Best Value Zambia – 12 Nights
South Luangwa, Zambia
Lower Zambezi, Zambia
Safari Overview
Best Value Zambia - Zambia's Highlights for less
This alternative version of our Best of Zambia offers the most affordable and rewarding exploration of the country’s most iconic wilderness areas. Begin in Kafue National Park at Mukambi Safari Lodge where the Kafue River sets the stage for intimate water and land safaris. Next, head to South Luangwa, where Kafunta River Lodge, Island Bush Camp and Three Rivers Camp provide a rich mix of game drives, bush walks, photographic hides, and sleep-under-the-stars experiences. Conclude your journey in the Lower Zambezi at Baines River Camp, where classicism meets adventure with thrilling water-based safaris and spectacular wildlife encounters on both land and river.
- 3 nights in Kafue, 6 nights in South Luangwa, and 3 nights in Lower Zambezi
- The best wildlife viewing Africa has to offer
- A more budget-minded itinerary
- Visit the three most popular national parks in Zambia
- Variety of activities including water-based safaris in Kafue and Lower Zambezi
- Inclusive of road transfers, domestic flights, all meals, and standard drinks
- Add three nights at the Victoria Falls with our Waterberry Extension
Mukambi Safari Lodge – Kafue National Park
Mukambi is located on the banks of the Kafue River. A truly fantastic location to explore this central area of the park with a multitude of activities such as boat cruises, fishing, but also game drives and walking safaris. The lodge has rondavel chalets and executive tents.
*Note: the order of the itinerary may change depending on availability. For low season dates (April, May, November, December) an alternative version is offered as South Luangwa bush camps will be closed
Kafunta River Lodge – South Luangwa
Kafunta River Lodge is set on the floodplains of the Luangwa River overlooking the South Luangwa National Park. Our classic safari lodge offers guests stylish comfort and excellent dining, with the best view in the valley. The 8 private chalets and 2 luxury suites are overlooking the game-rich plain. We offer game drives, night drives, and walking safaris as well as visits to Mfuwe-based and community-focused artisan shops.
Island Bush Camp – South Luangwa
Island Bush Camp is set deep in the southern part of South Luangwa, completely off the beaten track. It features 5 genuine bush chalets, which are completely open to the front to enjoy a 180-degree view of the Luangwa River. It offers a real immersion in the wilderness, with comfortable simplicity. Daily activities focus on bush walks, complemented by game drives.
Three Rivers Camp – South Luangwa
Three Rivers Camp features 5 beautifully decorated tents, each with its own star bed platform directly connected to the tent. Sleep in or out, it is your choice! Daily activities include bush walks and game drives in unspoiled wilderness.
Baines River Camp – Lower Zambezi
Baines River Camp, located on the banks of the Zambezi River, offers fantastic views of the river, its meandering currents and vibrant wildlife. The elegant colonial-style lodge features 8 spacious suites, each with en-suite bathrooms.
A game drive allows you to get closer to the game in a safe way. Expect to find lions, leopards, elephants and much more on your safari. Lodges offer morning and afternoon/night drives with the chance to see the wildlife as it is the most active. For those looking for a birding experience, safari guides can tailor the drive to your interest.
Game drives are available at all properties
If you’re looking for a real African experience there’s nothing quite the same as walking out into the African bush on foot. Experienced safari guides and rangers keep you safe while you enter the natural habitat of some of the biggest mammals in the world.
Walking safaris are also the perfect opportunity to focus on the smaller things. Your guide is likely to point out footprints of lions that walked through the day before or the calls of monkeys in the distance.
Walking safaris are on offer at all the properties.
Enjoy either the Kafue River or the Lower Zambezi River on a comfortable boat cruise, ideal for birding as well as seeing hippos, crocodiles, bathing elephants, or drinking leopards. A relaxing way to explore the bush.
Boating safaris are available at Musekese Camp in Kafue or at baines River Camp in Lower Zambezi.
There’s no better fishing grounds than on the Lower Zambezi where you can try your luck with the legendary tiger fish – the ultimate game fish on every angler’s wish list!
Fishing is available at Baines River Camp.
Kafunta River Lodge has a photographic hide tucked under the main deck, overlooking the waterhole. Ideal for photographers wanting to take a relaxed approach to get close to the wildlife. This one is perfect for photographing waterbirds, sleepy hippos, and elephants splashing.
Island Bush Camp also has a photographic hide perfect for elephants.
A unique experience in this safari will be your option to sleep under the stars at Three Rivers Camp. Spend a night on the plush beds, surrounded only by the sights and sounds of the African Bush.
Cultural trips to the local community can be a rewarding experience and something that is easily organised for guests at Kafunta River Lodge.
Kafunta River Lodge has a splendid infinity pool where you can relax in the afternoon, or take a dip in the adjoining natural hot spring tub.
You will also find a swimming pool at Mukambi Safari Lodge and Baines River Camp.
Indulge in a massage treatment while at Kafunta River Lodge and unwind to the soundtrack of the African bush.
Note: Spa treatments come at an extra charge.
Inclusions
- Road transfers Lusaka – Kafue -Lusaka (flights can be arranged instead at an extra cost)
- Domestic flights Lusaka – Mfuwe – Royal – Lusaka (fares subject to change).
- All road transfers (shared) between the airport and lodges/camps in South Luangwa.
- Two game-viewing activities per day
- All current park fees/levies/community funds (subject to change)
- All meals
- Standard drinks
- Complimentary laundry
- VAT and service charges
Exclusions
- International flights
- Visa
- Spa treatments
- Premium drinks
- Expenses of personal nature
- Additional services outside of this itinerary
We are a safari operator in South Luangwa Zambia, with three properties: Kafunta River Lodge, Three Rivers Camp, and Island Bush Camp. We also design attractive itineraries to allow you a one-stop shop to book your ideal vacation in Zambia, but we are not a travel agent.
No, this is your own arrangement at your preferred date based on availability. Activities are shared with other guests in camp. We can also tailor-make an itinerary to better suit your interests.
Yes, we can tailor-make a large variety of itineraries to include other camps or parks that you would prefer. Drop us an email and we’ll be happy to help.
Sadly, we are not able to book international flights for you. We’re happy to include the domestic flights although you may also choose to book these directly with your international ticket and we will then deduct this from the overall package rate.
No, activities are shared with other guests at the lodges and camp. But if you prefer to have more control over your activities, inquire with us and we will check the availability of private guides at each location, and what the additional cost will be.
Yes of course. Zambia is very safe, and there is no problem travelling alone or if you are a female traveler. A single supplement will however apply.
The Luangwa Valley is world-renown for its abundance of lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. It offers some endemic species such as the Thornicroft Giraffe and exceptional plains game such as pukus, impalas, kudus, zebras, etc. Wild dogs are also very common with one of the largest populations in Zambia.
Kafue National Park also offers phenomenal game viewing with rare opportunities to spot cheetahs and servals, and other varieties of antelopes such as roans, sables, or lechwe (depending on the areas of the park).
The Lower Zambezi offers a great variety of wildlife with a focus on water-based activities.
This itinerary is available between June and October, the peak of the safari season in Zambia. June and July will be the coolest months and the bush will be thicker but still green. August and September will warm up significantly and the bush will start to dry out. October is the hottest month, the bush and waterholes are very dry and animals concentrate along the river banks. Read our blog for more information about the best time to visit Zambia.
Inquire if you want to travel outside those dates.
Plenty! This is an extensive combination of three of Zambia’s national parks.
Why book with Kafunta Safaris
20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE SAFARI INDUSTRY
We are a safari operator in South Luangwa (Zambia) with three properties: Kafunta River Lodge, Island Bush Camp and Three Rivers Camp.
Apart from operating these safari properties for over 20 years, we also help our guests design their dream holidays in Zambia by suggesting the most attractive itineraries according to their interests and budget.
We know the country in and out, we understand the logistics and we’ve experienced most of the lodges and camps ourselves too. Most of all, we’re passionate about Zambia, and we love nothing more than helping you get the most out of this beautiful country. Whether it is booking our camps only or including domestic flights and other properties in other Zambian parks, we’re here for you.
