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19 - Day Wildebeest Safari: Explore Western Zambia
The 19 - Day Wildebeest Safari showcases the best of the Western Zambia, from the expansive Kafue National Park to the unspoiled wilderness of Liuwa Plain National Park. You'll also visit the awe-inspiring horseshoe-shaped Ngonye Falls and the renowned Victoria Falls.
This safari is perfect for birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and nature lovers. With its starting and ending point in Lusaka, it's easy to combine this safari with other adventures in Zambia, such as the Zambezi Bush Break or the Luangwa Bush Break.
Safari summary |
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Day |
Accommodation |
Destination |
Board basis |
Day 1 |
Wild Dogs Lodge or similar |
Lusaka |
Dinner on own account |
Day 2 - 4 |
Bongololo Camp or similar |
Kafue NP |
3 x B, 3 x L, 3 x D |
Day 5 |
Liseli Lodge or similar |
Mongu |
1 x B, 1 x L, |
Day 6 - 9 |
Lyangu Camp or similar |
Liuwa Plain NP |
4 x B, 4 x L, 4 x D |
Day 10 |
Liseli Lodge or similar |
Mongu |
1 x B, 1 x L, |
Day 11 |
Muzauli Camp or similar |
Sioma |
1 x B, 1 x L, 1 x D |
Day 12 - 13 |
Kalahari Sand Ridge Inn |
Livingstone |
2 x B, 2 x L, |
Day 14 - 15 |
Hippo Bay Camp or similar | Kafue NP | 2 x B, 2 x L, 2 x D |
Day 16 - 17 |
Kasabushi Camp or similar |
Kafue NP |
2 x B, 2 x L, 2 x D |
Day 18 |
Wild Dogs Lodge or similar |
Lusaka |
1 x B, 1 x L |
Day 19 |
End of Safari |
1 x B |
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Lusaka

Upon arrival at Lusaka's "Kenneth Kaunda" International Airport (LUN) we will transfer you to the lodge in Lusaka. There you will do the final preparations and have a full briefing about the 19 - Day Wildebeest Safari. Accommodation is in comfortable rooms.
Day 2-4
Northern Kafue National Park

The day starts with a healthy breakfast. Afterwards we load up and leave Lusaka to head west to the Kafue National Park. This is the largest national park in Zambia. It is bigger than Slovenia. The Kafue River is its lifeline. During the dry season wildlife concentrates along the river and the remaining waterholes. This national park is the most divers in terms of species and habitats. We will explore the park on game drives. An optional boat cruise is possible to add to the day's activities. Our meals are prepared with fresh ingredients and cooked over the open fire. Accommodation is in our large canvas dome tents.
Day 5
Mongu

It's an early start as we have to move to our next destination - Mongu, the capital of Western Province. After breakfast and loading up we do a transfer game drive as long as we are in the Kafue NP before rejoining the Great West Road at Chunga North Gate. In Kaoma we will have our lunch stop and will reach Mongu in the afternoon. Time to stock up for the next days in Liuwa Plain NP. Accommodation is in air-conditioned rooms. Dinner is on own account.
Day 6-9
Liuwa Plain National Park

We will drive across the Barotse Floodplains from Mongu to Kalabo, where we cross the Luanginga River on a manpowered pontoon. We will make our way through white powder sand and will reach the African Parks Office after about an hour. Time for some paperwork. Finally. Welcome to Liuwa Plain! The next three days we are going to spend on game drives in the endless plains looking or the Wildebeest and Spotted Hyenas. African Buffalo and Lion were reintroduced into the Liuwa Plain National Park recently. Did we mention the superb birdlife? Accommodation is in our large canvas dome tents.
Day 10
Mongu

Today we are heading back to Mongu crossing the Barotse Floodplains, the huge area that gets flooded every year by the Zambezi River, again. The Lozi people of the floodplains live a semi-nomadic lifestyle. During the dry season it is the grazing ground for their cattle and fertile land to farm rise and other crops. We will get fresh supplies for the next destination. Accommodation is in air-conditioned rooms.
Day 11
Ngonye Falls / Upper Zambezi

After breakfast we load up as usual and head down to Sioma on a good tar road. Our next destination are the lesser known Ngonye Falls in Sioma. This horseshoe shaped waterfall is the prettiest when the water levels of the Zambezi River are very low. We will take a stroll around the falls area and you will see it for yourself. Today's accommodation is in our large canvas dome tents again.
Day 12
Livingstone

The road is the destination. The first stretch of road up to Sesheke is in very good condition but than it turns in to a real adventure. We will dance around the potholes and will find our own track. From Kazungula to Livingstone we will enjoy another near perfect road again. Today is a driving day and no activities are planned. Accommodation is in comfortable rooms. Dinner is on own accounts.
Day 13
Mosi-oa-Tunya NP / Victoria Falls

Did you know that Livingstone's Mosi-oa-Tunya NP got Square-lipped Rhinos aka White Rhinos? In the morning when it is still cool we will head to the national park and go on a walking safari. This is our chance to see nature from the ground level, check for tracks, talk about plants and their use. The aim is to find some of the White Rhinos and see them from a close range. After this exhausting exercise we have a picnic by the river.
A visit to Livingstone isn't complete without seeing the Victoria Falls. To do this is the plan for the afternoon.
Accommodation is in comfortable rooms. Lunch and dinner is on own accounts.
Day 14-15
Southern Kafue National Park

We are leaving Livingstone, by the way Northern Rhodesia's first capital, northward and head back to the wild. The southern Kafue National Park is our target. Mopane and Teak woodlands, the Nanzhila Plains, Lake Itezhi-Tezhi. Let's look for Buffaloes and Elephants. Did you know that "Game Rangers International" operates Camp Phoenix in this part of the national park? This is the release facility for orphaned elephant babies. We will pay them a visit on Day 14 when it is feeding time for the young elephants. Accommodation is in our large canvas dome tents.
Day 16-17
Central Kafue National Park

We move further north but still in Kafue National Park. This park is the largest and most biodiverse in Zambia. It's similar in size to Wales or Massachusetts. Since we are inside the national park we do a game drive all the way to the next camp. We cross numerous small creeks, drive over hills always on the lookout for animals and birds. Our camp is on the banks of the Kafue River and we will stay in our large canvas dome tents. On Day 16 we will do some of the game drive loops.
Day 18
Lusaka

After our last breakfast in the wilderness, we will pack up everything. The drive out the Kafue National Park will be our last game drive on this safari. As soon as we reach the tarmac we will head east towards Lusaka. Our big circle around the western part of Zambia is complete. We will finish our 19 - Day Wildebeest Safari in Lusaka, the same place we started. Accommodation will be in comfortable rooms.
Day 19
Departure

After a comfortable night at the lodge we will have the last breakfast together. Depending on your flight time we can do some sight-seeing in Lusaka or just spend time relaxing. We will transfer you to Lusaka International Airport (LUN) for your departure or your onward flight.
- all accommodation
- all transfers and activities as per itinerary unless marked optional
- transport in 4wd safari vehicle
- meals as indicated (B - breakfast, L -lunch, D - dinner) and tea/coffees
- services of a Guide / Driver / Chef
- all National Park fees for included activities
- Visa fees, tips, curios
- Insurance to cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical, baggage and emergency evacuation
- Personal expenses (soft drinks, alcohol, bottled water)
- Sleeping bag can be hired @ USD25