AFRICAN ADVENTURE SAFARI | AFRICAN LION SAFARI

African Tented Lodge Safari

Kafue's Rivers and Plains - Zambia Safari

8 Days

The spectacular Busanga Plains in the north of the Kafue is a vast flat expanse, one of Zambia's most significant wetland resources. This enormous wilderness is cut through by three rivers: The Kafue, Lufupa and Lunga. The mix of habitats from the open grassy plains of Busanga to the lush vegetation fringing the rivers allows for different impressions and highlights, creating fascinating ever-changing safari.

Explore the three major arteries of the Kafue National Park: The Kafue, Lufupa and Lunga Rivers. Traversing the course of the Lufupa River from its confluence with the Kafue, its mix of water from two different catchments clearly apparent, right up to the Busanga Plains takes one through the diverse habitats of riverine forest, miombo woodland, acacia- and palm-strewn floodplain, dambos and ultimately the plains themselves. This mix of habitats harbours a huge diversity of species from leopard and wild dog of the Lufupa woodlands to lion and cheetah of the Busanga Plains, Defassa waterbuck and yellow baboons of the riverine to lechwe and oribi of the grasslands. Game drives, nature walks and boating ensure an interesting and varied exposure to the environment and associated bird and mammal life in this trip that offers the best of Kafue.

Days 1, 2 & 3: Lufupa Camp, northern Kafue

Upon arrival at Lusaka airport you are met by a representative of Sefofane Air Charters who will transfer you by light aircraft to Kafue National Park. Your private guide will meet you at the airstrip in Kafue and transfer the group to Lufupa Camp. This transfer is approximately 1 hour in duration, and en route we may encounter eland, roan and sable to name a few. Accommodation is in 6 large Meru-style tents with en-suite facilities. Dining and bar area are under huge jackalberry trees, overlooking the Kafue River. Dinners served in a traditional-style boma under the stars, next to a lively campfire or in the tented dining room overlooking this impressive river.

Lufupa Camp is situated in the centre of the northern sector of the 22 500 square kilometre Kafue National Park, at the confluence of the Lufupa and Kafue rivers; these and the Lunga River are all perennial tributaries of the Kafue River. The beauty of the park is evident in its diverse habitats with floodplains, miombo woodland, thick riverine vegetation and open grassy areas called dambos. There are resident prides of lion and leopard is frequently seen. Wild dog are occasionally sighted. There is also a wide variety of plains game ranging from zebra, buffalo, roan, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, sable, kudu and impala to the diminutive oribi. Elephant are also often seen roaming through the concession.

Days 4, 5 & 6: Musanza Tented Camp, Busanga floodplain, north-western Kafue

Depart Lufupa for an early morning game / transfer drive to Musanza Tented Camp. Musanza Tented Camp is located deep inside the wildlife haven of the Busanga Plains of Kafue National Park. Accommodation consists of four well-appointed tents with wall-to-wall views of the spectacular wildlife that frequents the grassy plains. The main dining and bar area are tented and situated under a majestic canopy of trees. The simple bush style of this camp creates the perfect atmosphere to enjoy dinner under a canopy of stars around a campfire.

The Busanga Plains' most dominant antelope species include red lechwe and puku, while buffalo, bushbuck, kudu, oribi, reedbuck, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, sable and roan are also often viewed in this enormous open plains system. There are also hippo and crocodile; however the main plains predators are lion and cheetah and spotted hyaena with wild dogs less often seen. Leopard can also be spotted along the wooded tree lines fringing the plains, as well as elephant. Bird life is fantastic, with large flocks of Pelicans, Crowned Cranes and Wattled Crane in the plains at certain times of the year.

Day 7: Lunga River Lodge, Lunga River, northern Kafue

After an early breakfast, we transfer by road to Lunga River Lodge, enjoying our last shortened game drive on the Busanga Plains as we leave the area and re-enter the Miombo woodland. Located on a raised bank of the Lunga River and within lush riparian bush, each of Lunga River Lodge's six thatched-roof chalets share a beautiful vantage point over the river's meandering channel. Each room is stylishly furnished (with minimalist touches) and includes an en-suite shower, flush toilet and vanity basin.

The deep and clear Lunga River is the largest tributary of the Kafue River and flows north to south through a mosaic of miombo woodland, riverine woodland and grassy dambos in the north-east of the Kafue National Park. Species like puku and impala are abundant while roan and Lichtenstein's hartebeest occur in lower densities. Viewing of buffalo herds and elephant bulls is good while lion and leopard are regularly encountered. Additional interesting species in the form of yellow baboons and tree hyrax can be found in the vicinity of the camp while a high-density hippo population occurs in the Lunga River. Activities include game drives, walking safaris, guided canoe and boating trips as well as fishing. Night drives provide the added excitement of the nocturnal wonders of the area.

Day 8:  Depart Kafue National Park

Early morning light aircraft transfer from Lunga River Lodge to Lusaka Airport, where the safari ends.

Safari Price: US $2,772

Single Supplement: US $420

Depart from:  Lusaka Airport

Finishing at:  Lusaka Airport

Please contact us for a list of Departure Dates. Tailor-made departures can be arranged, subject to the availability of space.

Price Includes:
Accommodation on a per person sharing basis, all meals, drinks (except premium brands), national park fees, laundry at Lunga,  activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed safari itinerary.

Price Excludes:
Flights (other than specified in detailed safari itinerary), flight taxes (US $25 per person payable on departure for international flights and US $8 per person payable on departure for internal flights), visas, compulsory insurance, all relevant entry and departure government taxes, all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours, all drinks and travel arrangements before or after the safari.

Please contact us for a list of Departure Dates. Tailor-made departures can be arranged, subject to the availability of space.

General:
Each departure is confirmed for a minimum of 2 confirmed guests and operates with a maximum of 8 guests per safari. Children from the age of 12 are welcome on all scheduled departures. For guests over 75, a certified medical certificate of full health must be provided. The operator reserves the right, due to situations beyond our control to substitute a lodge or location with another of comparable quality. If a guest is willing to share and we can match another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. No triple rooms accepted. Season operates from June to November.

Please note that we require a 20% non-refundable deposit on confirmation of your booking. The full payment is due not later than 8 weeks prior to departure. On receipt of full payment, we will send vouchers, safari information, clothing lists etc.

Arrival & Departure Notes: For guests wanting to start out of Livingstone rather than Lusaka, or wanting to extend to Livingstone, a supplementary rate of US $200 per person applies one way for the longer air transfer. At the start of the trip, the normal departure time from Lusaka for this safari is 07h45, however there is a later charter available at 14h00. At the end of the trip, the departure from Lunga airstrip is arriving at approximately 11h15 at Lusaka International Airport. If you are scheduled to depart on an earlier flight out of Lusaka International Airport, then we would recommend leaving the tour early to spend the last night in Lusaka (Pioneer Lodge or similar), no change in cost applies.

Photo Copyright: Wild Africa Safari Co, Wilderness Safaris, Mike Meyers, Michael Poliza, Dana Allen, African Safari Wildlife

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