8 Days Livingstone Wildlife Safari
This 8-day Livingstone Wildlife Safari combines the thundering Victoria Falls with the exceptional wildlife of South Luangwa National Park.
Overview
The journey begins in Livingstone before continuing by air to the Luangwa Valley, where game drives, walking safaris and time along the Luangwa River form the heart of the safari.
In Livingstone, you will stay at Tongabezi Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River and spend two days experiencing Victoria Falls and the range of activities available around the falls.
Depending on interests and availability, these can include scenic flights, white-water rafting, zip-lining, sunset river cruises and high tea.
The second half of the journey takes you to South Luangwa National Park, a richly biodiverse wilderness shaped by seasonal changes and sustained by the Luangwa River.
The park is particularly known for its predator sightings, with opportunities to encounter leopards, lions, spotted hyenas and wild dogs alongside elephants, giraffes, zebras and other wildlife.
Your four-night stay at Shawa Luangwa Camp places you in the Nsefu Sector, where the safari experience extends beyond conventional game drives.
Guided walks, night drives, river experiences and cultural visits provide different ways to experience the landscape and its wildlife.
This Zambia safari is suitable for couples, solo travellers and families with older children, and can be tailored for groups.
Trip Highlights
- Experience Victoria Falls, also known as “The Smoke That Thunders”
- Stay at Tongabezi Lodge on the Zambezi River
- Enjoy two days around Victoria Falls with a choice of activities
- Fly from Livingstone to South Luangwa National Park
- Spend four nights at Shawa Luangwa Camp in the Nsefu Sector
- Experience morning and evening game drives
- Take part in guided walking safaris through the bush
- Look for leopards and other predators in South Luangwa
- Experience night game drives and search for nocturnal wildlife
- Visit Mkasanga Village for a cultural experience
- Travel through the Luangwa Valley and along the Luangwa River
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Livingstone
Arrive at Livingstone International Airport, where you will be welcomed by a Petnah Africa Tours representative and transferred to Tongabezi Lodge.
After settling into the lodge, you can head towards Livingstone town to experience Victoria Falls, one of the world’s major natural attractions. The falls are known locally as “Musi-oa-Tunya” and are also referred to as “The Smoke That Thunders” because of the immense spray generated as the Zambezi River plunges over the falls.
Overnight at Tongabezi Lodge
Set among ebony trees on the banks of the Zambezi River, Tongabezi Lodge provides a luxurious base for your time in Livingstone. The lodge comprises River Cottages and private houses, with accommodation designed around the surrounding river landscape.
The riverside setting also provides opportunities for experiences such as boat trips, island visits, sunset moments and private dining.
Day 1 Arrival in Livingstone
Day 2: Experience Victoria Falls
Spend the day experiencing Victoria Falls and the activities available around this spectacular section of the Zambezi.
For adventurous travellers, activities may include white-water rafting, zip-lining and bungee jumping. More scenic options include helicopter flights over the falls, while Devil’s Pool provides another way to experience the edge of the falls when conditions and access allow.
In the afternoon, enjoy high tea at the historic Victoria Falls Hotel.
Return to Tongabezi Lodge for an evening beside the Zambezi River.
Day 3: More Victoria Falls Experiences
Continue your Victoria Falls experience with time for additional activities around the falls or along the Zambezi River.
The riverside setting of Tongabezi Lodge gives you opportunities to enjoy the river at a slower pace, including a sunset cruise or time on one of the nearby islands. Other experiences can be selected according to your interests and the activities available during your stay.
The combination of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi provides a contrasting start to the safari before you travel onwards to Zambia’s wildlife-rich Luangwa Valley.
Day 4: Fly to South Luangwa National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Livingstone International Airport for your flight towards South Luangwa National Park.
On arrival at Mfuwe Airport, meet your driver-guide and continue by road to Shawa Luangwa Camp, where you will spend the next four nights.
Overnight at Shawa Luangwa Camp
Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small eco-friendly bush camp overlooking the Luangwa River in the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park.
With five safari tents, including a family tent, the camp offers an intimate base from which to experience the surrounding wilderness. The open-fronted tents are designed to make the most of the river and surrounding vegetation while maintaining a comfortable safari setting.
Day 5: Game Viewing and Walking Safari
Begin your first full day in South Luangwa with breakfast before heading into the park for wildlife viewing.
Game drives provide opportunities to look for the park’s varied wildlife, including elephants and predators such as lions and leopards. South Luangwa is particularly associated with leopard sightings, so the Nsefu Sector provides an excellent setting for searching for these elusive cats.
You can also experience the landscape on foot, following the bush with an experienced guide and learning to read the smaller signs of wildlife that can easily be missed from a vehicle.
Return to camp for lunch and time to relax before continuing with afternoon or evening activities.
Day 6: Safari in South Luangwa
Continue exploring South Luangwa through a combination of game viewing and guided activities.
Morning and afternoon periods offer opportunities to search for wildlife when temperatures are more favourable for animal activity. Between activities, enjoy time at camp overlooking the Luangwa River.
As evening approaches, head out for a night game drive. The darkness changes the character of the safari, creating opportunities to search for nocturnal species such as honey badgers and porcupines, while predators may also be active.
Return to camp for dinner beneath the Zambian night sky.
Day 7: Walking Safari and Cultural Experience
Spend another day experiencing South Luangwa beyond the game-viewing vehicle.
Guided walking safaris allow you to experience the bush at a slower pace, with your guide interpreting tracks, vegetation, animal behaviour and other details along the way. Depending on the day’s activities, there may also be opportunities to cross the Luangwa River by canoe before continuing on foot.
The itinerary also includes a cultural visit to Mkasanga Village, providing an opportunity to experience another side of the region beyond its wildlife and landscapes.
Return to camp for your final evening in South Luangwa.
Day 8: Departure
Enjoy your final breakfast surrounded by the wilderness of South Luangwa before transferring to Mfuwe Airport.
From Mfuwe, fly to Lusaka for your onward flight and the end of your 8-day Livingstone Wildlife Safari.
What’s Included
- Meals
- 7 nights of accommodation
- All necessary permits, conservation fees and park fees
- Activities specified in the itinerary, including morning and evening game drives
- 24/7 assistance and support during the trip
- Services of an experienced driver-guide and rangers
What’s Not Included
- International flights to and from Africa and related taxes
- Any travel visa required for Zambia
- Tips
- Personal items such as travel insurance and souvenirs
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this safari suitable for families?
The itinerary is described as suitable for families with older children. The walking and wildlife activities should be considered when assessing whether the itinerary is appropriate for individual family members.
2. What wildlife can I see in South Luangwa?
South Luangwa is known for its diverse wildlife and predator population. The source material highlights leopards, lions, spotted hyenas and wild dogs, alongside elephants, Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra.
Wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable, so specific encounters cannot be guaranteed.
3. Does the safari include walking safaris?
Yes. The South Luangwa portion includes guided walking safaris, alongside game drives and other activities specified in the itinerary.
4. Can this itinerary be tailored for groups?
Yes. The supplied itinerary states that the safari can be tailored for groups.
5. Can I choose which Victoria Falls activities I do?
The itinerary includes a range of possible Victoria Falls experiences, including white-water rafting, zip-lining, bungee jumping, scenic flights, Devil’s Pool, high tea and sunset river experiences. Specific activities should be confirmed when planning the trip because availability and conditions can vary.
Ready to Start Planning?
Ready to start planning? Send us an inquiry through our contact page or WhatsApp us on +256 705 161344.
