Victoria Falls, Kafue and South Luangwa in 8 days (7 nights)

8 days · Zambia · Livingstone → Lusaka · best 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Three separate corners of Zambia, each reached by a short flight rather than a long drive. The trip opens beside the Zambezi near Livingstone, close enough to walk the falls and get out on the water at dusk. A charter then crosses to the Busanga Plains in Kafue, a grassland corner with few vehicles and camps that open only once the floodwater drops. The last leg flies east into the Luangwa valley, which is where guided walking safaris began and where drives continue after dark. Two nights in each of the first two places, three at the end, so nothing feels rushed.

The route, stop by stop

1. Livingstone, Zambia · 2 nights

Arrive by fly — Into Livingstone's airport, then a road transfer to a lodge on the Zambezi upstream of the falls

Two nights covers the falls at a walking pace and a boat outing, and it puts the flying-heavy part of the trip after the jet lag rather than during it.

2. Kafue, Zambia · 2 nights

Arrive by fly — Charter flight from Livingstone to an airstrip on the Busanga Plains

The open floodplain is the whole reason to stop here, and two nights leaves a full day on it between the flight in and the flight out.

3. Luangwa, Zambia · 3 nights

Arrive by fly — Light aircraft east to Mfuwe, then a road transfer into the valley

The longest stay of the three, because this park earns a night drive, a morning on foot and a full day in a vehicle without doubling up.

Experts who can arrange this trip

• The Safari Vibe, who works in Zambia.

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