed the best views in the Lower Zambezi, looking across the meeting point of two rivers. One of the highlights of their stay here was a water safari on the mighty Zambezi River!

Next, they traveled to South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s other top safari destination. They started at Kakuli Camp, a boutique camp with just 5 tents overlooking the river and a permanent lagoon, offering the ultimate privacy in a pristine setting. Here, they enjoyed Big 5 game drives, walking safaris, and a visit to a local village. Their Zambia safari experience was much more than ticking off the animals they’d seen; their expert guides showed them the secrets of the bush that can only be seen if you take the time to truly explore. And then traveled to Chinzombo Camp for their last two nights in Zambia.

Next for their Wildlife Safari and Beach, Zambia and Madagascar, they flew to Lusaka and then onto Johannesburg for an overnight stay. And the next morning, they flew to Antananarivo and took an onward helicopter to their resort. They spent their last 5 nights at Miavana in an ocean-front villa enjoying sea views, direct beach access. They enjoying swimming in the ocean, seeing the unique wildlife and simply relaxing for the last nights of their vacation.

At last, it was time for our clients to return home; they almost didn’t want to leave! They agreed this was the perfect adventure.

Accommodation
  • 3 Nights Chongwe Camp
  • 2 Nights Kakuli Camp
  • 2 Nights Chinzombo Camp
  • 1 Night Saxon Hotel
  • 5 Nights Miavana
Transportation
  • Flights within Zambia
  • Land Transfers
  • Helicopter transfers in Madagascar

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Zambia! Fly into Lusaka and catch your connecting flight to the wild Lower Zambezi. Your home for the next 3 nights is Chongwe Camp, a gorgeous boutique camp that blends nature with comfort. Each safari tent set along the confluence of the Chongwe River which winds through the forested valley meeting with the mighty Zambezi River, creating a haven for wildlife and exceptional sightings.
Chongwe Camp

Day 2 – 3
Spend the next 2 days exploring the wildlife-rich Zambezi region on safari. Spot lions, buffalo, elephants, hippos, leopards, and much more on game drives (during the day and at night, when nocturnal predators are active) and water safaris. Fishing enthusiasts can fish in the Zambezi River, which boasts the best freshwater fishing in the world, and bird lovers will enjoy the 500 bird species that call this area home. Want to take a break from the activities? Lounge on the decks at camp and watch wildlife congregating in the river while you sip your G&T.
Chongwe Camp

Day 4
Today, your Zambia safari continues with a boat transfer and bush flight to South Luangwa. This off-the-beaten-track park is a true hidden gem of Africa, with diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife. Spend the next 2 nights at Kakuli Camp, a small tented camp with a maximum of 10 guests. Your bright airy safari room is designed to make the most of the panoramic setting, each offering a feather-top bed, indoor and outdoor showers and a covered open-air seating area.
Kakuli Camp

Day 5
This day is yours to explore the incredible South Luangwa National Park! In addition to game drives, you can get out of the vehicle and enjoy an intimate walking safari, where your expert guide will reveal the hidden secrets of the bush. Walking through a herd of buffalo or standing mere feet away from a wild elephant on foot is an experience you’ll never forget! You can also visit a local market or nearby village for an authentic cultural interaction.
Kakuli Camp

Day 6
After a morning activity and breakfast, you will travel onwards to another area of the South Luangwa National Park to your next camp, Chinzombo. Your spacious luxury safari tent rests beneath ancient msikizi trees. You can enjoy your private pool and soaking tub with panoramic views over the river and its abundant wildlife. Down a winding path, the main lodge beckons. Lounge on the riverfront sun deck with a book from the open-air library. Enjoy dinner under the stars, made with produce we grow ourselves. Sip a drink at the bar while browsing through old books and photos or around the fire pit suspended high atop the river bank.
Chinzombo Camp

Day 7
Today you will explore this unique area of the park. You can view most of the big African animals. This is where walking safaris originated and there is still no better place to experience the bush on foot. Be prepared for some thrilling wildlife encounters while following in the footsteps of Africa’s pioneering safari guides.
Chinzombo Camp

Day 8
Say goodbye to Zambia today and travel to Johannesburg for an overnight before continuing to Madagascar.
Saxon Hotel

Day 9
You will travel from Johannesburg to Antananarivo. An exhilarating helicopter ride over mountains, baobabs and shipwrecks dotting the wild coastline ends in a gentle landing on a remote private island off the coast of Madagascar. Rediscover your sense of wonder in a place where luxury means stepping foot where no man has before, surrounded by an unspoiled horizon. Raw and refined, Miavana brings together exclusivity and adventure as well as true sense of travelling with purpose. At around 10 square kilometres in size, Miavana is an intimate haven of time and space, a chance to escape and unwind.
Miavana Luxury Villa

Days 10 – 13
These days are yours to explore the island and relax. Discover a 15,000 hectare marine protected area in your own stride with infinite experiences to pursue. Miavana’s activities span the horizons of land, sea and air to celebrate the best of this remarkable region. Tick off Lemur Trekking on your bucket list as you step inside pristine forests home to over 100 species of lemur or dive below turquoise waters to discover vibrant reefs, sea turtles, and manta rays. Take to the sky for thrilling helicopter excursions or set out on exhilarating ocean adventures in search of migrating humpback whales and spinner dolphins. Miavana’s fleet of boats and an endless array of equipment opens the door to every adventure.
Miavana Luxury Villa

Day 14
Your incredible adventure comes to an end today. Enjoy a road transfer to the airport, where you’ll begin your journey home.

About this vacation
Cost Per Person

Based on
14 day stay
2 travelers

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