Zambia · Culture & Wildlife

2-Day Lusaka Hair Braiding and Wildlife Safari at Chaminuka

2 Days Round trip from Lusaka Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Experience a one-on-one professional hair braiding or dreadlock styling session in Lusaka
02 Enjoy traditional Zambian cuisine at the famous Matebeto eating place in East Park Mall
03 Explore the Lusaka National Museum's ethnography, witchcraft, history, and contemporary art exhibits
04 Take a game drive at Chaminuka Nature Reserve, home to over 70 animal species and 300 bird species
05 Cruise by speed boat on Lakes Kasenga and Chikoti while spotting birdlife around the reserve

Experience African culture in Lusaka through a professional hair braiding or dreadlock styling session, traditional Zambian cuisine, shopping, and cultural discovery. This 2-day tour combines a one-on-one beauty and lifestyle experience in the city with a wildlife escape to Chaminuka Lodge and Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Lusaka. Enjoy a game drive among diverse animal species, a speed boat cruise on Lakes Kasenga and Chikoti, birdwatching opportunities, cheese tasting, and a guided tour of an extensive African art collection.

Experience African culture in Lusaka through a professional hair braiding or dreadlock styling session, traditional Zambian cuisine, shopping, and cultural discovery.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

City Lusaka

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Lusaka Hair Braiding, Shopping, and Museum Experience

Our hospitality hostess and driver will meet and greet you with genuine and friendly Zambian hospitality at your lodge or hotel in Lusaka. You will then be served mineral water and given one small gift item depicting the Zambian life vibe. After a short briefing by the hostess, you will be driven in a nice, air-conditioned vehicle straight to one of the hair braiding studios in Lusaka.
Your hostess will gladly usher you into the hair braiding studio to meet your professional braider for the day. You will be given a pamphlet showing all the available hair braid styles.
Once you have chosen and agreed on the hairstyle and pattern, the professional braider and her assistants will do what they do best, braiding or plaiting dreadlocks on your hair in your preferred style.
After braiding your hair, a professional photographer will capture the best shots of your new hairstyle. You will then take a group photo with your braider and hostess at any nice vantage spots. A soft copy of all the photos will then be given to you for future reference.
You will then enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Zambian food at the famous Matebeto eating place at East Park Mall. By eating this meal, you will discover the power of consuming a plant-based diet rooted in African and Indigenous practices.
Your hostess will take you around the luxurious East Park Mall's many beautiful and well-stocked shops. She will go a long way in helping you have a fantastic shopping experience at your own cost. East Park Mall is ideal for shopping, as the general environment is clean, well-kept, and pleasant.
After your shopping experience, you will be driven to the government complex where the Lusaka National Museum is situated. The Lusaka cultural heritage museum tells the background of Zambia through four main divisions: ethnography, witchcraft, history, and contemporary art. You will see exhibits such as sculptures, paintings from all ages, cultural highlights, and archaeological displays.
You will then be transferred back to your lodge or hotel.
The following day, you will be picked up from your lodge or hotel for more exciting adventure activities at Chaminuka Lodge and Nature Reserve.

Day 02

Chaminuka Wildlife, Birdlife, Art, and Boat Cruise

You will be picked up from your lodge or hotel in Lusaka and transferred in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle for a 45-minute drive from Lusaka to Chaminuka.
You will undertake a thrilling game drive and see over 70 species of animals from an open safari vehicle. Chaminuka Nature Reserve is also a premier birding destination, with more than 300 species of birdlife recorded at this beautiful reserve. Among them is Chaplin's barbet, a species unique to Zambia.
You will see and interact with the world's biggest mammals at close range.
You will go for an exciting speed boat cruise on Lakes Kasenga and Chikoti. With over 300 species of birds spread around the reserve and its water bodies, you'll get the chance to spot some fascinating winged creatures in their natural habitat or enjoy the cool wind whispering in your ear.
You will taste the locally made cheese and find out why it is greatly revered in Zambia. From Cheddar to Cheshire, Edam to Emmenthal, and Gouda to Gruyere, the Chaminuka award-winning cheeses are made in the same state. This activity is set in an aesthetically rich grotto designed by renowned Zambian artists.
You will go on a guided tour of the extensive art collection of Chaminuka's founder, Sardanis, collected over 50 years. It is a brief journey into Zambia's history and a glimpse into other African cultures.
You will be treated to a delicious lunch prepared by some of Zambia's best chefs.
At the end of the day, you will be transferred back to your lodge or hotel in Lusaka.

End of tour.

Where this trip takes you

Chaminuka Lodge and Nature Reserve, Lakes Kasenga and Chikoti, East Park Mall, Lusaka National Museum

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Lusaka 1 city · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

A sumptuous meal of traditional Zambian dishes
Photo session of your hairdo in the studio
Continuous supply of mineral water
Hair consultation, hair braiding, or dreadlocks
Pick-up and drop-off at your lodge or hotel

What's Not Included

Gratuities and items or services of a personal nature
After-sales hair braiding products
Anything not listed in this package
The cost of goods during your shopping at East Park Mall

What to bring

Hats and sunscreen for sensitive skin
Sunglasses
Warm as well as light clothes in the cool months (May to August, when midday temperatures may be quite warm and night temperatures cold to freezing), and light clothing for the other months. Even in summer, it is a good idea to bring at least one warm jersey or jacket, as there are occasionally sudden drops in temperature caused by unusual weather conditions.
Raincoats (from November to April)
Comfortable safety footwear and gloves
Essential medicines, including malaria prophylactics

Know before you go

Lusaka city was named after the village chief called Lusaaka, whose port was located at the point where the National Assembly building now stands. The area was then expanded to provide settlement for workers during British colonial times. Today, Lusaka is a favourite city for many tourists, expatriates, students, and Zambians because of its fast-growing infrastructure, housing, and easy access to services.
Kindly let us know in advance the location and physical address of your hotel or lodge, where we will pick you up, at least a day before the experience starts.
Please advise us of any medical or skin conditions you might have. This ensures that due care is taken during the hair braiding process.
Zambia is a high-malaria-risk country throughout the nation, including urban areas such as Lusaka city. The highest risk of infection is in the rainy season, from November to May. It is advisable that persons visiting Zambia take malaria suppressive medication. In addition to the suggested antimalarial medication, use a mosquito bed net and effective repellents to avoid the bite of the nocturnal Anopheles mosquito whilst on tour in Zambia.
Before you travel to Zambia, consult your local physician or travel health clinic for the prophylactic malaria regimen most appropriate to your needs to protect you from malaria whilst visiting Zambia.
Effective 1/10/2022, Zambia is now offering free visa entry into the country for the following countries: China, Norway, USA, Japan, UK, South Korea, Gulf States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and all EU countries. For other countries, please check with your local travel agents before travelling for the procedures to obtain a travel visa to Zambia.
Please bear in mind that other people may join you on this tour.

Logistics