Day 1 & 2 - Lusaka, Zambia (Elephant Orphan Project)

 

Upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport you will be met and transferred to Lilayi Lodge on the outskirts of Lusaka. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy a short game drive in the nearby sanctuary before you settle in for dinner. Your 2 night stay at Lilayi includes breakfast and dinner, luxury accomodation, airport transfers and a behind the scenes tour of the Elephant Orphanage project on the first morning. Activities such as walks, game drives and horse rides are optional and for your own account.

Lilayi Lodge  (B & D)

 

Elephant Orphan Project

 

Founded by DSWF in 2007 the Elephant Orphanage Project ( EOP ) now has two main sites, the Nursery Facility in Lilayi and the Release Facility in Kafue National Park.

The Nursery provides the round-the-clock care and attention that the young orphans desperately need. With regular 24-hour feeds required and often medical treatments too the keepers are on site 24/7. When the elephants are weaned they are relocated to the release site in the Kafue National Park where they begin the re-wilding process, taking long and regular walks into the bush and browsing in the safety of the outer boma. It is here they come into contact with the wild herds that one day they will rejoin. 

 

A $100 per person fee for this activitiy is included, all of which goes directly to the Elephant Orphanage. This activity needs to be booked/planned in advance as numbers are limited.

 

Day 3 -  Kafue National Park,  Zambia

 

After breakfast you will be transferred on a pleasant drive west through farmlands to Kafue National park. Approximately 5 hours on the road, and enjoying a packed lunch on the way at a suitable stop. 

 

After settling in at Mukambi you have the option to visit Mukambi's Community school and the local village with which Mukambi has a close relationship. Later in the afternoon take to the smooth waters of the Kafue River and enjoy a boat cruise and drinks, viewing hippo, birds and other wildlife on the banks of the river. 

 

Kafue National Park is a truly wonderful place. It is the second largest national park in the world, and still one of the wildest yet to be (re)discovered.  The Kafue used to be one of the most famous national parks back in the early days of safaris, up until the 1980’s. Since 2000, after 2 decades of neglect and poaching, it has steadily regained its former reputation, and rightfully so. Ten years later, after a lot of hard work, the introduction of low impact tourism and a close co-operation with the Zambia Wildlife Authority, Kafue National Park has truly revived and transformed into one of the most beautiful parks, teeming with wildlife. Mukambi Safari Lodge proudly serves as your gateway to the Kafue National Park.

Mukambi Safari Lodge  (BLD)

 

 

Day 4, 5 - Central Kafue National Park,  Zambia

 

Today your safari routine begins, getting up early, have a light breakfast and head out into Kafue National Park to explore all that this park has to offer on a morning game drive to your next destination, Fig Tree Bushcamp.

 

Fig Tree Bush Camp overlooks a large lagoon, 1.7 km long and about 60m wide. This lagoon maintains it’s alluring water throughout the season attracting an array of wildlife including elephant, puku, impala, warthog, zebra, and hartebeest. Predators like lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena are regular visitors and the wild dog have been known to prey on the concentration of game. Guests will spend afternoons relaxing to the sights and sounds of hippos, crocodiles and birds within the lagoon. 

Fig Tree Bushcamp (BLD)

 

 

Day 6 - 8 - Northern Kafue National Park,  Zambia

 

Today is a full day game drive from Fig Tree Bushcamp up to the northern part of the Kafue National Park, the Busanga Plains. You have the whole day to take in the sights, the various habitats and a plethora of wildlife before arriving at Busanga Plains Camp. 

 

Mukambi's tented camp lies in an area so remote that although famous for insiders, only a few people have discovered the Busanga Plains. It is only accessible four months a year. Here lions and cheetahs prey on animals such as wildebeest, roan and buffalo to name a few. Lechwe and puku graze on the central swamps while the shy sitatunga hides in the papyrus reeds. Crowned and wattled cranes, secretary birds and ground hornbills stalk the grasslands whose openness is interrupted only by tree studded islands. Here ancient fig trees (the famous One Fig) and palms draw their nutrients from giant termite hills. It is a landscape so distinctive, like no other you will see in Africa. The camp is small and intimate.  It consists of only four expansive safari tents with en-suite open air bathrooms and a raised central area or boma, overlooking the Busanga Plains.

Busanga Plains Camp (BLD)

 

Day 9  - Kafue National Park,  Zambia

 

Today is a full day game drive from Busanga Plains back down to Mukambi Safari Lodge, where you enjoy the final night of your safari.

Mukambi Safari Lodge (BLD)

 

Day 10 - Departure

 

After breakfast you will be transferred back to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport for your onward arrangements.