Zambia Honeymoon

You’ll arrive in Zambia at Lusaka International Airport, where you’ll take a scheduled domestic flight to Mfuwe. You’ll be met by a Wayfairer representative, who will take you by private road transfer to your first destination, South Luangwa National Park.

You’ll stay at the award-winning Kafunta River Lodge for two nights, one of the most luxurious safari lodges in Zambia and the perfect place to set the tone for your romantic honeymoon safari holiday.

Your private safari chalet overlooks the flood plains, teeming with wildlife, with views stretching out to the Luangwa River. Enjoy an intimate candlelit four-course dinner underneath the stardusted African night sky, then relax by the campfire, listening to the sounds of the bush.

Today is your first full day exploring South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s premier safari destination and one of the best national parks in the whole of Africa. You’ll start early for a morning game drive and walking safari, where you’ll be treated to sightings of the diverse wildlife species, such as giraffe, elephant and buffalo, to name but a few.

In the afternoon, you’ll return to the bush for an afternoon or night safari. South Luangwa is one of the few national parks in Africa where night game drives are available, offering you the rare chance of observing nocturnal creatures and night-time predators when they’re most active.

Today, you’ll journey deep into South Luangwa National Park, where you’ll be treated to untouched wilderness and an authentic Zambian bush experience. The transfer takes around three hours, taking you through woodland and open plains, looking out for big game favourites such as zebra, lions and wildebeest, along the way.

You’ll stay two nights at Island Bush Camp, an accommodation also owned by Kafunta Safaris. Well off the beaten track, a stay here provides a private, remote and off-the-grid experience that truly takes you and your partner back to nature. You’ll stay in one of the five stilted en-suite chalets on the property, which opens out to stunning views over the Luangwa River.

Zambia is known as the birthplace of the walking safari and this activity is a speciality of this area of South Luangwa National Park. This unique safari experience offers a completely different perspective to a game drive, as your senses are heightened, your wildlife encounters are up close and personal, and your knowledgeable local guide can show you how to track the park’s most famous animals.

Endemic creatures to keep your eyes peeled for include Cookson’s wildebeest, Crawshay’s zebra and Thornicroft’s giraffe, which is known for its beautiful markings.

Next, you’ll journey seven kilometres to another area of South Luangwa National Park to the Kafunta Safaris’ third and newest property, Three Rivers Camp. The picturesque riverside location is where the Luangwa, Lusangazi and Kapamba rivers meet, creating a game-rich lagoon that attracts many different species of wildlife, such as wallowing hippos and sunbathing crocodiles.

You’ll stay in one of the camp’s five stylish en-suite safari tents, which are elegantly decorated using natural materials and boast stunning views of the river and lagoon. Each guest room has its own private elevated platform with a mosquito-net-covered bed, so you can stargaze until you fall asleep, listening to the gentle flow of the river, then rise with the dawn.

Game drives and walking safaris around the camp’s riverbank location offer encounters with waterbuck, elephants, giraffes and occasional roan antelope. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some of the park’s notorious predators, including leopards, lions and the critically endangered African wild dog (sometimes called painted dog or painted wolf). Due to their close proximity, you can also choose to take a guided walk between Three Rivers Camp and Island Bush Camp.

Three Rivers offers the same standard of luxury as Kafunta River Lodge; in the evenings you’ll feast on multi-course candlelit meals and sip on sundowners as you watch the sunset over the river.

Today, you’ll take a two-hour drive back to Kafunta River Lodge, where you’ll stay one more night before leaving South Luangwa National Park. Take advantage of a last game drive or walking safari, or alternatively escape the heat of the day by relaxing at camp; treating yourself to a pamper at the lodge’s wellness spa, taking a dip in the swimming pool or reclining in the natural hot spring tub, fed by natural geothermal waters.

Today, you’ll leave South Luangwa for Lower Zambezi National Park, starting with a road transfer back to Mfuwe, where you’ll take a scheduled domestic flight to Jeki. From here, it’s a second road transfer to your next accommodation, Tusk & Mane’s fly camps, where you’ll be staying for four nights.

The Tusk & Mane owner-run mobile fly camps offer “light luxury” in the wilderness, with two types of camp available - ideal for an more intimate safari experience, right in the middle of the bush. Chula Island Camp tents stretch five by four metres, with plenty of space for stand-up height and en-suite bathrooms; whilst the Kutali & Chula Fly Camp tents are three by three metres and portable, so you can move around the national park easily.

Enjoy a game drive in an open-topped vehicle in prime game viewing areas or participate in another walking safari. Head out into the bush for an authentic experience in the wild with a highly knowledgeable guide. These walks are tailored to the preferences and fitness levels of participants, usually covering a couple of miles with stops for scenery and wildlife watching.

The rich environment around the Zambezi river is also a home to many of Zambia’s colourful bird species, making Lower Zambezi National Park one of Africa’s great birding destinations. Look out for colonies of carmine bee-eater or even a rare sighting of a Pel’s fishing owl.

Take advantage of the gorgeous Zambezi River with water activities such as canoe safaris. Depending on your experience and preference, you’ll navigate any of the three beautiful channels which break off from the main river (Inkalange, Chifungulu and Discovery), accompanied by an experienced guide and back-up paddlers.

Alternatively, take a sunset cruise, complete with a sundowner drink and drift down with the currents. Watch wildlife come to drink at the water’s edge as the sun sets over the water.

Lower Zambezi National Park is also noted for its excellent fishing and keen anglers are welcome to try out this activity from a pontoon boat. All equipment is provided, including tackle, so you have the best chance of catching a tigerfish, a big bream or even a vundu.

Note that all fishing activities in the Zambezi are strictly on a catch and release basis, with rules on how to handle the fish, in order to keep the country’s fish populations healthy. Your guides will inform you of any guidelines to follow and be able to help you, should you hook a prize catch.

Today, you’ll leave Zambia’s national parks behind and head to the historic town of Livingstone, home of the famous Victoria Falls. First, you’ll take a road transfer back to Jeki, followed by a scheduled domestic flight to Livingstone, where you’ll take a private road transfer to your accommodation, Waterberry Lodge.

You’ll stay at Waterberry for three nights in one of the property’s seven pretty cottages, set in lush gardens, overlooking a private lake. Relax in the surroundings or recline in the swimming pool, taking things easy after an action-packed time on safari.

There are a multitude of different activities to enjoy in the Livingstone and Victoria Falls area, many of which can be organised through Waterberry Lodge. Witness the force of the waterfall, the billowing spray and streaks of rainbow – you can also cross to the Zimbabwe side to see Victoria Falls from different angles.

Fishing, birding and Zambezi cruises are also available. Choose a romantic sunset cruise with sundowners or take a daytime cruise with a picnic, stopping along the way and visiting a local village. A village walk shows off authentic rural Zambia, with income from the walks going towards the community; whilst a town tour of colonial-era Livingstone is a lesson in history and a chance to see modern life in the country.

Depending on what time of year you visit Victoria Falls as well as your level of daring, there are a wide range of things to see and do around the waterfall. Adrenaline-inducing activities include bungee jumps, gorge swings, white water rafting, abseiling, ziplining and swimming out to the thrilling Devil’s Pool – a deep, natural pool created by erosion, which allows you to swim out to the edge of the falls without being swept over.

If you’re looking to relax, choose a helicopter or microflight tour for amazing bird’s eye views of the falls, feel the spray on your face with a hike around the footpaths or take a romantic horse ride along bush trails, amongst many other options.

Sadly, your romantic Zambia honeymoon comes to close. After checking out of Waterberry, you’ll take a road transfer back to Livingstone Airport and a scheduled domestic flight to Lusaka International Airport in plenty of time for your onward journey.

You’ll leave Zambia with an endless stream of travel stories and funny anecdotes to tell friends and family back home, plus intimate shared memories of special moments with each other – the perfect start to your marriage, the adventure of a lifetime.