In May of 2023, I embarked on a remarkable solo Zambia safari. The trip was a familiarisation trip for Ahnasa to gain in depth knowledge of the destination. Over 16 unforgettable days, I explored the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Zambia. My adventure in Zambia began with a night in the vibrant city of Lusaka before venturing deep into the heart of Zambia’s renowned national parks.
My Zambia Safari kicked off in the South Luangwa National Park – home of the walking safari. Over eight days, I traversed the park from south to north. During my time, I visited ten distinct properties along the way and had the opportunity to stay at eight of them. From the luxurious Puku Ridge to the remote and charming Zungulila Camp, each accommodation offered a unique perspective of the park’s breathtaking landscapes, wildlife and experiences. Some of the highlights included:
Sitting on the banks of the Luangwa River enjoying my picnic breakfast. I sat there, watching a single crocodile on the opposite bank. The expanse of the environment and colours was breathtaking.
I was the first guest for the season to do a walking safari from Time + Tide Nsolo to Time + Tide Kakuli. I particularly loved having to take off my hiking shoes and walk barefoot across a small river – following the pug parks of a huge male lion.
Sitting in the shallows of the Kapamba River, watching the sun go down with a gin and tonic in hand and enjoying delicious biting has got to be one of my top sundowner experience!
The walking safari with Chikoko Trails to Big Lagoon Camp and seeing Wild dogs on foot is forever etched in my mind.
These are just a few of the incredible experiences that the South Luangwa offered me.
Next on my itinerary was the Lower Zambezi National Park. Once again, I traversed the entire park. I stayed at some incredible properties: Sausage Tree Camp, Anabezi, and Royal Zambezi. And I also had the opportunity to visit Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro.
There are so many incredible experiences I enjoyed, I couldn’t help falling in love with the Lower Zambezi.
Perhaps it was the elephant right outside my room at Sausage Tree.
Or perhaps it was during my first fishing trip that I caught a Tiger Fish – a 6lb one! But with that the drama that unfolded with the crocodile in the nearby water.
Or perhaps it was the interactions with the elephants during my canoe safari.
Or was it seeing a leopard in a Winter Thorn Tree – doesn’t it just sound magical!
As my adventure continued, I headed to Livingstone. Livingstone is home to the awe-inspiring Mosi-au-Tunya, better known as Victoria Falls. During my two-night stay at Tongabezi Lodge. The tranquility I felt, the personal experience that my butler offered made me feel right at home. Tongabezi supports the Tujatani School which is next door. It’s one of the experiences the lodge offers and one that I recommend for guests to visit. I had the opportunity to visit two other properties – Sindabezi Island Lodge and Mukwa River Lodge.
My experiences here focused on the Victoria falls. I did the Flight of the Angels – helicopter flight and microlite flights over the falls. These both were surreal experiences, providing an unparalleled perspective of this natural wonder. A tip: Opt for the medium Helicopter flight! It’s worth the view the falls from above, but then the thrill of flying into and through the gorges.
Unforgettable Safari Experiences and Guiding
Zambia’s reputation for exceptional guiding proved true. The knowledge and professionalism I experienced was incredible. The amount I learnt about ants, dung beetles and animal poop was incredible. And even more so, the education of the behaviour of wildlife that I’ve followed brought a whole different perspective to safari for me. Since I am based in Kenya, the water based activities added an extra layer of adventure. I fell in love with the fishing!
The Famous African Hospitality
Hospitality in Africa is second to none. Traveling as a solo lady, not once did I ever feel unsafe or lonely. I was taken care of like family. Guests visit Africa for the first time for the wildlife, and I feel they return for the people. I’m grateful to all the people I met along the way – from my guides, to the managers, to my personal butlers and all the staff. I was also lucky to share experiences with some lovely guests. Every person played a role in making me fall in love with the destination.
My solo trip to Zambia was more than a familiarisation trip; it was an immersion into the heart of Africa’s wild beauty. It’s a trip that had a huge impact on me -my professional and personal growth. Traveling solo gave me the opportunity to push my boundaries to try everything. Even more, due to the nature of my job – gaining first hand experience is imperative to making recommendations.
I can say, Zambia has become one of my favorite destinations. I am so excited to share my knowledge and experience to craft incredible itineraries. I would love nothing more than for everyone to fall in love with Zambia the way I have.
