Pick-up from the airport in Lusaka. Many cultures and nationalities have come together in the metropolis over the past decade. First tour briefing at Wild Dogs Lodge, a quiet accommodation close to the city centre. (F,A) 

Wild Dogs Lodge

Travel time approx. 0.5 h

Following the Great East Road, we reach one of the most breathtaking game reserves in the world, the South Luangwa National Park, in the afternoon. Journey time approx. 10-11 hours.
The concentration of wildlife around the Luangwa River with its lagoons and treeless plains is one of the highest in Africa and is home to elephants, giraffes, leopards, buffaloes, zebras, crocodiles, hippos and many more. Huge colonies of scarlet titi spend the winter on the sandy banks of the river. Besides traditional game drives, a walking safari is still the best way to get to know this wild and unspoilt nature. We undertake several game drives during the day and at night, when the chances of spotting a leopard are particularly high. We spend the night in a camp where elephants often come to nibble on the fruit of the marula trees. We spend 4 days in the South Luangwa National Park and the neighbouring, famous Nsefu sector, where wild dogs and herds of buffalo are always present. Enough time to discover the diverse wildlife along the scenic, wild Luangwa. (F,P,A)

Tented Camp on the Luangwa

We start our expedition from south to north through the entire Luangwa Valley. The crossing of the Lukusuzi and Lundazi rivers through the Luambe National Park will be exciting. At a slow pace and with the odd obstacle along the way, we stalk our way north on a stony four-wheel drive track and sandy track. The route over the next few days can only be travelled with our special four-wheel drive vehicles. The North Luangwa National Park is certainly a special feature of this Zambia trip. Situated at the foot of the steep Muchinga Escarpment, the North Luangwa National Park, which covers over 4,000 square kilometres, is home to thousands of wild animals. We will try to spot the buffalo herds, lions and big cats in this lonely wilderness, which is rarely visited by tourists. After crossing the Luangwa by hand-powered pontoon, we will experience the large and small animals on a game drive with an experienced ranger and our safari vehicle. As our camp is in a secluded location on the banks of the Luangwa River, we immediately get that special ‘Out of Africa’ feeling. (F,P,A)

Comfort tent on the Luangwa

Journey time approx. 7-8 h

Today we drive up to the Escarpment of the African Rift Valley, then we leave the Luangwa Valley. Our destination is probably the most beautiful nature and hiking area in the country, which should not be missed when travelling through northern Zambia: Mutinondo Wilderness.
The wildlife reserve offers a picturesque mountain world with towering, humpbacked rocky ridges and small waterfalls, which we discover during various activities. Botanists and birdwatchers are particularly enamoured of this secluded idyll. Crystal-clear rivers invite you to swim, we hike through Miombo primeval forests and up to the highest mountain peak - Mayense Peak, which offers spectacular views high above the Luangwa Valley. (F,P,A)

Comfort tent in the camp

Journey time approx. 7-8 h

Passing the Lavushi Manda National Park, we reach the Bangweulu Wetlands, a huge marshland landscape with many local specialities. We experience how the Bisa ethnic group living here practises fishing and cassava cultivation. The black or Bangweulu moor antelope is endemic to the swamps. The area is famous for the possibility of seeing the rare shoebill and its nests, which we track down on foot or by boat. (F,P,A)

Comfort tent in the Bangweulu Plains

Journey time approx. 4-5 h

Passing Lake Waka Waka, we reach Kasanka National Park, which has long been a Zambian national park under private management and run by village communities. It is home to the very rare Sitatunga swamp antelopes, as well as pukus, waterbucks, reedbucks, warthogs and jackals. From mid-October, millions of palm flying foxes forage in the mango and berry trees - a spectacular spectacle. At this time of year, Africa's largest mammal migration can best be observed from so-called ‘hides’ set up in the treetops. (F,P,A)

Chalets/Rondavels/Tents in the National Park

Journey time approx. 5-6 h

After a long day of travelling, our lodge hosts await us in Lusaka with a delicious dinner. We treat ourselves to a day's rest - a supply stop for the next few days. (F,P,A)

Wild Dogs Lodge

Journey time approx. 7-8 h

Through the mountainous landscape between Lusaka and Lake Kariba, we descend to the banks of the Zambezi. The Lower Zambezi National Park has long been largely untouched by tourism and is also one of the most picturesque wilderness areas on the African continent. In addition to game drives, exciting boat safaris on the Zambezi await us here - a very special way of observing animals, as we can get close to them almost silently. The steep embankments form a natural barrier for the animals, so that we find elephants, buffalo, lions as well as numerous hippos and crocodiles in the floodplains of the river valley. We enjoy the nesting sites of the colourful bee-eaters along the cliffs.

Shortly after Chirundu we change from our safari vehicle to a boat and experience our first game cruise downstream on the Zambezi to our beautiful tented camp. (F,P,A)

Tented Camp/Lodge by the river 3*

Journey time approx. 4-5 h

Full-day game drives in the Lower Zambezi National Park. After an adventurous river crossing of the Chongwe in our four-wheel drive vehicle, spectacular game viewing awaits us in the sandy floodplains and picturesque gallery forests. Elephants refresh themselves in the lagoons and oxbow lakes, framed by flowering carpets of water hyacinths or the lush green Kariba weed. At sunset, we return to the lodge by boat - sundowner in hand. The 4000 square kilometre park in the lower Zambezi Valley can easily stand comparison with the world-famous Mana Pools in Zimbabwe on the other bank of the river. Directly on the banks of the Zambezi, there is plenty to discover for 3 days - on the water and on land - against the magnificent backdrop of the towering Leopard Hills. (F,P,A)

Tented Camp/Lodge by the river 3*

From our accommodation on the Zambezi we drive to the airport. Departure in the afternoon (optional charter flight available).

Journey time approx. 4-6 h