Zambia Honeymoon: Safari, Victoria Falls & Zambezi River

A lion's roar, a hippo's wheeze-honk, then the early morning drumming of ground hornbill may soundtrack your morning with telltale signs of nature. Today, you will explore the surrounding area as you immerse yourself in this unforgettable animal world on thrilling game drives. It's impossible not to get excited by the thought of what awaits you in a world-famous national park. But few people can predict the raw feeling of being on safari and coming face to face with a lion pride or elephant herd. In this pristine wilderness, there is nothing but you and them to break the silence. En route, you may be lucky to see Giraffes standing proud just meters from the safari truck, slowly judging you and then feeding from a tree branch. At first glance, you might just see grassy savanna. But look carefully and you may find a leopard reveals itself, then it accelerates into a clearing, chasing a young zebra. As you tuck into dinner, thinking the day is over, an elephant bull might slowly cross the river, its unmistakable shape even more impressive in the dusk light.

Continuing your South Luangwa adventure, you'll head to a new camp in the Nsefu Sector. Amazing views over the river continue, as do the exhilarating encounters with nature. South Luangwa is famed for its giant herds, and it's an inspiring sight to come face to face with elephant herds several hundred strong. Great numbers of buffalo cover the grass, dominant males on the outside of the herd, their monumental horns used to ward off predators. Young hippos throw their weight around, testing their strength as they look to move up the pod's hierarchy. Your safari camp offers day and night drives as well as a wonderful place to relax in the midst of nature.

South Luangwa is regularly regarded as the best place in the world for walking safaris. Much of the park has no vehicle trails and the only way to explore it is on two legs. You'll set off from camp, following well-worn trails with your experienced guide. On a walking safari, much of South Luangwa's wildlife can be spotted. But each animal sighting has an added intimacy when you're on foot. Everything seems bigger, whether it's the bull elephants or the zebra herds. Nothing but footsteps break the silence until you round a corner and find a pair of buffalo locking horns. You'll walk through true wilderness to your next camp, an organic haven where cars and cell phones have no place.

Each day you'll walk for around three to four hours. This is usually in the morning when temperatures are best for walking. The terrain is mostly flat and firm and this hiking is suitable for anyone who can manage a day's walking at home. All of your luggage and supplies are portered into the camps so you only have to carry a camera and a water bottle. Many people incorrectly assume that it isn't safe to be on foot, especially given that wildlife is roaming within very close proximity. Experienced local guides use their intimate knowledge of the environment to keep you safe and close to the action. Footprints are obvious signs of wildlife nearby, as are fresh animal droppings, but your guides pick up on every clue. For example, an upturned stone or half-picked fruit tree indicates recent activity on the trail. An armed National Park scout also accompanies you in case of emergency. When encountering larger animals, the scout will recognize any danger signs and can act accordingly. This is a rare occurrence.

You'll go even deeper into the African bush today, following animal footpaths to another campsite (there are no prizes for guessing that Nile crocodiles provide ample photo opportunities). Each camp harmoniously blends into the environment, offering maximum comfort but also sustainable ecotourism in the bush. Throughout these days, the wandering soundtrack of the African bush will never stop, offering an inimitable accompaniment to everything you see. There's an encompassing feeling of liberation as you continue this authentic bush experience. After all, these are the same trails that David Livingstone first took all those years ago.

During your stay in South Luangwa, you can also enjoy a wealth of activities that will allow you to view South Luangwa from a different angle. Cycling trails can take you through the woodlands. Giraffes and zebra seem much bigger when you eye them from ground level. You'll have the chance to visit both a rural village and the camp's community project, and an opportunity to learn more about the communities that surround South Luangwa. This extra touch to your romantic endeavors in South Luangwa provides cultural context to the national park's natural beauty and the traditions that underpin the landscapes and communities.

You'll fly from Mfuwe to Livingstone via Lusaka. After being greeted at the airport you'll be transferred to the Islands of Siankaba. Set in the middle of the Zambezi River, you'll have three nights in a charming African lodge. In and around the river, an enchanting collection of suspension bridges and overhead walkways keep guests above the water and protect the fragile riverine ecosystem. Water gently laps against the shore, a hippo's snore might perforate through the trees, and a slowly burning sun descends into the Zambezi. At the Islands of Siankaba, it almost feels as if you are in the Zambezi River, an idyllic end to your vacation.

A trip to tour Victoria Falls is included, but how many different ways are you going to see them? Run across Knife-edge Bridge as the spray falls down and drenches anyone who passes. Then find sanctuary beneath trees and walk parallel to the falls, taking in its beauty from many different viewpoints. Now descend through vivid forest, a steep trail bringing you to a serene bend in the Zambezi. Down here, after the falls, the water is calm. But the mist continues, flying out from the gorge as if from an industrial kettle. For even more views, cross the bridge and enter Zimbabwe, where a new set of winding walkways showcase different streams of water plummeting into the abyss. Now gaze down on nature's great spectacle from the window of a helicopter. Spectacular gorges are marked by rising mist, while the Zambezi River cuts through a vibrantly green landscape.

During the low water season of mid-July to January, a trip to Livingstone Island is included in your itinerary. Note that in high water season, trips are impossible because Livingstone Island is engulfed in the spray. Local paddlers skilfully dropped David Livingstone on a rocky cliff perched on the lip of the chasm. Today the journey is much safer, as a twin-engine powerboat drops you at the edge of this island. With the deafening soundtrack already upon you, walk through a small stretch of rainforest and gaze down at the best possible view of Victoria Falls. Locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders,” this breathtaking experience is a surreal and ideal end to this unique Zambian adventure. Should your adventure go in another direction, you can explore the Zambezi freely or spend your day enjoying privacy at your accommodation.

You will be transferred to Livingstone Airport and onwards to your final international flight.