7 Day Royal Zambian Safari

Guests arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport and, once formalities are completed, make their way through the airport to the bus terminal just behind the Southern Sun O.R. Tambo Hotel. From here, you will take the complimentary shuttle – departing every 20 minutes or so – to the nearby accommodation at D’Oreale Grande, located within the Emperors Palace complex. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing time to relax and recover after your international flight.

On request, African Sky will be happy to provide a map detailing how to proceed from the arrivals hall to the shuttle departure point. Kindly note that a representative from African Sky will not meet you on your day of arrival. Instead, you will be met the following morning prior to your onward travel, at which time you will be provided with your complete travel documents, including all relevant details, activity and transfer times, and e-tickets where required, shared electronically or in printed format as preferred. Our representative will also be available to assist with any questions you may have.

After an early start, you will be met in the hotel lobby and welcomed by a representative from African Sky. You will be provided with your travel documents, including all relevant details, before being transferred to the nearby airport for your scheduled flight to Lusaka in Zambia. From here, you will connect to a light aircraft flight into the Lower Zambezi National Park.

Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative from Royal Zambezi Lodge and transferred to the lodge. After check-in, you will have time to settle in and enjoy your surroundings before your first safari experience.

The Royal Zambezi Lodge is located on the northern banks of the Zambezi River, set between Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park and Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, with only the river separating these renowned wilderness areas. The lodge offers a diverse range of safari activities, including game drives, walking safaris and water-based experiences such as canoeing and river cruises, with two activities included daily. As the sun begins to set, you can relax on the main deck, watching elephants, hippos and other wildlife drawn to the river while you enjoy a drink and settle into the rhythm of safari life.

During your stay in the Lower Zambezi National Park, your days are structured around a variety of safari activities conducted from Royal Zambezi Lodge. These include game drives, guided walks, canoe safaris and boat cruises along the Zambezi River, offering a unique combination of land- and water-based wildlife viewing. Activities take place in the early morning and late afternoon, with time to relax at the lodge during the heat of the day.

The Lower Zambezi National Park remains one of Africa’s most unspoiled wilderness areas, once reserved as a private sanctuary and still largely untouched by mass tourism. Set along the banks of the Zambezi River and opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, the area is known for its scenic floodplains, river channels and woodland habitats. Wildlife sightings are exceptional, with elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hippo, crocodile and a wide variety of antelope and birdlife commonly encountered. Your stay is fully inclusive, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this remote and wildlife-rich environment.

After breakfast, you’ll say goodbye to your hosts as you’re returned to the local airfield. From there you’ll return to Lusaka and then board an onward flight to Livingstone in southern Zambia. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the luxury Royal Livingstone, located on the banks of the Zambezi River just above the impressive Victoria Falls. The hotel’s manicured lawns roll down toward the river, creating a serene vantage point from which to watch the water flow toward the brink of the falls.

The remainder of your evening is spent at leisure. You might take a gentle stroll along the riverside paths, enjoy a drink on the terrace while you look for the spray from the falls, or simply relax and enjoy the refined service for which the Royal Livingstone is known. Note: Flight routing is subject to the operating schedule. The usual routing is via Lusaka, although a more direct option may be used when available.

This morning is devoted to an uplifting elephant encounter in a wilderness area not far from Livingstone. On arrival at the venue, you’ll enjoy a short presentation about the project and the elephants’ stories, as well as a briefing on how to interact with them in a respectful and responsible way. Under the guidance of experienced handlers, you will have the opportunity to observe the elephants up close, walk alongside them and learn more about their behavior, conservation challenges and the role they play in the ecosystem. The focus is on meaningful, low-impact interaction rather than riding, allowing guests to connect with these remarkable animals in an ethical way.

Once back at your accommodation, you’ll have the opportunity to freshen up, enjoy your lodge’s amenities or otherwise catch an afternoon nap. Those who prefer to be on the go all day can arrange additional activities at reception, such as a visit to a local museum or cultural experience in town. During the late afternoon, you’ll be met and transferred to a local jetty where the remainder of your day will be spent enjoying a tranquil sunset cruise aboard the African Queen on Africa’s fourth-largest river, the mighty Zambezi. Drinks and snacks are served on the riverboat and, on a good day, you might see a pod of hippos or an elephant or two along the banks. After a spectacular African sunset, you’ll be returned to your overnight accommodations, where the remainder of your evening may be spent at leisure.

Your last morning in Zambia is devoted to a guided tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, previously counted among the seven natural wonders of the world. The falls lie within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a name meaning “the smoke that thunders”, which local communities have used for generations to describe the towering spray and roar of the water. Well-maintained pathways and viewpoints in the park offer spectacular perspectives on the Zambezi River as it plunges into the gorge below, and your guide will share insights into the geology, history and legends associated with this iconic World Heritage Site.

There is also a curio market at the entrance to the falls, and guests may take some time to view the different arts and crafts on display and perhaps pick up a final souvenir. Later you’ll be transferred to the airport in Livingstone, where you’ll board a return flight to Johannesburg in South Africa, bringing to an end a memorable Zambian safari holiday that has combined rivers, wildlife and one of the most famous waterfalls on Earth.