Zambezi Wonders: Safari & Victoria Falls

Zambezi Wonders: Safari & Victoria Falls

Kafue, Livingstone, Mana Pools

nights
8
camps
3
from price, per person
USD13,096

This itinerary follows the Zambezi in a way that really shows how much variety one river system can hold. Kafue feels wild and spacious, perfect for classic game drives without crowds. Toka Leya shifts the pace, with time on the water and the sheer drama of Victoria Falls adding a sense of scale and spectacle. Mana Pools then brings you right into the landscape, especially on foot, where encounters feel intimate and unscripted. It’s a journey that balances iconic highlights with genuine safari time.

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

Tour of Victoria Falls

Tour of Victoria Falls

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi

Exploring Mana Pools National Park

Exploring Mana Pools National Park

Boating

Boating

wildlife & activities

Highlights

  • Experience wildlife on foot, by boat and by vehicle across a diverse array of habitats in the Zambezi region.
  • Begin your trip with two nights at Wilderness Shumba in Kafue National Park, exploring a private concession known for excellent predator sightings.
  • Continue to Wilderness Toka Leya for three nights on the Zambezi River, enjoying relaxed river-based safaris and abundant birdlife.
  • Take a Flight of Angels helicopter tour for a breathtaking aerial view of Victoria Falls and enjoy a guided tour of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
  • End with three nights at Wilderness Little Ruckomechi in Mana Pools National Park, renowned for walking safaris and close-up wildlife encounters.

Your Itinerary

Day 1

Lusaka Airport

Meet and Assist at Lusaka

On arrival at Lusaka Airport and after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and assisted by a Wilderness representative and assisted to your light aircraft flight to Wilderness Shumba Camp.

Lusaka Airport to Wilderness Shumba

Flight • 01:10h

On arrival at Lusaka Airport, you will be met and assisted by a Wilderness representative to your light aircraft for your onward flight to Wilderness Shumba.

Day 1 - 3
Wilderness Shumba
Location IconKafue, 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".

2 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 3

Wilderness Shumba to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport

Flight • 02:00h

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport to Wilderness Toka Leya

Road • 00:30h

You will be met by a Wilderness Touring Zambezi representative for your private transfer from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport to Wilderness Toka Leya.

Day 3 - 6
Wilderness Toka Leya
Location IconLivingstone, 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!

3 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!

Tour of Victoria Falls

Learn more

Witness the breathtaking majesty of Victoria Falls, a World Heritage Site straddling the borders of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Named by David Livingstone after Queen Victoria and known locally as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" or "The Smoke that Thunders," these falls captivate with their 1700-meter-wide, 100-meter-deep cascade, especially during the February to May flood season when 500 million liters of water plummet each minute. During the approximately 4.5-hour tour, your guide will provide insights into the falls' history and natural wonders. Traverse scenic rainforest pathways, pausing at iconic viewpoints like the Knife Edge Bridge and Lookout Tree, offering panoramic vistas of the Eastern Cataract and the Boiling Pot. Each viewpoint provides a unique perspective on this breathtaking natural wonder, ensuring an unforgettable experience year-round.

Day 6

Livingstone (Toka Leya) to Victoria Falls Airport

Road • 01:30h

You will be met by a Wilderness Touring Zambezi representative for your private transfer from Wilderness Toka Leya to Victoria Falls Airport.

Victoria Falls Airport

Victoria Falls Airport to Wilderness Little Ruckomechi

Flight • 03:00h

Day 6 - 9
Wilderness Little Ruckomechi
Location IconMana Pools, Zimbabwe

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi offers an intimate Mana Pools experience, in the style of the bygone days of safari, without detracting in any way from the wildlife experience. The shady ana trees and views of the Zambezi River and the Zambian foothills beyond are some of the hallmarks of this region, and Wilderness Little Ruckomechi provides all of them. This seasonal camp (winter/dry season only) offers an authentic safari experience through a mix of game drives, boating and guided nature walks, adding to the sense of exploring an untouched wilderness area. Insider’s Tip: A guided nature walk is a thrilling way of exploring the surrounding bush and often heralds many exciting sightings.

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.

Boating

Learn more

Mana Pools National Park lies at the heart of the Lower Zambezi Valley, a remote and enchanting wilderness. The area is home to large concentrations of elephants, while common waterbuck, pods of hippos and crocodiles can be seen crowding the riverbanks. The birdlife is also superb with migratory carmine bee-eaters nesting in the riverbanks during their breeding season alongside resident white-fronted bee-eaters, while numerous other local specials, like the collared palm-thrush and racket-tailed roller can also be spotted. Enjoy magical sightings while cruising this amazing stretch of the Zambezi River. * Water levels permitting.

Day 9

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport

Flight • 02:00h

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport

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
  • Victoria Falls tour
  • Helicopter tours for two persons

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

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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.

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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
8
from price, per person
USD13,096