Itinerary – Zambia – Aug. 2016


Leopard. All photos copyright © Tom Bennigson/Open Heart Safari.Most days will include yoga and/or group sharing circles, and often brief meditation, in addition to the listed activities. Three meals a day are also provided.

A Year Later

Remembering our time in Zambia still reliably brings me to a more peaceful, grateful, grounded state.

—David M., 2012 (a year later)

Due to the unpredictable nature of travel in general and African travel in particular, all trip details are subject to change.

DAY 1:  Get picked up at Livingstone airport. Afternoon rest, group meeting and dinner. Overnight at Zig Zag B & B.

DAY 2:  Early morning walking tour of Victoria Falls (before crowds dominate the site). Possibility to book various afternoon activities at own expense. Dinner of exotic African game (if desired; exotic vegetarian offerings also available). Overnight at Zig Zag.

Fabulous Animals

No amount of National Geographic specials prepared me for the fabulous animals in great numbers who live in the harsh beautiful landscape of the bush.

—Sheila O., 2014

DAY 3: Drive to Zambezi River border crossing, cross on boat, short drive to Kasane, Botswana, arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon wildlife viewing from boat on Chobe River. Overnight at Old House.

DAY 4: Morning game drive in Chobe N. Park. Afternoon drive into park. Overnight at Chobe Bush Camp.

DAY 5: All day game drive. Overnight at Bush Camp.

Male impala.DAY 6: Return to Livingstone, fly to Lusaka. Overnight at Kilimanjaro Country Lodge.

DAY 7:  Volunteer in urban informal settlement with People’s Process on Housing and Poverty in Zambia and Zambia Homeless and Poor People’s Federation. Overnight at Kilimanjaro.

Continues to Unfold

A once-in-a-lifetime trip. This was not a vacation but an adventure and as an adventure it continues to unfold. … I see more and more what this trip meant to me. How I relate to my world has changed.

—Dove R., 2013

DAY 8:  Opportunities for morning souvenir shopping if desired. Fly to Mfuwe, Eastern Province. Visit Kawaza Village—participate in village life as guests, singing and dancing. Overnight at Kawaza Village.

DAY 9: Spend morning at Kawaza Village, meet with teacher and students at school, traditional healer, others. Transfer to Flatdogs Camp, by edge of S. Luangwa N. Park. Evening game drive in park. Overnight at Flatdogs Camp.

DAY 10: Morning game drive/walk, evening game drive. Overnight at Flatdogs.

DAY 11: Meet with Community Resource Board to learn about challenges facing community-led conservation. Overnight at Flatdogs.

DAY 12:  Morning game drive/walk & evening game drive, or all-day drive to remote sector of park. Overnight at Flatdogs.

Remote, Wild, and Exciting

The safari experience exceeded our lofty expectations. South Luangwa National Park is teeming with incredible animals.… Kafue is remote, wild, scenic and exciting.

—Steve H., 2012

DAY 13:  Fly back to Lusaka Airport to connect with departing flights.

Northern Extension

DAY 13: Charter flight to N. Luangwa N. Park. Afternoon/evening game drive or walk. Overnight at Buffalo Camp.

DAYS 14-15:  Morning and afternoon walks and drives in park. Overnight at Buffalo Camp.

DAY 16: Morning game walk or drive. Transfer to Mpika, Muchinga Province. Overnight at Bayama’s Lodge.

DAYS 17-19:  Volunteer as note-takers for small break-out groups and in other useful capacities at national planning summit for Zambia’s first community-led conservancy. Overnight at Bayama’s.

Elephants at sunset. All photos copyright © Tom Bennigson/Open Heart Safari.

A Magical Journey

I am forever grateful to Tom for so carefully putting together a journey that surpassed anything I could have imagined … a magical journey through a majestic land.

—Renee B., 2014

DAY 20: Further volunteering if needed, or excursion to Bangweulu Wetlands, if time permits.

DAY 21:  Transfer to Kasama, fly back to Lusaka Airport to connect with departing flights.