Zambia’s Off the Beaten Track Safari
11 Days / 10 Nights
Follow Zambia’s wildest paths on this 11-day, off-the-beaten-track safari. Begin in South Luangwa, famous for its riverine landscapes and prolific wildlife, then venture into the remote North Luangwa for a pure walking-safari experience. Finish in the vast and little-visited Kafue National Park, where rivers, floodplains and woodlands are home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife.
Small, character-filled camps, expert guiding and varied activities make this itinerary ideal for travellers who want to escape the crowds and explore truly wild Africa.
DURATION
11 Days / 10 Nights
LOCATIONS
South Luangwa National Park, North Luangwa National Park, Kafue National Park
STYLE
Intimate bush camps, immersive walking safaris & classic game drives
BEST FOR
Seasoned safari-goers, photographers & wilderness lovers
Your Adventure Begins…
This journey links three of Zambia’s most rewarding wilderness areas. Start along the Luangwa River at Tafika Camp before moving upriver on foot to Chikoko Tree Camp, where there are no roads and all activities are walking safaris. Fly north to remote Mwaleshi Camp in North Luangwa for big-game encounters far from any crowds, then end at Musekese Camp in Kafue National Park, exploring by vehicle, on foot and by boat.
Days 1-2
Arrive in Lusaka and connect on a scheduled flight to Mfuwe in South Luangwa. You’ll be met and transferred to Tafika Camp, set on a scenic bend of the Luangwa River.
Your reed-and-thatch chalet sits beneath shady trees, with wildlife often passing close by. Days are spent on game drives and walking safaris in one of Africa’s finest wildlife areas, searching for elephant, hippo, lion and an impressive variety of plains game and birdlife. Evenings end around the campfire under a sky full of stars.
Days 3-4
Travel upriver from Tafika by vehicle and boat, then walk the final stretch into Chikoko Tree Camp – the only way to arrive, as there are no roads in this part of the park.
Raised chalets, tucked into the tree canopy, look out over open plains and seasonal channels. This is a pure walking-safari experience: you explore on foot with highly trained guides and armed scouts, learning to read tracks, spot birdlife and quietly approach big game in a pristine, roadless corner of South Luangwa.
Days 5-7 Remote North Luangwa – Mwaleshi Camp
From Chikoko, walk back to the river crossing and transfer to the airstrip for your flight into North Luangwa. Mwaleshi Camp lies deep inside the park on a bend of the Mwaleshi River, accommodating just a handful of guests in simple, comfortable chalets.
Game viewing here is wonderfully wild. With very few roads, most activities are on foot, and it’s common to encounter lion, sizeable herds of buffalo and the endemic Cookson’s wildebeest, along with a rich variety of other wildlife. The sense of remoteness and exclusivity is a major highlight of this part of the journey
Days 8-10 Kafue National Park – Musekese Camp
Fly back via Mfuwe to Lusaka and drive into the heart of Kafue National Park, arriving at Musekese Camp near the Kafue River. This small, owner-run camp offers access to a quiet, wildlife-rich corner of one of Africa’s largest national parks.
Explore floodplains, woodlands and river channels on day and night drives, guided walks and boat safaris. Look out for elephant, various antelope species, lion, hippo, crocodile and prolific birdlife, with chances of encountering cheetah and other rarer species in this diverse ecosystem. Evenings are spent swapping stories in camp while listening to the sounds of the bush.
Day 11: Return to Lusaka
After a final morning activity and breakfast, drive back to Lusaka in time to connect with your onward international flight, taking with you memories of some of Zambia’s wildest and most authentic safari areas.
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Full-board accommodation at Tafika, Chikoko Tree, Mwaleshi and Musekese Camps
- All meals, selected local drinks and house wines
- Guided walking safaris, day and night game drives and boat safaris (where offered)
- National park fees and conservation levies
- Scheduled domestic flights and applicable departure taxes as per itinerary
- Airport and inter-camp road transfers within Zambia
Exclusions
- International flights to and from Zambia
- Visa fees, travel insurance and medical / evacuation cover
- Premium drinks, personal expenses, telephone calls and items of a personal nature
- Tips and gratuities for guides, rangers, trackers, drivers and camp staff
- Any meals, activities or accommodation not specified in the detailed itinerary
- Day-use rooms outside standard check-in / check-out times, unless pre-arranged
- Porterage and laundry services where not specified as included
Get the Full Itinerary
Share your details to receive the complete 7-day Tanzania’s Great Migration Adventure itinerary