Open Heart Safari to Zambia
18 days—Inspiring, transformational 2-week journey to Zambia, one of the most beautiful, welcoming countries in Africa
$3850-5300 USD
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Safari summary
Our Two-Week Trip Will Include:
South Luangwa National Park. Four days in “one of Africa’s best [parks] in terms of wildlife abundance”1 but without the crowds of tourists encountered in the major parks of South Africa or Kenya.
Kafue National Park. Four days in an isolated roadless area in one of the largest parks in all of Africa. Opportunities to track lions on foot with noted lion expert Chris McBride, who has studied lions for 30 years and authored 3 books about them. Wildlife viewing from a boat on the Kafue River, floating by hippos, crocs, and exotic shore birds.
A glimpse of Zambian life. We will spend a day and night visiting a traditional rural Zambian village, learning about and sharing in village life, and a day volunteering at a community center in a poor urban area, getting a taste of modern urban Africa.
Increased understanding of African wildlife conservation. We will learn about conservation from a variety of perspectives: from heroic activists (including a Goldman Award winner) working on the front lines of conservation, from an elder of a tribe displaced by conservation efforts and from members of a community board charged with wildlife management.
Contemplative Practices. Our experience of the African bush will be heightened as we open up our awareness and deepen our sense of wonder through simple mindfulness practices, yoga, and regular opportunities to reflect on our experiences in group sharing circles.
Optional Extension in 2014: Victoria Falls & Botswana’s Chobe National Park. See Victoria Falls, one of the “seven natural wonders of the world.” Our stay will include a special sunrise visit to the Falls. We then spend two days in Chobe’s Riverfront area, famous for its tremendous herds of buffalo and elephant, as well as opportunities to see rare antelope species, and get close to lions and other predators.
About this tour
| Tour type | Set-date, set-itinerary, group | |
| Main focus | Game drives | |
| Activity level | Easy activity | |
| Best months | July, August | |
| Countries | ||
| Parks |
Fine details
Safari highlights
- Boat, canoe, dhow, kayak, mokoro safari
- Night game drives
Itinerary
Day 1
DAY 1: Get picked up at Lusaka airport. Afternoon rest, group meeting and dinner. Overnight at Pioneer Lodge, Lusaka.
Day 2
DAY 2: After breakfast, fly to Mfuwe in Eastern Province, gateway to S. Luangwa National Park, arriving in time for lunch. Evening game drive. Overnight at Flatdogs Camp.
Day 3
DAY 3: Morning game drive/walk, evening game drive. Overnight at Flatdogs.
Day 4
DAY 4: All day game drive to remote northern sector of park. Overnight at Flatdogs.
Day 5
DAY 5: Meet with Community Resource Board to learn about challenges facing community-led conservation. Overnight at Flatdogs.
Day 6
DAY 6: Meetings and game drives with conservationists and tribal elder. Overnight at Flatdogs.
Day 7
DAY 7: Visit Kawaza Village—participate in village life as guests, meet with teacher and students at school, traditional healer, others. Overnight at Kawaza Village.
Day 8
Kafue
DAY 8: Fly back to Lusaka, travel by road to Kafue National Park. Evening game drive. Overnight at McBrides Camp.
Day 9
Kafue
DAY 9: Morning boat ride on Kafue River to view wildlife. Afternoon game drive. Overnight at McBrides.
Day 10
DAY 10: Morning game walk. Afternoon boat to remote bush camp (optional), arriving in time for sunset, drink, and dinner. Overnight at bush camp.
Day 11
DAY 11: Morning game walk in roadless area. Boat back to main camp. Possible afternoon game drive. Overnight at McBrides.
Day 12
Kilimanjaro
DAY 12: Morning wildlife activity. Return to Lusaka. Overnight at Kilimanjaro Country Lodge.
Day 13
Kilimanjaro
DAY 13: Volunteer in urban informal settlement with People’s Process on Housing and Poverty in Zambia and Zambia Homeless and Poor People’s Federation. Overnight at Kilimanjaro.
Day 14
DAY 14: Opportunities for morning souvenir shopping if desired. Transfer to Lusaka Airport for departure. Optional Extension
Day 14
DAY 14: Fly to Livingstone. Overnight at Zig Zag B & B.
Day 15
Victoria Falls
DAY 15: Early morning walking tour of Victoria Falls (before crowds dominate the site). Possibility to book various afternoon activities at own expense. Dinner of exotic African game (if desired; exotic vegetarian offerings also available). Overnight at Zig Zag.
Day 16
Chobe | Zambezi
DAY 16: Drive to Zambezi River border crossing, cross on ferry, short drive to Kasane, Botswana, arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon wildlife viewing from boat on Chobe River. Overnight at Old House.
Day 17
Chobe
DAY 17: Morning and evening game drives in Chobe National Park. Overnight at Old House.
Day 18
DAY 18: Breakfast, departure. Transportation to airport for departing flights.
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