Day 1  Lusaka – Royal   Proflight Zambia 1400/1500 via Jeki

On arrival at Royal airstrip you will be met by a guide from Baines River Camp who will transfer

you to camp.

Day 1-5 BAINES’ RIVER CAMP – 4 nights

Baines River Camp has been designed and built with comfort and enjoyment of your surroundings in mind! The 9 suites are elegantly furnished and are very spacious with walk in showers, separate dressing areas and king or twin beds. Each suite also has air-conditioning and ceiling fans. The main lodge has an old-fashioned slightly Colonial feel with fireplaces as well as open verandahs where you can enjoy their wonderful views of the Zambezi river. 

Positioned  within the Chiawa Game Management Area, right next to the Lower Zambezi National Park, Baines’ River Camp offers an expansive playground spanning over 5,500 square kilometres. Here, sweeping vistas of the Zambezi River unfold, extending all the way to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mana Pools in neighbouring Zimbabwe. The focus here is on the river and boat safaris along it, with fishing, canoeing and then game drives are taken in the national park following a 45 minute boat trip to the entry point. Safari walks are also possible along with a visit to the Conservation Lower Zambezi offices. The lodge loves to organise extra surprise activities for guests including drinks or meals in especially scenic places, beach boules on a sand island in the middle of the river, or a gin tasting perhaps, sampling some of the delicious new gins being created in Africa now.  

The Lower Zambezi is renowned for its stunning landscapes, which include lush floodplains, dense woodlands, and the majestic Zambezi River. As you explore the park, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking scenery and the tranquility of the wilderness. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, lions, leopards, and numerous bird species. Game drives offer excellent opportunities to spot these animals in their natural habitat, often in close proximity. The Zambezi River plays a crucial role in the park's ecosystem, providing a vital water source for wildlife and supporting a diverse range of habitats. Game drives along the river allow you to observe animals drinking, swimming, and interacting with their environment.

Day 5 You will be transferred back to Royal Airstrip for your onward flight to Mfuwe

Royal – Mfuwe (via Lusaka in low season M, W, F, Su only) Proflight Zambia

Royal – Mfuwe (direct from 02 June Tu, Th & Sun only) Proflight Zambia

You will be met at Mfuwe airport by one of our safari guides and transferred to camp (+/- 30 minutes).

Day 5-9 FLATDOGS CAMP – 4 nights

The luxury ensuite safari tents offer you a back to nature taste of the wild, with large windows all around the tent so you can see and hear the animals feeding in camp as well as the hippopotamus honking to each other in the river in front of you! The tents are spacious with a king bed or two single beds, large mosquito net, electric lights, stand up fan and plug sockets for re-charging batteries (UK style plug sockets). There is also a room safe and tea and coffee-making facilities. The luxury tents have semi-open air en-suite bathrooms with solar heated hot shower, WC and basin.

Depending on your time of arrival, you will either arrive in camp in time for dinner, or you can settle into camp and have some lunch, before meeting in the courtyard for tea at 3.30pm. There you will meet the guide who will be taking you on your safaris and first adventures in the Park! You will usually head off into the park at 4pm, to start exploring this magnificent wilderness. Guides take huge pride in their work, being able to identify numerous alarm calls and to track animals and try to anticipate their next move so as to position you for the best sightings.

As the sun starts to dip towards the horizon, your guide will find a good spot to stop so you can stretch your legs and watch the sun set with a cold drink in hand… Then, once it’s nearly dark, you will carry on game-viewing with a spotlight, searching for some of the interesting nocturnal residents, like the leopard, lion, porcupine, civet, genet, owls and hyaena. You will return to camp at around 20h00 in time for dinner and to relive your sightings!

It’s an early start in the mornings; and before you go is an early breakfast of toast and cereal, tea and coffee from 5.30am before you head out at 6.00am on a morning game drive, further exploring the park, taking the sightings as they come, with your guide detailing all you are seeing and adding interesting observations drawn from his years of experience in the Park. You will head back to camp at around 10.00am, in time for breakfast or a brunch/lunch type meal – whichever you would prefer is fine in their a la carte restaurant. Then there is time to relax during the heat of the day, enjoying a dip in the pool perhaps or a siesta after your early start? 

If you are interested in visiting any conservation or artisanal projects in the area, they are close enough to Mfuwe to do this in between your safaris. It is also worth a visit into town to see the Conservation South Luangwa base, Project Luangwa and some of the other projects you support by staying with Flatdogs.If you would like to visit Tribal Textiles and their artisan’s market, or the Mulberry Mongoose jewellery workshop, they can organize taxis to take you there too.

Day 9 Transfer back to Mfuwe airport for your flight back to Lusaka.

Mfuwe to Lusaka  Proflight Zambia

1220/1330 or 1815/1925

This trip includes; accommodation, all meals, local drinks, twice daily safari activities including game drives, safari walks, canoeing, boat cruises, fishing (catch & release) and cultural visits, internal road transfers from Royal Airstrip,  SES, wifi, VAT, tourism levies & laundry.