Escorted trip
Best of Zambia Explorer
Set out on an authentic African adventure with a Time + Tide safaris journey through two of Zambia’s most pristine and contrasting wildernesses: South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park. As a pioneer in conservation-based tourism, Time + Tide offers a deeply immersive experience, tracing the Luangwa River and its tributaries through the remote “Valley of the Leopard” (South Luangwa), and following the path to the mighty Zambezi River, where unique water-based activities like canoe safaris await.
This exceptional two-rivers safari showcases Zambia’s diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife – from South Luangwa’s high concentration of leopards and endemic species to Lower Zambezi’s vast elephant herds – promising a raw, wild, and uncrowded luxury escape rooted in a legacy of responsible tourism and unparalleled guiding expertise.
Accommodation
Experience TIME + TIDE Camps
Time+Tide Chongwe Camp
Sep 19 – 23, 2026
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Time+Tide Mchenja Camp
Sep 23 – 26, 2026
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Time+Tide Chongwe Camp
Safari Tent
Fully Inclusive (Selected Beverages)
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Time + Tide Chongwe Camp is our newly refurbished camp, with each safari tent set along the confluence of the Chongwe River which winds through the forested valley meeting with the mighty Zambezi River, creating a haven for wildlife and exceptional sightings.
Its eight classic tents are designed to make the most of what Mother Nature provided. Each has a panoramic view along the Chongwe River, a spacious open-air bathroom, a porch with comfortable lounge chairs and features local textiles and handcrafted furniture.
Every day our team serves up satisfying meals, your favourite drinks and big smiles in the relaxed main lounge. The wildlife hide is great for photography and for spotting rare nocturnal creatures.
The small number of camps in Lower Zambezi National Park keep it free from overcrowding. The area is best known for its impressive variety of safari activities – enjoy drives to walking safaris, or take to the rivers on a boat cruise or canoeing safari, or try your hand at tiger fishing.
Time+Tide Mchenja Camp
Safari Room
Fully Inclusive (Selected Beverages)
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Mchenja is the local name for ebony, and the camp is tucked into a shady ebony grove beside the Luangwa River in the heart of South Luangwa National Park.
Its five safari rooms (including a two-bedroom, two-bathroom family safari room) are pure, natural elegance with grass walls, soft cushions and light-as-air curtains. Each has a feather-top bed, large picture windows and open air en-suite bathroom with a bath looking out onto the river.
At breakfast, listen to a chorus of birdsong and laughing hippos. Between safari activities, relax in the refreshing pool overlooking the Luangwa river.
Pull yourself away from camp to track big cats through the bush with hushed voices and beating hearts. Night drives are always rewarding, with the bush revealing a different nocturnal surprise every time. At the right time of year, this is one of the best camps in the park for seeing carmine bee-eaters.
Travel Brief
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Itinerary Overview
A carefully curated safari through two of Zambia’s most celebrated wilderness areas: South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park. This escorted Time + Tide journey follows the lifeblood of Zambia’s ecosystems—the Luangwa and Zambezi rivers—offering an authentic and immersive safari experience.
Ideal for travelers seeking exceptional guiding, uncrowded parks, strong conservation values, and a balance of classic game viewing and river-based activities in some of Africa’s most pristine landscapes.
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Flights
International flights are arranged independently.
All internal transfers between safari regions are included as part of the itinerary.
Detailed flight information and luggage allowances will be provided prior to departure.
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Accommodations
You’ll stay at two of Time + Tide’s signature safari camps:
Time + Tide Mchenja Camp – Set along the Luangwa River in South Luangwa National Park, renowned for leopard sightings and rich wildlife diversity
4 Nights
Time + Tide Chongwe Camp – Located at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi rivers in Lower Zambezi National Park, offering a unique blend of land and water-based safari experiences
3 Nights
Day 1
Saturday · September 19, 2026
Time + Tide Chongwe Camp
- 8 classic safari tents with en-suite bathrooms
- Open-air showers
- Outdoor seating area with exceptional river views
- Double or twin configuration
- Overhead fans
- Generator power with British three-pin plugs in safari tents
- Main lodge – dining areas, lounge, bar, campfire, and pool
- Children of all ages welcome
- Wifi in tents
- No phone signal
Property Overview
Time + Tide Chongwe Camp has been newly refurbished, with each safari tent set along the confluence of the Chongwe River which winds through the forested valley meeting with the mighty Zambezi River, creating a haven for wildlife and exceptional sightings.
DAY 1 – Travel Overview
VIP Meet & Greet on arrival at Lusaka Airport - Airport Assistance
Welcome to Africa!
You will be met on arrival by a representative holding a sign with your name on it, escorted through customs, assisted with baggage, and taken to meet your private driver who will transfer you to your hotel for the night.
Flight from Lusaka to Lower Zambezi National Park
- 3:00 PM · Depart Lusaka (Kenneth Kaunda International Airport)
Proflight Zambia Flight P0 616
- 4:00 PM · Arrive Lower Zambezi National Park (Royal Zambezi Lodge Airstrip)
Transfer from Royal Airstrip to Chongwe Camp
- Depart Royal Airstrip
- Arrive Chongwe Camp
Check in at Time + Tide Chongwe Camp
- Safari Tent (Fully Inclusive (Selected Beverages))
- 4 Nights (1st night)
Welcome to Lower Zambezi National Park
Today you will arrive in Lower Zambezi National Park
Quick facts
Highlights
- Discover the diverse habitats of Lower Zambezi National Park
- Exceptional wildlife sightings, birdlife, and immersive safari experiences
- Wildlife photography opportunities
- Game drives & walking safaris
Land Activities
- Morning & afternoon game drives
- Walking safaris
- Wildlife hide bywaterhole
- Sleepout Under the Stars (supplementary charge)
Water Activities
- Canoeing safaris
- Boat cruises
- Fishing
Experience & Activities
The small number of camps in Lower Zambezi National Park keep it free from overcrowding. The area is best known for its impressive variety of safari activities – enjoy drives to walking safaris, or take to the rivers on a boat cruise or canoeing safari, or try your hand at tiger fishing.
Accommodations – Safari Tent
Time + Tide Chongwe Camp’s eight Safari Tents are charming, with local textiles and furniture which has been hand crafted, and everything has been beautifully thought out and blends in perfectly with the scenery. Each tent offers panoramic views along the river, so guests can sit on the private deck and watch as the wildlife visits the banks.
Area Overview
Welcome to Lower Zambezi National Park
Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4,092 km2 (1,580 mi2), with game concentrated on the valley floor. There is an escarpment along the northern end which acts as a physical barrier to most of the park’s resident wildlife, and enormous herds of elephant, some up to 100 strong, are often seen at the river’s edge. The riverine woodland includes ebony, fig, and Albida trees, whose seed pods are a huge attraction to the elephants and browsing animals. Further inland is a floodplain fringed with Mopane forest interspersed with winter thorns and huge Acacias.
The hills which form the backdrop to the park are covered in broadleaf woodland and on the opposite bank of the river lies Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools. Animals can be seen crossing from one side to the other.
Days 2-4
Sunday – Tuesday · September 20 – 22, 2026
DAYS 2-4 – Travel Overview
Time + Tide Chongwe Camp
Daily Activities
Overnight at Time + Tide Chongwe Camp
- Safari Tent (Fully Inclusive (Selected Beverages))
- 4 Nights (2nd, 3rd and 4th night)
Day 5
Wednesday · September 23, 2026
Accommodation
Time + Tide Mchenja
- 4 en-suite safari rooms
- 1 family room: two bed, two bath
- Soaking tub with river views
- Double or twin configuration
- Lounge
- Solar power
- British three pin plugs in main lounge
- 2.5 hour game drive transfer from Mfuwe Airport
- Minimum age 12 for walking activities
- No phone signal
- Wifi in rooms
Property Overview
Time + Tide Mchenja has five safari rooms (including a two-bedroom, two-bathroom family safari room) offering pure, natural elegance with grass walls, soft cushions, and light-as-air curtains. Each has a feather-top bed, large picture windows, and open air en-suite bathroom with a bath looking out onto the river.
Built around a bent ebony trunk, the main lounge has the feel of a spacious treehouse. At breakfast, listen to a chorus of birdsong and laughing hippos. Between safari activities, relax in the refreshing pool overlooking the river.
DAY 5 – Travel Overview
Check out from Time + Tide Chongwe Camp
Transfer from Chongwe Camp to Royal Airstrip
- Depart Chongwe Camp
- Arrive Royal Airstrip
Flight from Lower Zambezi National Park to Mfuwe
- 8:10 AM · Depart Lower Zambezi National Park (Royal Zambezi Lodge Airstrip)
Proflight Zambia Flight P0 620 - 10:05 AM · Arrive Mfuwe (Mfuwe Airport)
Transfer from Mfuwe Airport to Mchenja Camp
- Depart Mfuwe Airport
- Arrive Mchenja Camp
Check in at Time + Tide Mchenja
- Safari Room (Fully Inclusive (Selected Beverages))
- 3 Nights (1st Night)
Welcome to South Luangwa
Today you will arrive in South Luangwa
Quick facts
Highlights
- Gorgeous river setting in an ebony grove
- Luxury meets adventure
- Pool overlooking the river
- Excellent wildlife viewing
- Morning & afternoon game drives
- Walking safaris
- Optional Sleepout Under the Stars
- Wildlife photography
Experience & Activities
Home to the original walking safari, Time + Tide South Luangwa is the perfect destination for adventurous and active travellers. With an award-winning guiding team, guests can explore as they please, discovering the diverse tapestry of habitats of the South Luangwa.
Safari Activities
- Morning & afternoon game drives
- Walking safaris
- Sleepout Under the Stars (supplementary charge)
The game viewing around Time + Tide Mchenja is superb, with leopards and lions sometimes wandering through the ebony grove in search of prey. Night drives are usually very rewarding, with the bush revealing a different nocturnal surprise every time. Expect large herds of elephants and rivers packed with hippos and crocodiles.
TIME + TIDE WALKING SAFARIS
Immerse yourself in the unspoiled wilderness of the South Luangwa, discovering the diverse tapestry of habitats that make up this exceptional national park, from tranquil rivers to ancient forests and open pans. It is in the South Luangwa that the legendary Norman Carr pioneered the walking safari and conservation-based tourism in Africa. Zambia’s outstanding reputation of guiding is ever prevalent in the team, with some of the guides having trained with Norman himself.
Min age 12 years old
Walking Safari Information
- You dictate the pace, walk as much or as little as you please, with vehicle transfers available between camps as an alternative.
- You will always be accompanied by a guide and scout when walking, and your luggage will be transferred ahead of you.
- In addition to your morning walking safari, game drives are also available in the evening.
- Minimum age for waking is 12 years old, and at the Guide’s discretion.
Area Overview
Welcome to South Luangwa
Just a one hour flight from Lusaka, the South Luangwa is known for its big cat sightings and is often referred to as the Valley of the Leopard. It is in the South Luangwa that the legendary Norman Carr pioneered the walking safari and conservation-based tourism in Africa. Today, award-winning Zambian guides, some who were trained by Norman himself, offer guests a wonderfully immersive experience in one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
The guides offer guests a raw, authentic safari experience and don’t let the finer details in these vast spaces pass you by.
Accommodations – Safari Room
Each Safari Room is custom-made from grass and canvas and is stylishly decorated to blend in with the natural beauty of its setting. Each bedroom comes with either two twin feather-top beds or one double bed, a deep soaking bathtub right in the room with views to the beautiful wilderness outside, and enjoys its own private deck.
Days 6-7
Thursday – Friday · September 24 – 25, 2026
DAYS 6-7 – Travel Overview
South Luangwa
Daily Activities
Overnight at Time + Tide Mchenja
- Safari Room (Fully Inclusive (Selected Beverages))
- 2 Nights (2nd & 3rd night)
Day 8
Saturday · September 26, 2026
DAY 8 – Travel Overview
Check out from Time + Tide Mchenja
Transfer from Mchenja Camp to Mfuwe Airport
- Depart Mchenja Camp
- Arrive Mfuwe Airport
Flight from Mfuwe to Lusaka
- 12:20 PM · Depart Mfuwe (Mfuwe Airport)
Proflight Zambia Flight P0 805 - 1:30 PM · Arrive Lusaka (Kenneth Kaunda International Airport)
End of the Trip
Highlights
Top 5 Iconic Wildlife Encounters in Zambia
South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park offer some of Zambia’s most rewarding wildlife viewing, combining rich river ecosystems with remote, predator-rich landscapes.
These parks are especially renowned for walking safaris, exceptional predator sightings, and rare endemic species, making them a standout destination for travelers seeking an authentic and uncrowded African safari.
Leopard
South Luangwa is known as the “Valley of the Leopard,” offering some of the highest and most reliable leopard sightings in Africa, particularly along the Luangwa River.
African Elephant
Large herds of elephants are commonly seen in both parks, often gathering along riverbanks where they feed, bathe, and cross the water in spectacular numbers.
Lion
Both parks support strong lion populations, often seen resting near riverbanks or actively hunting in the early morning and evening hours.
Spotted Hyena
Hyenas are widespread and active in both parks, commonly heard at night and often seen trailing predator activity or scavenging near kill sites.
Carmine Bee-eater
Famous for their vivid red and turquoise plumage, carmine bee-eaters gather in spectacular flocks along the rivers of South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, where they nest in sandy riverbanks and create one of Zambia’s most striking wildlife spectacles.
8 Day (Escorted)
Zambia Explorer
This itinerary is a QUOTE only until secured with a payment. Please note that the quoted price is based on current exchange rate and subject to currency adjustment prior to receipt of final payment. Upon confirmation of services and with additional deposit, a guaranteed exchange rate is available. Please let us know if you would like more information. If you have questions or would like to make changes, obtain local knowledge, or book your vacation, please call or e-mail us.
- Trip Leader: Gary Nicoll
- Core Trip Dates: September 19 – 26, 2026
- 10 Spots
- Pre or post add-ons available
Our Travel Consultants will review your trip quote and let you know if there are better options, prices, or special deals available. Space and prices are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until receipt of your payment, and confirmation from Adventures Africa 1.800.755.1330. Adventures Africa strongly recommends trip insurance. If you would like to add trip insurance to your package, please contact your Travel Consultant for more details.
For more information on the Schedule of Benefits for our insurance program with our travel insurance provider; please check out the following link:
Costs
Total per person based on 10 guests in shared accommodation: $9,899
Notes:
Please note that some activities mentioned within the itinerary may incur additional costs unless noted below.
This cost includes:
- Full board accommodation
- Game-viewing activities
- National Park fees & conservation levies
- Drinks (except premium brands)
- All airport and inter-camp transfers
- Departure taxes and safety fees for all flights
- Adventures Africa Trip Leader
This cost does not include:
- Visa fees for entry to Zambia (these are no longer necessary for most nationalities)
- Premium brand drinks and champagne
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
Deposits/Payments:
An initial deposit of 35% per person is required at time of booking to secure your space.
The final balance is due by 90 days before departure.
Deposits for customized individual packages may be paid by Discover, Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, cash or check. Some restrictions may apply.
Please note that this proposal/quote is subject to payment and cancellation policy specified above and not the general payment and cancellation policy provided in our terms and conditions.
Cancellation Fees and Refunds:
The initial deposit is refundable less a cancellation fee of $250 per person plus any fees levied by our partners included in your itinerary. This can include lodging, safari, meals, flights, transfers, etc.)
The balance payment due 90 days prior to departure is non-refundable
Please review our full terms and conditions at
By submitting payment to Adventures Africa for this proposal/quote, you acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions as well as payment and cancellation policy specified above.
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