Livingstone and the Kafue River in 6 days (5 nights)

6 days · Zambia · Livingstone → Lusaka · best 8, 9, 10

A river route that swaps the Lower Zambezi for the Kafue. Two nights near Livingstone open the trip with the falls and boat time on the upper Zambezi. The route then runs north into southern Kafue for three nights on a stretch of river broken by granite islands and side channels, worked by boat and canoe between drives and walks, in a part of the park that sees few vehicles. The trip ends with a transfer to Lusaka, and a charter flight covers the same leg for travellers who would rather not spend a day on the road.

The route, stop by stop

1. Livingstone, Zambia · 2 nights

Arrive by fly — Fly into Livingstone; the river lodges sit upstream of the falls

Two nights gives the falls and a pair of outings on the upper Zambezi before the trip moves inland, and it makes the arrival day useful rather than a write-off.

2. Kafue, Zambia · 3 nights

Arrive by drive — North from Livingstone into southern Kafue, by road or by charter flight

Three nights on the Kafue buys quiet water rather than famous water: boating and canoeing between boulder islands and side channels, fishing from the river lodges, and drives into a part of the park that sees very few vehicles.

Experts who can arrange this trip

• The Safari Vibe, who works in Zambia.

More trip ideas · Zambia