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FROM US$13,200-US$18,440

Puku Safari

Discover South Luangwa’s prolific wildlife before exploring the wildly remote pans of Liuwa Plain National Park and relaxing in one of the Livingstone area’s most romantic and exclusive hideaways. A safari of luxury, style and impressive diversity.

Puku Safari: Summary

Puku Safari in a nutshell

This unique safari encompasses three contrasting regions within Zambia, offering a spectacular diversity of topography, climate, game-viewing and activities.

The three lodges are impressively stylish, designed with unique characteristics and striking architecture that has helped pave the way for many safari lodges since. Set apart from the crowds, you can expect a very high level of care and service at South Luangwa’s Chinzombo, Liuwa Plain National Park’s King Lewanika Lodge and the Livingstone area’s Tongabezi: from total flexibility of activity choice to personal attendants, the experience feels exclusive and highly personalised throughout.

Beginning on an expansive curve of the Luangwa River, Chinzombo’s guests boat across the river to enter the park by the game-rich Mfufwe area. Wildlife viewing here is generally excellent and can be enjoyed on game drives and guided walks.

From South Luangwa’s fertile soils to the exceedingly remote and wild plains of Liuwa, you will leave patchwork vegetation for enormous grassy plains reminiscent of the sandy Kalahari. Here, birding can be spectacular, and whilst November through to April is typically the best time to visit for wildlife viewing and a wildebeest migration, there's also the possibility of walking and canoeing activities between January and April.

Tongebezi is set 18km upstream from the Victoria Falls and is one of the region's most romantic and exclusive hideaways. If it's be hard to peel yourself away from the riverfront views from all open-sided rooms, it's worth it for tours of the Falls, local village and market visits and game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

At a glance

Starts: Lusaka International Airport
4 nights Chinzombo - South Luangwa National Park, Zambia Full Board & Activities
4 nights King Lewanika Lodge - Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia Full Board & Activities
3 nights Tongabezi - Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Zambia Full Board & Activities
Ends: Livingstone International Airport

Chinzombo

Days 1-5

Opened in early June 2013, Chinzombo is located on an expansive curve of the Luangwa River, overlooking the South Luangwa National Park. Run by Norman Carr Safaris, probably Zambia's oldest photographic safari company, with a track record of running first-class safari camps, and designed by two of the safari industry's leading designer/architects, this camp is a 'first' for Zambia in terms of its sheer opulence and very clean, contemporary style.

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King Lewanika Lodge

Days 5-9

The extreme isolation and wilderness nature of Zambia's Liuwa Plain National Park have always been major factors in its appeal – but these features have also made the logistics of visiting very challenging. With the opening of King Lewanika Lodge in the heart of the Liuwa Plains, the park's first permanent safari camp, this situation has changed.

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Tongabezi

Days 9-12

Set on the steep banks of the Zambezi River, about 18km upstream from the Victoria Falls, Tongabezi has long been one of the region's most romantic – and exclusive – hideaways. It was founded in 1990, many years before most of Africa’s safari lodges, and from the beginning it has been a trend-setter in lodge design. It’s still owned and run by one of its original founders, and has continually re-invented itself over the years.

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Chinzombo

Chinzombo

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

King Lewanika Lodge

King Lewanika Lodge

Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia

Tongabezi

Tongabezi

Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Zambia

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Puku Safari.

  • Seeking Thornicroft’s giraffe during a bush walk
  • The flexibility of choosing your activities at Chinzombo
  • Liuwa's impressive birdlife and wildebeest migration
  • Soaking in panoramic views across Liuwa Plains
  • Exploring the Victoria Falls on a tour from Tongabezi

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Puku Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

  • Canoeing

  • Cultural excursion

  • Elephant encounter

  • Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

  • Helicopter

  • Kayaking

  • Microlight

  • Night drive

  • White-water rafting

About image

Key species to see on the Puku Safari

Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Puku Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.


Lion

100% chance

Leopard

100% chance

Cheetah

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Giraffe

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

Spotted Hyena

100% chance

Wildebeest

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Wild dog

60% chance

Buffalo

60% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Eland

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Roan antelope

0% chance

Sable antelope

0% chance

Sitatunga

0% chance

White Rhino

0% chance

Side-trips whilst on this trip

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Puku Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.


Tribal Textiles Tour

Tribal Textiles Tour

One - two hours

Visit the Tribal Textiles workshop, where hand-painted textiles are produced by more than a hundred local people. The workshop is close to Mfuwe Airport, so is ideally placed for a stop en route to/from the South Luangwa. With products ranging from cushion covers to bags and T-shirts, it's a great place for souvenir shopping while at the same time supporting the local community.

More about Tribal Textiles Tour
Rhino Walk

Rhino Walk

Around four hours - mornings only

Spend an unforgettable morning on a walking safari tracking Mosi-oa-Tunya’s small population of white rhino, with a strong chance of being able to approach these endangered creatures on foot.

More about Rhino Walk
93% (3 reviews)
The Elephant Café

The Elephant Café

Approximately four hours

Visiting The Elephant Café is a great combination of a magical elephant encounter and fine dining. Spend time getting to know the elephants, some of them rescued from the wild many years ago, and others born into the herd. Then sit down and enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the Zambezi.

More about The Elephant Café
80% (2 reviews)
Chobe Day Trip

Chobe Day Trip

Full day - typically around 11 hours

For a top safari experience while visiting the Victoria Falls, don’t miss a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park. Easily reachable from Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Chobe boasts some of the best wildlife densities in southern Africa, with exceptional numbers of elephant drawn by the permanent waters of the Chobe River.

More about Chobe Day Trip
Microlight Flight

Microlight Flight

15 or 30 minutes

For pure exhilaration, it's hard to find something better than flying in a microlight, swooping through the spray that crashes up and off the Victoria Falls, with rainbows shimmering below. If you don't like heights, then this isn't for you! For those looking for a different way to see the Falls, the microlight flights offer a stunning birds eye view of this spectacular natural wonder.

More about Microlight Flight
100% (1 reviews)
Kawaza Village Visit

Kawaza Village Visit

Two to three hours

Just outside Zambia's South Luangwa National Park lies a normal, working rural African village which is open and welcoming to visitors to the Luangwa valley. There is nothing artificial or contrived about Kawaza Village, and it offers a rare opportunity to experience and appreciate Kunda culture, and meet local Zambians.

More about Kawaza Village Visit
100% (1 reviews)
Livingstone Island & Devil's Pool

Livingstone Island & Devil's Pool

Three hours

Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, and a huge attraction for many visitors to southern Africa. We're often asked if the waterfall is best viewed from the Zambian or Zimbabwean side, but we think the best way to experience the full majesty of the falls is from the middle with a visit to Livingstone Island.

More about Livingstone Island
95% (8 reviews)
Fishing on the Zambezi River

Fishing on the Zambezi River

Three hours or Seven hours

Many people head to Livingstone not just to see the Victoria Falls, but also to relax after an international flight or a busy safari, and a perfect way to do this is with a fishing trip on the calmer sections of the Zambezi River above the falls, drifting with the current, casting your line, and keeping an eye out for wildlife on the banks.

More about Fishing
80% (1 reviews)
Helicopter Flight - Zambia

Helicopter Flight - Zambia

12 or 25 minute flights

Witnessing the power of the Victoria Falls from the ground is a stunning sight, but to see the world’s largest waterfall from the air is a very different experience! A helicopter flight over the Falls is truly incredible, and a worthy addition to your time in Livingstone.

More about Helicopter Flight
100% (7 reviews)
Royal Livingstone Express

Royal Livingstone Express

Four hours approx.

The Royal Livingstone Express is a lovingly restored steam train. Guests steam along the original Rhodesian railway line onto the stunning Victoria Falls Bridge. From here guests can marvel at the falls and the Batoka Gorge before enjoying 5-courses of fine dining.

More about Royal Livingstone Express
87% (3 reviews)
Historical Bridge Tour

Historical Bridge Tour

Two hours - AM & PM departures

A feat of engineering the Victoria Falls Bridge was built in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes' vision to link the Cape to Cairo. With an expert guide and the appropriate safety equipment you'll not only discover the wonders of this Victorian marvel but also gain a unique perspective of the Victoria Falls themselves.

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Guided tour of Victoria Falls

Guided tour of Victoria Falls

Two hours - AM & PM departures

One of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the mighty Victoria Falls has to be seen to be believed. Why not take an expertly guided trip to learn about the history, geology, flora and fauna of one of Africa's most spectacular sites?

More about Tour of the Falls
100% (4 reviews)

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