13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS

The Mighty Zambezi Guided Journey

Adventure Camping Family Group Guided Honeymoon Safari

Embark on a lodge safari through the landscapes of Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe on this SMALL GROUP GUIDED JOURNEY — an unhurried journey that begins in Livingstone in Zambia and concludes at the timeless spectacle of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.  Along the way, the mighty Zambezi River accompanies your journey, its steady course culminating in the awe-inspiring descent over the Falls—a natural wonder that stirs both perspective and reverence. Traverse a tapestry of ecosystems, from riverine forests to open plains, where iconic wildlife moves freely and encounters unfold with effortless grace. This experience offers a more considered pace, allowing moments of quiet observation and deeper connection with the wilderness. 

Throughout, you are guided by seasoned experts whose intimate knowledge of the region enriches every moment. Their insight reveals not only the remarkable biodiversity but also the subtle histories and cultures that shape this corner of Africa. Thoughtfully selected lodges provide understated comfort and a sense of place, ensuring each day closes in quiet luxury.  This is more than a safari; it is an exploration of some of southern Africa’s most captivating landscapes—crafted for those who value authenticity, elegance, and the rare privilege of time to truly see.

Throughout the journey, a carefully considered itinerary ensures both comfort and authenticity. Accommodation is selected for its setting and sense of place, while most meals and activities are included, allowing you to focus on the experience itself. It is a safari defined by balance—combining gentle adventure with moments of stillness, and offering a deeper connection to the landscapes of Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.


Your Journey

1
Livingstone
Livingstone
Photo by Kabwe Kabwe on Unsplash
Day 1 - 2
2 Nights

Upon arrival at Livingstone International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your lodge, where the rhythm of Africa begins to unfold. Settle into your surroundings and take in the easy stillness that defines this remarkable corner of the continent.

The following day, your journey continues south to the legendary Victoria Falls. Known to the Kololo people as Mosi oa Tunya—“the Smoke That Thunders”—this extraordinary natural wonder reveals itself in drifting veils of mist and a distant, resonant roar. From the Zambian side, a series of carefully chosen vantage points offers a more intimate perspective, where the sheer scale and raw beauty of the falls can be quietly absorbed.

As the afternoon softens into evening, the experience turns to the water itself. A gentle sunset cruise along the Zambezi River provides an elegant close to the day, where golden light dances across the surface and the surrounding wilderness settles into calm. It is a moment of unhurried reflection, where the grandeur of the landscape is matched only by its tranquillity.

Your journey continues after a leisurely breakfast, setting the tone for a day of seamless transition and quiet anticipation. Crossing into Botswana via Kasane, you arrive in the Greater Chobe region—an area renowned for its remarkable biodiversity and exceptional wildlife density.

Here, your lodge offers a refined balance of comfort and immersion, thoughtfully positioned within one of Africa’s most rewarding safari landscapes. Once settled, the afternoon invites you to venture out on an optional sunset game drive. As the light softens, the bush reveals its evening rhythms, offering the possibility of sightings of Chobe’s famed elephant herds, alongside lion, giraffe, and an array of other wildlife that define this extraordinary region.

The following morning unfolds with a guided experience on the private concession, where the stillness of early hours brings a deeper connection to the wilderness and its inhabitants. Later, as the day gently eases toward dusk, a serene cruise along the Chobe River awaits. Drifting past reed-lined banks and gathering wildlife, the golden hues of sunset reflect off the water—a quietly captivating conclusion to another day in the African wild.

Where You'll Stay
3
Day 3 - 4
2 Nights

Your journey continues after a leisurely breakfast, setting the tone for a day of seamless transition and quiet anticipation. Crossing into Botswana via Kasane, you arrive in the Greater Chobe region—an area renowned for its remarkable biodiversity and exceptional wildlife density.

Here, your lodge offers a refined balance of comfort and immersion, thoughtfully positioned within one of Africa’s most rewarding safari landscapes. Once settled, the afternoon invites you to venture out on an optional sunset game drive. As the light softens, the bush reveals its evening rhythms, offering the possibility of sightings of Chobe’s famed elephant herds, alongside lion, giraffe, and an array of other wildlife that define this extraordinary region.

The following morning unfolds with a guided experience on the private concession, where the stillness of early hours brings a deeper connection to the wilderness and its inhabitants. Later, as the day gently eases toward dusk, a serene cruise along the Chobe River awaits. Drifting past reed-lined banks and gathering wildlife, the golden hues of sunset reflect off the water—a quietly captivating conclusion to another day in the African wild.

Where You'll Stay
Experiences
5
Day 5 - 6
2 Nights

Today, your journey continues into Zimbabwe, crossing quietly into a new landscape as you make your way to a lodge set within a particularly secluded corner of Hwange National Park. Here, over the course of the next two nights, you are invited to settle into one of Africa’s most compelling wildlife destinations, where the expansive wilderness feels both timeless and deeply immersive.  The afternoon is yours to shape, with the option of a half-day game drive through the park (available at an additional cost). It is an opportunity to begin acquainting yourself with Hwange’s distinctive character—its broad, open pans, teak woodlands, and the subtle, shifting rhythms of life in the bush.

The following day is devoted to a full exploration of the park. Known as one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries, Hwange is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra, alongside an impressive population of giraffe that move gracefully across the plains. Predators are never far, and the park also shelters a number of endangered species, while its varied habitats support a rich diversity of birdlife.

Throughout your time here, each journey into the wild is unhurried and quietly revealing—an experience defined not only by what is seen, but by the space and stillness in which it unfolds.

Where You'll Stay
7
Day 7 - 8
2 Nights

An early start announces the next chapter of your journey, as you set out on a full-day game drive through Hwange’s vast landscapes en route to your next lodge. This unhurried traverse offers a rare continuity—wildlife encounters unfolding organically as you move deeper into the park, with each turn revealing new scenes shaped by the rhythms of the bush.

Over the following two days, your exploration becomes more immersive and finely attuned. A dedicated full-day game drive allows for an expansive discovery of the surrounding terrain, offering time to pause, observe, and appreciate the quieter details often missed in passing. The next morning brings a final, gentle excursion at first light, when the wilderness stirs and the air carries a sense of quiet expectation.

These moments, woven together, create a deeper understanding of the landscape—an experience defined not by haste, but by a thoughtful, lingering connection with one of Africa’s most captivating environments.

Where You'll Stay
9
Day 9 - 10
2 Nights

After a leisurely breakfast, your journey continues with a scenic drive to your next lodge, set gracefully along the banks of the Zambezi River. Here, the pace softens, and the landscape takes on a more contemplative tone, inviting you to settle into the quiet rhythm of river life.

Over the following two days, guided game drives on the camp’s private concession offer an intimate window into this richly diverse ecosystem. Located a short distance from the lodge, the concession provides a sense of seclusion where wildlife encounters unfold naturally and without urgency. Whether observing plains game moving through the bush or pausing to take in the smaller, intricate details of the environment, each outing deepens your connection to the land.

For those with a particular interest in birdlife, the region reveals an impressive and vibrant array of species, while fishing enthusiasts may be drawn to the challenge of the Zambezi’s famed tiger fish.

As evening approaches, a sunset pontoon cruise offers a refined close to each day. Drifting along the river’s calm waters as the sky softens into shades of gold and amber, the experience is both tranquil and quietly captivating—an elegant moment of stillness in a journey defined by discovery.

Where You'll Stay
11
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
Photo by Chloe Evans on Unsplash
Day 11 - 12
2 Nights

Prepare to continue your journey with a graceful return to the Zambezi, as you make your way towards the extraordinary Victoria Falls. The afternoon unfolds at your own pace, offering the freedom to enjoy one of the many thoughtfully curated optional experiences available in this charming riverside town—each designed to complement the setting’s natural elegance.

A guided visit to the Falls from the Zimbabwean side reveals an entirely new perspective of this iconic wonder. Here, the panorama broadens, offering sweeping views of the cascading water and its ever-present mist, rising dramatically from the gorge below. It is a vantage point that captures both the power and poetry of Mosi oa Tunya in a distinctly memorable way.

As the day gently draws to a close, you return to the river for a final moment of quiet indulgence. A sunset cruise along the Zambezi offers a serene conclusion, where the fading light casts a warm glow across the water and the surrounding wilderness settles into stillness—an elegant and fitting end to a day rich in beauty and discovery.

Where You'll Stay
13
Day 13
Travel

As your safari draws to a close, take a moment over breakfast to reflect on the week's quiet moments and wild encounters. Afterward, we will arrange your transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward travel arrangements.

We trust Africa has left its mark on you, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the bush whenever you next hear its call.

Accommodation as mentioned in the full itinerary;  All meals;  All transport in a customised safari vehicle;  Game drives and activities specified; Park entrance fees;  Experienced local guide(s);  Airport transfers in Livingstone on the day of arrival and in Victoria Falls on the day of departure.

International/Regional flights;  Optional activities;  All drinks;  Gratuities;  Personal expenses such as telephone calls, curios etc.;  Travel insurance and visas.

Travel Logistics
Day 1
Transfer 0:23
From: Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport [LVI]
To: The David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa
Day 3
Transfer (Guided) 2:24
From: The David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa
To: Hideaways Camp Kuzuma, Chobe
Day 5
Transfer (Guided)
From: Hideaways Camp Kuzuma, Chobe
To: Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp, Hwange
Day 7
Transfer (Guided)
From: Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp, Hwange
To: Hideaways Nantwich Lodge, Hwange
Day 9
Transfer (Guided) 2:44
From: Hideaways Nantwich Lodge, Hwange
To: Simwenge Lodge
Day 11
Transfer (Guided) 2:25
From: Simwenge Lodge
To: Ilala Lodge Hotel
Day 13
Transfer 0:22
From: Ilala Lodge Hotel
To: Victoria Falls International Airport [VFA]