Zambia Malawi

By: Joleen Riley-Hawkins 

Fam trips usually mean busy schedules, early mornings, late nights, and lots of coffee — but in the end, it's all worth it.  There's nothing quite like discovering new places, gaining fresh perspectives, meeting great people, and experiencing the beauty of the African wilderness. 

This educational is unlike any other I have been on so far. I have been exploring different parks and visiting different camps with various operators but this time I was soley hosted by Green Safaris. Their Circuit gives travellers the chance to explore four of Zambia’s most popular parks, with convenient flight connections between each destination, before ending the journey with some well-deserved downtime and relaxation along the Malawian lakeshore.  The itinerary also works just as well in reverse, depending on international flight connections and how it fits with the rest of your travel plans. 

On this escapade, Sindabezi Island Lodge in Livingstone was the first stop.  A cozy little haven on a secluded island in the Zambezi River. The five-room camp is accessible by boat from the mainland – adding to the charm and exclusivity of this hidden gem.  If you're after an authentic bush camp feel, this is the place.  The open-fronted chalets and open-air bathrooms offer lovely views of the river, surrounding wilderness, and beautiful sunsets.  For travellers who enjoy the added comforts of a fully enclosed room, shower and bathtub, and in-room tea and coffee facilities, Tongabezi Lodge ticks the boxes.  It offers luxurious, uniquely designed cottages and houses with stunning views of the Zambezi River.  During my stay at Sindabezi Island Lodge and Tongabezi Lodge, I visited Mukuni Farm – an insightful excursion where I learned about the community’s involvement in managing the farm and growing fresh organic vegetables, which are key ingredients in the lodges’ delicious meals.  In addition, Tongabezi Lodge has an onsite herb and vegetable garden, providing guests an interactive farm-to-table experience where they can pick fresh produce that chefs prepare in the open kitchen located within the garden.  The final highlight of my time in Livingstone was a tour of Livingstone Island.  Seeing the Victoria Falls in full flow was spectacular, and taking a dip in the Rock Pool – truly living on the edge – was a thrilling and epic experience. 

Aboard a light aircraft, the next destination was Sausage Tree Camp in Lower Zambezi National Park.  About 1 hour and 45 minutes later, we landed at Jeki Airstrip, where a Sausage Tree Camp guide met us for a short 5-minute road transfer to the launch site, followed by a 20-minute boat ride to the camp.  We were pleasantly surprised by a water lunch – a wonderful barefoot dining experience with lunch served right in the Zambezi River.  We savoured delicious food while surrounded by the serene beauty of the river, with water around our legs and our toes in the sand of the riverbed.  Sausage Tree Camp is beautifully set on the edge of the Zambezi River.  This high-end camp is all about privacy – each spacious luxury tented suite has a private plunge pool and a large deck, perfect for private dining.  All activities are also privately guided, ensuring a personalised and exclusive experience.  I had the opportunity to do a site visit of Potato Bush Camp, the more down-to-earth sister. She is set on the same tranquil riverfront setting, offering comfortable tented rooms each with private plunge pools as well.  Activities here are offered on a shared basis, although private options can be arranged in advance at an additional cost.  The morning drive to Jeki Airstrip ended on a wonderful note – spotting a leopard with her kill in a tree near the airstrip, the perfect finale to our stay in Lower Zambezi. 

Next on the charts was Zambia’s largest and oldest national park – Kafue National Park.  The sheer size of the park creates a genuine sense of exclusivity – it is rare to encounter other vehicles during activities or at sightings, enhancing the feeling of true wilderness.  Chisa Busanga Camp is an intimate camp with four elevated bird’s nest-styled rooms with open fronts, providing unobstructed views of the vast expanse of the Busanga Plains.  The afternoon drive in the electric game viewer was absolutely amazing – taking in the sounds of the bush and listening to our guide, Newton, as he shared his knowledge while navigating the silent vehicle across the grassy plains.  Lions were abundant in the Busanga Plains, easily spotted majestically roaming the plains.  Just before wrapping up for sundowners, we came across a pride of about 14 lions.  On the morning drive, we spotted a different pride of lions intently watching a herd of lechwe not too far away, who also kept their eyes on the lions concealed in the grass.   

Chisa Busanga Camp pairs well with Ila Safari Lodge in Central Kafue, with easy access between them by a quick 20-minute flight.  Combined, these two camps allow travellers to experience and appreciate Kafue’s remarkable diversity – from the wilderness of the Busanga Plains to the tranquil riverbanks of Central Kafue.  Ila Safari Lodge’s luxury tented rooms are all situated along the river and face directly onto the water.  Each tent has a private deck – the perfect spot to relax and soak in the sights and sounds of the wilderness.  The afternoon was spent aboard the lodge’s electric boat – a serene, relaxed, and quiet experience as we watched the brilliant orange hues of the setting sun envelope the expanse of the bush and simultaneously shimmer off the river.  We had an engaging evening with the Zambian Carnivore Project team, who passionately shared their work protecting carnivores and involving the local community.   

Next, we flew from Chunga Airstrip to Mfuwe Airport via Lusaka, where we had a quick juice stop – fuel for the plane and coffee for us! We made it to South Luangwa National Park – the home of walking safaris and got settled into the quirky camp lovingly named after a bush legend. The unconventional design of the five elevated luxury tents at Shawa Luangwa Camp, allow for a 270-degree view of the surrounding wilderness.  During the day, tent sides are opened, then closed in the evening for comfort and safety.  The camp’s location provides convenient access for game drives within the park and the productive Nsefu sector, presenting great opportunities for game viewing.  The walking safari with Jacob Shawa on the morning of our departure was a remarkable experience.  He expertly guided us through the park’s nooks and crannies, sharing his knowledge of the flora, fauna, and animals along the way. 

Kaya Mawa was the final destination on this trip, and I was so looking forward to spending time at this little piece of paradise tucked away on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi.  Mfuwe Airport is the gateway from South Luangwa to Lake Malawi, with only one stop at Lilongwe Airport for immigration formalities and refuelling – making the connection to Likoma Island super convenient.  Each room at Kaya Mawa faces the beach, giving guests beautiful views of the lake and its waves, which sometimes crash against the rocks and add to the relaxing atmosphere at the lodge.  Among other activities, a visit to the Katundu Project is a must – at the workshop, guests get to see the creative flare of local women as they transform crushed glass, sand, and water into beautiful handmade products such as chandeliers, dream catchers, jewellery and lots more.  The final stop before bidding farewell to the island was the iconic St. Peter’s Cathedral. Since it was a Sunday, we were fortunate to join the islanders for the service. The magnificent cathedral beautifully reflects the deep spiritual and cultural life of the island community.  

Just like that, my journey with Green Safaris came to an end and I am now sitting at my desk reflecting on the whole circuit and what each camp has to offer. I hope to send many of you and your guests to these camps soon!