By virtue of its less publicized place in the pecking order of African countries hosting safaris, Zambia is usually among the least crowded destinations despite offering a wide variety of wildlife viewing options. To make the experience even more private and protected, the travel company Ker & Downey® Africa just introduced a 10 day itinerary using private villas, exclusive camps, private vehicles and exclusive guides. “Much of Zambia’s appeal lies in its remoteness,” explains Lisa Nel, Marketing Manager and Product Manager at Ker & Downey® Africa. “We designed this itinerary for guests to set up a home from home and experience a one-of-a-kind safari with their loved ones, far away from the crowds.”
The itinerary is centered around the Zambezi River, anchored by three exclusive lodges on the banks of the mighty river. The trip starts in Livingstone with a helicopter trip over Victoria Falls to the plush Royal Chundu Zambezi Island Lodge located on Katombora Island and reachable by boat from the main lodge. The four villas on the island are filled with designer décor in a cobalt blue color scheme with decks including bathtubs overlooking the rapids. Guests can explore by canoe or boat cruise and observe herds of elephant, hippo and crocodiles in the river.
The next stop is Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, 7 ½ miles upriver from Victoria Falls on a quiet bend of the Zambezi. (The lodge is named after the two loyal aides to Dr. David Livingstone, the first European to see and then name the Falls after his monarch, then Queen of England.) Guests stay in a two bedroom Chuma House with its own pool; there are also 12 treehouses. Activities there include guided tours of the Falls, whitewater rafting, walking safaris, river cruises, fishing expeditions and game drives to see elephant, impala, zebra, giraffe, hippo and crocodiles. Guests can also learn more about the lodge’s philanthropy efforts at the nearby Nakatindi Village and School coordinated with community elders.
The last stop is Sausage Tree Camp, a remote safari camp in the Lower Zambezi National Park composed of seven tents on the banks of the river spaced far enough apart that elephants often amble between them. The tents, each overseen by a local muchinda, or butler, are designed in minimalist, contemporary style in neutral earth tones with wide open decks containing plunge pools, ideal spots for observing the wildlife in the river. There’s also a lap pool measuring 82 feet shaded by mahogany trees on the riverbank. The location within the vast, 2,558 square mile park, a relative newcomer on the safari map across the border from Zimbabwe’s famous wildlife area Mana Pools, has concentrations of lions, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, striped jackals along with elephant, hippo, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, impala, kudu and a variety of birds and reptiles. In the dry season, the animals cluster on the valley floor, by the banks of the river and the islands within it.
How to get there?
Given the current unease about the COVID-19 variant in South Africa and restrictions on travel by non-citizens from that country, travelers can journey to and from Zambia without connecting in South Africa. Fly Charters offers a private jet charter to ensure your travel is safe and fully private. The team will handle all the necessary arrangements for you to enjoy a hassle-free journey. Reach them at sales@flycharters.aero.
Trip Support in Africa
Fly Aviation provides trip support services worldwide, they deliver 24/7 support across the globe in order to ensure the demands and expectations of the clients are met on a daily basis. As one of the few global companies showcasing such experience, Fly Aviation Group is ISO certified and better yet, cost-efficient, which will ultimately allow you to save valuable time and resources.
References: Forbes