Example Trip

The Complete Self-Drive Zambia & Zimbabwe

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Highlights

Self-drive with rooftop tent, Wild camping, Wildlife spotting, Boat safari, Catamaran sailing, Hiking

Location

Zambia & Zimbabwe

Budget

from € 3.250,- p.p. excl. flight tickets

The Complete Zambia & Zimbabwe Route

Up for the real deal? On this ultimate route through Western Zambia and Zimbabwe, you leave civilization behind and head straight for the raw wilderness. That's because we're sending you out with a sturdy 4x4 equipped with a rooftop tent.

You'll start your journey among the giant elephant herds in Hwange National Park. Next, you'll camp by the hidden Sioma Falls and cross the endless grasslands of the Liuwa Plain. After that, you'll gear up and cross Kafue, Zambia's largest park. Then, it's time for a change of pace in Lusaka! Next up, you'll step aboard a catamaran on Lake Kariba, finishing your trip at the famous Lower Zambezi National Park.

This is a self-drive adventure for travelers who aren't afraid of a bit of dust and a few bumps along the way. No glamping here, just camping in spots where hyenas prowl past your tent at night. Are you ready for the real Africa?

22 Days in Zambia & Zimbabwe

Day 1

Arrival in Livingstone

Arrive in Livingstone and pick up your "bakkie": a rugged Toyota Hilux 4x4 with a rooftop tent. This will be your home on wheels for the next three weeks. Check in at the charming Maramba River Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Grab a cold beer and enjoy your first African sunset on a relaxing boat cruise. Keep an eye out, elephants are often already drinking along the riverbank.

Day 2 - 3

Livingstone

Time for some action. Livingstone is made for adventurers. Join guide Jonathan on a hike down into Batoka Gorge and camp deep in the canyon beneath the stars.

Looking for even more adrenaline? Jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge on a bungee, or tackle the Zambezi's white-water rapids. Prefer something slower? Glide silently through the reeds in a traditional mokoro canoe or take a helicopter flight over the thundering Victoria Falls.

Day 4 -6

Hwange National Park

Continue to Hwange, Zimbabwe's largest national park. This area is famous for its enormous elephant herds. You'll camp deep in the bush at Silwane Camp.

Together with a guide, you'll visit the waterholes where hundreds of animals gather to drink. The sound of trumpeting elephants at sunset is something you'll never forget.

Day 7 - 9

Sioma Ngwezi National Park

Via a stop in Livingstone, you drive on to Sioma Ngwezi National Park. Sioma is Western Zambia in its purest form. No hordes of tourists, but peace and space along the Zambezi.

Camp beside the river at Lumbe Pools. Visit the impressive Ngonye Falls and meet the people from the local village. This is one of those places where you lose track of time and simply live to the rhythm of the river.

Day 10 - 11

Liuwa Plain National Park

Prepare for one of the most remote places in Africa. After around five hours on the road, you'll arrive in Liuwa Plain. Endless grasslands stretch beneath an enormous sky.

This is home to the wildebeest migration and large clans of hyenas. You'll stay at the wild campsite, Kwale Camp. Together with a local guide, you'll visit communities that have lived here for generations and learn about life in this remote wilderness.

Day 12 - 14

Kafue National Park

Continue to Kafue, Zambia's largest national park. The landscapes change constantly, from dense forests to open savannahs. You'll stay at Kasabushi Camp on the river. Head out on a game drive with an experienced guide.

There's a good chance you'll spot lions, elephants or rare antelope. Because Kafue is so vast, you'll rarely encounter other safari vehicles. Safari as it was meant to be.

Day 15 - 16

Lusaka & Kariba

Time for a completely different atmosphere. Drive to Lusaka, Zambia's vibrant capital. Together with locals Anella and her daughter Faith, you'll visit lively markets filled with street food and local art.

You'll even learn how to cook traditional Zambian dishes in their home. The following day, continue to Kariba on the shores of the vast lake. Check into Hornbill Lodge and watch the sun disappear in a blaze of red over the water.

Day 17 - 19

Lake Kariba

Leave the mainland behind and step aboard a catamaran. Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world and feels more like an inland sea.

Sail past dead trees rising from the water and spot elephants and crocodiles along the shores of Matusadona National Park. At night, you'll sleep on board beneath an incredible blanket of stars in the middle of the still water.

Dag 20 - 21

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 nature reserves, where the impressive Zambezi River creates the habitat for countless animals. Enjoy the stunning drive down into the valley, where the real bush awaits you.

Day 22

Departure

Your self-drive adventure through rugged Western Zambia and Zimbabwe comes to an end. Return your 4x4 and fly home with a bag full of dusty clothes and unforgettable stories. Africa has captured your heart, and the memories of its wild bush will stay with you forever. Safe travels!

Interested in this 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?

Wat onze reizigers over ons zeggen

     
 
 
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   Auralie Blauwbloeme 
 28 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!

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   RJ 
 61 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 ❤️🍀

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   GoeVerhaal. 
 68 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

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   Merel Doreleijers 
 83 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.

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   Martijn van Heest 
 85 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!

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   Victor Bijlsma 
 155 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 :)

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   Jasper M. 
 176 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!

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   Casper Berkhout 
 262 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 ;) ).
  
 
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   Maikel Hurts 
 279 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.

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   Wolfeew 
 279 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!

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   Hanneke 
 279 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!

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   Jan 
 280 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.

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   Tessa Tuk 
 317 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!

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   Lisa Snepvangers 
 331 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!
  
 
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   Saskia Looijen 
 338 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.

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