INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Zambia, a captivating land that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences on route.
Welcome to our special 4 x 4 self drive, but guided set departure tours.
Driving Toyota Double Cab vehicles ( we reserve the right to adjust vehicle specifics) and following a driver and guide who will lead you on our curated tours around the Central / Eastern side of Zambia.
Roads will be tarmac, dirt road and on some occasions on off road tracks but you will be following the experts who will always guide you on the best route and speed.
There are a maximum of three vehicles (six persons) based on twin share for each departure date.
Your accomodation is a mix of camping using the tents on top the vehicles and lodge accomodation in rooms with private facilities - so a nice mix and not too rough of a trip, but full of adventure!
Key places you will visit in Zambia
Kafue National Park:
Kafue National Park, one of Africa's largest and most diverse national parks, spans an impressive 22,400 square kilometres. Located in western Zambia, Kafue offers a wild and pristine safari experience, boasting rich wildlife, varied landscapes, and fewer tourists compared to more famous parks.
Lower Zambezi:
Nestled along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, the Lower Zambezi National Park is a hidden gem in Zambia. It offers an unparalleled safari experience with its breath taking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and tranquil waters. For many the wildlife can be seen from the Zambezi River on both the Zambia and Zimbabwe banks and so many people choose to spend time on the river as well as in the National Park or combinations of both.
South Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa National Park, located in eastern Zambia, is one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. Known for its diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and the Luangwa River, the park offers an authentic and less commercialized safari experience. Covering over 9,050 square kilometres, it is part of the larger Luangwa Valley ecosystem, which is home to an abundance of wildlife and bird species.
You will not be driving into the National Parks alone and will not be undertaking your own self drive game viewing trips. All of these activities are included with your choice each day from the camps you will be based at. These trips from the camps or lodges are operated by experienced, licensed guides for their knowledge and your safety.
Pictures of your typical vehicles
When is this tour operating?
Planned for 28th June 2025 from Lusaka
This is a provisional date but as it is only a small group of three vehicles, if you have a group of friends that wish to do this, then we can tailor a tour and dates to suit you.
Planned for 20th September 2025 from Lusaka
This is a provisional date but as it is only a small group of three vehicles, if you have a group of friends that wish to do this, then we can tailor a tour and dates to suit you in 2024 and 2025.
Where You Will Be Staying
Your comfort is our priority, and on this tour there is a mix of camping with "on roof" tents on the vehicles in registered camp sites and selected guesthouses or camps / lodges where you will be staying in their accommodations. So not as roughing it all the time as some would think but a balance of camping and rooms.
You will be staying in the equivalent of three to four-star accommodations, known for their comfortable accommodation with a brief one night stop over in a popular guesthouse en route in one place.
Meals as per the itinerary
Please see the itinerary for more the names of your accommodation the tour is based upon.
Itinerary
This carefully curated itinerary has been driven and checked by the owner of the vehicles and ensures that you experience the great outdoors, stunning landscapes and wildlife of Zambia:
Day 1: Arrival & Relaxation
Arrival at Lusaka, Zambia’s capital.
Check-in at the Southern Sun Ridgeway Hotel, a four-star hotel in the centre of Lusaka with bar and restaurant.
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast.
Evening: Leisure time after the long flights from the UK.
Day 2: Lusaka to Central Kafue National Park
Morning: An early morning departure , around 0630 hrs from the hotel to miss the Lusaka capital traffic and head north westward towards Kafue National Park and the Kasabushi Camp.
Afternoon: Depending on your arrival time, you might be able to take a sunset cruise or just take in a pre-dinner drink on the river bank at your campsite.
Evening: Dinner at the camp - drinks not included.
Driving Time: 5 Hours / 330 kms .
Day 3: Central Kafue
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In house activities of your choice
Morning: Activities provided by the camp of your choice.
Afternoon: Activities provided by the camp of your choice.
Evening: Dinner at the camp provided by your guide / chef, drinks not included.
Day 4 : Central Kafue
Morning: Activities provided by the camp of your choice.
Afternoon: Activities provided by the camp of your choice.
Evening: Dinner at the camp provided by your guide / chef, drinks not included.
Day 5: Northern Kafue
In house activities of your choice
Morning: After breakfast, break camp and head south to McBrides camp in the northern part of Kafue.
Afternoon: Activities provided by the camp of your choice.
Evening: Dinner at the camp provided by your guide / chef, drinks not included.
Driving Time: 2.5 hours / 136 kms.
Day 6: Northern Kafue
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In house activities of your choice
Morning: Activities provided by the camp of your choice.
Afternoon: Activities provided by the camp of your choice.
Evening: Dinner at the camp provided by your guide / chef, drinks not included.
Day 7: North Kafue
Choice of in house activities included
Morning: After breakfast choice of activities provided by the lodge.
Afternoon: Choice of activities provided by the lodge.
Evening: Dinner at the camp provided by your guide / chef, drinks not included.
Day 8: Northern Kafue to Lower Zambezi.
Morning: After breakfast, break camp and head out of Kafue and south east towards the Lower Zambezi and Gwabi River Lodge.
Afternoon: On arrival check into your chalet, freshen up and enjoy a sunset cruise on the river.
Evening: Sundowners in the bar and evening meal at the lodge. Drinks not included.
Driving Time: 7 hours / 341 kms
Day 9: Lower Zambezi
Choice of in house activities included
Morning: After breakfast choice of activities provided by the lodge.
Afternoon: Choice of activities provided by the lodge.
Evening: Dinner at the lodge, drinks not included.
Day 10: Lower Zambezi
Choice of in house activities included
Morning: After breakfast choice of activities provided by the lodge.
Afternoon: Choice of activities provided by the lodge.
Evening: Dinner at the lodge, drinks not included.
Day 11: Lower Zambezi to Petauke
Leave the the Lower Zambezi for South Luangwa with an overnight stop in Petauke a town in eastern Zambia, located about 378 km southeast of Lusaka, the capital city. The town has a population of approximately 35,000 people, most of whom are engaged in agriculture and trading.
Morning: After a early breakfast =, depart and head back to wards Lusaka and then onwards to your overnight stop in Petauke.
Afternoon: With stops on route your overnight stop will be Petauke Lodge Guesthouse. Rooms have private facilities and is ideal for a overnight stop.
Evening: Dinner at leisure - not included. The guesthouse offers simple meals which maybe all you want after a long driving day.
Driving Time: 9 hours / 560 kms.
Day 12: Petauke to South Luangwa
Morning: After breakfast, depart for the fabulous region of South Luanwga as your final road trip destination.
Afternoon: Check in to Flat Dogs Camp for three nights. Accommodation will either be in chalets or safari tents depending on your wish or availability.
If you arrive on time then you maybe able to jump on a evening game drive with sundowners in the National Park.
Evening: Evening meal at leisure or after the return of the game drive. Drinks not included.
Driving Time: 4.5 hours / 310 kms.
Day 13: South Luangwa.
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Choice of in house activities included
Morning: An early light breakfast and departure for your four house sunrise game viewing trip followed by breakfast when you return.
Afternoon: At approximately 1600 depart on a afternoon / sunset game drive.
Evening: Evening meal at leisure on return from the game drive. Drinks not included.
Day 14: South Luangwa.
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Choice of in house activities
Morning: An early light breakfast and departure for your four house sunrise game viewing trip followed by breakfast when you return.
Afternoon: At approximately 1600 depart on a afternoon / sunset game drive.
Evening: Evening meal at leisure on return from the game drive. Drinks not included.
Day 15: Return to Lusaka
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Flight back to Lusaka as the vehicles will stay in Mfuwe. The direct overland journey is approximately 13 hours non stop and so not recommended as a finish to your time in Zambia.
Morning: After breakfast depart for Mfuwe airport for the flight back to Lusaka, connecting with your international flight.
Or if the flights do not connect we can arrange for you to stay in Lusaka at the Southern Sun Ridgeway on bed and breakfast and then transfer you to the airport the day after.
Pricing
Pricing will include the following:
Transfers, transport and accommodations as stated in the final itinerary. Based on two persons.
Meals as stated in the itinerary - normally half board with meals taken with lodges or when camping prepared by the chef with the group.
A choice of activities in each camp - game viewing, sunset cruise (where applicable) walking safari's, fishing where available etc.
All national park fees are included where applicable.
A full tank of fuel on departure, with vehicles being returned full. Budget on approximately USD 1000 (equivalent) for fuel as you travel around.
Vehicles are fully insured including collision damage waiver when nominated drivers are driving.
Pricing will not include:
Drinks at any location - these can be bought from the camps or you can stop on route and stock up from supermarkets.
Any meals or food not included in the itinerary.
Any item or service not mentioned in the itinerary.
Gratuities for the escort team or accommodation where you are staying.
Road tolls on route which do fluctuate but $100 equivilant in Kwacha will cover the tolls per vehicle for your trip.
Please note that you will need a International Driving Permit for everyone that is traveling / driving as a standard UK licence is not accepted by the Police in Zambia.
All vehicles are manual transmission currently.
Please ensure you have cash during your trip as not all locations - Camps / fuel stations accept credit / debit cards due to location or internet outages .
Zambian Kwacha is not available outside of Zambia but next to your hotel in Lusaka is a ABSA bank that is affiliated to Barclays Bank with a ATM so you can withdraw local cash before your departure. Other ATM's will be available during parts of your journey but can be unreliable for international cards.