Liuwa Plain & Kafue Safari 14-Day Game Drives & Camping

Two national parks, three weeks of game drives, one continuous journey through Zambia's remote wilderness

A 14-day guided safari departing from Livingstone that moves through Liuwa Plain National Park and Kafue National Park with daily morning and afternoon game drives, all meals provided, and accommodation split between riverside campsites and lodge stays. The tour includes private transportation, park entrance fees, and a guide speaking English, with group size kept small to enhance wildlife viewing and interaction. Children from age 12 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and lodge transfer

• Arrive at Livingstone airport
• Transfer to Maramba River Lodge
• Relax at the lodge

Day 2 — Transfer to Sioma Ngwezi

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Sioma Ngwezi
• Settle at community campsite

Day 3 — Falls and village tours

• Guided tour of nearby falls
• Village cultural tour

Day 4 — Transfer to Liuwa Plain Park

• Breakfast at campsite
• Drive to Liuwa Plains National Park
• Stop in Mongu City for groceries
• Settle at Katoyana Campsite
• Relax at campsite

Day 5 — Morning and afternoon game drives

• Morning game drive in Liuwa Plains
• Afternoon game drive in Liuwa Plains

Day 6 — Morning and afternoon game drives

• Morning game drive in Liuwa Plains
• Afternoon game drive in Liuwa Plains

Day 7 — Final game drives in Liuwa Plains

• Morning game drive in Liuwa Plains
• Afternoon game drive in Liuwa Plains

Day 8 — Transfer to Mongu and campsite

• Breakfast at campsite
• Drive to Mongu City
• Shop for supplies in Mongu
• Drive to Mutoya Campsite
• Relax at campsite

Day 9 — Transfer to Kafue National Park

• Breakfast at campsite
• Drive to central Kafue National Park
• Settle at Mayukuyuku Campsite
• Relax at campsite

Day 10 — Morning and afternoon game drives

• Morning game drive in Kafue Park
• Afternoon game drive in Kafue Park

Day 11 — Transfer to New Kalala campsite

• Breakfast at campsite
• Game drive en route to New Kalala
• Settle at New Kalala Campsite
• Relax at campsite

Day 12 — Morning and afternoon game drives

• Morning game drive in southern Kafue
• Afternoon game drive in southern Kafue

Day 13 — Transfer to Lusaka

• Breakfast at campsite
• Drive to Lusaka
• Stop to shop for essentials
• Settle at Pioneer Lodge
• Relax at lodge

Day 14 — Departure from Lusaka

• Breakfast at Pioneer Lodge
• Pack belongings
• Transfer to airport

The Experience

The journey begins at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, where you're met and transferred to Maramba River Lodge on the banks of the Maramba River. The first day is unscheduled—time to settle in and let the travel fall away before the safari begins. From there, you drive north through rural Zambia toward Sioma Ngwezi, stopping at a community campsite along the Zambezi River. A guided falls tour and village visit follow, giving you a sense of local life before the wildlife drives take over.

Liuwa Plain National Park is where the rhythm of the tour establishes itself: morning and afternoon game drives from Katoyana Campsite, a base inside the park surrounded by open plains. You'll cross the grasslands at dawn when antelope herds, wildebeest, and predators are most active, then return in the afternoon as the light shifts and different animals emerge. Three full days of paired drives mean multiple chances to spot wildlife and photograph the landscape as it changes through the day. From there, the route moves south through Mongu to Kafue National Park, Zambia's largest wildlife reserve. The central section operates from Mayukuyuku Campsite along the Kafue River; the southern section from New Kalala near Itezhi-Tezhi Dam. Each location offers the same structure—morning and afternoon drives—but different terrain and animal populations. The final stop is Pioneer Lodge in Lusaka, where you rest before departure.

All meals are provided throughout, removing the need to hunt for restaurants or plan food logistics. Private transportation moves the group between parks and campsites, and park entrance fees are included in the price. The guide speaks English and stays with the group for the full 14 days. Moderate fitness is expected—game drives involve sitting in a vehicle, but the pace of travel between parks is steady and the campsites offer basic comfort. Children from age 12 can join; younger children are not included on this tour.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the 14 days.
• entrance fees to both national parks.
• lodging at Maramba River Lodge and Pioneer Lodge in Lusaka.
• camping at community and park campsites.
• all meals from day two through day thirteen (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• a live English-speaking guide for the full duration.
• and pickup from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone.

Good to know

Moderate physical level

Operated by Livingstone Explore Africa Wildlife & Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you're ready to move between two parks over 14 days with long driving days and remote camping; choose a base-camp safari instead if you prefer staying put with hotel stays.

Top questions

How many game drives will I actually do on this 14-day safari?

The tour includes paired morning and afternoon game drives on most days—roughly 12 to 14 separate drives across the two parks. You'll have three full days of drives in Liuwa Plain, multiple days in Kafue's central region, and additional drives in the southern section near Itezhi-Tezhi Dam, plus one drive during the transfer between the two parks.

What's the difference between Liuwa Plain and Kafue, and which one is better for wildlife?

Liuwa Plain is a vast, open grassland where you spot herds of antelope and wildebeest across wide horizons; Kafue is Zambia's largest park with more diverse terrain—riverine areas, plains, and woodland—and a wider range of species including elephants and lions. Both are included on this tour, so you experience both landscape types and the different wildlife each one offers.

Do I need to bring my own camping gear, or is everything set up for me?

The campsites provide accommodation and all meals; you bring personal items and clothing. The tour includes lodging at Maramba River Lodge in Livingstone and Pioneer Lodge in Lusaka, plus camping at community and park campsites along the way. Comfort is basic but functional.

What happens if I arrive late or my flight is delayed on day one?

Day one is reserved for relaxation at Maramba River Lodge with no scheduled activities, giving you flexibility to rest after travel. The guide and group do not depart for Sioma Ngwezi until the following morning after breakfast, so a late arrival won't disrupt the itinerary.

Is this tour suitable for someone who has never been on a safari before?

Yes. The guide leads all game drives and explains what you're seeing; no prior safari experience is required. The tour is designed for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers of all levels. Moderate fitness is the main requirement—you'll be sitting in a vehicle for several hours each day, but the pace is manageable.

What wildlife am I most likely to see in Liuwa Plain versus Kafue?

Liuwa Plain is known for large herds of antelope and wildebeest across open grasslands, with occasional predators; Kafue offers a broader mix including elephants, lions, antelopes, and diverse bird species across riverine and woodland habitats. Both parks are active year-round, though animal behavior and visibility shift with the season.