Zambia, Zimbabwe · Safari

9-Day Zambia Safari and Village Tour with Victoria Falls Cruise

9 Days Round trip from Lusaka ZM ZM Easy pace

Walking Safari in South Luangwa National Park

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Go on walking safaris and game drives in South Luangwa National Park
02 Visit Kawaza Cultural Village and take part in everyday village activities
03 Admire Zambia's and Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls on a guided tour
04 Enjoy a sunset boat cruise with complimentary snacks and drinks
05 See the endangered white rhino in Mosi-oa-Tunya Park
06 Explore Chief Mukuni's Village and learn about traditional customs and beliefs

Set off on a complete Zambian experience through South Luangwa National Park and Livingstone, combining wildlife, culture, and iconic natural sights. Go on walking safaris and game drives in South Luangwa, visit Kawaza Cultural Village to learn activities like brewing local beer and grinding maize, and admire Zambia's and Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls before boarding a sunset cruise. The journey also includes a walking safari in Mosi-oa-Tunya Park to see the endangered white rhino and a visit to Chief Mukuni's Village, a royal village founded around the 13th century.

Take part in everyday village activities such as brewing local beer, grinding maize, drawing water at the well, and picking maize in the fields.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Luxury

Transport Included

Cities Lusaka, Victoria Falls, Livingstone, South Luangwa National Park, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Victoria Falls

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Lusaka and Transfer to Protea Hotel

You will be picked up from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by a representative holding a name board. You will be assisted with your luggage and transferred to Protea Hotel by Marriott in Lusaka for an overnight stay on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

Day 02

Flight to Mfuwe and First Safari in South Luangwa

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in time for your flight to Mfuwe in South Luangwa National Park. You will arrive at the airport an hour before your flight time and then fly for 1 hour and 10 minutes to Mfuwe.

Arrive at Mfuwe Airport, where the guide from Thornicroft Lodge will be waiting to transfer you to the lodge. Depending on your arrival time, you will check in, have lunch, and relax. Later, at around 03:30 pm, savour afternoon tea or coffee before heading out for an afternoon and night game drive, returning to the lodge in time for dinner and bedtime at your convenience.

Day 03

Morning and Night Safari in South Luangwa

Explore South Luangwa National Park. At around 6:30 am, enjoy a game drive or go for a walking safari.
After about three to four hours, return to the lodge in time for lunch and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, tea or coffee will be served, followed by the afternoon and night game drive safari. This is a must-do activity, as you begin in the afternoon, then take a sundowner drink break, and continue with the night game drive in search of nocturnal animals using a spotlight. Return to the lodge almost in time for dinner and later bedtime.

Day 04

Walking Safari and Sundowner Game Drive

Explore South Luangwa National Park. At around 6:30 am, enjoy a game drive or go for a walking safari.
After about three to four hours, return to the lodge in time for lunch and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, tea or coffee will be served, followed by the afternoon and night game drive safari. This is a must-do activity, as you begin in the afternoon, then take a sundowner drink break, and continue with the night game drive in search of nocturnal animals using a spotlight. Return to the lodge almost in time for dinner and later bedtime.

Day 05

Kawaza Cultural Village Visit and Night Game Drive

Have breakfast in the morning at Thornicroft Lodge. Then, you will be taken to Kawaza Cultural Village in Nsefu village in Mfuwe, within the South Luangwa area, for your village tour experience.
Meet the village guide and the manager of the tourism project. He will then introduce you to some of the villagers and ask whether there are any activities you are interested in or any particular aspects of village life you would like to explore. Activities during your excursion will include a visit to the local school and, if you are visiting during term time, you will be welcomed to join an assembly or one of the day's classes. The school visit is normally followed by a visit to the local clinic, a short tour around the village, and a visit to a local healer who can explain some of the various medicinal uses of herbs and traditional healing methods.
Take part in everyday village activities such as brewing local beer, grinding maize, drawing water at the well, and picking maize in the fields. Throughout the tour, you will have a chance to talk to the villagers and be among a crowd of friendly children trailing after you.
Have lunch prepared locally and witness some local dances. Then say goodbye to the villagers and return to the lodge in time for the afternoon or night game drive. You will have afternoon tea or coffee and then depart for your night game drive, or you can choose to relax and then have dinner.

Day 06

Flight to Livingstone via Lusaka

Accompanied by your guide, head to the airport in time for your flight to Livingstone via Lusaka. When you arrive at Livingstone International Airport, you will be welcomed by a representative and transferred to Protea Hotel Livingstone, where you will stay for 3 nights. Check in and relax.

Day 07

Victoria Falls Tour and Sunset Boat Cruise

You will be picked up at your hotel for a guided tour of Zambia's Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls.
Return to the hotel in time for lunch and free time to relax. Next, head out for a sunset boat cruise, where you will be offered complimentary snacks, beer, soft drinks, wine, and limited spirits. Return to the lodge, and later enjoy dinner.

Day 08

Mosi-oa-Tunya Walking Safari and Chief Mukuni's Village

Enjoy a 3-hour leisurely walk in Mosi-oa-Tunya Park led by a professional Zambian guide and park scout. Experience close encounters with the endangered white rhino and other wildlife, including buffalo, hippo, impala, and warthog. The guide's extensive knowledge is not just about the many species of animals and birds, but also about the wide variety of trees and plant life, along with their local medicinal properties and uses. Then, you will be dropped at the hotel for a lunch break and relaxation time.

Later after lunch, get picked up to go to Chief Mukuni's Village, a royal village founded around the 13th century. It is home to about 7,000 Leya people. The chief has invited visitors into his village to get a glimpse of how his people have lived for generations and learn a little about their traditional customs and beliefs.
The Chief's guides and the village people are more than happy to show visitors their huts and take you inside, explain how they are built and decorated, introduce you to various craftsmen and women at work, and ask you to taste some traditional foods and beer. This is a working village, not a purpose-built tourist attraction, and it is a privilege to be welcomed into their lifestyle.
Make your way back. You will pass through Livingstone Town, where the guide will take you on a city tour. You will visit the amazing craft shop to buy souvenirs (local products) and visit the museum to learn about Zambia's culture and natural heritage. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 09

Departure from Livingstone

Have breakfast in the morning and then check out of Protea Hotel Livingstone. Depending on your flight time, your driver will transfer you to Livingstone International Airport (LVI) in time for your flight.
End of the tour.

Where this trip takes you

South Luangwa National Park wildlife, Kawaza Cultural Village village life, Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya Park rhino encounters

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Lusaka ZM ZM 6 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Protea Tower Hotel - Lusaka

1 night ensuite luxury room on a bed-and-breakfast basis
Return Kenneth Kaunda International Airport transfers

Thornicroft Lodge - South Luangwa National Park

4 nights ensuite river-view chalet accommodation
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and three-course dinner)
High tea or coffee with snack
2 game-viewing activities per full day (morning and night game drive)
1 walking safari
1 day visit to Kawaza Cultural Village
National park fees and all tourism levies
Return Mfuwe Airport transfers

Protea Hotel Livingstone by Mariotte - Livingstone

3 nights ensuite luxury room on a bed-and-breakfast basis
1 guided Victoria Falls tour
1 sunset boat cruise
1 walking safari in Mosi oa Tunya NP
1 Chief Mukuni's Cultural Village tour
Return Livingstone International Airport transfers

Transfers and flights included are:

Transfer from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport to Protea Tower Hotel in Lusaka
Transfer from Protea Tower Hotel to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
Local flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe in South Luangwa National Park
Transfer from Mfuwe Airport to Thornicroft Lodge in South Luangwa National Park
Transfer from Thornicroft Lodge to Mfuwe Airport
Local flight from Mfuwe - South Luangwa NP to Livingstone via Lusaka
Transfer from Livingstone International Airport to Protea Hotel Livingstone
Transfer from Protea Hotel Livingstone to Livingstone International Airport