River Journey – Escape the North American winter blues! in 2026
A Customizable Trip to Zambia — 8 Days / 7 Nights
Highlights
River Journeys in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is a magical 7-night safari that takes place during the Emerald Season when the Luangwa River is at its fullest, thus giving rise to some exceptional boating.
About this Safari
This safari covers one of Zambia’s premier park – South Luangwa. The Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoiled wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa.
“The Luangwa Valley is at its most dramatic in the Emerald Season, with the Luangwa River now flowing over into the brimming lagoons. Boating into these lagoons, flooded ebony groves and flowing channels gives you a view of the Valley which is normally inaccessible during this season“.
The Luangwa River is one of the last remaining major rivers in Africa, and even in the world, that has not been damned for hydropower. This vast river still annually rises, floods into lagoons and channels, changes course and resulting in new lagoons and in so doing creates a rich flood plain river system. To be in the heart of the park, at peak flood time, staying at the first camp built in Zambia (Nsefu) with the river being your only access, is quite an experience.
Activities include – boating, walking and game drives.
Dates – 1 February – 31 March 2026
Group size – Minimum 2 and maximum 6
Rates
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Nkwali Camp
On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you. The drive to Nkwali Camp is 1 hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as …
Day 2 – Nkwali Camp
This is a day to explore The South Luangwa National Park with a mix of walking, game drives and boating …
Day 3 – 5 – Nsefu Camp
You will take the boat up to Nsefu Camp. A leisurely game viewing and birding experience; which will take between 2 and 4 hours depending on what you …
Day 6 & 7 – Nkwali Camp
You will boat back to Nkwali in the morning, where you will enjoy wide views across
the Luangwa River. Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a …
Day 8 – Departure
After breakfast you will be transferred to Mfuwe Airport for your onward connection.
This is a condensed overview of the journey.
Request the full itineraryInclusions & Notes
Details of Rates
Rates include – all safari activities, meals, bar, laundry, bar, transfers to/from Mfuwe airport.
Rates Exclude – flights (domestic & international), visa fees, gratuities and items of a personal nature.
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Questions about this Emerald Season safari
What is the Emerald Season and why travel then?
It is when the Luangwa River is at its fullest, flowing over into brimming lagoons, flooded ebony groves and channels. That opens up boating into parts of the valley that are normally inaccessible, which is the whole point of this trip. The dates run from 1 February to 31 March 2026.
How many people travel on this safari?
It is deliberately small, with a minimum of two and a maximum of six guests. The camps are Nkwali and Nsefu in South Luangwa, and Nsefu was the first camp built in Zambia. At peak flood the river is your only access to it, which is part of what makes the stay so distinctive.
What activities are on offer?
Boating, walking and game drives, with the balance tipping towards the water at this time of year. The boat journey up to Nsefu is itself a leisurely game viewing and birding trip, taking between two and four hours depending on what you find along the way. Nkwali gives wide views across the Luangwa River.
What is included in the rate?
All safari activities, meals, bar, laundry and transfers to and from Mfuwe airport. Domestic and international flights, visa fees, gratuities and items of a personal nature are excluded. The trip is from US$4,165 per person sharing for seven nights, arriving and departing through Mfuwe International Airport.
How does this compare with a dry season Luangwa safari?
The valley behaves quite differently. In the dry months game viewing centres on drives and walks, whereas here the river has risen into lagoons and channels and boating comes to the fore. This particular itinerary is only offered in February and March, with the rest of the year shown as closed.