Bob B. had always wanted to go to Africa to see the animals and he contacted the team at Africa Adventure Consultants to plan a trip with his family to visit Zambia and Malawi for a family safari.
“The entire experience, from the first contact to the after-trip consult was top notch. Tracy and Kerri were excellent! They left nothing unaddressed and were on top of every detail, including a few questions that arose during the trip.”
They kicked off their trip at Sindabezi Island Lodge in Victoria Falls. The camp has just five open-sided luxury thatched chalets. The lodge is situated on a private island in a beautiful setting with views across the flood plains of the Zambezi into the nearby National Park. It’s a wonderful and exclusive base from which to explore the Falls.
“I loved the island setting of Sindabezi, the different dining areas and sitting around the fire before dinner enjoying some soup before going to the table.”
There is no end of things to see and do in Victoria Falls – from idyllic river cruises where you can take in the magnificent sunset and walking tours to see and feel the thunderous Falls to adrenaline activities including whitewater rafting, bungee jumping and taking a dip in the famous Devil’s Pool, there are activities to excite everyone.
Staying near the water, the family moved on to the Lower Zambezi National Park, known for its pristine wilderness and abundant wildlife. It has great opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels, as it is concentrated along the valley floor. Enormous herds of elephant, some up to 100 strong, are often seen at the river’s edge.
The family stayed at Sausage Tree Camp, which overlooks a network of channels and low islands that attract game. It has just seven luxury suites, each with a private plunge pool. The camp guarantees private guiding, and activities include day and night game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, boating and fishing.
“If I had to choose a favorite (camp) it would probably be Sausage Tree; only because it afforded a touch of luxury to the safari camp theme. The vastness of the view of the river and surrounding area from my room was spectacular. Our guide, The Professor, was top notch.”
The Lower Zambezi is not a Big 5 game area (giraffe have never been found there and rhino are not present), however the family saw (and heard!) large numbers of wildlife.
“Something that surprised me, after overcoming some initial uneasiness, was the sound of the elephants eating right outside my room at night. Especially their breathing, which reminded me of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. By end of the trip I looked forward to hearing them. I'm going to miss that.”
Next up was Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. One of the world’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries, the concentration of game around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons is among the highest in Africa. Walking safaris were likely born in this park and are an incredible way to experience the park’s wilderness. South Luangwa’s prolific wildlife – including 60 animal and 400 bird species – can be seen on day and night game drives. It’s one of the few national parks in Africa to allow nocturnal game drives.
The family stayed at Mchenja, which offers luxurious and elegant suites overlooking a sweeping bend in the Luangwa River. With just five tents, each with roll-top baths and outdoor showers, it offers an exclusive experience for travelers. We love that dinner is often served on the river bank under the stars and that elephants are known to drink from the plunge pool in the main area.
Wildlife throughout their family safari proved engaging and prolific. Among their highlights:
“Sitting twenty feet from a pride of lions while they ate was pretty intense. We also got to see a pack of wild dogs quite a bit. And on our last night we found a den of hyena pups that were unattended by any adults. They were quite cute.”
Bob and his family wrapped up their trip with a relaxing stay at Kaya Mawa on Likoma Island in Malawi. This sandy retreat is a wonderful way to end a safari. Guests can fill their days with stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, kitesurfing, waterskiing, sailing and quad-biking, plus a full PADI dive school – or simply do nothing at all.
The family found working with Africa Adventure Consultants to be excellent. They were thrilled with their accommodations, guides, food (including nightly sundowner drinks and special bush dinners), the safari planning process and their overall safari experience. They loved the closeness to the wildlife, the sights and sounds of the African bush and listening to the animals at night.
“Each place had its own unique charms and scenery. We all felt that the order of the itinerary was perfect. Each new location seemed to build on the experiences of the previous spot. Kaya Mawa, of course, is in a different category from the safari camps, but proved to be the perfect end to the trip. We were able to relax and unwind at our own pace... a real nice way to wrap up the trip.”
Their advice for future safari travelers?
“…Make sure you book with Africa Adventure Consultants! Also don't overpack, especially when you're moving from camp to camp. We all stuck to the packing guidelines and it really helped. Some of our pilots were quite impressed that we had proper bags and weight.”
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Photos courtesy AAC Livingstone Club member Bob B., Sindabezi Island Lodge, Sausage Tree Camp, Mchenja, Kaya Mawa