7 DAY VIC FALLS AND LOWER ZAMBEZI

Holiday in two distinct areas of interest in the monumental Zambezi River – each attractively exceptional and indisputably remarkable

Day 1 : Livingstone

Visitors are met upon arrival by tourAfrika representative at O R Tambo International in Johannesburg and assisted with checking in to their flight to Livingstone. Visitors will be met on arrival at Livingstone Airport and visit the Livingstone Museum en route to the hotel. The museum still houses the largest collection of Sir David Livingstone’s letters and journals, and bears testament to the legacy of this illustrious man, who spent more than half his life in Africa. He was dedicated to the exploration of the African continent and the predicament of its people who were, at the time, still being brutally exploited by the slave traders. A quick look of the roaring Victoria Falls on the Zambezi river is followed by check-in at the hotel, where the late afternoon is spent relaxing.

Overnight:  Royal Livingstone
Meals:  None

Day 2 : Livingstone

The morning is dedicated to visiting the falls section of the ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park’. The local name translates to ‘the smoke that thunders’ and has been commonly used in the area for many hundreds of years. The nature preserve offers astonishing views in all directions. A walk across the knife-edge bridge with the falls roaring into the chasm below is certain to be a sensational encounter. At peak flow in April, the massive plume of spray generated by the falls is buffeted skyward for at least 400m – occasionally even double this figure – and can be seen and heard from over 40km away! On a full moon evening, you may even be lucky enough to observe a ‘moonbow’ or lunar rainbow, created when moonlight refracts off the water droplets in the plume. Victoria Falls is one of the few places in the world where you can witness this rarely seen phenomenon and the colours, usually less intense than a sunlight rainbow, are best captured with long exposure photography. There is also an extensive African curio market at the falls’ entrance and visitors may take some time to see the various arts and crafts on show before returning to the hotel around midday. In the late afternoon, a sunset cruise is enjoyed on the mighty Zambezi River. Traditional cocktails and snacks are served aboard the river boat, with the sight of the sun setting over one of Africa’s most inspiring areas and certain to be reminisced for a life.

Overnight:  Royal Livingstone
Meals:  Breakfast

Day 3 : Livingstone

The morning is dedicated to an elephant-back safari in a wilderness area not far from Victoria Falls. Seated comfortably on the back of natures true “king of the beasts”, experience an age-old tradition whilst silently exploring the majestic grasslands of Victoria Falls National Park and marvel at the spectacular scenery of Masuie river plunging 120 m into the Zambezi river below. Your safari concludes with a brief training session and interaction with the elephants, followed by a late breakfast or early lunch. Guests then return to the hotel, where the remainder of the day is spent relaxing.

Overnight:  Royal Livingstone
Meals:  Breakfast

Day 4 : Lower Zambezi National Park

After breakfast, visitors are returned to Livingstone Airport for a flight of just over an hour to Lusaka. From Lusaka Airport, guests are chartered to the Chiawa Game Management Area, from where guests will be transferred to the Royal Zambezi Lodge.  Located on the opposite bank to Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools, the Royal Zambezi Lodge is situated on the majestic Zambezi River. This intimate lodge makes the most of the environment in which it is situated, letting nature provide guests with a magnificent setting for their African holiday. The lodge is positioned to allow visitors to take full advantage of a wide variety of safari activities in the area, which is home to elephant, buffalo, lion and the elusive leopard! The late afternoon is dedicated to your first safari in this isolated African wilderness.

Overnight:  Royal Zambezi
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 : Lower Zambezi National Park

The day commences with an early morning river cruise on the Zambezi. Cruise along this stormy river in the lodge’s outboard power boat, stumbling upon hippos, crocodiles and even elephant. Antelope characteristically approach the water with extreme vigilance to evade the crocs. Chorales of water birds fluster and twig among the reed beds, heightening a truthfully phenomenal morning. Visitors spend the rest of the day relaxing before once again embarking on an afternoon safari. Guests also have and opportunity of staying up for an after-dinner safari – the perfect time to witness big cats out on stalk.

Overnight:  Royal Zambezi Lodge
Meals:  Full Board

Day 6 : Lower Zambezi National Park

Along with your twice daily game drives, the Royal Zambezi Lodge offers a wealth of additional activities. Swap a game drive with a river cruise or bush walk, take on the Zambezi’s famed tiger fish or glide tranquilly along on a guided canoe safari. Undertake a trip further afield and opt for a cultural village tour of the nearby Goba community. Each encounter in this delightfully wild, far-flung corner of the world will prove memorable.

Overnight:  Royal Zambezi Lodge
Meals:  Full Board

Day 7 : Departure

After breakfast, a charter flight returns guests to Lusaka where they will board a flight back to Johannesburg, concluding a remarkable Vic Falls and Lower Zambezi safari in Zambia.

Overnight:  None
Meals:  Breakfast