17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday

Zambia holds enough wilderness and wonder to fill a genuinely complete safari education. Our 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday explores every corner of that story. You begin in Kafue National Park, moving through its central river, northern plains, and remote south. Afterwards, the route continues to South Luangwa, sampling three distinct sectors across the birthplace of walking safari. Then the Lower Zambezi delivers canoe safaris among elephants swimming between river islands. Finally, Victoria Falls closes the journey with one of the world’s seven natural wonders. Meanwhile, Ila, Tonga, Kunda, Goba, and Leya communities throughout this route maintain traditions stretching back generations.

Every stage of the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday rewards patience rarely offered elsewhere in Africa. You may spend days without seeing another vehicle, then stand before thundering falls seventeen days later. Our guides know every region on this route from years of direct, personal field experience. Consequently, we build each day around meaning and pace, never simply covering distance. Small groups and dedicated guiding protect both your experience and these celebrated Zambian ecosystems. Furthermore, this itinerary suits travellers who want Zambia’s complete story told properly, start to finish. Guests from Europe, North America, Asia, and across Africa increasingly request exactly this level of depth. Above all, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday delivers Zambia without a single shortcut. Read the day-by-day detail below, then contact us about your preferred travel dates.

17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday Highlight

Day	Activities	Accommodation
1	Arrival in Lusaka, road transfer to central Kafue, afternoon game drive	Mukambi Safari Lodge
2	Full-day game drive and boat cruise on the Kafue River	Mukambi Safari Lodge
3	Flight to Busanga Plains, afternoon game drive	Busanga Bush Camp
4	Full-day game drive, predator tracking, and guided birding walk	Busanga Bush Camp
5	Transfer to the Nanzhila Plains, afternoon game drive	Nanzhila Plains Camp
6	Full-day game drive, Ila and Tonga community visit	Nanzhila Plains Camp
7	Flight to South Luangwa, afternoon game drive	Mfuwe Lodge, South Luangwa
8	Guided walking safari, Tribal Textiles workshop visit	Mfuwe Lodge, South Luangwa
9	Transfer to the Nsefu sector, afternoon game drive	Tena Tena Camp, Nsefu Sector
10	Guided walking safari, Kunda Chief’s Palace visit, night drive	Tena Tena Camp, Nsefu Sector
11	Transfer to the remote southern sector, afternoon game drive	Kaingo Camp
12	Hide photography session, guided walking safari, village visit	Kaingo Camp
13	Flight to the Lower Zambezi via Lusaka, afternoon canoe safari	Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi
14	Full-day canoe safari, game drive, and tiger fishing	Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi
15	Flight to Livingstone, afternoon orientation walk	The David Livingstone Safari Lodge
16	Guided Victoria Falls tour, Mukuni Village visit, sunset cruise	The David Livingstone Safari Lodge
17	Final breakfast, airport transfer, departure	—

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Central Kafue

Your 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday begins at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka. A Terenga Africa Safaris and Travel Ltd representative meets you and manages every transfer detail. A scenic drive carries you west, past farmland and miombo woodland, toward Kafue National Park. Established in 1950, Kafue ranks among Africa’s oldest and largest protected areas. Mukambi Safari Lodge sits directly on the Kafue River, marking the gateway into this vast wilderness. Settle in, then join an afternoon game drive as temperatures ease toward evening.

Mukambi carries genuine historical weight along this stretch of the Kafue River. Fishing communities have worked these waters for generations, using traditional dugout canoes called mekoro. Meanwhile, the lodge partners closely with nearby villages on conservation education and sustainable fishing practices. Dinner overlooks the river, where hippos often surface just metres from the dining deck. Staff share stories about river life and the community’s relationship with the park. Consequently, your first evening blends genuine wildlife immersion with authentic local perspective. Therefore, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday opens with nature and culture in balance.

Day 2: River Safari on the Kafue

Today gives you a complete day exploring the river that gives this park its name. Morning brings a game drive through riverine forest and open grassland near the lodge. Elephant herds move regularly between the river and surrounding woodland during the dry season. Meanwhile, leopard sightings become increasingly common in the dense vegetation along the riverbanks.

Afternoon shifts onto the water itself for a guided boat cruise. Hippos gather in large pods within the deeper channels near the lodge. Crocodiles bask along sandy banks, sometimes remaining motionless for hours at a stretch. Furthermore, birdlife along the Kafue River ranks among the richest anywhere in southern Africa. African fish eagles, pied kingfishers, and Goliath herons all feature prominently on most sightings lists. Sundowners on the water close the day as the light turns golden. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday reveals its first river ecosystem thoroughly today.

Day 3: Flight to the Busanga Plains

This morning, a light aircraft flight carries you north toward the legendary Busanga Plains. This seasonal floodplain transforms dramatically between wet and dry seasons each year. Busanga Bush Camp sits on a slight rise overlooking miles of open grassland. Because this region receives so few visitors, sightings often feel remarkably private and unhurried.

Busanga holds a reputation among specialist guides as one of Africa’s finest wildlife areas. Large prides of black-maned lion dominate these plains, hunting red lechwe and puku across open ground. Meanwhile, cheetah occasionally appear here, a genuine rarity across most of Zambia. Furthermore, wattled cranes, a globally threatened species, gather in numbers rarely matched elsewhere in Africa. Dinner at camp often includes conversation about the plains’ unusual seasonal ecology. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday reaches its first wildlife centrepiece starting today.

Day 4: Predators, Plains, and Birding

Today gives you complete access to the Busanga Plains in their driest, most open state. Depart before sunrise, when predators remain active and temperatures stay comfortably cool. Lion prides here often rest in open view, having grown accustomed to quiet vehicle presence. Meanwhile, herds of red lechwe move across the grassland in numbers rarely seen elsewhere.

Afternoon shifts toward a guided birding walk along the floodplain’s drier margins. Kafue holds over 500 recorded bird species, an extraordinary number for a single park. Wattled cranes, slaty egrets, and roan and sable antelope all feature prominently across this varied habitat. Furthermore, your guide explains how Busanga’s mosaic of terrain supports such unusual wildlife diversity. Sundowners at a scenic termite mound close the day as light fades across the plains. Consequently, guests on the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday often call today an early highlight.

Day 5: Transfer to the Nanzhila Plains

This morning, a scenic transfer carries you south toward the remote Nanzhila Plains. This section of Kafue receives even fewer visitors than Busanga, despite its genuine wildlife richness. Nanzhila Plains Camp sits beside a seasonal river, surrounded by open dambo grassland. Because so few operators work this area, sightings here feel almost entirely private.

Nanzhila’s ecosystem differs noticeably from Busanga’s wetter, more famous floodplain further north. Miombo woodland, dambo grassland, and seasonal pans create a genuinely varied habitat mosaic. Meanwhile, cheetah and wild dog both range through this section of the park regularly. Furthermore, sable and roan antelope populations here remain healthy, supported by careful, low-impact tourism management. Dinner at camp often includes conversation about Kafue‘s conservation challenges and genuine opportunities. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday treats this stop as a genuine privilege.

Day 6: Wildlife and Community in Nanzhila

Today gives you complete access to Nanzhila’s varied woodland and grassland habitat. Depart early, when antelope herds move actively across open dambo before the heat builds. Sable antelope, striking in appearance, graze in small groups across the grassland here. Meanwhile, your guide explains ongoing conservation work protecting this population from habitat loss.

Afternoon shifts toward a visit with Ila and Tonga communities living near the park’s southern boundary. These groups have farmed and fished the wider Kafue Flats region for many generations. Elders explain traditional cattle culture, a defining feature of Ila identity across this region. Meanwhile, women demonstrate basket weaving using reeds harvested sustainably from nearby wetlands. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday closes its Kafue chapter with genuine human connection.

Day 7: Flight to South Luangwa

This morning, a flight via Lusaka carries you east toward South Luangwa National Park. Established in 1972, this park protects one of Africa’s highest concentrations of leopard anywhere. Mfuwe Lodge sits beside a lagoon frequented by elephant, hippo, and crocodile throughout the year. Settle in, then join an afternoon game drive as temperatures ease toward evening.

South Luangwa carries genuine historical weight within the wider safari industry. Norman Carr pioneered the walking safari concept here during the 1950s, changing tourism across the continent. Consequently, guides trained in this tradition still emphasise slow, attentive, on-foot observation today. Meanwhile, staff at Mfuwe Lodge come largely from surrounding Kunda communities along the Luangwa Valley. Dinner overlooks the lagoon, where hippos often surface just metres from the dining area. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday now shifts into its second distinct region.

Day 8: Walking Safari and Tribal Textiles

Today introduces you properly to the walking safari tradition this region helped create. Set out early with an armed scout, a professional guide, and a small group. Walking changes everything, because you notice scale, sound, and smell differently than from a vehicle. Your guide reads elephant dung, leopard tracks, and fresh impala prints along the trail.

Afternoon shifts toward a visit to Tribal Textiles, a craft workshop supporting local women artisans. Founded in 1991, this cooperative now employs dozens of women from surrounding villages. Watch artists hand-paint intricate designs onto fabric using techniques developed specifically for this workshop. Meanwhile, proceeds support school fees, healthcare, and household income across the wider Mfuwe area. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday pairs wildlife with genuine artisan culture today.

Day 9: Transfer to the Historic Nsefu Sector

This morning, a scenic transfer carries you north toward the Nsefu sector of South Luangwa. Established in 1951, Nsefu ranks as Zambia’s oldest safari concession, predating the national park itself. Tena Tena Camp sits on a wide bend of the Luangwa River within this historic sector. Because Nsefu receives fewer visitors than the central park, sightings here feel calm and unhurried.

Nsefu holds particular significance within South Luangwa’s conservation history. Chief Nsefu granted this land for photographic tourism decades before Zambia’s independence in 1964. Consequently, this sector represents one of Africa’s earliest examples of community-endorsed conservation tourism. Meanwhile, lion prides here move regularly along oxbow lagoons, hunting puku and impala. Sundowners at a scenic lagoon close the day as the light turns golden. Consequently, guests on the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday often call Nsefu unexpectedly special.

Day 10: Walking Safari and the Kunda Chief’s Palace

Today combines walking, culture, and one of South Luangwa’s signature nocturnal experiences. Set out early on foot, tracking wildlife along the Nsefu sector’s network of lagoons. Your guide explains how oxbow lakes form as the Luangwa River shifts course over decades. Meanwhile, hippos and crocodiles gather in large numbers within these permanent water sources.

Afternoon brings a visit to the nearby Kunda Chief’s Palace, seat of traditional authority in this valley. Guides explain the chieftaincy’s role in granting early conservation and tourism concessions across the region. Meanwhile, community members demonstrate traditional dance and drumming performed during ceremonial occasions. Evening introduces a night drive across the Nsefu sector’s open grassland, revealing genets and civets. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday closes its Nsefu chapter with layered cultural and wildlife depth.

Day 11: Transfer to the Remote Southern Sector

This morning, a scenic transfer carries you deeper into South Luangwa’s quieter southern reaches. Kaingo Camp sits above a wide sandbank on the Luangwa River, run by a family with decades of local experience. Because this section of the park receives very few operators, wildlife here behaves with genuine ease. Settle in, then join an afternoon game drive across the surrounding riverine woodland.

Kaingo holds a strong reputation among specialist wildlife photographers worldwide. The camp pioneered underground hide photography in Zambia, allowing eye-level images of elephants and buffalo. Meanwhile, resident guides here often stay with the camp for decades, building extraordinary tracking expertise. Furthermore, leopard sightings in this sector rank among the most consistent anywhere in South Luangwa. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday reaches its most immersive wildlife phase here.

Day 12: Hide Photography and Village Culture

Today gives you access to one of South Luangwa’s most distinctive wildlife experiences. Enter a purpose-built underground hide positioned at water level along the riverbank. Consequently, elephants, buffalo, and antelope approach the hide at remarkably close, eye-level range. Photographers regularly capture images here impossible to achieve from a standard vehicle.

Afternoon shifts toward a guided walking safari through the sector’s dense riverine woodland. Furthermore, a visit to a nearby Kunda village adds genuine human context to the day. Community members explain fishing traditions, seasonal farming cycles, and their long relationship with this stretch of river. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday closes its South Luangwa chapter with genuine community connection. Tomorrow, the journey shifts toward Zambia’s celebrated river wilderness.

Day 13: Flight to the Lower Zambezi

This morning, a flight via Lusaka carries you toward the Lower Zambezi National Park. Established in 1983, this park protects a dramatic stretch of the Zambezi River. Chiawa Camp becomes your base, set beneath towering ebony and fig trees along the riverbank. Because canoe safaris define this park’s reputation, expect a very different pace here.

The Lower Zambezi carries its own distinct conservation story. Chiawa Camp’s owners helped establish some of Zambia’s earliest anti-poaching partnerships during the 1990s. Consequently, elephant and buffalo populations here have recovered strongly over recent decades. Meanwhile, staff at the camp come largely from Goba and Nsenga communities living along the river. Dinner overlooks the water, with Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools visible across the wide Zambezi channel. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday now shifts fully into river safari mode.

Day 14: Canoe Safari, Game Drive, and Tiger Fishing

Today combines the Lower Zambezi’s signature activities into one complete day. Depart early, paddling silently past elephants often swimming between river islands. Hippos surface nearby, and experienced guides know exactly how much distance to maintain. Meanwhile, your guide explains how the river’s braided channels create ideal habitat for this kind of safari.

Afternoon shifts toward a game drive through mopane woodland set back from the main river channel. Furthermore, tiger fishing offers adventurous travellers a genuine Zambezi speciality, following strict catch-and-release principles. A sunset cruise closes the day, drifting past elephants drinking along the darkening riverbank. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday closes its wildlife chapters with genuine adventure and calm reflection combined.

Day 15: Flight to Livingstone and Victoria Falls

This morning, a flight carries you south toward Livingstone, gateway to Victoria Falls. Local Kololo people named this waterfall Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “the smoke that thunders.” The David Livingstone Safari Lodge welcomes you along the upper Zambezi River, just upstream from the falls. Afterwards, an afternoon orientation walk introduces the town’s colonial-era architecture and riverside setting.

Livingstone carries a layered history stretching back long before European explorers arrived. Leya and Tonga communities lived along this stretch of the Zambezi for centuries beforehand. Meanwhile, David Livingstone became the first European to document the falls formally in 1855. Consequently, the town that grew nearby still carries his name and colonial-era legacy today. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday shifts today from wilderness toward natural wonder.

Day 16: Victoria Falls and Mukuni Village

Today brings you face to face with one of the world’s seven natural wonders. Begin with a guided walking tour along the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. The Knife-Edge Bridge offers close, often soaking views into the churning Boiling Pot below. Meanwhile, Victoria Falls stretches nearly 1,700 metres wide, among the largest sheets of falling water anywhere.

Afternoon shifts toward Mukuni Village, home to the Leya people and their traditional chieftaincy. Chief Mukuni’s lineage has governed this community for many generations along the riverbank. Guides explain traditional governance, craft production, and the village’s long relationship with falls-based tourism. Evening brings a classic Zambezi sunset cruise, drifting gently above the falls’ thundering edge. Consequently, the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday closes its journey with both natural wonder and genuine culture.

Day 17: Departure

Your final morning stays relaxed and unhurried. Enjoy breakfast at The David Livingstone Safari Lodge, overlooking the upper Zambezi River. Some guests use remaining time for a final walk along the riverbank gardens. Your guide manages luggage, timing, and transfer logistics without any last-minute stress. Afterwards, a private transfer takes you to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport for departure. Terenga Africa Safaris and Travel Ltd stays reachable throughout your journey home.

Seventeen days produce a genuinely complete picture of Zambia’s entire natural and cultural range. You have found solitude across Kafue’s three regions, walked every sector of South Luangwa, paddled among Lower Zambezi’s elephants, and stood before one of the world’s great waterfalls. Moreover, you have shared time with five distinct communities across this extraordinary route. Guides, trackers, and village elders all shared their knowledge with you directly. Consequently, you return home having experienced Zambia with a depth few travellers ever reach. Many guests treat the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday as the definitive Zambian journey. Few countries anywhere reward this level of sustained exploration so generously.

Safari Inclusions

• All accommodation as listed in the itinerary
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Day 1 dinner to Day 17 breakfast
• All flights between Lusaka, Kafue, South Luangwa, the Lower Zambezi, and Livingstone
• Airport meet-and-greet and all ground transfers between sectors
• Private safari vehicle and canoe with professional guide throughout
• All scheduled game drives, walking safaris, and the night drive
• Boat cruise on the Kafue River
• Underground hide photography session at Kaingo Camp
• Canoe safaris on the Zambezi River
• Tiger fishing equipment and guided fishing session
• Tribal Textiles workshop visit
• Kunda Chief’s Palace visit
• Ila and Tonga community visit
• Guided Victoria Falls walking tour
• Mukuni Village cultural visit
• Zambezi sunset cruise
• All national park conservation and entrance fees
• Drinking water, soft drinks, and house beverages at all properties
• Laundry service throughout the itinerary
• Emergency medical evacuation cover
• Government taxes and tourism levies

Safari Exclusions

• International and regional flights to and from Lusaka
• Zambia visa fees
• Travel and medical insurance
• Optional activities such as Devil’s Pool, microlight flights, or white-water rafting
• Premium wines, champagne, and imported spirits
• Spa and wellness treatments where available
• Professional photography equipment rental
• Personal shopping and curio purchases
• Gratuities for guides, trackers, and lodge staff
• Telephone, internet, and data charges
• Vaccinations and antimalarial medication
• Single supplement where applicable
• Any activity described as optional
• Items of a personal nature

Extend Your Adventure With a 4- Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking safari

After completing the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday, you can extend your African journey with an unforgettable 4-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari. This extension creates an extraordinary combination of Tanzania’s open savannah wilderness and Uganda’s ancient tropical forests.

The journey takes travelers toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa’s most important mountain gorilla destinations. Instead of endless grasslands, Uganda introduces misty forests, rolling hills, and beautiful green landscapes. Gorilla trekking provides the main highlight of this extension. Travelers enter the forest with experienced guides and trackers in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.

The journey through Bwindi becomes an adventure itself. Dense vegetation, forest sounds, colorful birds, and changing trails create an exciting atmosphere. Eventually, visitors spend valuable time observing mountain gorillas in their natural environment.

The extension can also include cultural experiences around Bwindi. Travelers may discover local traditions, crafts, music, food, and community life. A Batwa cultural experience can provide further insight into the human heritage connected to Uganda’s ancient forests. Combining the 17 Days Grand Zambia Safari & Victoria Falls Holiday with a Uganda gorilla trekking safari creates an exceptional East African journey.

Optional Safari Extension: 4- Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking safari in Uganda

Day	Activities	Accommodation
Day 1	Flight from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport to Kigali airport and have afternoon Kigali city tour	Kigali: chez lando hotel  Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2	Morning road transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest (Rushaga sector) and afternoon relaxation at the lodge	Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge  Meal: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Drinking Water
Day 3	Go mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest and afternoon enjoy batwa cultural experience with community involvement	Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge  Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Drinking Water
Day 4	Road transfer to Kigali international airport Rwanda for a flight back home	None  Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Drinking Water