Example Trip

2-Week Self-Drive Through Zambia & Zimbabwe

Schedule a free consultation

Highlights

Self-drive with rooftop tent, Wild camping, Wildlife spotting, Cooking class, Catamaran sailing, Walking safari

Location

Zambia & Zimbabwe

Budget

from € 2.850,- p.p. excl. flight tickets

Zambia & Zimbabwe at a Glance

Only have two weeks but still want to venture deep into the wilderness? Then this is the route for you. We've put together the ultimate self-drive through Zambia and Zimbabwe. No busy tourist hotspots, just pure adventure.

Your journey begins in Livingstone at the mighty Victoria Falls. Here you'll descend into Batoka Gorge with guide Jonathan to spend a night beneath the stars.

Then you’ll cross the border into Zimbabwe to stand face-to-face with the elephants in Hwange National Park. After a healthy dose of safari in Kafue, you’ll drive on to Lusaka, where you’ll join Anella and Faith in the kitchen to cook a traditional meal. Next, relaxation and action await on Lake Kariba from a catamaran, before leveling up the adventure in the wild Lower Zambezi National Park. In short: an intense and active dream trip full of genuine encounters. Are you ready for it?

16 Days in Zambia & Zimbabwe

Day 1

Arrival in Livingstone

Arrive in Livingstone and collect your 4x4 with rooftop tent. This bakkie will be your home for the next two weeks. Drive to Maramba River Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Elephants sometimes wander straight through the grounds here. In the evening, step aboard for a sunset cruise. Enjoy a cold beer on the water while hippos emerge nearby. Welcome to Zambia.

Day 2 - 3

Sleeping in Batoka Gorge

Time for adventure. Head out with guide Jonathan as you hike deep into Batoka Gorge. No helicopters or crowds of tourists, just peace and quiet along the banks of the Zambezi.

Tonight you'll camp in the heart of the gorge beneath a sky full of stars. The following day, you can choose between rafting the Zambezi's wildest rapids or enjoying a peaceful mokoro trip in a traditional wooden canoe.

Day 4 - 6

Elephants in Hwange

Drive onwards to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest national park, famous for its enormous elephant herds.

Together with a guide, you'll head out on a game drive and wait quietly beside a waterhole for wildlife to appear.

Day 7 - 8

Kafue National Park

After a short stopover at Livingstone, drive your 4x4 to Kafue National Park. The journey takes around seven hours. Kafue is vast and wonderfully quiet. You'll camp at Hornbill Safari Lodge.

Together with a guide, you'll head out on a game drive across the savannah in search of lions and leopards. You'll rarely encounter other travellers here.

Day 9 - 10

Cooking in Lusaka

Drive to the capital city of Lusaka. Here you'll meet our guides, Anella and her daughter Faith. They'll take you to the local market to buy fresh ingredients before welcoming you into their kitchen to prepare traditional Zambian dishes together.

You'll spend the night at the peaceful Pioneer Lodge just outside the city.

Day 11

To Lake Kariba

Today you'll drive around five hours to Kariba and cross the border into Zimbabwe. This enormous lake is man-made.

You'll stay at Hornbill Lodge overlooking the water. As the sun disappears below the horizon, you'll hear hippos grunting in the distance.

Dag 12 - 13

Catamaran on the Lake

Park the car and step aboard a catamaran. Spend two days sailing across Lake Kariba.

During the day, watch elephants along the shoreline, and at night sleep on board in the middle of the lake. It's the perfect way to slow down and enjoy the wilderness.

Dag 14 - 15

Lower Zambezi National Park

The journey continues from Kariba in Zimbabwe toward the untouched wilderness of Lower Zambezi National Park! One of Africa’s most spectacular natural areas, where the majestic Zambezi River forms the habitat for countless animals. Enjoy the stunning drive down into the valley, where the real bush awaits you!

Day 18

Departure

Return your 4x4 and prepare for your flight home. You've camped in the bush, slept deep inside a gorge and cooked alongside locals.

With your head full of stories and a heart full of Africa, you'll board your flight home. Until next time!

Interested in this Zambia & Zimbabwe example trip?

Schedule a free consultation and we will immediately get to work on making your preferred trip completely to your liking. See you soon in Zambia & Zimbabwe?

What our travellers say about us

     
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Auralie Blauwbloeme 
 36 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a fantastic trip through Namibia with two families with teenagers. The trip was fully planned according to our wishes and tailored to the composition of the group. The personal approach, the communication, the preparation… everything was top-notch. Our next trip to Africa will be with Charlie's Travels again!

(Translated by Google, see original)
      
 
    
 
    
 
    +5
 
 
 
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   RJ 
 69 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wow!! What an amazing trip we took through Kenya with Charlie's Travels. Self-drive, highly recommended, and wonderfully taken care of from start to finish! Thank you so much ❤️🍀

(Translated by Google, see original)
      
 
    
 
    
 
    +5
 
 
 
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   GoeVerhaal. 
 76 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked our honeymoon to Namibia with this organization, and how fantastic was it? We received clear information beforehand, they used a detailed app, and we received thoughtful messages before and during the trip to check in. Truly an organization with a heart for the mission of showcasing the beauty of Africa. When we looked into the organization further after the trip, we understand why. Thank you for everything! We didn't feel like just a number, received incredibly quick answers to questions before and during the trip, and received a beautiful, customized itinerary where everything was perfectly arranged everywhere on-site. You gave us the trip of a lifetime ❤️ Best regards and see you again! Laura and Arne

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Merel Doreleijers 
 91 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I look back with immense pleasure on my pioneering trip to Madagascar with Charlie's Travels. What made this trip so special for me was its off-the-beaten-track nature. We visited places you wouldn't easily get to as an ordinary tourist, saw beautiful nature, and had a lot of contact with the local people. That made the experience very authentic. One of the biggest highlights was driving off-road myself. In addition, there were so many unexpected moments that I won't soon forget: a football match against the locals in the Tsaranoro Valley, unexpectedly finding myself in a local sacrificial ritual, and a canoe trip that went very differently than planned. We thought we were going on a sailboat trip, but it turned out to be a few leaky canoes. In hindsight, it actually became one of the best memories of the trip for me. That is also the charm of a pioneering trip: not everything goes as planned, but it is precisely those unexpected moments that make the adventure complete. I also appreciated the variety of accommodations. From homestays, B&Bs, and hotels to sleeping in a tent under the starry sky. That fit perfectly with the adventurous nature of the trip. I do think, however, that a pioneering journey isn't for everyone. You need to be flexible and be able to accept that plans sometimes change. If you can surrender to that and simply enjoy the journey as it unfolds, that is precisely what yields the most beautiful stories and memories. The reason I am not giving 5 stars is that the communication before and during the trip was sometimes a bit disorganized. I would also have liked to see more transparency regarding certain costs. In my opinion, those are areas where Charlie's Travels can still improve. Despite that, I look back on a fantastic trip full of special experiences and memories that I won't soon forget. If you are looking for an adventurous, authentic journey off the beaten path and are open to the unexpected, then I can certainly recommend a trip with Charlie's Travels.

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Martijn van Heest 
 93 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Sjoerd from Charlies Travels organized my trip through Morocco, and it was fantastic! Due to limited time, I skipped the big cities and mainly visited the less crowded places in the interior. For a large part of the time, I stayed with families and experienced just how warm the culture of this country is. My 'guides' felt more like friends; they were hospitable, took me to visit family, and managed to strike a perfect balance between 'going on with life' while showing me the most beautiful spots in Morocco. For me, the added value of Charlies lay in selecting these amazing, not always obvious places, and the accompanying partners/guides/families who were willing to give me an inside look. Highly recommended for everyone!

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Victor Bijlsma 
 163 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Went on a pioneering trip to Senegal, Gambia & Guinea-Bissau with Charlie's Travels. It was special to visit such pristine countries without mass tourism. The difference between Senegal & Gambia was already significant – and the trip was very diverse. From beaches and big cities to eco-lodges & local markets. Highly recommended to utilize the expertise of Charlie's team; it saved a lot of hassle :)

(Translated by Google, see original)
      
 
    
 
    
 
    +7
 
 
 
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Jasper M. 
 184 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a fantastic pioneering trip with Charlie's through Senegal, the Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau 💯 World-class tour guides and a fun group!

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Casper Berkhout 
 270 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Uganda and Kenya for almost a month and we did not leave dissapointed! Our goal was to visit "off the beaten track" destinations and experience real local culture and Charlie's did not let us down. In Uganda we saw TONS of wildlife, with the bike safari in Lake Mburo being the undisputable highlight... unforgettable. We spent a day with the Batwa people, which was a unique culturally enriching experience. In Kenya we got to relax at the beach in a luxurious resort and get our tan on! All the tour guides that were organized by Charlie's were both knowledgable and wonderfully enthusiastic. This was the most memorable vaction in years, and we would reccomend booking a trip with Charlie's to anyone (if you are adventurous enough of course ;) ).
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Maikel Hurts 
 287 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Angola surprised me in ways that are difficult to put into words. The country is raw and pure, with landscapes that seem to breathe: the red earth glowing in the sun, endless savannas disappearing into a haze of warmth, and the ocean incessantly beating its rhythm against the coast. With Xavier Rudd playing through the car speakers, everything took on an extra layer of meaning. His music—those earthy sounds, that peace and freedom—seemed to become one with the landscape. As the road wound through villages full of color and smiling faces, it felt as if every song had been written especially for this moment.

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Wolfeew 
 287 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been to Africa with Charlie's multiple times – Kenya, Uganda, and most recently to Angola: Friendliness and rawness personified, a delightful mix of pure Africa and Portuguese influences. Beautiful, untouched nature, tranquility, and fantastic people. From desert to jungle, from canyons to waves crashing against the rugged coast – what a country. It's wonderful to be taken under Charlie's wing!

(Translated by Google, see original)
      
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Hanneke 
 287 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Angola with Charlies was amazing! Remote and real pioneering. A great country to discover with friends. One big adventure, from camping in the beautiful desert to making memories for life with proud locals. Went home with a big smile and would love to be back soon!

(Translated by Google, see original)
      
 
    
 
    
 
    +4
 
 
 
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Jan 
 288 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic organization, in short. We traveled to Namibia with a group of 7, and CT guided us through the entire process to set it up exactly how we wanted. During the trip, "our" travel coach Nick was also attentive, asked how we were doing, and arranged a few things for us, such as a New Year's breakfast. CT works with local organizations that we felt comfortable with.

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Tessa Tuk 
 325 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Last October, I went on a pioneering trip to Malawi with Charlie's Travels, and it turned out to be a unique experience. The moments that stuck with me the most are the beautiful hike through Nyika National Park, where we camped in the middle of nature and zebras walked past our tent in the morning; and the evening we all dove into a local pub and danced the night away with the locals. The paradisiacal Likoma Island and the car rides through the stunning African landscape, with spontaneous stops at local bars along the way, are also memories that will stay with me for a long time. Malawi is called 'the warm heart of Africa,' and that is exactly how it felt. It was amazing to discover this country with Charlie's Travels and a wonderful group of people. Highly recommended!

(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Lisa Snepvangers 
 339 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Kenya for a month with our family of 5, all arranged by Charie's Travels, and it was AMAZING. We wanted a mix of off-the-beaten-path and comfort, a mix of adventure and vacation, and they made it all happen. Everything from planning the trip and airport pick-up to hotel bookings and activity arrangements went smoothly. We really had the most amazing time! (so much so that I'm writing this review years after taking this trip, cause we're still talking about it!) Definitely recommend booking your trip with Charlie's Travels!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Saskia Looijen 
 346 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a fantastic experience to go pioneering in Malawi with Charlie's Travels. Truly the warm heart of Africa, with very friendly and open people. Malawi is a country with so many different things to do. We explored the lesser-known north: hiking in Nyika National Park with stunning views over colorful hills, an exciting boat trip across Lake Malawi, and beach vibes and lots of beautiful birds on Likoma Island. There are also beautiful bays and hidden spots along Lake Malawi. The roads are getting better but offer challenges here and there, which is highly recommended for the more adventurous traveler. The setup and organization by Charlie's Travels were excellent, always flexible and tailored to everyone's wishes.

(Translated by Google, see original)