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Zambezi Wonders: Safari & Victoria Falls

Zambezi Wonders: Safari & Victoria Falls

Hwange, Livingstone, Kafue

nights
8
camps
3
from price, per person
USD13,546

Hwange offers some of the region’s best wildlife encounters at a safari camp famed for its intimacy and authenticity. Toka Leya shifts the pace, with time on the water and the sheer drama of the Victoria Falls adding a sense of scale and spectacle. And Kafue is wild and endless, perfect for classic game drives without the crowds. It’s a trip that balances iconic highlights with genuine safari time.

SG

Sarah Glyde

Travel Designer

Wilderness Little Makalolo

Wilderness Little Makalolo

Game drives in Hwange National Park

Game drives in Hwange National Park

Wilderness Toka Leya

Wilderness Toka Leya

Tour of Victoria Falls

Tour of Victoria Falls

Lunch on Livingstone Island

Lunch on Livingstone Island

Wilderness Shumba

Wilderness Shumba

Game drives in Kafue National Park

Game drives in Kafue National Park

Accommodation

Summary

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

Highlights

  • Experience a diverse array of habitats in some of the best safari regions in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
  • Begin your trip with three nights at Wilderness Little Makalolo in Zimbabwe’s Hwange, for an up-close introduction to a Southern African safari.
  • Continue to Zambia’s Wilderness Toka Leya for two nights on the Zambezi, enjoying relaxed river-based activities and abundant birdlife.
  • Embark on an unforgettable adventure with lunch on Livingstone Island, a secluded paradise perched on the edge of the Victoria Falls.
  • End with two nights at Wilderness Shumba in Kafue National Park, exploring a private concession known for excellent predator sightings.

Your Itinerary

Day 1

Victoria Falls Airport

Meet & Assist

Upon arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport, you will be met by a representative carrying a name board. Where possible, they will assist you through customs and immigration, help with your luggage and escort you to your onward transport.

Victoria Falls AirportWilderness Little Makalolo

Flight • 00:40h

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.

Day 1 - 4
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 4

Wilderness Little MakaloloVictoria Falls Airport

Flight • 00:40h

You will be taken by light aircraft from Wilderness Little Makalolo to Victoria Falls Airport.

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International AirportWilderness 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 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

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.

Lunch on Livingstone Island

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Livingstone Island, a secluded paradise perched on the edge of Victoria Falls. Established in 1992, this protected area offers exclusive picnics with a maximum of 16 guests, ensuring an intimate experience. Your journey begins with a thrilling 5-8 minute boat ride from the Royal Livingstone jetty, taking you across the mighty Zambezi River to the island's stunning location. Feel the rush as you stand at the very lip of the falls, where water plunges 103 metres into the gorge below. Access to Livingstone Island is seasonal, dictated by the river's water levels, and requires a bit of adventure—guests must climb in and out of the boat and navigate over rocks. Visit during the dry season for a chance to swim in the Devil's Pool, right at the edge of Victoria Falls—an exhilarating and unique experience!

Day 6

Wilderness Toka LeyaHarry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport

Road • 00:30h

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

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International AirportWilderness Shumba

Flight • 02:00h

On arrival at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International 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.

Day 6 - 9
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 9

Wilderness ShumbaLusaka Airport

Flight • 01:10h

You will take a light aircraft transfer from Wilderness Shumba to Lusaka Airport.

Lusaka Airport

Meet and Assist at Lusaka

Upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, you will be met in the main terminal building by a representative after you have cleared customs and immigration and collected your luggage. You will then be escorted to your scheduled flight or to your transfer driver for your onward journey.

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
  • Victoria Falls tour
  • Helicopter tour

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
8
from price, per person
USD13,546