8 Days Zambia Family Safari

This 8-day Zambia Family Safari combines two of Zambia’s most distinctive travel experiences, the wildlife-rich wilderness of South Luangwa National Park and the spectacular Victoria Falls in Livingstone.

Overview

The journey begins in Lusaka before continuing to South Luangwa, one of Zambia’s best-known safari destinations.

Here, your family can experience the bush through game drives, walking safaris and evening or night drives, with opportunities to encounter elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, wild dogs and a wide variety of birdlife.

After four days in the Luangwa Valley, a flight takes you to Livingstone for three nights beside the Zambezi River.

From here, you will visit Victoria Falls and have opportunities to experience the river and surrounding area through activities such as boat cruises, scenic helicopter flights and a visit to Livingstone Island.

The itinerary combines active days in the bush with time to slow down at Tanyati Villa, giving families a private riverside base from which to enjoy the Livingstone portion of the trip.

The safari is designed for families and can be adapted around the needs of the travelling group, including families looking for a balance between wildlife, adventure and relaxation.

Trip Highlights

• Explore South Luangwa National Park on guided game drives
• Experience a guided walking safari in one of Africa’s renowned walking safari destinations
• Search for leopards and other nocturnal wildlife on evening game drives
• Look for elephants, hippos, lions, wild dogs and diverse birdlife
• Stay at Mfuwe Lodge in South Luangwa
• Fly from South Luangwa to Livingstone
• Visit the spectacular Victoria Falls
• Experience the Zambezi River by boat
• Visit Livingstone Island and experience views of Victoria Falls
• Enjoy three nights at the exclusive Tanyati Villa
• Balance active safari days with a full leisure day in Livingstone

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lusaka and Transfer to South Luangwa

Arrive in Lusaka, where you will be welcomed by a Petnah Africa Tours representative and begin your journey towards South Luangwa National Park.

On arrival, settle into your accommodation and prepare for the wildlife experiences ahead.

Overnight at Mfuwe Lodge

Mfuwe Lodge provides a comfortable base from which to explore South Luangwa National Park, with access to both game drives and walking safaris.

The lodge is situated beside a lagoon that attracts wildlife, providing opportunities to see animals close to camp. During November, the source material notes that elephants may pass through the lodge grounds on their way to nearby mango trees.

Day 2: Full Day Safari in South Luangwa

Spend the day exploring South Luangwa National Park on guided game drives in an open-sided 4×4 safari vehicle.

The park provides opportunities to see a wide range of wildlife, including elephants, hippos and predators such as leopards and lions.

Birdlife is also an important part of the South Luangwa experience, with hundreds of recorded bird species across the park.

In the evening, head out again for a night game drive. After dark, the bush takes on a different character, with opportunities to search for nocturnal wildlife such as civets, genets, honey badgers and spotted hyenas, as well as predators that may be active after sunset.

Day 3: Walking Safari and Game Drives in South Luangwa

Continue your South Luangwa experience with a guided walking safari accompanied by an armed guide.

Walking through the bush provides a different perspective from a vehicle, allowing you to focus on smaller details and creatures that can easily be overlooked during a conventional game drive.

After lunch and time to rest, return to the park for an afternoon and evening game drive.

Keep watch for elephants, African wild dogs, spotted hyenas, hippos, elands, impalas, duikers, kudus and other wildlife as you continue exploring the park.

Day 4: More Walking and Wildlife Experiences

Spend another day experiencing the wildlife and landscapes of South Luangwa through a combination of guided activities.

Walking safaris provide time to experience the bush at a slower pace, while game drives allow you to cover more ground in search of larger wildlife and predators.

The varied habitats of the Luangwa Valley support a remarkable range of animals, so each outing offers different possibilities.

Your guides will help interpret the landscape and respond to the wildlife activity encountered during the day.

Return to Mfuwe Lodge for your final night in South Luangwa.

Day 5: Fly to Livingstone

After breakfast, fly to Livingstone where you will be met by your Petnah Africa Tours driver-guide and transferred to Tanyati Villa.

Settle into your riverside accommodation and enjoy a slower afternoon after your time in the bush.

Depending on your interests and arrangements, the evening can be spent relaxing at the villa or experiencing the Zambezi River on a sunset cruise.

Overnight at Tanyati Villa

Tanyati Villa is an exclusive riverside property designed around privacy, comfort and views of the Zambezi River.

The villa offers four suites and shared spaces intended to suit families and groups, including a lounge and bar, private cinema, gym and spa. Outside, a heated pool, patio and gardens provide space to relax between activities.

Day 6: Victoria Falls and Zambezi Adventures

Today is dedicated to Victoria Falls and the surrounding Zambezi River.

Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The Smoke That Thunders”, Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s most famous natural attractions. The immense volume of water creates a vast curtain of spray, giving the falls their distinctive appearance.

The itinerary offers a choice of experiences around the falls and river.

A Zambezi dinner cruise provides an opportunity to spend the evening on the river while watching the sunset.

A helicopter flight over Victoria Falls offers an aerial perspective of the falls and surrounding landscape.

You can also visit Livingstone Island, reached by boat, for a distinctive viewpoint of Victoria Falls.

The source material also mentions Devil’s Pool as part of this experience, although access is dependent on prevailing conditions and operational availability.

Return to Tanyati Villa for dinner and an evening of relaxation.

Day 7: Leisure Day in Livingstone

Enjoy a slower final full day in Livingstone.

You can use the day to relax at Tanyati Villa, return to Victoria Falls, or choose from activities available around the Zambezi River.

For families, this provides useful flexibility after several active days of game viewing and walking in South Luangwa. Spend the final evening enjoying the riverside setting before preparing for departure.

Day 8: Departure

Enjoy your final breakfast before being transferred to Livingstone Airport for your onward flight.

Your 8 Days Zambia Family Safari comes to an end.

What’s Included

• All meals throughout the tour
• 7 nights of accommodation
• Game drives in an open-sided 4×4 safari vehicle
• Evening and night game drives
• Walking safaris with an armed guide
• Boat trips
• Airport transfers
• Internal flights

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 this Zambia safari suitable for families?

Yes. The itinerary is specifically designed as a family safari and combines wildlife experiences in South Luangwa with a more relaxed stay in Livingstone.

Families should consider the age and interests of their children when selecting walking safaris and other active experiences.

2. What wildlife can families see in South Luangwa?

The source material highlights elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, African wild dogs, spotted hyenas, elands, impalas, duikers and kudus, alongside a wide variety of birdlife.

Wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable, so individual species cannot be guaranteed.

3. Does the safari include walking safaris?

Yes. Guided walking safaris with an armed guide are included in the itinerary and provide a different way to experience South Luangwa’s wildlife and landscape.

4. What can we do around Victoria Falls?

The itinerary includes experiences around Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River, including boat trips. It also highlights optional experiences such as helicopter flights and visits to Livingstone Island.

Optional activities should be confirmed when booking because availability and conditions can vary.

5. Can we have time to relax during the safari?

Yes. Day 7 is intentionally kept as a leisure day in Livingstone, allowing time to relax at Tanyati Villa or choose additional activities according to your family’s interests.

Ready to Start Planning?

Ready to start planning? Send us an inquiry through our contact page or WhatsApp us on +256 705 161344.