Leopard resting in the fork of a tree, looking at the camera

Self-drive from Lusaka · Zambia & Zimbabwe

Leopards of Zambia

African Dream 2027

The route Michael would pick for 2027: drive yourself from Lusaka to the Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools, facing each other across the river, then add South Luangwa by air if you like.

Plan this safari Best time to go

Map positions and the route line are approximate. The km figure is a road distance from park sources. The dotted line is the optional flight. Click a number to open the place in Google Maps.

The route

1 · Lower Zambezi, 4 nightsPick up your 4x4 in Lusaka. About 216 km, at least 5 hours, the last part on rough tracks.
2 · Mana Pools, 4 nightsDrive back to Chirundu, cross into Zimbabwe, check in at Marongora, then about 74 km of gravel into the park.
Back to LusakaReturn through Chirundu and hand back your car.
3 · South Luangwa, 4 nights (optional)Fly from Lusaka to Mfuwe, about 70 to 80 minutes, with 20 kg in soft bags, and fly back to Lusaka.

Nights are a suggestion. Every trip is planned around you.

Stop 1 · 4 nights

Lower Zambezi

This park covers about 4,092 km² of valley floor between a steep escarpment and the river, facing Mana Pools on the opposite bank. The river is the highlight. Canoe through quiet side channels past hippo and crocodile, watch elephants wade between islands, and fish for tiger fish. Game drives and guided walks explore winterthorn woodland, home to buffalo, waterbuck, lion, leopard and wild dog. Elephant herds here can reach about 100 animals, while fish eagles and bee-eaters work the banks. You won't see giraffe: the escarpment keeps them out. Expect few people, big trees and long, slow afternoons on the water.

Where to stay, cheapest first

Approximate prices only, for accommodation at this stop only.

From about US$45 per site to about US$1,890 per person per night

See more places to stay on the Zambia Tourism Lower Zambezi accommodation page.

Mvuu Lodge: campsite
Riverside pitches with hot showers, flush toilets and braai, about 18 km from the park. Bring your own gear.
CampingBudget
About US$45 per site
Game drives
Ask us
Mvuu Lodge: family tent
Tent with its own kitchen area and braai, sleeping up to six.
Self-cateringBudget
About US$440 per tent
Game drives
Ask us
Kiambi Safari Lodge
Relaxed riverside lodge outside the park, with chalets and tents. Self-catering is also available.
LodgeMid-level
About US$190
Game drives
Ask us
Mvuu Lodge: safari tents
Tents on raised decks over the river, opposite Mana Pools. Drives, boats and canoes.
LodgeMid-level
About US$540 per person, full board
Game drives
Ask us
Chongwe River Camp
Tented camp at the park boundary. Two activities a day are included.
Tented campLuxury
About US$900 per person, plus US$100 park fees
Game drives
Included
Chiawa Camp
Top-end tented camp inside the park. Meals, select drinks and activities are included.
Tented campLuxury
About US$1,890 per person, all inclusive
Game drives
Included

A family of elephants standing close together in dry grass

Stop 2 · 4 nights

Mana Pools

Mana Pools is one of Africa's great wilderness parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its pools are former channels of the Zambezi, and "mana" means four in Shona. In the dry months, large herds of elephant and buffalo gather on the floodplain, followed by zebra, waterbuck, lion and hyena. Leopard, cheetah and wild dog live here too, along with more than 450 bird species. What sets it apart is the freedom to explore on foot with a guide, among tall winterthorns, or by canoe on the river. With luck, you may see elephants rise on their hind legs to reach the pods.

Where to stay, cheapest first

Approximate prices only, for accommodation at this stop only.

From US$100 per site to about US$1,350 per person per night

Camping and self-catering here mean bringing your food, gear and fuel. There is no fuel in the park, so fill up before you cross from Zambia and carry enough for your game drives and the way back. More details are on the ZimParks Mana Pools page.

Nyamepi: standard site
30 sites by the park office, with hot showers and flush toilets. Up to 6 people per site.
CampingBudget
US$100 per site
Game drives
Your own car
ZimParks standard lodge
Two bedrooms and four beds on the river, with a kitchen and bedding. Older buildings.
Self-cateringBudget
US$130 per lodge
Game drives
Your own car
Exclusive campsite
Your own secluded site, with up to two vehicles and twelve people. Few or no facilities.
CampingBudget
US$200 per site, up to 6 people
Game drives
Your own car
Camp Mana
12 beds in walk-in tents on the Zambezi, with game drives, walks and canoeing.
Tented campMid-level
From US$676 per person, with meals and local drinks
Game drives
Ask us
Mana River Camp
Six tents in shady woodland overlooking the river. Open May to mid-November.
Tented campMid-level
About US$775 per person, all inclusive
Game drives
Included
Zambezi Expeditions
Six tents with bucket showers on the riverbank, plus a plunge pool.
Tented campMid-level
About US$780 per person, all inclusive
Game drives
Included
Ruckomechi Camp
Top-end camp on the river. Meals, select drinks and activities included.
Tented campLuxury
About US$1,350 per person, all inclusive
Game drives
Included

Two lion cubs lying in the sand, their mother asleep behind them

Optional add-on · 4 nights

South Luangwa

South Luangwa covers 9,050 km² of eastern Zambia and is the country's most celebrated park. It's famous for walking safaris on foot with a guide and for night drives, and the Nsefu Sector has recorded some of the highest leopard densities in southern Africa. Elephant, buffalo, hippo, puku and lion are easy to find along the river's oxbow lagoons. Look for Thornicroft's giraffe, Crawshay's zebra and Cookson's wildebeest, all largely limited to this valley. More than 400 bird species have been recorded, and carmine bee-eaters nest in large colonies from mid-August. It's the perfect, wild finale to this trip.

Where to stay, cheapest first

Approximate prices only, for accommodation at this stop only.

From about US$160 to about US$1,685 per person per night

Optional add-on by air. Budget prices here are older published rates, so we confirm them when you enquire. See more places to stay on the Zambia Tourism South Luangwa accommodation page.

Croc Valley Camp: campsite
Grassy pitches with power and water on the river, opposite the park. Package includes meals and activities.
CampingBudget
About US$160 per person, package
Game drives
Included
Wildlife Camp
Safari tents on the river, just outside the park. Package includes meals and activities.
Tented campMid-level
About US$220 per person, package
Game drives
Included
Flatdogs Camp
Tents, chalets and a tree house, closest to Mfuwe Gate, on the river.
LodgeMid-level
From about US$425 per person
Game drives
Ask us
Mfuwe Lodge
Well-known lodge inside the park, where elephants walk through the lobby in season.
LodgeMid-level
About US$660 per person, full board
Game drives
Ask us
Mchenja Camp
Tented camp in the north of the park. Meals, standard drinks and two activities a day are included.
Tented campLuxury
About US$1,140 per person, all inclusive, with park fees
Game drives
Included
Chinzombo
Top-end villas on the river. Meals, standard drinks and two activities a day are included.
LodgeLuxury
About US$1,685 per person, all inclusive, with park fees
Game drives
Included

What it costs

Approximate prices only. Your 4x4 is priced per car, for 4 people, with camping gear.

4x4 with camping gear, per carAbout US$215–300 a day

Two rooftop tents and gear for 4 people. For the 9 days of this route, about US$1,950–2,700 per car, or about US$490–675 per person.

8 nights: accommodation per personFrom US$145

Camping, 4 people sharing a site. Medium-budget lodges and camps are about US$4,450, luxury about US$12,950.

Optional South Luangwa, per personFrom about US$1,225

4 nights at a campsite package with the return flight of about US$584. Medium-budget stays with the flight are about US$2,325.

A guide only, not a quote. Car prices are published starting rates from Lusaka hire companies, and larger vehicles cost more. Fuel, food, deposit, cross-border surcharges, Zimbabwe border fees and park entry fees come on top. Accommodation prices come from published rates for 2023 to 2027, and mid-season means halfway between a lodge's low and high rates.

Best time to travel: July to September

August is the sweet spot. All three parks are dry, wildlife is drawn to the rivers, and the roads into both Zambezi parks are at their easiest. Carmine bee-eaters arrive in South Luangwa from mid-August.

Our month-by-month view for wildlife
Where	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Lower Zambezi	Closed	Closed	Closed	Fair	Fair	Good	Best	Best	Best	Best	Fair	Closed
Mana Pools	Closed	Closed	Closed	Fair	Good	Best	Best	Best	Best	Best	Good	Closed
South Luangwa	Poor	Poor	Fair	Fair	Good	Best	Best	Best	Best	Good	Fair	Poor

Lower Zambezi
From April to June the bush is thick and the grass long. From July it thins out and wildlife concentrates along the river. Most lodges and canoe operators close during the rains.
Mana Pools
June to October is the prime season, with almost no rain and animals drawn to the floodplain. October is the hottest, and after rain the park roads are effectively closed.
South Luangwa
June to August is the prime window: dry, cool mornings and thin bush. September and October are peak for wildlife, but hot and hazy.

Make it yours

Change the order, add nights, or swap a lodge for wild camping. Tell us who is coming and when.

Plan this safari All 2027 itineraries Back to the home page

Wildlife photos are from our own safaris and do not necessarily show these exact places. Lodge availability, access roads and border rules can change; we confirm everything before you book.