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A Safari in Wildest Zambia & Zimbabwe

A Safari in Wildest Zambia & Zimbabwe

Kafue, Livingstone, Hwange, Mana Pools

nights
11
camps
4
from price, per person
USD20,805

Natigana’s Natalie and Julian are a creative couple known for their travel, lifestyle, and hospitality stories. Their focus is on capturing moments that showcase the authentic atmosphere of the places they visit. Naturally this approach led them to discovering some of our wildest safari camps in Zambia and Zimbabwe, combining their off-the-beaten track adventure with a couple of unforgettable nights at Victoria Falls.

SG

Sarah Glyde

Travel Designer

Wilderness Shumba

Wilderness Shumba

Game drives in Kafue National Park

Game drives in Kafue National Park

Wilderness Toka Leya

Wilderness Toka Leya

Flight of Angels Helicopter Tour

Flight of Angels Helicopter Tour

Wilderness Little Makalolo

Wilderness Little Makalolo

Game drives in Hwange National Park

Game drives in Hwange National Park

Wilderness Ruckomechi

Wilderness Ruckomechi

Exploring Mana Pools National Park

Exploring Mana Pools National Park

Accommodation

Summary

DAYS 1 - 4
Kafue, Zambia
DAYS 4 - 6
Livingstone, Zambia
DAYS 6 - 9
Hwange, Zimbabwe
DAYS 9 - 12
Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
wildlife & activities

Highlights

  • There is so much that stood out from this trip: the wildlife moments, the sense of adventure, the stunning landscapes, and all the unforgettable experiences that come with being out in the wild.
  • Travelling with Wilderness made our safari even more special, knowing we are guided by people who truly care about nature and creating unforgettable experiences.
  • We loved that no drive was ever the same. Every sighting was unique and unexpected. We especially loved the early mornings, when the bush slowly comes to life and you get a glimpse of what might have happened overnight.

Your Itinerary

Day 1

Lusaka AirportWilderness Shumba

Flight • 01:10h

On arrival at Lusaka Airport and after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and assisted by a Wilderness representative to your light aircraft for your onward circuit air transfer to Wilderness Shumba. You will take a light aircraft transfer from Lusaka Airport to Wilderness Shumba. Departure Taxes are not included and must be paid direct, in cash, preferably in small denominations. Travelers Cheques and credit card payments are not accepted for this purpose. Domestic departure tax: US$16 per person - subject to change. When the need arises, Wilderness Air reserves the right to charter to a third party, preferred aircraft operator.

Day 1 - 4
Wilderness Shumba
LocationKafue, Zambia

Kafue is vast, remote and utterly wild – with Wilderness Shumba as the perfect camp from which to explore it. Several overlapping pride territories meet here at the "lion’s camp". Panoramic floodplain views are dotted with herds of puku and lechwe, and occasional stands of fig and palm trees. The lions themselves sometimes use these trees as vantage points. The most luxurious accommodation in Kafue, Wilderness Shumba is open during the dry season each year. It comprises six luxury guest tents (including a family room). Game drives are perfectly complemented by seasonal boating. Insider's Tip: One of the wildest, most pristine places on Earth. For the abundance and diversity of wildlife, renowned as "the Plains of Plenty".

3 nights • Tented Room x 1

Selected experiences

Game drives in Kafue National Park

Learn more

Game drives in Kafue National Park offer a chance to explore one of the country’s largest and most diverse wildlife reserves. Morning and afternoon drives in open 4x4 vehicles traverse open plains, woodland, and riverine habitats, providing excellent opportunities to spot lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and a wealth of antelope species. The timing and focus of drives are influenced by the seasons: during the dry months (May to October), wildlife concentrates around water sources, making sightings more predictable, while the rainy season (November to April) transforms the park into a lush, green landscape but restricts access to many areas, leading to seasonal closures of certain camps. Your guide will tailor each drive to the conditions and your interests.

Day 4

Wilderness ShumbaHarry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport

Flight • 02:00h

You will take a light aircraft transfer from Wilderness Shumba to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport. Departure Taxes are not included and must be paid direct, in cash, preferably in small denominations. Travelers Cheques and credit card payments are not accepted for this purpose. Domestic departure tax: US$16 per person; Passenger safety tax from Livingstone Airport: US$10 per person - subject to change. When the need arises, Wilderness Air reserves the right to charter to a third party, preferred aircraft operator.

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International AirportWilderness Toka Leya

Road • 0 min

You will be met by a Wilderness Touring Zambezi representative for your private transfer from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport to Wilderness Toka Leya. Please note that your pick-up time will be advised locally the evening before.

Day 4 - 6
Wilderness Toka Leya
LocationLivingstone, Zambia

On the banks of the Zambezi River, Wilderness Toka Leya is far enough from Livingstone to ensure a tranquil, authentic bush experience, yet close enough for guests to enjoy all the many activities in the greater Victoria Falls area. Wilderness Toka Leya can be all about adrenaline, or an opportunity to relax and unwind before or after a safari. Wilderness Toka Leya has twelve luxurious tents (of which three are family tents). Each has a sumptuous outdoor bath, while the wellness centre with yoga and meditation options complements the serene surroundings. Boating and catch-and-release fishing excursions bring the Zambezi experience to life. Insider’s Tip: Reconnect with nature by enjoying a massage treatment on the banks of the Zambezi River!

2 nights • Tented Room x 1

Selected experiences

Flight of Angels Helicopter Tour

Learn more

Take to the skies on an unforgettable 13-minute helicopter flight over the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, the world's largest sheet of falling water. This unique perspective, famously dubbed the "Flight of the Angels" by David Livingstone, offers breathtaking views of the cascading waters and their immense power. From your aerial vantage point, marvel at the grandeur of the falls as the helicopter manoeuvres left and right for perfect views. The adventure continues upriver along the Zambezi and concludes with a stunning flyover of the Zambezi National Park. Elevate your experience and witness nature's masterpiece from a perspective like no other!

Day 6

Wilderness Toka LeyaHarry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport

Road • 0 min

You will be met by a Wilderness Touring Zambezi representative for your private transfer from Wilderness Toka Leya to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport. Please note that your pick-up time will be advised locally the evening before.

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International AirportVictoria Falls Airport

Road • 0 min

You will be met by a Wilderness Touring Zambezi representative for your private transfer from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport to Victoria Falls Airport. Please note that your pick-up time will be advised locally the evening before.

Victoria Falls AirportWilderness Little Makalolo

Flight • 00:00h

On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport and after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and assisted by a Wilderness representative to your light aircraft for your onward circuit air transfer to Wilderness Little Makalolo. You will be taken by light aircraft from Victoria Falls Airport to Wilderness Little Makalolo When the need arises, Wilderness Air reserves the right to charter to a third party, preferred aircraft operator.

Day 6 - 9
Wilderness Little Makalolo
LocationHwange, Zimbabwe

A charming, intimate camp in the south-east of Hwange, Wilderness Little Makalolo features prominently on the mental maps of local wildlife, all drawn to its reliable waterhole. A log-pile hide affords unique, thrilling close-up views of elephants, and habitat diversity ensures year-round wildlife. Activities focus on game drives and morning nature walks. The many waterholes produce amazing sightings, or guests can relax in camp and wait for wildlife to come to them. The six spacious en-suite tents (including a family tent) are only surpassed in the experience stakes by the opportunity to sleep out at the Madison Pan star bed. Insider's Tip: Visit the log-pile hide between game drives to enjoy close up viewing of wildlife at the productive waterhole. Elephants are often the star attraction so make sure you have your camera ready ...

3 nights • Tented Room x 1

Selected experiences

Game drives in Hwange National Park

Learn more

Game drives in Hwange National Park showcase the rich diversity of Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve, from open savannahs and mopane woodlands to seasonal pans and riverine corridors. Morning and afternoon drives in open 4x4 vehicles allow the opportunity to encounter elephant herds, lion prides, leopard, wild dog, and an array of antelope species, while the park’s prolific birdlife adds further fascination. Wildlife congregates around waterholes, particularly during the dry season and our experienced guides and small guest numbers ensure encounters are unhurried, intimate experiences where sightings can be fully appreciated.

Day 9

Wilderness Little MakaloloRobins Airstrip

Flight • 00:30h

You will be transferred to the airstrip for your circuit light aircraft transfer from Wilderness Davison's to Robins Airstrip.

Robins AirstripWilderness Ruckomechi

Flight • 02:00h

On arrival at Robins Airstrip and after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and assisted by a Wilderness representative to your light aircraft for your onward circuit air transfer to Wilderness Ruckomechi.

Day 9 - 12
Wilderness Ruckomechi
LocationMana Pools, Zimbabwe

Situated in a large private concession in the heart of the Zambezi Valley’s Mana Pools National Park, Wilderness Ruckomechi looks out from the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. It is a remote, picturesque place with spectacular views of the broad flowing river, the adjacent woodland and the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment. Ten spacious and beautifully decorated en-suite tents, including two family rooms, lie beneath the ana trees, best-beloved of local elephants for their nutritious seeds. The camp's central living space includes an inviting fire pit for pleasant evenings beneath the African night skies. Other unique features include a pool which overlooks a broad sweep of the river, an outdoor “bath with a view” in a secluded, scenic spot, and a romantic Star Bed by a busy waterhole. Open 4x4 vehicles, motorised pontoon boats, canoes and good old safari boots facilitate the wildlife viewing. Wilderness Ruckomechi is open throughout the dry (winter) season. Insider's Tip: A boat cruise along the mighty Zambezi is a wonderful way to see wildlife and waterbirds from a different perspective. For the more adventurous – there’s the option of canoeing along this famous river!

3 nights • Tented Room x 1

Selected experiences

Exploring Mana Pools National Park

Learn more

On your Mana Pools safari you will typically enjoy twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 vehicles. The park’s relative remoteness and Wilderness' location in private safari concessions mean sightings are unhurried, perfect for photography or simply observing nature unfold. Guided walking safaris are a highlight at Mana Pools, allowing you to track animals on foot through the forest and along the river, guided by skilled locals who interpret animal signs, tracks, and behaviours. The Zambezi River also offers seasonal boating and canoeing excursions, where you can enjoy the park's abundant birdlife, or try your hand at catch-and-release fishing.

Star Bed at Wilderness Ruckomechi

Learn more

Wilderness Ruckomechi’s Star Bed is about 400 metres from the camp and can be requested for overnight stays, dinner or breakfast – a delightful indulgence to enjoy at this romantic and secluded spot. Supremely remote and wild, it offers the opportunity to enjoy a different side to Mana Pools National Park - one that invites privacy and romance on an unmatched level.

Day 12

Wilderness RuckomechiRobert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport

Flight • 00:00h

You will be taken by light aircraft from Wilderness Ruckomechi to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport When the need arises, Wilderness Air reserves the right to charter to a third party, preferred aircraft operator.

What to expect

Includes

  • All safari accommodation & meals
  • Twice daily safari activities
  • Park fees and concession fees
  • Laundry service
  • Airport and inter-camp transfers as specified
  • Meet & Greet

Excludes

  • International flights
  • Gratuities
  • Personal purchases
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa fees

Start your journey

These experiences are just a glimpse of what’s possible. If you’d like to book this trip or shape a custom itinerary, we are here to help you plan your perfect safari.

GUEST EXPERIENCES

What others say

Our awards

The hard work of our teams on the ground and the communities we work alongside has been recognised through numerous awards. And we couldn’t be prouder.

View all awards
Virtuoso Award 2025

Virtuoso Award 2025

Wilderness - Best Sustainability Community Partner

Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure

Wilderness Bisate Reserve - Best New Luxury Hotels

World Travel Awards

World Travel Awards

Wilderness Ruckomechi - Zimbabwe's Leading Safari Lodge

Condé Nast Traveler

Condé Nast Traveler

Wilderness DumaTau - #2 World Resorts

nights
11
from price, per person
USD20,805