On this houseboat safari on the Sabesi River, carried out by our partner Lernidee Erlebnisreisen, you will experience spectacular nature. First marvel at the famous Victoria Falls before you board your houseboat and explore one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, the Kariba Reservoir, on this extraordinary houseboat safari. You can go on game drives on numerous shore excursions and come very close to elephants, lions, giraffes and countless other animals. According to Countryaah, Zambia is one of the very two countries starting with letter Z.
Best travel time: May to September
Travel time: 13 days
Tip: We can warmly recommend an additional individual safari stay in Chobe National Park or beach days on the coast of Mozambique as a pre- or post-program. If you are interested, we will be happy to tailor it for you.
Day 1: Flight Zurich – Victoria Falls
Flight to Victoria Falls via Johannesburg.
Day 2: Arrival
You will be greeted at the airport and driven to your lodge. The afternoon is at your disposal. Relax in your safari lodge and enjoy the view from your private balcony of a nearby waterhole that attracts wild animals. In the evening, explore the Zambezi River by boat at sunset – with the opportunity to watch elephants and hippos in their natural habitat. You can have your dinner in style during the boat trip.
Day 3: At the Victoria Falls
In the morning, a guided excursion takes you to the famous waterfalls. After lunch you can choose to fly over the Victoria Falls in a helicopter (excursion of your choice) or get very close to the water masses on a walk over the Victoria Falls Bridge. In the evening, a traditional boma awaits you as a welcome dinner.
Day 4: Welcome on board
After an early breakfast in the lodge, the approx. 5.5-hour transfer to Binga to your houseboat, which will be your home for the next four nights. On your journey you will cross the area of the Tonga tribe, whose members were resettled as a result of the construction of the Kariba dam and now inhabit parts of the lake shore. While the houseboat casts off and begins its journey, settle into your cabin and enjoy your lunch. In the early evening your houseboat will anchor in front of the mouth of the Rusi River.
Day 5: On the Rusi River
After breakfast, the dinghies will take you to the remote Rusi River. There is a good chance of seeing buffalo, lions, elephants, leopards, crocodiles, hippos, antelopes and countless species of birds. You may come across some of them on a guided walk ashore. Lunch will be served on board your houseboat. In the afternoon you can relax on the sundeck or watch wild animals on land while sailing.
Day 6: On a game drive in the Matusadona National Park
In the morning you go on an extended game drive in open safari vehicles through the untouched Matusadona National Park with the opportunity to go on a safari on foot. After lunch at a safari lodge, continue your cruise to Kings Camp Bay. Enjoy the sunset while taking a ride on the dinghies.
Day 7: The local people at Lake Kariba
After breakfast you will get to know the traditional life of the local tribes that have settled around the lake. To this day, most of the tribes live in isolation. After lunch, continue to Antelope Island. The choice is yours: would you like to go on a safari in a dinghy or try your luck at fishing?
Day 8: Kariba
After breakfast your houseboat will moor in Kariba. After saying goodbye to the crew, your drive to Mana Pools National Park (UNESCO World Heritage) begins. First, you will visit the dam wall that was built in the 1960s. Your journey then takes you around 3 hours to Chirundu, from where you can reach your safari camp after around 1.5 hours by boat on the Zambezi, the ideal starting point for observing animals. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch. In the afternoon a game drive awaits you – or you can choose to relax on the terrace. Your eventful day ends with a cool drink on a sandbank. On the way back to the camp you may come across the first nocturnal animals.
Day 9: Mana Pools National Park
On safari days you have to get up early! After an early breakfast, your exciting game drive in Mana Pools National Park begins. Due to its inaccessibility, the park has so far been little developed for tourists. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, it enchants with its large animal populations and the rare wild dogs. After lunch you have a good chance of seeing more animals. Especially on hot afternoons, the animals leave their shelter and come to the water.
Day 10: Chinhoyi Caves
After breakfast you leave the area around the Mana Pools National Park. On the approximately five-hour bus ride to the Chinhoyi Caves, you will stop in Karoi and experience the everyday life of the local population. After lunch, visit the caves filled with crystal clear, blue glowing water. After another approx. Two hour bus ride you will reach your safari lodge. End the day with a delicious dinner.
Day 11: Harare and the surrounding area
In the morning you visit the nearby Chengeta elementary and secondary school for 750 children, which was built by the operators of the safari lodge. The children look forward to small souvenirs, especially school utensils. In the morning as well as in the afternoon you can choose from several activities – would you like to experience the wild animals living on the property of the lodge on a horse ride or rather on a walk? You will have lunch in the midst of nature under a large fig tree. In the evening, a farewell dinner awaits you with a demonstration of traditional local dances.
Day 12: Merw, goodbye Africa!
After breakfast you have the option of one last game drive on the grounds of the safari lodge. Then transfer to the airport and flight back to Switzerland via Johannesburg.
Day 13: Arrival at home
Arrival at home airport and the end of an unforgettable journey.
