Ultimate Green Safari in Zambia and Malawi

You'll begin your exploration of the region with a cruise down the Zambezi River, an enthralling experience that places you in the heart of the wilderness. Embarking at dusk or dawn, you'll witness bloats of hippos frolicking along the route and herds of elephants cooling off along the riverbank, all against the mesmerising backdrop of Zambia's golden skies. Discover more of the extraordinary wildlife that inhabits the region on a game drive across the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This excursion, led by an expert guide, will take you through the park's various ecosystems of mopane woodland, riverine forest, and grassland, which are home to a variety of species such as white rhinos, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeest, crocodiles, baboons, leopards, and a diverse variety of bird species. 

During your stay at the lodge, you will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Victoria Falls, the world's largest falling sheet of water and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You'll get a close-up view of the falls on a private tour that takes you along a route ideal for viewing the falls in all their grandeur. Later that evening, you'll experience dining afloat the Zambezi on a marvellous sampan dinner.

Spanning an area of approximately 22,400km2 in western Zambia, Kafue National Park is the country's largest national park, renowned for its density and variety of wildlife. Home to more than 152 mammal species scattered between the park's fertile northern region and remote south, Kafue National Park is best explored on various expeditions that showcase the diversity of wildlife and their varying ecosystems. Ila Safari Lodge, which offers both river and land safaris on e-vehicles, works to minimise disruption to the surrounding environment and wildlife while increasing the likelihood of closer wildlife sightings. 

Your tour of the park begins with an expert-led game drive across the golden plains, where you can anticipate sighting numerous big cats such as lions, leopards and cheetahs, as well as buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, aardvarks and elephants. Next, you'll view the park from a different perspective on a boat safari along the Kaufe River, a hotspot for spotting birdlife, in addition to water-dwelling creatures such as hippos and crocodiles. Lastly, you'll explore the park on foot on a walking safari led by a knowledgeable guide who will enhance your exploration of the bush with thorough insights into smaller fauna and the regional flora. 

A game drive across the Busanga Plains allows you to see a different side of Kafue National Park. The plains attract elusive big game such as lions, wild dogs, and cheetahs due to abundant populations of antelope, puku, red lewche, and buffalo. The game drive takes you through seasonal floodplains, woodlands, and channels, giving you the chance to see as many wildlife species as possible, including zebras, elephants, hippos, and sables.

Frequented by a diversity of birds, the Busanga Plains attract almost 500 species. On this excursion, you'll have the chance to spot unique species that cannot be seen anywhere beyond the continent, such as the endemic Chaplin's barbet, the majestic crowned crane, stately secretarybirds, predatorial fish eagles, and the endangered grey crowned and wattled cranes.

Discover another part of Zambia's wilderness on a game drive and boat safari in the South Luangwa National Park, a wildlife-rich region comprised of grassy plains and woodlands. Renowned for its accessible terrain and diverse variety of animals, your expert-led game drive will showcase Zambia's iconic wildlife all in one place with healthy populations of lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and hippos, zebras and giraffes found throughout the park.

Sit back and relax for your river safari and enjoy panoramic vistas of the park, a delightful experience that will see you travel past bloats of hippos and peeping crocodiles, as well as elephants and buffaloes that congregate around the river, while birds circle the skies above you. Conclude your wild adventure with a dip in the plunge pool, the perfect way to end the day.

Venture off the shore and discover the extraordinary variety of marine life that inhabit Lake Malawi's crystalline waters. One of the most significant ecological locations in the world, due to Lake Malawi's isolated position, over 1000 species of marine life inhabit the waters, many of which are endemic. You'll have the opportunity to view marine life up close while snorkelling, as well as traverse the waters on a tranquil kayaking or paddleboarding excursion.