Jewels of Zambia: South Luangwa & Victoria Falls

On arrival into Kenneth Kaunda International Airport you will be met by a representative from Tours Africa just after immigration and assisted with your luggage and check in onto your scheduled flight to South Luangwa.

On arrival into Mfuwe Airport in South Luangwa you will be met by a guide from Kafunta River Lodge who will transfer you to the camp where you are staying for 3 nights. Transfer time from the airport is approximately one hour.

Kafunta River Lodge is owned and operated by Anke & Ron Cowan who have made the Luangwa Valley their home for the past 25 years.

The 10-room lodge is located on the floodplains of the Luangwa River, away from the busier area near the park's Mfuwe gate. During the peak season the lodge accesses the national park via its own pontoon. In late 2023, the lodge will also feature a new private villa, The Sunset House with 3 bedrooms.

Central to the lodge is a spacious bar and dining area. Built around a semi-evergreen wild mango tree and thatched in the traditional style, it offers superb panoramic views over the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park. Great game viewing and bird watching from the lodge is guaranteed.

Adjacent to the bar is a refreshing infinity pool and the only natural hot spring tub in the Luangwa Valley. This unique hot tub is fed from a source on Kafunta’s grounds, offering a constant temperature of 38 degrees. Here you can enjoy pure relaxation while being presented with magnificent views over the flood plains and the Luangwa River.

Enjoy your scheduled game activities

Game Drives
Twice daily guests have the option to join the game drives into South Luangwa National Park. Safari vehicles are equipped with a shade roof and have 3 rows with a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle. During the peak season (April to October) game drives access the park directly at Kafunta's pontoon.

Night Drives
The afternoon game drive stops for sundowners and continue into a night drive using spotlights, to find smaller nocturnal animals or predators on the hunt.

Bush walks
South Luangwa is the birthplace of walking safaris. Bush walks bring another dimension to a safari, focusing on smaller things, birds and flora while observing animals in the distance. Bush walks are not strenuous, but can take place over rugged terrain, lasting usually 3 to 4 hours.

Qualified walking guides and escort scout are a must. Unfortunately children under the age of 12 are not authorised to participate.

Photographic Hide
The hide is set up right under the dining deck and is facing the floodplains and lagoon where many waterbirds including fish eagles and saddle-billed storks are often seen, along with elephants and giraffes.

Cultural visits
Kafunta Safaris highly recommend a visit to the village of Mfuwe where Project Luangwa has a visitor center where one can learn about the many projects benefiting local education and communities, there is also a café and a craftshop . It is also possible to organise a side trip to the Mulberry Mongoose jewellery workshop and to the iconic Tribal Textiles factory and shop and its Artisan market. In Central Mfuwe there is also the Conservation South Luangwa visitor center to learn more about conservation efforts.

Great for younger visitors is the Chipembele Wildlife Educational Center only 20 minutes away from Kafunta River Lodge.

Infinity Pool, Natural Hot Tub, Wellness Spa, Gym
Kafunta River Lodge features a small intimate spa with an array of relaxing treatments performed by an on-site therapist. Enjoying the infinity pool, the natural hot tub and booking a massage at the spa are a perfect way to spend the midday hours between game viewing activities. There is also a small gym with a selection of equipment and treadmills/bikes.

Today you will be driven to the Southern Part of the Park to Island Bush camp. The focus of activities during your stay here will be on walking and exploring this exclusive and remote part of the park on foot.

Enjoy your scheduled game activities

Walking Safaris
Island Bush Camp enjoys a pure and remote wilderness area in the South Luangwa National Park to enjoy walks morning and afternoon.

Bush walks bring a different experience to the safari, focusing on smaller animals, critters, birds and flora. Bigger animals are also often seen such as elephants, giraffes, antelopes and occasionally predators such as lions, leopards and wild dogs.

Certified safari guide and escort scout provided.

Unfortunately children under the age of 12 are not authorised on bush walks.

Game Drives
Although Island Bush Camp focuses activities on bush walks, a vehicle is based at camp to be used in relation to the walks, and most specifically after the sundowner, guests can enjoy a night drive back to camp.

Vehicles with shade roof, maximum 8 clients on the vehicle

Photographic Hide
Set up just outside of Island Bush Camp, this hide is perfect to observe and photograph elephants as they come to drink and wallow in the small pond.

Today you will be transferred back to Mfuwe Airport for your flight to Livingstone via Lusaka.

On arrival into Livingstone Airport you will be met by a driver from Waterberry Lodge who will transfer you to the lodge, your home for the next 3 nights. Transfer time from Livingstone Airport is approximately 45 minutes.

Waterberry Zambezi Lodge, on the banks of the Zambezi, is 30 minutes from Livingstone and 40 minutes from Victoria Falls. A small, friendly and informal lodge, it's the perfect setting for visiting the amazing Falls and enjoying all the activities around Livingstone.

The lodge has seven thatched cottages set in beautiful gardens around the central restaurant, viewing lounge and deck. All rooms are en suite, with air conditioning, ceiling fans, mosquito nets and private terraces.

Located just down from the main lodge is River Farmhouse which sits in a green oasis of beautifully kept gardens, contrasting with the surrounding bush and riverbank, especially during the dry season. It's designed as many old colonial houses were - single story, a central living area with bedrooms either side, giving privacy and a feeling of space, making the most of the astonishing views across the river. The house sleeps a maximum of 8 people and all meals and activities at River Farmhouse are private.

Waterberry is within easy reach of Livingstone and the Falls, but well away from the general buzz of the busy town. Guests usually spend a day around the Falls and the town and the next at the lodge, enjoying all that Waterberry has to offer - river activities and amazing birding with top class guides. A highlight is the visit to a completely uncommercial local village where many staff live and where Waterberry has built and manages local pre and primary schools.

Enjoy your scheduled activities - two activities are included per day

Selection includes:

Sunset cruise
A sunset cruise is the perfect way to start the holiday, relaxing on the peace and quiet of the Zambezi with a gin and tonic and snacks, watching whatever wildlife comes your way and with a virtually guaranteed perfect sunset.

School and Village Visit
A completely uncommercial village, where many Waterberry staff live, gives a unique view of life in rural Zambia. The Waterberry guide shows you daily life, housebuilding and agriculture and the Tukongote School built with guest donations.

Today you will be transferred to Livingstone airport in time for your flight