The easiest and most cost effective way to experience the wonders of Africa’s premier wildlife reserve and one of the 7 wonders of the natural world -all in one week.
Day 1: Depart Lilongwe at approx 0900 to Mchinji. [1&1/2 hr drive], then after completing immigration formalities, on to Luangwa Valley. A picnic lunch is enjoyed en route and ETA at the campsite is mid afternoon. On arrival check into your permanent tents – each tent has 2 X single beds with bedding supplied. There are shared ablution facilities. Dinner is served from 19H00 onwards.
Day 2 & 3: After a light snack with tea & coffee we depart for a morning drive at 06H00. All game drives are undertaken in open game viewing vehicles, to optimise your pleasure and experience. Drinks and snacks are taken along for your enjoyment whilst in the park. Depending on game sightings, we return to the lodge at 11 for a scrumptious "brunch". An afternoon rest, swim, tea then we again head out for our afternoon/ night drive at around 16H00 - returning to the camp at 20H00. Evening Dinner
Day 4: After breakfast, we drive via Chipata. Here you will change vehicles and go in a saloon car to Lusaka [depending on group size]. Continue to Lusaka on the Great East Road with a brief stop at Luangwa Bridge. ETA in Lusaka is late afternoon depending on road conditions. On arrival check into the pioneer chalets – these are simple chalets with shared ablution facilities. Tonight’s dinner is included in your fee. [Driving time – approx 10 hrs]
Day 5: After breakfast [included] we continue through Lusaka, over the Kafue River to Victoria Falls. A picnic lunch is enjoyed en route. ETA in Livingstone is mid afternoon and again reliant on road conditions. Check into your tents in the adventure village at the Zambezi Waterfront. If time allows, visit the falls this afternoon - if not then this is done the next day. Please note - your entrance fee into the falls is excluded. Return to your campsite in the late afternoon. Dinner this evening is for your own cost at the adjoining hotel. [Driving time – approx 8 hrs but is dependent on road conditions]
Day 6: This day is open for you to experience the numerous activities and options that has established this area as the "Adrenaline Capital of Africa". Only your breakfast is included and you have the entire days to pursue the activity of your choice. River cruises, game drives, cultural village tours, white water rafting, jet boating, canoeing, river boarding, micro lighting, helicopter flips, bungi-jumping, horseback and elephant safaris, fishing are all readily available and organised on site at the hotel. Lunch and dinner at your own cost.
Day 7: After breakfast, we depart back to Lusaka. A leisurely drive brings us to Pioneer camp late afternoon. Overnight at Pioneer Camp in chalets. Dinner is included. [Driving time – approx 8 hrs]
Day 8: After breakfast, we return to Lilongwe. Picnic lunch en route. ETA in Lilongwe is late afternoon.
Please Note – We reserve the right to change the above accommodation & costs due to circumstances beyond our control.
Includes: - Transport Lilongwe return, basic tented accommodation per person sharing, meals as indicated
Excludes: - Alcoholic and bottled drinks, entrance fees into Luangwa and Vic falls, 2 X Dinners and 2 X lunches, local gratuities, optional activities.
Optional excursions These costs are meant as a guide only and all bookings are done on site.
White water rafting - full day - $ 135 p/p Upper Zambezi canoeing full day $ 105 Tandem Kayaking $ 150 River boarding $ 145 Horse Trails 1/2 day w lunch $ 100 Breakfast Cruise $ 45 Bungi Jumping $ 90 Lunch & Sunset cruises $ 40 Fishing Safari [1/2 day] $ 100 Dinner Cruise $ 45 Elephant back safari AM or PM $ 130 Helicopter flight [15 min] $ 95
Luangwa Valley - 9050 sq km of pristine woodland and riverine vegetation plays host to over 40 mammal and 650 bird species. The South Luangwa has been described as the premier park in Africa foremost for the variety of species seen when visiting. A visit to Malawi and Zambia would be totally incomplete without experiencing the sheer magnitude and delight of this unique area.
Thornicroft Lodge is set on the banks of the Luangwa River offering accommodation in 10 en suite chalets built from stone, concrete and wood. Each spacious and airy structure has a canvass roof and is designed to allow maximum visibility even when you are in your room. Each room has 2 X three quarter beds and luxurious mattresses and bedding to ensure you the best nights rest possible, whilst being safely tucked inside your large walk in mosquito net. Each chalet has a veranda with a view of the river and the park.
Victoria Falls needs no introduction – as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, it is perhaps the most visited site in Southern Africa and hence leisure facilities and opportunities abound. The sight of millions of liters of water gushing into a huge chasm creating the famous “smoke that thunders” is a sight that has inspired and enthralled visitors for a century already.
The Zambezi Waterfront Village has well appointed chalets set is spacious grounds. There are 2 swimming pools situated near the bar, BBQ and auditorium. Stunning Zambezi sunsets can be enjoyed from the entertainment complex or the restaurant area. The accommodation site has communal ablution facilities.
This tour is available as a luxury option where lodges are upgraded to 4 star in both Luangwa and in Victoria Falls - please complete the enquiry form below and ask about this option .
Guaranteed departure any day with a minimum of 4 persons
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We did indeed have a terrific safari. To sum it up:
They provided excellent service for the three of us- myself, my husband Jim, and our niece Renee. When our luggage did not show up in time for the trip, they offered to pick it up at the Malawi airport and transport it all the way to our camp in South Luangwa, no problem!
Our guide Henry was talented, funny, and very genuine, reveling not only his knowledge of Africa, but a thoughtful interest in our views as well. Raphael really impressed us with his cooking skills, we weren't expecting such creative fare every day. They book a bush camp in North Luangwa at Chifunda and I would highly recommend this to everyone.
We visited the village aligned with the camp and met the chief, had a typical native lunch (after helping grind the peanuts!) and had a chance to talk to many local people. The bush camp itself is welcoming after a long drive getting there, with very friendly folk and comfortable accommodation in their bandas - open air showers and a view of the river right outside the windows. Our guided walks there were spectacular, especially seeing the leopard in our path!
I would use the Africa Guide again when researching our next trip, and would tell my traveling friends to peruse the site, it has so much information.
We loved the Safari. They were able to offer the same safari as other operators at a substantial reduction.
The Lodge couldn't have been better. The drive to and from Lilongwe to the gamepark was seamless and easy. The driver was willing to make any stops that we wanted.
Our 4-day trek on Mulanje Massif, was excellent from start to finish. We were warmly welcomed and well briefed.
Our guide was first class, very knowledgeable and sensitive to our individual needs. Arrangements for porterage and cooking were good too and the meals were excellent (and copious).
Weather conditions, in July, were perfect for walking. We will go again and stay longer!!
Briefly I arranged everything from South Africa and it was wonderful having such easy access to the internet and instant e-mail responses from the Lilongwe office.
My son, his girlfriend and I had traveled all the way up from Johannesburg to Vic Falls in my Renault. On the 28th December we arrived at the pick-up point in Chipata.
Henry drove like a Dakar rally driver and apart from splashing a few hapless bystanders with muddy rain water, took us safely into Luangwa Valley.
From then on, he was busy organizing a cook which seemed a problem only because, like lions, cooks are hard to find! But we always had good food and watched the different men struggling with the height of the cooker, standing on the boxes to reach - and struggling to wash the dishes squeezed in between the ladder to the upstairs floor, and the kitchen sink - clearly a design flaw in the architecture. But it didn't bother us.
We ate and slept in the beautiful lodge and wondered in our sleep what the funny growling and other weird noises were that we heard in the night.
Fred our guide was very keen to look after all our animal-sighting needs. We saw buffalo, a giraffe with two heads or so it seemed at first! - and hippos a-plenty - ugly beasts really!
Luckily I had seen lions in the Serengeti game parks so I wouldn't have been too unhappy if we'd left Luangwa Valley without seeing any. But my son and his girlfriend were longing for a glimpse of the Kings of the Jungle. Two night drives brought sightings of hyena and the smaller cats, but because of the rain, the lions stayed away.
We had just about given up when on the last hour of the last day we saw a lioness AND -the cream on the cake for me too,- the leopard. Fred's determination to pursue every tip and trail had paid off! We were so elated!
Thank You for a great experience and please share the photos and thanks with Henry and Fred! Love also to Patience.
I must say that normally I would make all the arrangements myself once I arrive at a destination so I was reluctant at first to use your services; with that said, your team did a fantastic job making our trip fun and trouble free.
We had the best time at the Safari Lodge in South Luangwa. The people there were terrific and it wasnt crowded.
Please tell everyone that Janelle and I had the best time! I would recommend you to anyone planning a trip to Africa.
I actually spent the time with the Lodge staff and guides I stayed at. The operator did a very good job of arranging my stay there and ensuring all the details such as airport transfers were covered. The Lodge is an excellent place with well-trained professionals, a superb chef, and very comfortable accomodations.
I would recommend this tour operator without qualification to anyone travelling in that area who wants to see South Luangua National Park.
Mme and my friend were picked up on time by the operator before the safari. They took us to their office, where we were offered tea and biscuits whilst filling some forms. We then set out on a 5 hour drive to our safari destination.
Our driver was very friendly, we had sufficient time for lunch and we could stop for toilet or photos when we wanted. At the end of the safari, the operator kindly agreed to leave 1 hour later than planned so that I could enjoy a last morning drive. I should also mention that they had arranged for a visa waiver for entry into Zambia and that border crossings were dealt with quickly and efficiently. All in all, I would say that they were excellent agents for the organisers of the safari.
As for the safari itself, it was also a very positive experience. All the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The accommodation was very comfortable: the main lodge has very nice chalets with en suite bathroom, a great dining area and a swimming pool; the bush camp, whilst less luxurious, is also very comfortable and even has flushing toilets. We really felt all the staff were trying to make our stay as good as possible. Oh, and the food was excellent and served with panache every night.
