8 Days South Luangwa and Livingstone Safari
This 8-day Livingstone and South Luangwa Safari combines one of Zambia’s strongest wildlife destinations with the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls. The journey moves from intimate walking and game-drive experiences in South Luangwa to a more relaxed riverside stay near Livingstone.
Trip Highlights
- Several days of wildlife viewing in South Luangwa National Park
- Guided walking safari accompanied by an armed guide
- Day and afternoon game drives in an open-sided 4×4
- Opportunities to see leopard, lion, elephant, hippo and other Luangwa wildlife
- Stay at Puku Ridge Camp in a remote part of South Luangwa
- Scenic flight connection from Mfuwe to Livingstone
- Private riverside stay at Tanyati Villa
- Visit to Mosi-oa-Tunya, or Victoria Falls
- Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
- Canoeing and other river excursions, subject to conditions and availability
- Time to relax beside the Zambezi after the safari
Overview
The safari begins in Lusaka, then heads east to South Luangwa National Park, where several days are dedicated to game drives and walking in one of Zambia’s best-known safari landscapes.
South Luangwa is particularly well suited to walking safaris, an experience the park has long been known for. Wildlife viewing is especially rewarding around the Luangwa River and its surrounding habitats.
Your base is Puku Ridge Camp, a remote tented camp overlooking a wildlife-rich lagoon within the park.
The combination of guided game drives, a walking safari and time in camp gives this part of the itinerary a slower, more immersive character than a simple drive-through safari.
From South Luangwa, the journey continues by air to Livingstone and the Zambezi River.
Here the pace changes considerably, with time at Tanyati Villa, sunset on the river, a visit to Victoria Falls and opportunities for canoeing and other river-based activities.
Mosi-oa-Tunya, the local name for Victoria Falls, forms part of a transboundary UNESCO World Heritage property shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Zambezi drops through a series of basalt gorges, creating the spray, mist and dramatic river landscape for which the falls are known.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lusaka and Transfer to South Luangwa
Arrive in Lusaka, where you will be met by a Petnah Africa Tours representative and transferred onward towards South Luangwa National Park.
On arrival at your camp, settle in and take some time to appreciate the setting.
Puku Ridge Camp sits in a remote area of the park overlooking a wildlife-rich lagoon, giving you an immediate sense of the landscape that will shape the next few days.
Overnight: Puku Ridge Camp
Day 2: Full Day Safari in South Luangwa
Today is dedicated to exploring South Luangwa National Park on guided game drives in an open-sided 4×4 safari vehicle.
The park supports a broad range of wildlife, with particularly strong opportunities for seeing elephants, hippos, lions, leopards and a variety of antelope and bird species.
South Luangwa is also known for its distinctive wildlife, including Thornicroft’s giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest.
Game drives allow you to cover more ground and observe how animals use the river, woodland and open areas of the park throughout the day.
Overnight: Puku Ridge Camp
Day 3: Walking Safari and Game Drive
After breakfast, head out on a guided walking safari accompanied by an armed guide.
Walking changes the character of the safari.
Rather than covering large distances in search of animals, you become more attentive to tracks, calls, insects, plants and smaller signs of activity that are easily missed from a vehicle. South Luangwa has a particularly strong tradition of walking safaris.
Return to camp for lunch before heading out again in the afternoon for a game drive. The cooler part of the day can bring increased animal activity and offers another opportunity to look for wildlife.
Overnight: Puku Ridge Camp
Day 4: Full Day Game Drive in South Luangwa
Spend another full day exploring South Luangwa by game vehicle.
The additional time gives you the freedom to revisit productive areas, look for species you may have missed, and observe the park at a different pace.
Depending on sightings and conditions, the day may bring encounters with elephants, hippos, predators, antelope and the park’s characteristic birdlife.
Overnight: Puku Ridge Camp
Day 5: Fly to Livingstone and Sunset on the Zambezi
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Mfuwe Airport for your flight to Livingstone.
On arrival at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to Tanyati Villa for check-in.
The afternoon offers a complete change of pace. Settle into the villa before heading out onto the Zambezi for a sunset cruise, with time to enjoy the river and surrounding landscape as the light changes.
Overnight: Tanyati Villa
Day 6: Victoria Falls and Zambezi Excursions
Today brings one of the defining sights of the Livingstone region, Victoria Falls.
Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or the Smoke that Thunders, the falls form part of the UNESCO-listed Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls World Heritage property.
The site is significant not only for its scale but also for the geological processes that continue to shape the Zambezi gorges below the falls.
Depending on the activities included and prevailing river conditions, the day can also incorporate canoeing, boat excursions or additional time on the Zambezi before returning to the villa.
Overnight: Tanyati Villa
Day 7: Leisure beside the Zambezi
Keep today flexible after several active days in the bush.
You may choose to revisit Victoria Falls, spend more time along the Zambezi or simply enjoy the facilities and setting at Tanyati Villa.
The riverside environment provides a natural contrast to the intensity of the South Luangwa safari.
End the trip with a final evening of dining and relaxation beside the river.
Overnight: Tanyati Villa
Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast at the villa before your transfer to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport for your onward journey.
Your Zambia safari ends in Livingstone, having combined several days of wildlife viewing and walking in South Luangwa with the Zambezi and Victoria Falls.
End of the 8-day Livingstone and South Luangwa Safari
What’s Included
- Meals on a full-board basis
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Game drives in open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles
- Guided walking safari with an armed guide
- Boat excursions
- Airport transfers to and from the airports
- Park fees
- All applicable taxes
What’s Not Included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities and tips
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is South Luangwa good for walking safaris?
Yes. Walking safaris are one of the experiences for which South Luangwa is particularly well known, allowing visitors to experience the landscape at a much more intimate scale than from a vehicle.
2. What wildlife can I expect to see in South Luangwa?
The park supports elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, antelope and extensive birdlife, alongside distinctive species such as Thornicroft’s giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, however, and conditions vary throughout the year.
3. Is this a good safari for travellers who want both wildlife and Victoria Falls?
Yes. The itinerary deliberately separates the two experiences. South Luangwa provides several days of focused wildlife viewing and walking, while the final part of the trip shifts towards the Zambezi, Victoria Falls and a more relaxed riverside stay.
4. Are the Zambezi activities available year-round?
River activities can depend on seasonal water levels, weather and local operating conditions. Specific activities should therefore be confirmed for your travel dates rather than assumed as guaranteed.
5. Can the leisure day in Livingstone be used for additional activities?
Yes, depending on availability. The day can be kept relaxed or used for additional experiences in the Livingstone and Zambezi area. Optional activities are not included unless specifically listed in the confirmed itinerary.
Ready to start planning your safari in Zambia? Send us an inquiry through our contact page or WhatsApp us on +256 705 161344.
