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Ruckomechi Camp/ Kalamu Lagoon Camp/Busanga Bush Camp

8 day safari combining Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe (renowned for its' predators and large concentrations of Buffalo found along the river's edges) and South Luangwa National Park and Busunga Plains in Zambia. Experience walking safaris in the best walking destination in Africa and day and night drives led by qualified guides. Highlights are a boat cruise up the Zambezi River and helicopter transfers to and from Busanga.

Day 1-3: Mana Pools National Park

Road transfer from Lusaka Airport to Chirundu and onward boat transfer to Ruckomechi Camp.

Access from Lusaka to Ruckomechi takes approximately 3 to 4 hours and is an adventure in itself. The exact duration of the transfer varies depending on the traffic to get in or out of Lusaka, the time of arrival at the border (i.e. peak and slow periods during the day) and the border crossing process, however usually the road transfer portion is approximately 2 hours, the border crossing takes an average of 30 minutes and the boat transfer is about an hour and a half. The first section from Lusaka is in an air-conditioned minibus, heading south from Lusaka and winding through the hills of the Zambezi Escarpment. The scenic drive culminates in a breathtaking view of the Zambezi River from the top of the escarpment. After reaching the mighty Zambezi River at the bustling border town of Chirundu, clear immigration and customs before crossing the Chirundu Bridge over the Zambezi River into Zimbabwe. After clearing Zimbabwean customs, we board Ruckomechi boats and enjoy a gentle cruise down the slow and winding Zambezi River, reaching Ruckomechi Camp about 1.5 hours later. Elephants, hippo and crocodile are encountered on this part of the journey making it the perfect way to enter one of Africa's most beautiful National Parks.

Ruckomechi Camp is situated on the western boundary of the Mana Pools National Park. It is situated in a large grove of Acacia and Mahogany trees overlooking the Zambezi River with a superb view of the mountains of Africa's Great Rift Valley.

The camp accommodates guests in ten spacious tents which each have a view of the river. Facilities are en-suite and include a toilet, hand basin, indoor shower and an outside shower with a view across the river. There are two double tents and eight twin bed units. The public areas include a central dining, bar, library and lounge area which are connected to the rooms by low walk ways. There is also an infinity pool with a decked area for sun bathing as well as a star gazing deck. Ruckomechi offers diverse game activities, including game drives in 4 x 4 vehicles and fishing on a catch and release basis (fishing is at an additional cost, subject to availability and guests need to provide their own fishing equipment). Daily game walks are available with an armed guide.

Predators including Lion, Wild Dog, Leopard, and Cheetah are often sighted and large concentrations of Buffalo can be found along the river's edges. Kudu, Zebra, Impala and Waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains. Elephants are often seen swimming in front of the camp in order to get to the reed island directly opposite camp and they also like to take advantage of the plentiful Albida trees in the area. Bird watching tends to be good, with the river attracting large numbers of Waterbirds.

Accommodation at Ruckomechi is for three nights and includes all meals, daily activities, laundry and drinks (excluding premium import brands).

Day 4-5: South Luangwe National Park

Scheduled boat transfer from Ruckomechi Camp to Chirundu.  Board your boat at Ruckomechi and enjoy a cruise up the slow and winding Zambezi River, reaching Chirundu about 1.5 hours later. Elephants, hippo and crocodile are encountered on this part of the journey making it the perfect way to enter one of Africa's most beautiful National Parks.

At the border town of Chirundu, clear immigration and customs before entering Zambia. Travel from Chirundu to Lusaka Airport on an air-conditioned minibus, through the hills of the Zambezi Escarpment. Upon arrival, transfer by light aircraft to Kalamu Lagoon Camp.

Kalamu Lagoon Camp is situated in the Luamfwa Concession in the southern sector of the South Luangwa National Park. Accommodation consists of 8 safari-style reed and canvas tents, each en-suite with both an indoor and outdoor shower. The camp's dining and bar area are under a canopy of giant ebony trees overlooking a beautiful permanent lagoon just off the (South) Luangwa River. A pool and viewing deck area located to the side of the camp offer spectacular views of the lagoon. South Luangwa is renowned as the best walking destination in Africa and guests have the choice to explore the Luangwa riverine vegetation and adjacent dambos on guided walks. Other activities include day and night game drives.

The South Luangwa National Park covers about 9 050 sq km of the Luangwa Valley floor, which varies from about 500m to 800m above sea level. Near the banks of the Luangwa the land is fairly flat, and mostly covered with mature woodlands. There are few dense shrubberies but also open areas where beautiful tall trees stand, shading a mixture of small bushes and grassland.  South Luangwa is a nature-lover's paradise that offers both unique bird watching and exciting game viewing. A secretive leopard might be spotted in the dense undergrowth or a herd of buffalo seen drinking at an old oxbow lake framed by giant sausage trees. Puku, impala and waterbuck are the most conspicuous mammals while bushbuck and Sharpe's grysbok are regularly seen in the denser vegetation. Lion, spotted hyaena and crocodiles head up the food chain here and a plethora of hippo congregate in the Luangwa River. The Luangwa's often-tuskless elephant can be seen foraging for illala palm fruit or wading through the river and night drives here offer not only the chance of that elusive leopard but also creatures like genet, civet, elephant shrews and white-tailed mongooses. Thornicroft's giraffe is endemic to the Valley and yellow baboons are regularly seen around the camp.

Accommodation at Kalamu Lagoon Camp is for two nights and includes all meals, daily activities, laundry and all drinks (excluding premium import brands).

Day 6-7: Busanga

Light aircraft transfer from Kalamu Lagoon Camp to Lusaka Airport for connecting light aircraft transfer to Kafue. At Kafue, board your helicopter for your onward transfer to Busanga.

Please note that in some instances you may experience a delay at Busanga airstrip & helipad before your transfer to the lodge - this is due to the limited number of seats available on the helicopter. Depending on your transfer time to the lodge, appropriate arrangements will be made in terms of this connection - a ranger will accompany you at all times.

Busanga Bush Camp lies in the heart of the Busanga Plains, a vast mosaic of expansive grassy seasonal floodplains that extends to the horizon. The camp, hidden in a well vegetated tree-island of sycamore fig trees, can accommodate eight guests in four well-appointed tents. The lounge and bar area is under canvas with an uninterrupted view out over the plains; breakfast is often served here to take in the view of herds of lechwe and puku feeding. A little further back is the dining area, shaded by the canopy of a majestic tree from which an unusual lantern chandelier hangs, romantically lighting up dinner; most meals are served in the open air.

Thanks to the rising mist off the floodplains as they dry up in winter, guests can experience incredible sunrises and sunsets, with the sun a spectacular pink colour, while the floodplains and dambos teem with wildlife and birds; the Plains provide some of the best lion viewing in Africa.

Activities include game drives, walking safaris and night drives, led by qualified guides who are extremely knowledgeable about the area and its wildlife. As the plains dry out, this camp is perfectly situated to see large numbers of plains game such as puku, red lechwe, buffalo and wildebeest, followed by their predators, most notably lion. Cheetah and wild dog are also to be seen, while a special treat is the resident herd of roan antelope. For those interested in birding, the park boasts 491 species, including endemics such as Chaplin's Barbet.

Accommodation at Busanga Bush Camp is for two nights and includes all meals, daily activities, laundry and drinks (excluding premium import brands).

Day 8: Depart

Helicopter transfer from Busanga to Kafue where you will meet your onward charter flight to Lusaka.