8 Day Plains and Rivers: Zambian Safari in Kafue River and Busanga Plain
Safari in Zambia
This seven-night safari combines the beautiful Kasonso Camp in the Busanga Plains and the cool river ecosystem of Kafue River Lodge. Not only does the river bring a tranquil, slow-paced safari experience, but it also gives the chance to enjoy Northern Kafue Safaris' hospitality on a whole new level.
Key information
- Group safari
- Maximum group size of 8 participants
- Starts in Kafue and ends in Lusaka
- Children of all ages can join
- English-speaking lodge manager / guide
- Park fees included
- Bed Levies included
Highlights
- 2 safari activities per day
- Incredible diversity of mammal and birdlife
- See Busanga Plains and the Kafue River
- Stunning scenery of water, fig tree islands, and floodplains
- Park fees included
- Safari cycling, boating, birding activities available
- All meals and local drinks included
- 7 nights accommodation
Styles
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (US$ 2,690 per person)
Accommodation
Kafue River Lodge (3 nights)
You can design and tailor-make your experience at Kafue River Lodge. With safari cycling, game drives, boating, birding, or simply enjoying the view over the river from the deck, you can choose to be as active or relaxed as you like. It has spacious chalets that are ideal for people wanting to relax, take their time, and enjoy the wilderness on offer.
You'll be received by a combination of specialist guides to make the most of your activities during the day as well as the hospitable lodge team that will make sure that you will feel at home with them.
- Accommodation level: Luxury
Facilities
- 4 cottages
- Wi-Fi in communal area
- Solar electricity
- Mosquito nets
- Ensuite bathrooms
- Laundry service included
- Plug-points in rooms
- River-facing cottages
Kasonso Busanga Camp (4 nights)
Kasonso Busanga Camp is in the Busanga Plains. With dinners on the deck and striking sunsets, Kasonso Busanga is the perfect combination of warm hospitality and great guiding. It will provide you with incredible close-up lion encounters and stunning scenery.
Located in the heart of the plains, it is an authentic bush camp that provides all the important fundamentals of a comfortable camp but still focuses on the outstanding guiding and wildlife experience.
- Accommodation level: Luxury
Facilities
- 4 tents
- Wi-Fi in communal area
- Solar electricity
- Mosquito nets
- Ensuite bathrooms
- Laundry service included
- Plug-points in rooms
- Plains-facing tents
Program
Why choose this safari? Experience the great herds and expansive views of Busanga, with its rust red sunsets and prolific game, and combine your experience with a luxurious chalet on the banks of the Kafue River.
Days 1- 4: Kafue River Lodge
Design and tailor-make your experience at Kafue River Lodge. With safari cycling, game drives, boating, birding or simply enjoying the view over the river from the deck, you can choose to be as active or relaxed as you like. With the combination of specialist guides to make the most of your activities during the day and the hospitable lodge team, you are sure to feel at home here.
Daily routine at Kafue River Lodge
Once you arrive at Kafue River Lodge, you will meet with the lodge manager who will brief you on what to do and not to do while you stay there. You will then proceed to your chalet to freshen up then return for lunch.
At around 15:30, you will be treated to high tea, after which you will proceed onto an afternoon activity - either a game drive or a boat cruise, depending on your preference. After your afternoon activity, you will return for dinner and then later be hosted by the manager before you retire for the night.
On your full days in camp, you will wake up for some coffee or tea, or even breakfast if you wish for one, and then proceed for an early game drive or boat cruise at around 06:00. After the drive or cruise which usually lasts between three to four hours, you will be treated either to brunch or lunch, depending on your preference.
After lunch you will have a siesta and can relax around camp. At around 15:00, you will be treated to some high tea before you leave for the afternoon activity, which is a game drive / boat cruise starting at 16:00. At a point during the drive or cruise, you will stop to have a sundowner and then proceed with the trip.
Once you return from the drive or cruise, you will then proceed to freshen up before returning for dinner. After dinner, you will be hosted by the lodge manager or guide before you retire for the night.
Days 4 - 8: Kasonso Busanga Camp
When you visit Kasonso Camp, the sheer diversity and untouched beauty of the Busanga plains will be enough to draw you in and leave you breathless. Add to this the vast herds of antelope, elephant and the prolific bird life and you have enough to satisfy even the most enthusiastic of safari goers, without even mentioning the magnificent lions. Their guides have been tracking the prides for years and can fill you in on new contenders to the alpha male and how old each cub is. As the season progresses and the water dries up the animals move closer together, making for spectacular viewing. With dinners on the deck and striking sunsets, Kasonso Busanga is the perfect combination of warm hospitality and great guiding. The clients will leave camp on the morning of the 8th day.
Travel logistics: Plains and Rivers Package
Please note that transfer costs from and to camp are separate from the accommodation cost and are charged separately. All of your road transfers will be handled by Northern Kafue Safaris. On Day 1, their team will meet you and drive you to Kafue River Lodge where you will spend 2 or 3 nights before embarking on the next leg of your journey to the beautiful Busanga Plains. There you will spend 4 nights with an option to return to Kafue River Lodge for your final night before being transferred back to Lusaka. The final night may be spent at either Kafue River Lodge or Kasonso Busanga Camp. Transfers back to Lusaka from Kafue River Lodge are ideal as it is closer to Lusaka than Kasonso Busanga Camp.
Location
Kafue River
Kafue River Lodge is located inside the Lunga Luswishi Game Management Area, bordering Kafue National Park. The incredible diversity of mammal and birdlife on offer means that no two days are ever the same in Northern Kafue. The location also lends itself to a wide range of both land and river-based activities.
Busanga Plains
The sheer diversity and untouched beauty of the Busanga Plains will be enough to draw you in and leave you breathless. Add to this the vast herds of antelope, elephant, and the prolific birdlife and you will have enough to satisfy even the most enthusiastic of safari goers, without even mentioning the magnificent lions.
Northern Kafue Safaris' guides have been tracking the prides for years and can fill you in on new contenders to the alpha male and how old each cub is. As the season progresses and the water dries up, the animals move closer together, making for spectacular viewing.
The lions of Busanga are a highlight of the region and the encounters of these cats moving around the floodplains is something to behold. The water, fig tree islands, and floodplains also make for superb birding and the Busanga has an incredible birding list to experience.
Food
All meals and all local drinks are included in the package.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
What's included
- 2 safari activities per day
- Park fees
- 7 nights accommodation
- All meals
- All local drinks
- Bed levies
- Laundry
- Return intercamp transfer
What's not included
- Gratuities
- External transfers
- Airfare
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
225 km
Transfer not provided
Driving directions to Kafue River Lodge from Lusaka via Mumbwa:
- From Lusaka, head in a westerly direction on the M9 tar road for 150km. Take the turn-off to Mumbwa.
- After approximately four kilometers, you will reach a traffic circle, turn left at the first exit.
- Set your odometer to 0km from the traffic circle, drive past the Total Garage on your right for approximately one kilometer, and turn right onto the first gravel road (D181).
- Drive approximately 34km to where the road forks, then take the left fork.
- At approximately 66km, you should reach Kabalushi Gate (entrance into Kafue National Park).
- At 87km, the road will fork again, with the sign to Hippo Bay Lodge on your left. Keep right.
- Drive on this road for approximately eight kilometers until you reach the Lubungu Pontoon Crossing (Pontoon hours: 06:00 - 18:00; payment to cross the pontoon: 20 USD per vehicle).
- From the pontoon, continue straight and you will pass a sign to Leopard Lodge at 100km.
- At 107km, you will pass a big dambo. Continue past the dambo for another four kilometers until you come to Kafue River Lodge.
Note: If you are self-driving, fill up at the Total Garage as this will be your last fueling point until you reach the lodge.
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka. Clients will need to arrive at least between 10:00 and 11:00 at Lusaka international airport for Northern Kafue Safaris to organize charter flights or road transfers to camp for them.
Arrangement of charter flights and road transfer to camp has to be done in advance before the clients arrive in Zambia.
Charter flights to camp are arranged at a fee according to number of pax, while road transfers to camp are arranged according to vehicle capacity (per vehicle) and number of pax.
Please note that transfer costs from and to camp are separate from the accommodation cost and are charged separately.
- Road transfer from Lusaka to Kafue River Lodge is at a rate of 400 USD per vehicle one-way, maximum 4 pax (5 to 6 hours' drive).
- Road transfer from Lusaka to Kasonso Busanga is at a rate of 750 USD per vehicle one-way, maximum 4 pax (7 to 8 hours' drive).
Driving time from Lusaka to Kafue River Lodge is approximately five to six hours.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookAllSafaris.com. All major credit cards supported.