Big Five Presents Zambia & Zimbabwe

These two Southern African nations represent some of the best remaining opportunities to discover the essence, the spirit of Africa. In these lands of exceptional wildlife and dazzling scenery, one of the last great adventures of Africa was pioneered – the walking safari.

There is no better opportunity to engage the African wilderness than on foot, face to face. One of the world’s most legendary rivers, the Zambezi, provides endless opportunities for exploration by canoe, boat or whitewater rafting. The river becomes the roaring Mosi-oa-Tunya, “Smoke that Thunders,” and shared by both countries. Named Victoria Falls by David Livingstone in 1855, this extraordinary wall of water is simply breathtaking as it crashes over cliffs and down into deep gorges before traveling on into Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Two of Zambia’s finest national parks, South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi, have abundant wildlife. But the star is still Kafue National Park, the oldest and largest of Zambia’s national parks, established in the 1950s. Kafue wildlife includes Cape buffalo, crocodile, elephant, giraffe, hippo, hyena, impala, leopard, lion, warthog, waterbuck and zebra, as well as hundreds of species of birds. The park is regarded as one of the best places in Africa to encounter leopard. Zimbabwe has a growing reputation for its national parks. Its largest park is Hwange, covering an area of over 14,500 square kilometers / 5,599 square miles bordering with Botswana. Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the least developed national parks in Southern Africa. Lake Kariba’s shoreline is home to large concentrations of buffalo, waterbuck, impala, zebra and elephant. The region also has been inhabited for many thousands of years by migrating tribes of hunter-gatherer societies. Archaeological sites around the falls have yielded stone artifacts dating back three million years. This rich heritage is reflected in the rich folk art and tribal traditions. Accommodations run from luxurious lodges to secluded private tented safari camps. For those eager for a truly personal safari experience in a pristine environment, Southern Africa represents the ultimate African encounter.

39 Suggested Itinerary Lower Zambezi National Park: This national park sits on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, downstream from Lake Kariba. Across the river is Zimbabwe’s Mana Day 1: Johannesburg, South Africa Pools National Park. Lower Zambezi Park covers an area of 4,092 square kilometers / This city is the pulsating heart of South Africa’s industrial and commercial life 1,580 square miles. From the Zambezi Escarpment, the land sweep down to the river. with activities such as cultural visits to Soweto, Apartheid Museum and arts At the edge of the river is a floodplain where most of the animals are found. Behind the and craft galleries. floodplain grasslands is a picturesque wooded escarpment. Large herds of elephant, Day 2: Johannesburg / Victoria Falls, Zambia some numbering 100, gather at river’s edge. ‘Island hopping’ buffalo and waterbuck Experience these majestic falls, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River; are also quite common. Lion, leopard, spotted hyena, serval, speckle-throated otter, and perhaps shop for African crafts. jackal, and rare African wild dog live here. Game viewing is on foot, in open vehicles, Day 3: Victoria Falls / South Luangwa National Park by motorboat and, most characteristically, by canoe, enabling the visitor to glide silently South Luangwa is a place of primeval forest and lush savanna, stretching for hundreds among animals. of miles and encompassing the Luangwa River basin. Day 4: South Luangwa National Park Lusaka: Lusaka is the capital and largest city in Zambia, and one of the fastest growing Known for walking safaris, other activities here include day and night drives in open cities in Africa. It is home to several fine museums including the Lusaka National 4x4 vehicles, game-viewing by pontoon boat and canoeing to view game up close. Museum, the Political Museum, and the Zintu Community Museum. The city also Days 5/6: South Luangwa National Park supports the Moore Pottery Factory, Lusaka Playhouse Theater, Cathedral of the Holy The concentration of plains game, especially huge buffalo herds is a highlight of the Cross, Lusaka Central Sports Club, and the zoo and botanical gardens of the Munda Nsefu sector of the park. This remote location offers a classic safari experience on a Wanga Environmental Park. wooded bend of the Luangwa River. Day 7: South Luangwa National Park / Lower Zambezi National Park This region offers welcome sanctuary to great herds of elephant, buffalo, impala, zebra, baboon, lion and hyena. Day 8: Lower Zambezi Game viewing is on foot, in open vehicles and, most characteristically, by canoe, enabling close up viewing as the animals come to the water to drink. Day 9: Lower Zambezi / Johannesburg / Depart

Custom Options

Kafue National Park (5 days) About the size of Massachusetts, Kafue is the second largest national park in Africa with excellent game viewing as well as fabulous fishing opportunities.

Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Zambia (3 days) This option offers a more expansive exploration of Livingstone, Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River – from whitewater rafting to the world’s longest bungee-jump.

South Luangwa Walking Safari (5 days) Walking the wilderness provides one of the most personal and close-up adventures possible in the African bush.

Zimbabwe’s National Parks (5-7 days) Some of Zimbabwe’s more noted national parks include the largest, Hwange, Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, Victoria Falls and Zambezi national parks. Wildlife includes Cape buffalo, crocodile, elephant, giraffe, hippo, hyena, impala, leopard, lion, warthog, waterbuck and zebra, as well as hundreds of species of birds.

About Zambia & Zimbabwe

Kafue National Park: Kafue is Zambia’s oldest park, and, by far, the largest. It is the second largest national park in Africa. Despite the park’s proximity to both Lusaka and the Copperbelt, it has remained underdeveloped until recent years. It offers a raw and diverse slice of African wilderness with excellent game viewing, bird watching and fishing opportunities. Large prides of lion, solitary leopards and cheetahs are the prime predators. A host of smaller carnivores include side-striped jackal, civet, genet and mongoose. Bird watching, especially on the rivers, is superb. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded throughout the park.

Livingstone & Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls): Victoria Falls is shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The mile-wide, 360-feet-high falls form the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Vapors, ‘smoke,’ can be seen from great distances. The falls and the river can be experienced in a variety of styles: on a casual sunset cruise, whitewater rafting the Zambezi, a walking tour, and on delightful helicopter and micro-light flights. The truly daring can try parachuting or making the world’s longest bungee jump, 364 feet, from Victoria Falls Bridge. Elephant-back safaris are possible here. 40 South Luangwa National Park: This is the finest game park in Zambia. Along the and buffalo are drawn to the sweet Zambezi waters, followed by Lion, Hyena, Kudu, Luangwa Valley at the southern tip of the Great Rift Valley it encompasses the Luangwa Nyala, Impala and a multitude of game. Several of Zimbabwe’s national parks remain River basin. The park is adjacent to highlands and a mosaic of varied habitats extending wild and remote while at the same time, more luxury tented camps and lodges are being outwards from the brooding Luangwa River. It meanders through the luxuriant valley, sustainably developed along classic lines for a genuine safari experience. supporting thousands of hippo and crocodile. South Luangwa has one of the greatest game concentrations in Africa. Elephant, a wide variety of antelope, buffalo, kudu, zebra, Thornycroft’s giraffe and wildebeest occur in great numbers, as does some 400 Best Time To Go bird species. Lion, wild dog and hyena are also common and the park is famed for its Zambia & Zimbabwe have three seasons. December-April: excellent leopard sightings. The South Luangwa experience differs with the seasons: warm and wet. May to August: dry and sunny with cold nights. in the dry winter months from June to September, small seasonal safari camps are September-November: hot and dry. Average temperatures in summer set up in glorious seclusion. The more sophisticated lodges, close to the main gate at range from 25°C / 77°F to 35°C / 95°F, and in winter from 5°C / 42°F Mfuwe Bridge, remain open longer. The camps occupy prime sites on ancient oxbow to 24°C / 75°F. November to April is the rainiest; most bush camps lakes, amidst shady ebony groves, and offer day and night game drives in open vehicles. close as dirt roads are impassable. They reopen in May or June when the Walking safaris were pioneered in Luangwa and it still sets the standard. roads have dried out, and that is the beginning of peak season. From September onward, it becomes increasingly hot with warm evenings. Zimbabwe National Parks: Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park and premier October should be avoided for walking safaris. game viewing area. The park holds the largest variety of animals and over 400 species of birds including elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, hyena, lion, leopard, cheetah and $650 - $1400 per person per day a variety of antelope such as Sable, Kudu and Impala. Large concentrations of game Land only, double occupancy congregate around the water holes, particularly large herds of elephant. Mana Pools National Park was established in 1963. It lies along Zimbabwe’s northern border on the Consider enhancing your adventure by including banks of the Zambezi River, downstream and northeast of Lake Kariba. Mana Pools is the following destinations: Botswana (p11-12), ranked as one of Africa’s outstanding wildlife reserves and during the winter months it Namibia (p25-26), South Africa (p31-34) has the highest concentration of game in the entire continent. Huge herds of elephant

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