Nestled in south-central Africa and channelling some of Nature’s unrivalled magnificence, lies one of the continent’s true gems: Northern Zambia. Cascading rivers, exquisite waterfalls and beautiful lakes dominate this remote, uncommercialised piece of our planet. It truly is a water wonderland!
This 2 700 km all-women, 13 night fundraising expedition starts and finishes in the capital, Lusaka. The route takes us through far-flung, traditional villages and national parks famed for their incredible game-viewing. Travelling with only five vehicles, our group will be led by one of Africa’s most experienced adventurers and humanitarians, Carla Geyser and her Blue Sky Expeditions crew, who will provide daily briefings on the regions visited and routes and roads to be undertaken. Now you are in Mama Africa’s territory, and you must march to her ancient drumbeats. So, be prepared for long, bumpy roads, amazing wildlife, breath-taking scenery and a lifetime of memories
Imagine the stories you will tell when you get home from an epic 13-night, 14-day eco-adventure in one of Africa’s most remote, mysterious, sacred and magnificent places!
Be part of an elite group of like-minded women who will journey 2 700km across Northern Zambia for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that includes yoga at majestic waterfalls, visiting wildlife sanctuaries and exploring off-the-beaten track eco-spaces.
Country: Zambia
Travel period: 31 May to 13 June 2020
13 nights/14 days
Fly in Lusaka International Airport, 31 May 2020.
Fly out: Lusaka International Airport, 13 June 2020
Group size: 6
T's and C's apply
Airport pick-up.
You will be whisked away to your hotel in Lusaka to meet the rest of the group.
Meals: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation: Stay Easy hotel or similar
Type: Room (Sharing)
We head out early on the Great North Road (T2), a major route linking Lusaka to Tanzania. We will stop for coffee & Cake at Fig Tree Café in Kabwe. Tonight, we are staying on Sarah Kingdom’s farm.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Local Farm
Type: Camping
It is a short drive this morning to Kasanka National Park, but we will stop at the Kasanka Conservation Centre on the way in and visit a school. Depending on time, we will do an afternoon game walk. Kasanka National Park is located in the Serenje District of Zambia's Central Province. At roughly 390 km2 (150 sq mi), Kasanka is one of Zambia's smallest national parks and the first to be managed by a private-public partnership.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luombwa Camp Lodge or Wasa Lodge
Type: Chalets and camping (Sharing)
Today we spend a day in the park. It is an early morning wake-up (5.30am), coffee & rusks, drive to tree hide to see sitatunga (a type of antelope), then go on a game drive before heading back to camp for brunch . Afternoon canoeing on the river and/or yoga beside the river.
Meals: Brunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luombwa Camp Lodge or Wasa Lodge
Type: Chalets and camping (Sharing)
Our final game drive and/or canoeing at Kasanka National Park. After breakfast, we head out for the town of Samfya. Afternoon yoga beside the pool overlooking the lake. The lodge bar is well located for sundowners and overlooks Lake Bangweulu. Bangweulu means ‘where the water meets the sky’ and you will find out that it is very aptly named! Indeed, when you look at the lake it is hard to tell where the water ends and the sky begins.
Meals: Brunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Chita Lodge
Type: Rooms (sharing)
Lunch at Ntumbachushi Falls, and short hike to see ancient rock paintings that date back 10 000 years. Ntumbachushi Falls are a series of pools flowing off the Ng’onga River in Luapula province. As with many bodies of water in Zambia, communities living in the area believe that the falls are sacred. In the case of Ntumbachushi, local chiefs bathe in the water to rid themselves of bad luck. We will be staying at Lumangwe Falls. Known as a smaller version of Victoria Falls, Lumangwe Falls can be found in the Northern Province off the main road from Kawambwa and Mporokoso, by the Kalungwishi river. For an impressive view of Lumangwe Falls, we will go down the steps in the small rainforest which is sustained by the water.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lumangwe Falls Camping
Type: Camping
As we are camping at Lumangwe Falls for another night, today we will explore and walk to Kabwelume Falls (5km) and then walk/drive to Chimpembe Falls (5km). The local myth surrounding the falls is that it was the residence of a “great snake spirit” of the same name that stretched itself to the neighbouring Kabwelume waterfall. Kabwelume Falls is made up of three cascading falls. At the base of the falls is a forested ravine with pre-historic rock art and rainbows in the spray. This place is sacred to the local people, filled with frogs that represent physical forms of snake spirits. No homes can be built here.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lumangwe Falls camping
Type: Camping
Today we head to Mbala and Mpulungu, the town on the southernmost tip of Lake Tanganyika. Here we board a small boat to our final destination. A tiny beach of beautiful white sand, swaying palm trees and three thatched bungalows, Luke’s Beach is a secluded paradise and an eco-lodge. Situated in Mishembe Bay, this sandy inlet is one of the last bays before the Tanzanian border and is one of the most relaxing places we have ever stayed in Zambia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luke’s Beach
Type: Chalets / Camping (Sharing)
A four-hour round-trip hike from Luke’s Beach brings us to Kalambo Falls, Africa’s second highest single-drop waterfall and the 12th highest in the world. With a 221m single drop into the gorge below, Kalambo Falls is twice the height of Victoria Falls. The climb from the lake is steep, but so rewarding, with spectacular views from the escarpment. From viewpoints near the top of the falls you can see the Kalambo River plummeting over the cliffs and into the deep gorge below, before winding its way 5km to Lake Tanganyika. The area around Kalambo Falls is considered an important archaeological site, with continuous human occupation spanning over 250,000 years. Kalambo Falls is on the list to be recognised as a protected World Heritage site. We should be back by lunch and can then enjoy a relaxing afternoon of swimming or yoga.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Luke’s Beach
Type: Chalets / Camping (Sharing)
Leaving Lake Tanganyika, we stop at Kasama for supplies, then on to Kapishya hot springs. Kapishya is a serene oasis with quiet and restorative hot springs that will leave rested and enriched thanks to the area’s natural beauty. Situated on the Estate of Shiwa Ng’andu (The Africa House) and along the banks of the Mansha River, these springs offer a welcomed rest on an adventurous journey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kapishya Hot springs
Type: Camping
Leaving Kapishya hot springs, we stop at Africa House for tea and a tour. A visit to Shiwa Ng’andu estate is a unique and fascinating step into history. The ancient structure and stunning estate transport guests of both ancient and colonial times. The estate combines this rich and varied history with a world-class private game reserve that is home to over 30 species of wildlife and over 200 species of birds. “In a remote corner of Africa stands a magnificent three story pink bricked mansion, with a tower in the centre, a red tiled roof, and a line of elegant arches supporting a first floor terrace from which a Union Jack fluttered… Part Tuscan Manor, part English Ancestral Home… Something one might find in Surrey or Hampshire belonging to a Duke or a Lord.” Christina Lamb, The Africa House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mutinondo wilderness
Type: Camping
We spend the day hiking to Mutinondo Falls, swimming, and morning/afternoon yoga. This is a remote and unspoiled wilderness unlike any other, privately-owned and run in an ecologically conscious manner to conserve the area for future Zambian and world generations. The area is snuggled amidst a cluster of spectacular inselbergs, and furnished with 70 kilometres of walking tracks and trails, and amazing biodiversity such as 1600 documented plant species, including 100 species of wild orchid, and diverse bird-life, including hard-to-find species such as the chestnut-headed flufftail.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mutinondo wilderness
Type: Camping
We lunch at Kundalila Falls and enjoy a short hike and swim. Named after the cooing of doves, Kundalila Falls is a stunning 70 metre (229 feet) high waterfall located just east of the Great North Road in a very scenic setting. The gossamer cascade of water maintains a garden of rich plant life around the falls. From the top of the waterfall, you can see the beautiful Luangwa Valley, and at the bottom you can swim in a crystal clear pool amongst an array of wild flowers.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Forest Inn
Type: Rooms (Sharing)
Early breakfast and then final drive to Lusaka International Airport for our final farewells. You depart with a lifetime of memories, new, meaningful connections with like-minded women from around the world, and of course, packed lunches from Forest Inn.
- • 13 nights and 14 days immersed in one of the most magnificent places on Earth
- • Adventuring in off-the-beaten-path places (that tourists do not know exist!) to experience some of Zambia’s staggeringly beautiful waterfalls, from the roaring Lumangwe to the picturesque Ntumbachushi, and Africa’s second highest waterfall, Kalambo Falls, that empties into Lake Tanganyika.
- • Exploring Lake Tanganyika, the source of pride to the people of Zambia and the world’s second oldest and second deepest freshwater lake.
- • Visiting the peaceful yet abundant sanctuary of Kasanka National Park.
- • Interacting with communities and school children to spread our eco-message.
- • Enjoying an exceptionally organised once-in-a-lifetime African experience where all logistical details are taken care of for you.
- • Raising funds for Kasanka Trust
- • Any flights & any necessary transfers to get to the start/finish of the expedition (Lusaka International Airport)
- • Gratuities (We recommend US$ 5 to 10 per guide or activity)
- • Any visas & border costs
- • Alcoholic drinks & snacks
- • Any personal expenses
- • Comprehensive travel insurance (*This is compulsory*)
- • Extra nights’ accommodation at Lusaka (pre/post expedition)