Wildlife Safari and Beach: Zambia and Lake Malawi Luxury Tour

Discover romance and adventure in Zambia’s most pristine wildlife parks. Enjoy remote wildlife safaris in the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Park, then finish your trip at a luxury beach villa on the breathtaking Lake Malawi.

We planned this Wildlife Safari and Beach: Zambia and Lake Malawi Luxury Tour for a couple from Los Angeles. They were quite adventurous and wanted to go off the beaten path for their trip, while also enjoying a touch of luxury for this special trip. We sent them to Victoria Falls and some of the best wildlife safari parks in Zambia, followed by a beach retreat on beautiful Lake Malawi.

They started their Wildlife Safari and Beach: Zambia and Lake Malawi Luxury Tour at Victoria Falls, one of the largest and most famous waterfalls in the world. Combining romance and luxury with a hint of adventure just upstream of Victoria Falls, the couple stayed at Tongabezi for a few days. They visited the Falls, did a helicopter over the Falls and a sunset cruise.

Then, the couple continued their Wildlife Safari and Beach: Zambia and Lake Malawi Luxury Tour to Kafue National Park, the largest and oldest park in Zambia, one of Africa’s last great expanses of remote and unspoiled wilderness. The couple loved the remote eco-lodge and spent their days doing game drives and river cruises in an electric vehicle.

From there, they traveled north in the Kafue Park to the Busanga Plains, which gave them a completely different experience and landscape. This remote wilderness is distinct from the miombo woodlands of the park. Instead, flat grassland dambos are dotted with date palms and sausage and fig trees. They spent three days on game drives and even a hot air balloon ride amidst a vast and stunning landscape teeming with diverse animal species.

Next, they moved to Lower Zambezi National Park, which is a magnet for wildlife like lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, wild dogs, and so much more. They spent three nights at the gorgeous Sausage Tree Camp, which perfectly blends nature and luxury. One of the highlights of their stay here was a water safari on the mighty Zambezi River!

Moving on in their Wildlife Safari and Beach: Zambia and Lake Malawi Luxury Tour, they traveled to South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s other top safari destination. They stayed at Shawa Luangwa, an eco-friendly bush camp overlooking the Luangwa River in the Nsefu Sector. 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.

Next for their Wildlife Safari and Beach: Zambia and Lake Malawi Luxury Tour, they flew to Lake Malawi and traveled to Likoma Island. The couple spent their last nights at Kaya Mawa, where relaxed lakeside living is woven into the style, luxury, and comfort of each room. The couple enjoyed dinner by starlight, had massages, and snorkeled in turquoise waters of the lake.

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
  • 2 Nights Tongabezi Lodge
  • 2 Nights Ila Safari Lodge
  • 3 Nights Chisa Busnga Camp
  • 3 Nights Sausage Tree Camp
  • 3 Nights Shawa Luanga Camp
  • 3 Nights Kaya Mawa
Transportation
  • All road transfers
  • All flights within Zambia
  • Flight to Likoma
  • Flight to Lilongwe

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Zambia! After arriving at Livingstone Airport, you will be transferred to your first stop, Tongabezi Lodge, an exclusive and romantic safari lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia, offering luxurious accommodations and breathtaking views near Victoria Falls. Spend the afternoon settling into your room and relaxing.
Tongabezi Lodge

Day 2
ou’ll have multiple opportunities today to explore Victoria Falls—one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Walk along the Zimbabwe side of the Falls for impressive panoramic views, then enjoy a short helicopter ride to soak up the majesty of Victoria Falls from the air. Head back to your lodge, where you can choose to enjoy more included activities (seasonal fishing, guided nature walks, walking or bicycling to a local village, visiting a local school, and more) or relax in this serene natural environment.
Tongabezi Lodge

Day 3
After breakfast, you will travel via a bush flight to Kafue National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Zambia; spans over 22,400 square kilometers and is renowned for its diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife. Your home for the next two nights is Ila Safari Lodge. From environmentally friendly, locally sourced building materials and solar-powered electricity to development of Zambia’s first electric game drive vehicle, Ila is a truly environmentally conscious safari experience. Yet it still manages to effortlessly infuse modern African style, elegance and comfort to make this your unique bush retreat in the heart of Kafue.
Ila Safari Lodge

Day 4
This is your day to explore the area around your lodge. You will have thrilling game drives to spot the park’s diverse wildlife, including lions, leopards, and elephants. Plus, you can do guided walking safaris, bird watching, and boat cruises on the Kafue River, offering unique and immersive ways to experience the natural beauty of the park.
Ila Safari Lodge

Day 5
After a morning activity, you will fly to your next location in the northern sector, the Kafue National Park, Busanga Plains. This region stands out from the rest of Kafue National Park due to its expansive seasonal floodplains, which attract large concentrations of wildlife and provide unique opportunities for game viewing, especially during the dry season. Your lodge for the next 3 nights is Chisa Busanga Camp. Chisa is the Nyanja word for ‘birds nest’, and the rooms were inspired by the weaver bird nests that decorate the trees here. Sitting on a small tree-lined island, the camp uses only solar power as do the game drive vehicles used to explore the watery dambos beyond.
Chisa Busanga Camp

Days 6-7
These days you will spend doing activities from your lodge. You can do game drives and guided walking safaris, providing close encounters with diverse wildlife such as lions, cheetahs, and large herds of antelope. Additionally, hot air balloon rides offer a unique and breathtaking perspective of the floodplains, especially during sunrise, allowing for an unforgettable safari experience.
Chisa Busanga Camp

Day 8
Fly into Lusaka and catch your connecting flight to the wild Lower Zambezi. Your home for the next 3 nights is Sausage Tree Camp, features a luxurious layout with spacious, elegantly designed tented suites, each offering stunning views of the Zambezi River and private decks for an intimate and immersive safari experience.
Sausage Tree Camp

Days 9-10
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.
Sausage Tree Camp

Day 11
Today, your Zambia safari continues with a flight to the country’s other flagship safari park: South Luangwa. This off-the-beaten-track park is a true hidden gem of Africa, with diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife. Spend the next 3 nights at Shawa Luangwa Camp, which offers a harmonious blend of comfort and nature with its thoughtfully designed tented suites, each featuring en-suite bathrooms and private verandas that overlook the serene landscapes of South Luangwa National Park.
Shawa Luangwa Camp

Days 12-13
The next 2 days are 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.
Shawa Luangwa Camp

Day 14
Say goodbye to Zambia today and hello to the sunny shore of Lake Malawi! David Livingstone famously named Lake Malawi “The Lake Of Stars” and for good reason. During the day, the light dances across the deep blue water, and when the sun sets, the night sky comes to life with millions of stars uninterrupted by city lights. Spend the next 3 nights at Kaya Mawa, located on the stunning Likoma Island in Lake Malawi; boasts an array of uniquely designed rooms and villas, each blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings and offering breathtaking views of the lake from private terraces.
Kaya Mawa

Days 15-16
Spend the next 2 days exploring the natural playground of Lake Malawi. Activities on offer include sunrise or sunset cruises on a traditional dhow; snorkeling and diving; speedboating, water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing; and self-guided sailing around the lake. You can also choose to explore the surrounding landscape: Hike up the surrounding hills or cycle down to the local village, and return to the lodge via kayak.
Kaya Mawa

Day 17
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
17 day stay
2 travelers

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