Zambia Luxury Safari Adventure
Zambia is the perfect escape for those seeking a high-end luxury safari, an unforgettable journey to share with loved ones.
2020 served as a stark reminder of life's impermanence. It forced us to ask ourselves: What experiences would leave us with no regrets if our time came to an end? Who would we share them with?
A yearning grew for wild spaces, for the untamed beauty of nature, and for experiences to share as a family. Zambia emerged as our answer.
Here, amidst pristine wilderness and awe-inspiring beauty, we embarked on a luxurious safari unlike any other. It wasn't just about relaxation, though the luxurious camps provided a welcome respite. It was about the thrill of exploration, the joy of being present in the moment, and the transformative power of reconnecting with the wild.
unforgettable zambia: luxury meets adventure in a hidden gem
Zambia is an absolute dream come true, a place where adventure seamlessly blends with relaxation. This hidden gem of Africa offered not just pristine wilderness but a transformative experience.
Sun-kissed mornings and moonlit nights were filled with awe-inspiring game drives. Imagine vast landscapes untouched by crowds, majestic wildlife encounters, and luxurious camps where you can unwind surrounded by breathtaking beauty.
As the afternoons unfolded, we often anticipated for the next picturesque location to enjoy our sundowner, all while basking in the vibrant oranges and reds that painted the African sky. Evenings brought the warmth of campfires and hurricane lanterns, where we'd share stories under a Milky Way so bright it illuminated our path back to our suites.
Zambia: Unveiling Africa’s Hidden Gem
We’re sharing highlights of our personal experiences to inspire your future travels, and what we hope one day includes Zambia.
Getting There
We land in Lusaka and from there take charter planes into South Luangwa, Liuwa Plain and the Lower Zambezi—three vast areas of pristine wilderness. Each national park offered unique landscapes and wildlife experiences, making Zambia a truly diverse safari destination.
The opportunity to explore these areas and see the wildlife without sharing the experience with an overabundance of people is a privilege that’s hard to find these days. Precisely what we want.
Our Welcome to the Camps
luxurious camps & impeccable service
Upon arrival at each camp, we’re greeted with warm hospitality and welcome drinks before being swept off to our villa to refresh after the long journey. We find the camp grounds to be absolutely exquisite! Each camp has all the amenities you could ever desire. And the service is exceptional. It’s easy to envision couples and families unwinding here and enjoying the quiet space after a full day of activities.
You can read about each of the Time + Time camps we stayed in here.
South Luangwa: Our First Adventure
On a morning game drive, we see a bull elephant at a distance. Eventually the bull walks in our direction and crosses in front of us. He's seemingly calm but then loudly trumpets while flapping his ears, doubling his size, and promptly charges towards us! Our guide, Friday, knows what to do. He expertly navigates the situation until the bull backs away.
What a thrill!
Little did we know this sight was just one of innumerable, unforgettable memories. Each day’s outings brought new and different paw prints, rare sightings, and lessons about the order and balance of nature. Amidst the necessity of survival, there is also simplicity to life here: eat to live, rest to recover.
So much to experience…
Giraffes slowly reach for leaves in the clear morning sun. Two adolescent impalas fight in preparation to defend themselves and their pack. A herd of bachelor impalas try to separate them but they’re relentless. Zebras, impalas, baboons, birds, and even a huge hippo share a vast field. A leopard eats her small prey through the half-light of sunset; her paws silent as they pad across the ground in search of a place to settle in for the evening. Each an impression in time; a brief glimpse into the lives of the animals of the Luangwa Valley.
heart of the bush: a walking safari adventure
A genuine bush experience unfolds as we walk single file, staying close together. This vulnerability, a stark contrast to the presumed safety of the Land Rover, offers a unique perspective. The closeness to the wilderness heightens our awareness. We are no longer just visitors; we are part of this amazing place.
Led by Friday, our expert guide, and Gilbert, the ever-watchful scout, we felt completely safe, and deeply connected to the delicate balance between humans and wildlife.
Liuwa Plain: A More Intimate Experience
The vast savannah of Liuwa Plain has been protected for more than 100 years. Staying at the only lodge on the plain, we practically had the ENTIRE park to ourselves!
Wow! UNbelievable!
Our evening game drive, meant to only be a short introduction, turns into an incredible sight that even surprises our guide. Brian deftly reads the rhythms of the land and the animals. Thousands of wildebeest and zebras are all spread out. He knows that something is not right.
Afar he sees vultures flying above a tree, which confirms that something is going on. We head in that direction and find two lions. As we watch, Brian explains that they’re young males and at that age they’re normally not alone. He continues to drive toward a field of beautiful, long, yellow grass.
First, a lone cub emerges from the tall grass, followed cautiously by its mother. Then, another majestic figure appears–a big male lion, his dark mane a stark contrast to the golden plains. Brian says, “the father is even larger.” We are stunned!
The colors in the sky change, and it’s time for sundowners. As we partake in perfectly made gin and tonics, we are in awe of deep reds and oranges that fill the sky above its golden grasslands. THIS is what you think of Africa; what you see on National Geographic. All seems perfectly timed. We joked with Brian and tell him he was showing off and set the bar really high for the rest of the days.
Our first day has not yet ended, and we already feel and understand why this heavenly place is one of Africa’s best-kept secrets.
Hyenas! No laughing matter…
It’s early morning and we’re already on a game drive. We fast approach a large pride of hyenas; some bathing and others eating the last of their wildebeest prey. The pride curiously approaches our vehicle and surrounds us. They’re big and clean, with coats best described as “fluffy” and absolutely beautiful — not at all what we were expecting.
But we can’t let their unexpectedly charming looks deceive us. With few lions in the region, the hyenas (in clans of 50 and more) have taken over as a primary predator.
We continue our drive and watch a flock of cranes swirl over a sea of wildflowers in the clear morning sun. Only to be outdone by the second-largest migration of wildebeest and thousands of zebra. A humbling experience, to say the least.
A Wild Interruption: Cheetah Encounter
Our last day at the wildlife safari camp promised pure relaxation. My daughter chats with the woman braiding her hair, while Jose and I savor our tea and cake, enjoying the tranquil scene. Suddenly, Brian, our ever-reliable guide, saunters over, a sly grin on his face. "Just thought I'd let you know," he says casually, "cheetahs were spotted not too far from here. Of course, I wouldn't want to interrupt your relaxation..."
Before he could finish, I practically shout, "Let's go see those cheetahs!" We grab our binoculars and race out of the camp, excitement buzzing in the air.
The scene before us was magnificent. A mother cheetah feasting on a wildebeest carcass. Circling around were about 30 enormous vultures, their hungry eyes fixed on the scraps. (Ah, the hierarchy of nature on display!) The playful cub, however, seemed more interested in entertainment. It would dart towards the vultures in bursts of energy, sending them scattering with squawks.
When the cub finally tires of the game, the vultures swoop in and their beaks tear into the remains.
We continue to follow the cheetahs, watching as they sunbathe in the warm glow and groom each other, licking the blood away from their recent meal. Witnessing this entire process is an incredible experience.
Liuwa Plain, with its hidden wonders and unexpected encounters, left an indelible mark on our hearts, proving itself to be a true gem of Africa.
Lower Zambezi: The Adventure Continues
Elephants are everywhere
And visit the Chongwe House every day.
On a morning drive, Bright (our guide) takes us to a beautiful riverbed where we stop for a mid-morning tea break. We see several elephants just a few feet away from us! Soon families of elephants appear. Bright tells us they’ve come down from the mountain. We keep our voices down, so they know that we’re not a threat.
Led by a wise matriarch, the families cautiously approach the water to quench their thirst, cool themselves, then cross to the other side. The baby uses its trunk as a snorkel. Standing in the company of large breeding herds of elephants swimming trunk-to-tail across Zambezi’s riverbeds, generates a beautiful feeling of calm in all of us, best described as enchanted serenity.
Thrills on the water
It’s time to explore by water. Viewing the game by canoe and boat gives us the least intrusive way to get close to the abundant wildlife that inhabits the Zambezi’s banks and reed islands. We love it!
exploring by canoe
Exploring the park by canoe is simply one of our most exciting and thrilling experiences. The adrenaline rush of paddling alongside hippos and basking crocodiles—we didn’t think we’d get this close! Hippos quickly submerge into the river when our paddle strikes the water’s calm surface. We must quickly pass them diagonally because hippos may head in our direction underwater. Sure enough, when we turn our heads, the hippo we just passed pops its head out exactly where we just were. As we continue to paddle, we see many bird species and are dazzled by the colorful dance of large colonies of Carmine Bee-eaters as they flutter in the high banks.
Suddenly, a startled cry from our daughter shatters the tranquility. She waves her arms frantically, causing the canoe to wobble precariously. "I have something on me!" she exclaims, panic rising in her voice. Visions of a capsized canoe dance in my head. I beg her to stay still. Thankfully, our guide Bright remains a pillar of calm and his steady voice reassures her of her safety. Expertly maneuvering the canoe to shore, we jump out. Bright investigates the canoe, searching for the source of her terror.
The culprit? A black cricket. Of course, in our daughter's recollection, it was a HUGE beast! Now looking back, it's a hilarious anecdote and cherished memory.
sunset boat cruise
Sunset is upon us now we’re ready for an unforgettable sunset boat cruise. We spot massive crocodiles sunning themselves like tree-logs on the sandbanks; elephants crossing the mile-wide river; hippos everywhere. The highlight is our sighting of vast herds of buffalo grazing in the reeds on an island in the middle of the river. We finally turn the boat around to head back home, and see brilliant oranges, purples and pinks filling the sky – a truly magical experience.
The music of the night
Nights in the Lower Zambezi are unique because of its valleys. Lions’ loud roars vibrate through our bodies. Hyenas’ howls give us goosebumps, Hippos’ grunts enter our consciousness. It feels like every animal sound is echoing through the valley. One can’t help but feel submerged in nature; one heart within the whole.
Luxury. Adventure. Awe.
Unforgettable experiences & luxurious comfort
Our Zambia adventure wasn't just about the wildlife encounters. Time + Tide camps elevated our experience with luxurious touches. Each camp boasted stunning settings, impeccable service, and all the amenities you could desire.
All throughout our trip, there was always a big slice of adventure. Yes, luxury was everywhere, but it was effortlessly met with ease and the feeling that anything was possible. Lunch by the banks of the Zambezi River after a morning game drive, only to be whisked back to camp on a scenic boat cruise? Why not? Canoeing alongside hippos and crocodiles? Sure. Enjoying a sundowner with breathtaking views as you recount the day's sightings? Of course!
Experience the Magic of Zambia
We invite you to experience the wild beauty of Zambia firsthand. We can help you design the perfect African adventure. Contact us today and let us turn your Zambia safari dreams into reality.
After our firsthand experience, we highly recommend Time+Tide.
Watch our Zambia Luxury Safari Videos for Inspiration
SOUTH LUANGWA
LIUWA PLAIN
LOWER ZAMBEZI
