A 7-night safari IN ZAMBIA
The ultimate Zambian adventure! With our 7 Night itinerary, riders can now combine their horse safari with a Victoria Falls extension.
A once-in-a-lifetime horse riding adventure in the Simalaha Wilderness includes a stay at our eco-camp in this ultra-remote location. Though the camp is secluded, marvelous amenities have not been forgotten. Travelers sleep on beautiful linens, cool off in the eco-pool / wildlife viewing hide and dine on delicious, fresh and healthy cuisine. The horses are well adapted to wildlife and riders have the opportunity to explore places that are lesser trod. The annual flooding of the Simalaha Plains leaves vast swathes of the conservancy inaccessible to vehicles, making horses the most natural and exciting means to explore. The pace of riding is varied; in between fast and thrilling gallops alongside giraffe, zebra and buck, in water and on land, we also take time to indulge in some of the best bird watching in the world. Riders will be fully immersed in the African wilderness and have the option of a sleep-out experience under starlit skies. Witnessing the sunrise and sunsets alone in this wild part of Zambia are worth the trip.
Travelers begin and end their journey at Chundukwa River Lodge, a luxury lodge located just 25ms from Livingstone Town and Victoria Falls, one of the Natural Wonders of the World. The area offers countless nature, photographic and adventure-based opportunities.
The order of the itinerary is flexible depending on guest arrival and departure flight times and schedules.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Day 1: Arrival Day, overnight at Chundukwa River Lodge
Day 2: Depart for Zambian Horseback Safaris – meet your horse on the riverbank and ride!
Day 3: Full Day Riding (Ride out at dawn, return for lunch siesta, late afternoon sundowner ride)
Day 4: Full Day Riding
Day 5: Full Day Riding
Day 6: Depart after morning ride and breakfast for Chundukwa River Lodge
Day 7: Day at leisure, exploring Victoria Falls & surrounds
Day 8: Departure Day
A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR 7 NIGHT SAFARI
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL DAY
Fly into Livingstone Airport (HMIA / LVI)
Once you have cleared Immigration and collected your luggage, you will be met by a member of our team and transferred to Chundukwa River Lodge, 25mins by road. After checking in and a light lunch on the patio overlooking the river you will hop onboard our lodge boat and embark on a Zambezi Sunset Cruise.
This is a superb way to relax and enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Zambezi River. There are great photo opportunities against often-spectacular African sunsets. Flocks of birds skim the waterline as the sun sets behind the African skyline. Guests may have the opportunity to see a variety of game; including hippo, crocodile, elephant and many bird species. The Zambezi Sunset Cruise is inclusive in your stay and includes a wonderful selection of drinks and snacks.
Overnight in a Luxury River Facing Chalet with ensuite bathroom on a Fully-Inclusive Basis
Day 2 - DEPART FOR ZAMBIAN HORSEBACK SAFARIS
Wake up with the sun from your Zambezi chalet. At a pre-arranged time, we will depart for Zambian Horseback Safaris! Our journey starts with a 40 minute road transfer to a small African harbour called Mambova. Local villagers and fishermen trade their daily catch here and it is a kaleidoscope of colour, noise, children, goats and chickens! By this stage you are firmly off the tourist circuit in a beautiful remote part of Africa.
We continue our journey by river! This magical boat journey takes you upstream on Africa's fourth largest river - the mighty Zambezi. This trip is an adventure itself and a highlight for all guests! You can expect to see hippos, crocodiles, local fisherman in their traditional dugouts called mokoros, local cattle grazing on the riverbanks and beautiful, remote village scenes. (Make sure you have your riding gear onboard as we shall be jumping straight onto a horse when we get there.) After two hours on the river, look out for our horses, saddled and waiting on the riverbank. It’s time to ride! Doug is in charge of horsing riders. This afternoon, as we ride to camp, Doug will ascertain the best horses for your experience with us. Your luggage will follow us to camp.
Overnight in a Luxury Tent with hot water showers on a Fully-Inclusive Basis
DAYS 3 / 4 / 5 - EXPLORE THE SIMALAHA
We start each day before dawn at Zambian Horseback Safaris, with your choice of tea or coffee and a light breakfast before setting off in search of wildlife and adventure. We watch the sunrise each morning from horseback, a magnificent tradition that we love to share with our guests! Every day will be spent exploring the Simalaha Wilderness on horseback, an area of epic significance – 180,000 km² of raw wilderness – a place to immerse oneself in the vast plains; gently approaching and appreciating huge herds of wildlife, mopane forests, giant and ancient baobab trees, the life-giving Zambezi River and the people that call this land home – Lozi people who go about their day to day lives between the riverbanks and their homesteads, moving their cattle along the Riverbeds and fishing for their families on the river.
For riders, being able to canter into the horizon on land without predators and without holes is an absolute joy. We encourage riders to enjoy the space and to experience the pure riding freedom of the Simalaha. Here, time seems to stretch and slow right down. It's an opportunity to disconnect from responsibilities and routines and to connect with nature.
Each day will slightly differ, the route will be determined by Doug with the best interests of the group and where the wildlife concentrations are.
Day 6 - RETURN TO LIVINGSTONE
This morning, enjoy a final opportunity to canter across the plains, and enjoy the sunrise and wildlife before our return journey to Livingstone. We will depart by river to Mambova Harbour and then by road to Chundukwa River Lodge. It’s now time to relax. Opt for a massage, or laze by the pool. Take a walk through our indigenous gardens and see where the path leads.
Overnight in a Luxury Riverside Chalet with ensuite bathroom on a Fully-Inclusive Basis
Day 7 - EXPLORE VICTORIA FALLS + LIVINGSTONE
After a good night’s rest and a hearty fresh breakfast, guests may feel free to explore Livingstone and Victoria Falls today. No set time departures, no waiting for the late risers – you are free to spend as much time as you want to experience the world’s largest waterfall and surrounding attractions. This is your day to do it all, see it all, experience it all! Use of our vehicle with a driver/guide is included in your stay with us.
There are many additional experiences that you may want to do - our driver/guide will take you there, wait for you and bring you home safely at the end of the day. These outsourced activities are extra and for your own account - or may be billed into your itinerary.
Overnight in a Luxury Riverside Chalet with ensuite bathroom on a Fully-Inclusive Basis
Day 8 - DEPARTURE DAY
Enjoy the sunrise from your Riverside Chalet, and perhaps take a morning ride along the river! Later, take our transfer back to Livingstone Airport for your ongoing journey.
