Eco-responsible safari in Zambia and beach time on Lake Malawi

VICTORIA FALLS
Under a shaded grove, seated at a table facing a jetty that leads to the legendary Zambezi River, this is where your journey begins.
Located twenty kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls, Tongabezi is a retreat quite unlike any other, in terms of views, comfort and luxury.
The eleven cottages vary in size and refinement. What unites them is a sense of tranquillity and privacy.
The Tongabezi staff are more than welcoming, greeting you by name from the moment you arrive, with the luxury of a butler who attends to your every need.

Once you have recharged, head to Victoria Falls for a magical experience or take advantage of the many activities offered from the lodge: sunset cruise aboard the electric dhow, white-water rafting, bungee jumping, microlight flight, helicopter flight, walking or 4×4 safari in Mosi-o-Tunya National Park, and much more.

And finally, Tongabezi offers a fine privilege to thrill-seekers: free access to Livingstone Island.
In the dry season, take a dip in Devil’s Pool or Angel’s Pool for an extra thrill, or watch a rainbow stretch across the open gorge.

BUSANGA PLAINS
A vast expanse of wetlands and savannah rich in biodiversity, the Busanga Plains inspire pure wonder from the moment you arrive by light aircraft.
Located in Kafue National Park in Zambia, these plains are flooded in the rainy season and transform into grasslands from June to November, drawing in a rich and varied wildlife (antelope, lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo) and a wide variety of birds.

Here, you will spend 2 nights in the “nests” of Chisa Busanga Camp, whose 4 accommodation units were designed to echo the weaver bird nests that decorate the trees at Busanga, blending seamlessly into nature while overlooking the plains.
Set on a small tree-lined island, the camp runs entirely on solar power, as does the electric safari vehicle.

In the morning, start by drifting quietly across the plains aboard the electric Land Cruiser and enjoy a breakfast prepared over hot coals. After a walking safari in the late afternoon, evenings end with stargazing and storytelling around a crackling campfire.

LOWER ZAMBEZI
A wild jewel along the majestic Zambezi River, Lower Zambezi National Park offers a safari experience that transcends the ordinary, set within magnificent landscapes.
On the riverbanks, breathtaking panoramas reveal a mosaic of wilderness, from majestic elephants to elusive lions and a myriad of colourful birds.
Navigate the calm waters of the Zambezi on boat safaris, where every bend of the shoreline reveals a living tableau of crocodiles gliding through still waters and hippos basking lazily in the sun.

Stay 3 nights at Sausage Tree Camp, which invites you to plunge into the heart of wild Africa.
Explore, marvel, and let yourself be carried away by the untamed vastness of Lower Zambezi National Park.

SOUTH LUANGWA
Then, for a true “feline fix”, head to South Luangwa National Park, the birthplace of the walking safari, standing in all its majesty where the Luangwa River unfolds.
Here, the roar of lions echoes across the land, while herds of elephants roam the plains, bringing the landscape to vibrant life.
The winding river shelters crocodiles gliding silently through its waters, and hippo families thrive in the calm pools.
At dawn, the sky lights up, and the first rays of light reveal scenes of nocturnal predators heading out to hunt.
Safaris here offer total immersion in the wilderness.

At Shawa Camp, whether aboard an electric 4×4, on foot or by boat, every moment reveals a new facet of South Luangwa’s dynamic ecosystem.
Located in the heart of the Lupande GMA, on the banks of the Luangwa River, the camp is ideally positioned to explore both the park and the southern Nsefu sector.
To welcome your dreams of Africa, 5 uniquely styled luxury safari tents overlook the Luangwa River.
The camp’s major advantage: the design of the tents, with their near-invisible mosquito netting, giving you the sensation of sleeping right in the heart of the bush.
A few thrills to look forward to!

LIKOMA ISLAND – LAKE MALAWI
After this week-long safari in Zambia, the magic continues on Likoma Island, for a few days of rest.
A flight will take you from South Luangwa (with a stop in Lilongwe for formalities) to Likoma Island, a small island lost in the vastness of Lake Malawi, where Kaya Mawa lodge perfectly embodies the concept of barefoot luxury.

Kaya Mawa means “Maybe tomorrow” — little more needs to be said about the sense of letting go that reigns supreme in this place steeped in gentle living.

As vast as a sea, Lake Malawi offers generous nature, with clear, temperate waters.
As for Likoma Island itself, its superb white sand beaches, lush vegetation and forests of baobabs and mango trees will leave you with lasting memories.
Many activities will fill your 4 days on the island: kayaking on the lake, boat excursions to explore deserted beaches, quad biking, scuba diving, waterskiing, windsurfing, and encounters with the local population.

Be sure to discover — and even get involved in — the lodge’s various projects, which work closely with the local population to develop healthcare, education and sustainable livelihoods on Likoma, as well as to protect the precious ecosystem of Lake Malawi.

Visit the Katundu workshop, a community initiative that empowers women through craft training and ethical employment. Thanks to their skills, the glass bottles used by Kaya Mawa’s guests are transformed into chandeliers and decorative pieces found in all the lodges you will have stayed at during your journey.

After these emotionally rich encounters, you will appreciate all the more the serenity brought by the lapping of waves on the shore.

Kaya Mawa is proof that paradise exists on Earth!