Kafue National Park, Zambia’s largest under-developed pristine wilderness area, is home to an impressive variety of animals and is one of Africa's last “wild frontiers”.

The spectacular Busanga Plains in the north of the park is a vast flat expanse and forms one of Zambia’s most significant wetland resources.
Kafue, combined with the cascading waters of the thundering Victoria Falls (one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World), creates a short, yet diverse itinerary that is perfect for add-on tailored extensions to Cape Town, Botswana, Luangwa and Malawi.

Transportation: To maximize your travel time, a variety of travel modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in charters and private overland transfers which provide both a bird’s-eye view and an in-depth visual experience of the contrasting landscapes of Zambia. Due to guests combining Kafue with various other destinations, our safari begins and ends at Lusaka Airport, allowing the flexibility to tailor further pre- or post-safari arrangements.

2010 Departures: Jun 8, 15, 22, 29; Jul 6, 13, 20, 27; Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Sep 7, 14, 21, 28; Oct 5, 12, 26; Nov 2, 9.

Days 1-3:    Lusaka, Zambia • Lufupa Camp: Northern Kafue
Upon arrival at Lusaka Airport you are met by a representative of Sefofane Air Charters who will transfer you by light aircraft to Kafue National Park. Your private guide will meet you at the airstrip in Kafue and transfer the group to Lufupa Bush Camp. This transfer is approximately 1 hour in duration, and en route we may encounter eland, roan and sable to name a few.

Accommodation is in four well-appointed chalets constructed of brick and thatch, situated a few meters from the Kafue River at an area locally known as the Kafwala Rapids. At Lufupa Bush Camp, one really gets the feeling of Africa of old and it is not hard to feel like a pioneer in this remote wilderness area.

The camp is beautifully hidden in the shade of majestic ebony and mangosteen trees with the rushing sound of rapids adding to the tranquil ambiance and unique character of this small, remote bush camp. The rooms are all en-suite with the water for showers heated by good old-fashioned yet reliable 'donkey boilers' – which is a wood fired geyser. Lighting around the camp is with paraffin lamps and most of the cooking is done over an open fire in view of the guests. Meals are served in the dining room over looking the river or under the stars.
 
There is huge diversity of game in the area and a number of different ecosystems to explore: from the mixed miombo woodlands to lush riverine vegetation of the Kafue River and the nearby Lufupa River. Mammal species likely to be encountered in the area could be African elephant, Cape buffalo, puku, plains zebra, warthog and possibly sable and the secretive roan antelope. Predator sightings are regular in this area including lion, leopard and often wild dog and cheetah when venturing into the open grassy plains of the Busanga. 

Days 4-6:  Busanga Flood Plain: Musanza Tented Camp
Depart Lufupa for an early morning game / transfer drive to Musanza Tented Camp. Musanza Tented Camp is located deep inside the wildlife haven of the Busanga Plains of Kafue National Park.

Accommodation consists of four well-appointed tents with wall-to-wall views of the spectacular wildlife that frequents the grassy plains. The main dining and bar area are tented and situated under a majestic canopy of trees. The simple bush style of this camp creates the perfect atmosphere to enjoy dinner under a canopy of stars around a campfire.

The Busanga Plains’ most dominant antelope species include red lechwe and puku, while buffalo, bushbuck, kudu, oribi, reedbuck, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable and roan are also often viewed in this enormous open plains system. There are also hippo and crocodile; however the main plains predators are lion and cheetah and spotted hyena with wild dogs less often seen. Leopard can also be spotted along the wooded tree lines fringing the plains, as well as elephant. Bird life is fantastic, with large flocks of pelicans, crowned cranes and wattled crane in the plains at certain times of the year.

Day 7:   Lunga River: Lunga River Lodge
After an early breakfast, we transfer by road to Lunga River Lodge, enjoying our last shortened game drive on the Busanga Plains as we leave the area and re-enter the Miombo woodland.

Located on a raised bank of the Lunga River and within lush riparian bush, each of Lunga River Lodge’s six thatched-roof chalets share a beautiful vantage point over the river’s meandering channel. Each room is stylishly furnished (with minimalist touches) and includes an en-suite shower, flush toilet and vanity basin. Lighting is by 12v lamps, candles and hurricane lanterns.

The deep and clear Lunga River is the largest tributary of the Kafue River and flows north to south through a mosaic of miombo woodland, riverine woodland and grassy dambos in the north-east of the Kafue National Park. Species like puku and impala are abundant while roan and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest occur in lower densities. Viewing of buffalo herds and elephant bulls is good while lion and leopard are regularly encountered. Additional interesting species in the form of yellow baboons and tree hyrax occur in the vicinity of the camp while a high-density hippo population occurs in the Lunga River. Activities include game drives, walking safaris, guided canoe and boating trips as well as fishing. Night drives provide the added excitement of the nocturnal wonders of the area.

Day 8:   Lusaka • Depart
An early morning light aircraft transfer takes you from Lunga River Lodge to Lusaka Airport for your onwards arrangements.

Accommodations: Tented and permanent lodges, fully serviced mobile tenting. Experience a nostalgic, old-style luxury serviced camping / lodge safari that recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers in the vast Kafue National Park.

The style of accommodation takes you back to the era of Africa’s exploration. A small camp set up on ground level and surrounded for hundreds of square kilometres by pure wilderness and privacy creates a unique experience. Furnished with pure linens of cotton, hot showers and private en suite bathrooms all add to the unique atmosphere with simple style and a rich evening campfire atmosphere. Discoverer-styled camps aim to bring the guest closer to nature, by means of a lively camp fire and hurricane lanterns. Wide-ranging activities complement the comfort and added luxury of the lodges visited. Discoverer Camps are specifically outfitted to ensure that traditional camping feel with a clear emphasis on necessary and stylish comfortable interiors, creating a peerless wilderness experience.