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Home8-Day Lower Zambezi & Mana Pools National Parks Wildlife Safari
Description
Spoil yourself with a memorable journey through Lower Zambezi, an undiscovered wildlife gem of Southern Africa. Enjoy taking a closer look at the wandering game of the Zambezi channels. Cross the Zambezi River at Chirundu border post and visit Mana Pools National Park in neighboring Zimbabwe.
Start Point: Lusaka, Zambia - Chirundu - Lower Zambezi National Park - Mana Pools National Park
End Point: Lusaka, Zambia
Highlights
Explore Zambezi River basin on game drives and canoe/boat rides
Try your hand at fishing in the Zambezi River
Enjoy bird-watching tours
General Description
Despite the Lower Zambezi National Park being undeveloped, its beauty lies in its wilderness state. Thereafter, you will cross the Zambezi River at Kariba border post and visit Mana Pools National Park in neighboring Zimbabwe.
Visit Mana Pools National Park of Zimbabwe for a unique Armchair safari experience
Mana Pools National Park make rewarding destination for any leisure traveler seeking to delve deeper into Africa’s little known wilderness areas. Mana Pools is Africa’s greatest natural spectacles – a classic theatre of the wild, attracting hordes of animals during the long, hot African summer, drawn by the abundance of water and the lush grazing along its banks.
The Mana Pools Park lies opposite the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe considered by many to be the Jewel of Zimbabwe and a Treasure for Africa. The whole area on both sides of the Zambezi River is a massive wildlife sanctuary. The parks on both sides of the river have among the biggest elephant herds in the region as well as buffaloes in large numbers, not to mention the predators that depend on them. ManaPools also has large populations of hippos and Nile crocodiles which mainly gather at sunrise in the Long Pool.
Style of Travel
The entire 8 Day tour trip will be done in a comfortable overland 4x4WD vehicle well equipped with all the required camping gear and other accessories. The tour will be supervised by a dedicated Tour Director. He will be assisted by a team of highly experienced Tour Guides, camp assistants, and a Chef to take care of your meals.
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
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Day 1 - Arrival in Lusaka expand_more
Arrive in Lusaka, the capital city and business center of Zambia. Lusaka is one of Africa’s most delightful cities. It is a metropolitan area that offers a traditional and hearty Zambian welcome to all visitors. You will be met at the Lusaka (Kenneth Kaunda) International airport by the greeters and company driver.
Thereafter, you will be transferred to the Lusaka Central Business District (CBD) area.
Stay at StayEasy hotel within the CBD area (sharing), located in a quiet and central place of Lusaka city, a mere 4 minutes’ walk to the up-market Levy Mwanawasa shopping mall.
Check-in and relax whilst waiting to be served with evening dinner.
Notes: There are no planned activities on the day of arrival in Lusaka. So you will check-in at the hotel and relax or visit Lusaka city if you arrive early in the day. Activities start on the following second day early in the morning which is the day of travel to Lower Zambezi valley via Chirundu border post.
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Day 2 - Lusaka to Chirundu en route to Lower Zambezi (192km) expand_more
Take the tar road from Lusaka to Chirundu (D152/RD491 about 115 km), which is an important commercial artery route that crosses the Zambian border and goes to Harare, Zimbabwe. So at most this road is always kept in good repair condition.
After covering about 50 km on D152 road from Lusaka, you will reach a small road-side town of Kafue (its name is derived from the Kafue River, one of Zambia’s major rivers). This town has no major things of interest worth a stop-over.
Get to about 200–300m from the Chirundu border. From here, the 'unsignposted' road to the Lower Zambezi branches east from the main road.
Head to Mvuu Lodge and Campsite in the game management area covering a distance of 50 km for an exciting camping excursion.
Depending on the arrival time, after checking-in at Mvuu Lodge and Campsite situated in a Game Management Area (GMA), stretch your legs by going for a short walk.
Experience the thrill of walking closer to nature than ever before. If there isn't any time to go for a walk, you will be at liberty to explore the nearby green surroundings of Mvuu Lodge and Campsite.
18:00 – Enjoy some evening relaxation.
19:30 – Savour dinner.
21:30 – Tuck in for an early sleep.
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Day 3 - FULL DAY of Game Viewing in Lower Zambezi National Park expand_more
05:10 – Wake up early and take a bath.
05:20 – 05:45 - Have breakfast.
05:45 – 05:55 - Receive short briefing by the African Tour Director on some pertinent facts, such as personal safety, required eco-tour practices and some insight about the country and its social etiquette.
06:00 – Leave for a full day game cruise through the Lower Zambezi National Park with your African safari guides.
Enjoy the morning and afternoon scheduled game activities that will be done on canoe/boat and game drive vehicle. The Zambezi river basins provide the much-needed relief from the scorching valley heat for a variety of wild animals for a frequent drink of water to cool off. Therefore, the game cruise will give you an exciting opportunity to view a variety of wild animals notably Hippos, Buffaloes and Elephants among other many animals.
Make many stops on the river whilst you continue enjoying viewing animals both on land and on the river. Lunch and refreshments will be provided whilst on this exciting tour.
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Day 4 - Leave Lower Zambezi National Park for Mana Pools in Zimbabwe expand_more
05:10: Wake up early and take a bath.
05:20 to 05:45 – Relish a sumptuous morning breakfast.
06:00 – Check-out and commence on the second phase of this exciting tour to Mana Pools National Park, the Jewel of Zimbabwe (260 km).
Head to the one-stop Chirundu border centre between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Do all the necessary immigration and customs clearance formalities before crossing over the bridge to the Zimbabwean side.
08:00 – Drive along the main Chirundu/Harare tarred road. After about 40 km from the Chirundu border and once you reach the bottom of the Zambezi escarpment, get off the tarred road onto a 70 kilometre (43.5 miles) dirt road and travel towards Nyamepi Camp.
17:00 – Arrive at Mana Pools camp, situated in the untouched wilderness of Mana Pools National Park. You will be at liberty to explore the surrounding camp bushes before the sunset.
18:00 – Enjoy evening relaxation around a bonfire.
19:30 – Savour dinner.
21:30 – Tuck in for a good night sleep
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Day 5 - Manapools National Park expand_more
Experience a pure African wilderness in solitude on days 5 and 6 in Mana Pools National Park, rated the 5th best park in Africa.
Enjoy morning and afternoon activities, including game drives, walking safaris, armchair safaris, canoeing, fishing activities interspersed in two days. The camp’s proximity to the water means plenty of wildlife at close range to view. It is here that you can experience an ‘armchair safari’ where often the best wildlife viewing is experienced while you are relaxing in camp.
Highlights of Activities: The following are some of the main activities that you will undertake in Mana Pools National Park, should conditions and weather patterns permit.
Walking Safaris: Mana Pools National Park offers a unique unguided walk in the wilderness; it allows experiencing nature at its best. A walking safari will provide an incredible experience for you to walk through the African bush on foot with a guide and view animals only a few meters away.
Canoe Safaris: Due to the abundance of water in the area, a canoe safari is used as one of the best ways to view wildlife.
Fishing: Opportunity and time available, you will fish in the Zambezi River and experience the excitement of hooking large fish for the pot. Half of the joy is experiencing the quiet, solitude, and beauty of the unspoiled bush around you.
Curios Shopping: There are quality souvenirs that you may buy at the Nyakasikana entrance gate, and most of them are Manapools branded.
Wilderness Trails: These walking safaris are offered only on a full moon. This is a rare and exclusive activity in a park with dangerous animals.
IBA: Important Bird Area: Mana Pools National Park is also an Important Bird Area (IBA) with more than 350 bird species. Its banks flutter with Goliath herons, Egyptian and Spurwing geese, cormorants, storks, brilliantly colored bee-eaters, and kingfishers. You will experience the highlights of the best world bird watching safari concentrated along the same Zambezi riverine frontage without fighting the peak season crowd common in other national parks!
18:00 – Evening relaxation around a borne fire.
19:30 – Eat dinner.
21:30 – Unwind with a good night's sleep.
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Day 6 - Manapools National Park expand_more
Experience a pure African wilderness in solitude on days 5 and 6 in Mana Pools National Park, rated the 5th best park in Africa.
Enjoy morning and afternoon activities, including game drives, walking safaris, armchair safaris, canoeing, fishing activities interspersed in two days. The camp’s proximity to the water means plenty of wildlife at close range to view. It is here that you can experience an ‘armchair safari’ where often the best wildlife viewing is experienced while you are relaxing in camp.
Highlights of Activities: The following are some of the main activities that you will undertake in Mana Pools National Park, should conditions and weather patterns permit.
Walking Safaris: Mana Pools National Park offers a unique unguided walk in the wilderness; it allows experiencing nature at its best. A walking safari will provide an incredible experience for you to walk through the African bush on foot with a guide and view animals only a few meters away.
Canoe Safaris: Due to the abundance of water in the area, a canoe safari is used as one of the best ways to view wildlife.
Fishing: Opportunity and time available, you will fish in the Zambezi River and experience the excitement of hooking large fish for the pot. Half of the joy is experiencing the quiet, solitude, and beauty of the unspoiled bush around you.
Curios Shopping: There are quality souvenirs that you may buy at the Nyakasikana entrance gate, and most of them are Manapools branded.
Wilderness Trails: These walking safaris are offered only on a full moon. This is a rare and exclusive activity in a park with dangerous animals.
IBA: Important Bird Area: Mana Pools National Park is also an Important Bird Area (IBA) with more than 350 bird species. Its banks flutter with Goliath herons, Egyptian and Spurwing geese, cormorants, storks, brilliantly colored bee-eaters, and kingfishers. You will experience the highlights of the best world bird watching safari concentrated along the same Zambezi riverine frontage without fighting the peak season crowd common in other national parks!
18:00 – Evening relaxation around a borne fire.
19:30 – Eat dinner.
21:30 – Unwind with a good night's sleep.
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Day 7 - Depart for Lusaka expand_more
05:30 – Rise and have breakfast.
06:30 to 12:30 – Travel to and arrive in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia.
12:40 to 13:30 – Check-in in at a good tourism accommodation facility and have lunch.
13:30 to 15:00 – Take some time to rest.
15:00 to 17:00 – Visit one or two of the prominent shopping malls in Lusaka.
6:00 pm – Evening relaxation
7:30 pm – Relish dinner.
9:30 pm – Relax with early sleep.
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Day 8 - Final departure expand_more
05:30 – Wake up and have breakfast.
06:00 – Transfer to Lusaka International Airport (Kenneth Kaunda) to board your return flight home.
What's Included
Meals and full board accommodation while on safari
Transfers to and from the airports
A safari briefing at the start
English speaking African safari guides and professional photographers.
Excursions and scheduled activities as per the itinerary
Unlimited bottled drinking water while in a safari vehicle
What's Excluded
International airfares
International and domestic departure tax
Laundry services
Meals and excursions not described in the itinerary above
All alcoholic drinks
Entry Visas to the country
Travel and health insurance
Know before you go
You will stay at Chamba Valley Exotic Hotel (sharing).
Narrative: Each room at Chamba Valley Exotic Hotel is designed with modern décor. Hotel rooms range from lush king and queen size, VIP to standard double rooms, all with excellent facilities. These include study table, internet, flat screen TV with DSTV connection, and en-suite bathroom with separate bathtub and shower. Additional facilities include: a large swimming pool, a body fitness center with sauna, steam bath and massage, shuttles services, secure car park, golf cart services for all in house movements, room service, in-house laundry, and relaxing well landscaped gardens. It is located 13 kms from Lusaka International Airport in the quiet and peaceful suburbs of Chamba valley away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
FINE DINING RESTAURANT
You will enjoy fresh mouthwatering Zambian and multi-cuisines in the hotel's Milile multi-cuisine restaurant before retiring to bed.
Notes: There are no planned activities on the day of arrival in Lusaka. So you will check-in the hotel and relax or visit Lusaka city if you arrive early in the day. In the evening we will have a ‘meet and greet session’ in the lounge where you will meet your fellow travelers.
Mineral water will be served during the tours. Lunch and refreshments are provided on board en-route to Lower Zambezi.
Lower Zambezi temperatures can reach up to 38°C (100°F), or higher are quite common in the lower Zambezi valley. Its prominent features are aisles of massive Albida or winter-thorn trees (Faidherbia Albida), which are foraged mostly by elephants. The apple ring acacia keeps the elephant herds alive during the fierce October-November dry season. These handsome trees paint a uniquely picturesque landscape, which this park is famous for.
Between Kafue and Chirundu, there are occasional craft stalls set up on the side of the road selling carved wooden animals, drums, and other mementos. Just in case you wish to buy any of these items, you may do so on the return trip to Lusaka.
Visit Mana Pools National Park of Zimbabwe for a unique Armchair safari experience.
Mana Pools National Park make a rewarding destination for any leisure traveler seeking to delve deeper into Africa’s little known wilderness areas. Mana Pools is Africa’s greatest natural spectacles – a classic theatre of the wild, attracting hordes of animals during the long, hot African summer, drawn by the abundance of water and the lush grazing along its banks.
Mana Pools Park in Zimbabwe is locally famous as a place where crowds are unknown, where walking safaris are preferred, and where elephants rule the wilderness and campsites. The park also provides excellent sightings of large herds of Buffalos, Elands, Zebras, Baboons, and Waterbuck are also regularly seen in the area. The game is very relaxed about people on foot, making Manapools one of Africa’s best national parks for walking safaris.
The Mana Pools Park lies opposite the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe, considered by many to be the Jewel of Zimbabwe and Treasure for Africa. The whole area on both sides of the Zambezi River is a massive wildlife sanctuary. The parks on both sides of the river have among the biggest elephant herds in the region and buffaloes in large numbers, not to mention the predators that depend on them. Mana Pools also has large populations of hippos and Nile crocodiles, which mainly gather at sunrise in the Long Pool.
Style of Travel: The entire 8 Day tour trip will be done in a comfortable overland safari 4x4 vehicle equipped with all the required camping gear and other accessories. A dedicated tour director will supervise the tour. He will be assisted by a team of highly experienced tour guides, camp assistants, and a chef to take care of your meals.
Meeting Point
Lusaka, Zambia
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.Price Details
| Per Person | |
| 1 To 4 | USD 2390 Per Person |
This is a group tour | |