Zambia - Victoria Falls and Safari - the Complete Journey

There are no reviews for this holiday at the moment

Day 1
Transfer to the lodge (25 min by road). After checking in and a light lunch on the patio overlooking the river, guests board the lodge boat and embark on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi river, with drinks and snacks. There is a chance to see all sorts of game including elephant. Overnight in luxury at the lodge.

Day 2
After breakfast, guests are free to explore Livingstone and the Victoria Falls. There are no set time departures, and riders are free to spend as much time as they want to experience the world’s largest waterfall and surrounding attractions.& The use of a vehicle with a driver/guide is included in the stay. Guests can explore the area but any additional entrance fees/activities other than those mentioned are at the rider's expense. Return to the lodge for the night.

Day 3
Spend a relaxing day at the lodge by the pool or take advantage of the in-house activities such as a ride or a 1 1/2 hr river cruise before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon head out on foot for a rhino walking safari accompanied by a qualified guide. Alternatively, chose a full day safari in the neighbouring Chobe Reserve in Botswana to see the big cats. Dinner at the lodge.

Day 4
After a relaxed breakfast, head out to the Simalaha Wilderness. Start with a 40 minute transfer to the small harbour of Mambova, and then board the boats heading upstream on the Zambezi River. Expect to see hippos, crocodiles, local fisherman in their traditional dugouts (mokoros), local cattle grazing on the riverbanks and beautiful, remote village scenes. Riders will be meeting the horses and guides on the banks at the end of the 2 hour boat trip, so ensure& that all riding gear is on board and accessible. The luggage is transported to the camp while the group enjoy the first ride of the holiday. Overnight in a luxury tent with hot water showers.

Day 5 - 7
The next 3 days are spent exploring the Simalaha wilderness on horseback. Start each day before dawn with a light breakfast before setting off in search of wildlife and adventure. Watch the sunrise each morning from horseback. This is a long-standing tradition that the hosts love to share with guests. Every day is spent exploring this 180,000 km² of raw wilderness. The ideal place to immerse oneself in the vast plains, while gently approaching and appreciating huge herds of wildlife, mopane forests, giant and ancient baobab trees, the life-giving Zambezi River, and the people that call this land home, the Lozi people, who go about their day to day lives between the riverbanks and their homesteads, moving their cattle along the Riverbeds and fishing for their families on the river.
For riders, being able to canter into the horizon on land without large predators (and without holes) is an absolute joy. Riders are encouraged to enjoy the space and to experience the pure riding freedom of the Simalaha on the well schooled horses. Time seems to slow down. It's an opportunity to disconnect from responsibilities and routines and to connect with nature. Each day will slightly differ, with the route being determined with the best interests of the group in mind, and where the wildlife concentrations are.

Day 8
This morning, enjoy a final opportunity to canter across the plains, and enjoy the sunrise and wildlife before the return journey to the Lodge. Depart by boat and then by road to the lodge. Laze by the pool or explore the indigenous gardens. Massages are available. Relive memories of the adventure with fellow riders over a farewell dinner before drifting off to sleep to the sounds of the African night.

Day 9
Enjoy the sunrise from the lodge, and perhaps take a last morning ride along the river. Later, transfer back to Livingstone Airport.

Incuded activities:
When staying a the lodge guests can choose one of the activities below for each day of their stay. More can be paid for onsite if wished.

- 1 x Victoria Falls Day Trip per stay. Enjoy a private vehicle with driver for a full day at leisure – visit Victoria Falls and explore! We recommend visiting the craft market for traditional souvenirs and handcrafted wares at fair prices.
- A horse ride (Duration 1h30)
- A sunrise or sunset cruise (Duration 1h30-2hrs)
- Zambezi lunchtime floating picnic (Duration 2hrs)
- Accompanied Bushwalks in the woodlands on our horse ranch (Duration 1hr)
- A mountain bike tour of the horse ranch, nearby villages and farmlands (Duration 1h30)

Other activities available but not included:
In the dry season (April to October) in the conservancy riders are offered the option to sleep out under the stars for a night. Experience the romance of Africa under a blanket of stars in a remote, yet safe bed, far from Wi-Fi and artificial light. The bed is surrounded by a mosquito net, but otherwise open to the beautiful Southern skies. Completely off the grid, this evening on a bed roll promises to be an exclusive wilderness experience. (Please note that this is not included in the rate, US$100 in 2024).

At the Victoria Falls there are multiple activities available, it is a real adventure destination. Below are a few recommended options.

Rhino Walk: Just upstream from the mighty Victoria Falls facing the Zambezi National Park on the other side of the Zambezi River, lies the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia), home to buffalo, impala, zebra, giraffe, warthog and the endangered white rhino. On a walk here you get to come very close to the amazing and sadly highly endangered white rhino. For those aged 12 and over. Approx. US$25pp in 2024

Devils Pool: Experience the freedom of standing in the middle of a World Wonder on Livingstone Island! An immersive experience that is a highlight for every guest. The lunch experience includes an optional swim in the Devils/Angel Pool. Swim to the edge of the largest sheet of falling water in the world in Devil’s Pool at the rim of Victoria Falls, a thrilling natural infinity pool. Devil's Pool is seasonally open usually mid August to late December. Approx. US$25pp in 2024

Chobe National Park in Botswana: Chobe is just across the border and the ideal place to see all that dangerous game you might not want to encounter up close on a horse. From lion and elephant, through leopard, a day drive is great if you want to tick those boxes. US$210pp in 2024

Helicopter or microlight scenic flight: Get incredible views of Victoria Falls, from multiple angles, that would not be possible at ground level. Fly over the mighty Falls, the Batoka Gorge, the Zambezi River, and the wildlife-filled Zambezi National Park. Takes about 45min.

Bungee jump: off the iconic Victoria Fall bridge, not for the faint-hearted. Experience 111 meters of free-fall and 4 seconds of pure adrenalin! If the sheer excitement of a bungee isn’t enough, this must be the most beautiful bungee on the planet.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The horses are well loved, many home bred and live out as a herd in the Simalaha Conservancy. They are well used to the game they share grazing with. They come in for grooming and feeding twice daily. There are Quarter Horses, Quarter Horse X Boerperds, Basotho Horses, and Thoroughbred-Crosses in the herd. All horses are forward going, steady and have gentle natures.

The home stables are at Chundukwa River Lodge, where the herd return after each season in the Simalaha. Here they meet with the farrier, dentist and receive ongoing fitness and schooling by Doug and the team.

The riding can be at all paces if wanted. The annual flooding of the Simalaha Plains leaves vast swathes of the conservancy inaccessible to vehicles, making horses the most natural means to explore. There are no holes on the ground and riding can be at all paces if wanted. The game viewing is respectful of the habits of game and can take advantage of a race with zebra, giraffe and antelope both in water and on land on occasion. One can also indulge in some of the best bird watching in the world.

Riders need to be intermediate riders. Being riding fit is an advantage and allows one to take advantage of all the riding although it is also possible to skip a ride and undertake other activities such as walk, game drive etc.

The weight limit for this ride is 209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The nights at Chundukwe River Lodge. There are 5 chalets built on stilts over the Zambezi River and Chundu Cottage, a private 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house with its own pool.

The riverside chalets have en-suite bathrooms and can accommodate twin or king beds as required. They have 250v plug sockets with multi-country adapters and USB ports. Please bring your own converters if required.

Also supplied are: large walk-in mosquito nets, fans, lock-up safe, gowns, electric blankets in the winter (yes it gets chilly in the early hours of the morning!), mosquito spray, tissues, a cupboard with hanging space for clothes and luggage racks, water flasks, good quality organic shampoo, conditioner and moisturiser. As the lodge is situated between two waterways (the river in front and series of lagoons behind) guests are requested to use the provided shampoos, creams and soaps as they are organic and environmentally-friendly.

Meals at the lodge are taken in the restaurant / pool deck and expertly prepared using local and 'lodge-grown' produce. Guests requiring privacy can dine at their private table under thatch, or under the stars (weather permitting).

The Simalaha conservancy camp has 4 four luxury, en-suite tents that can accommodate up to 2 guests per tent. The tents have twin beds with good quality mattresses, linen and towels. There is a splash pool with water pumped and filtered directly from the river. Sunscreen and tanning products need to be washed off before using the pool as it flows into the waterhole for wildlife to drink from. The camp runs on solar power and hot water is provided from an eco-friendly ‘rocket boiler’ that uses a minimal amount of wood to heat water. The provided soap, shampoo and conditioners are organic and environmentally friendly. We kindly ask that guests use the carefully chosen products to protect the environment.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip.

NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling.

You must carry a form of ID with you at all times. A copy of your passport is normally acceptable, but recently some police officers have been insisting on the original document.

Your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive and you should have at least two blank pages in your passport on arrival.

Visitors to Zambia must obtain a visa from one of the Zambian diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries whose citizens are eligible for visa on arrival. Visitors may alternatively obtain an electronic visa. All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months.

Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country.

For further information, email the Zambian High Commission at info@zambiahc.org.uk

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Zambia.html

Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa.

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

As can be seen from the Climate chart the season is divided into a dry season (April to October inclusive) and rainy season. The rain tends to come in the form of heavy showers and not all day rain and this time if year is hot too.

The Victoria Falls, although spectacular at all times, looks different depending on the water levels of the Zambezi River, which in turn depends on the rains at it's source - not rain at the time!

The Falls are at their most spectacular in July and August, the beginning of the dry season, as the rains have maximised the flow of the Zambezi River. This makes for a sensational spectacle as the rushing waters surge over the Falls and into the gorge below. At this time, the sheer power of Victoria Falls is in full ‘view’, making it a superb time of year to enjoy the lunar rainbows that can be found here. However at this time, due to the volume of water passing over them, the Falls themselves are mostly hidden behind plumes of spray. Whitewater rafting resumes around July and Devil’s Pool usually opens for swimming from August.

September and October are perfect for activities! For adrenalin enthusiasts, white water rafting or a dip in Devil’s Pool is a must. For the truly bold, a 111-metre bungee jump off of the Victoria Falls Bridge will get the pulse racing. This time of year also offers fantastic game viewing, and the influx of migrant birds to the region douses them with an array of colours. October is the ideal month for Victoria Falls sunsets. Comfortable temperatures, fewer mosquitoes and just enough dust to create spectacular orange skies, combine for the perfect end to the day. This is also a wonderful time of year to take a flight in a helicopter or microlight and enjoy Victoria Falls in all their glory from above.

In November and December, after months of the dry season the water levels in the river are at their lowest. The weather is also hot and humid with the wet season slowly starting to become visible. This time of year is a great period in which to get clear views of the Victoria Falls’ cataracts from both Zimbabwe and Zambia‘s sides due to the reduced amounts of spray. Depending on the timing and quantity of rainfall, the Zambian side of Victoria Falls may be much drier. In terms of game the "baby" season is getting into swing with many of the young born in time to enjoy the fresh green grass.

This is a low-risk malaria area - however, we encourage all guests to take the usual precautions against mosquito bites.

Zambia is voltage 230 V and the voltage frequency is 50 Hz. If the voltage in your country is between 220V - 250V (as is in the Europe, Australia and most of Asia) you can use your equipment. If your devices are only made for 100V - 127V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries) you cannot use them and you will need a voltage converter or a voltage converter.

Camp: Our camp runs on solar power – there is a USB port at the back of your bedside light. You are also welcome to use the charging station on the ‘big tree’ in the lounge area. There is a WIFI router in the lounge, although signal can be intermittent at the best of times. We politely request that all guests be considerate of others space and refrain from using their phone in shared spaces. If using a GoPro, please ensure you have the permission of the group to be filmed.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:

ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS :
- Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards (some locations can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
- Riding boots designed for riding and walking
- Riding gloves
- Chaps
- At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
- Long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone
- Muted colour clothing – khaki, green or brown (white can startle wildlife and black attracts bugs)
- Anti-malarial medication (in high risk areas)
- Insect repellent
- Fleece for cold mornings
- Suncream/Insect repellent
- Buff/Scarf/Bandana

For the camping:
- Torch
- Sleeping bag/pillow if not specified as provided
- Wet wipes
- Portable charger

Optional:
Cycling shorts/padded underwear/seat saver if not used to long days in the saddle

Can be provided by hosts:
Riding helmet

9 day / 8 night / 6 riding days, this can be tailor made to individual requirements with variable time in each location.

2025: 30 Jun - 31 Jan 2026 on request for 2 or more.

• £
• €
• US $
• SEK

The Simalaha Conservancy encompasses 180,000 ha of communal land and lies within one of six key wildlife dispersal areas in the Kavango Zambezi Trans-frontier Conservation Area (KAZA), namely the Chobe Zambezi dispersal area that reaches from Chobe National Park in Botswana to Kafue National Park in Zambia.
This Conservancy is fundamental to re-establishing wildlife populations and their migration routes in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area – the biggest terrestrial cross-border conservation system in the world – connecting 36 protected areas across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The conservancy has large herds of game who are well used to horses. There is plenty of big game but no large predators or elephant, making this reserve incredibly safe for riders and also fun considering there are no holes and lots of open plains. The game list includes: Giraffe, Buffalo, Eland, Wildebeest, Zebra, Red Lechwe, Puku, Hartebeest, Impala, Waterbuck, Sable, Reedbuck, Duiker, Vervet Monkeys, Side-striped Jackal, Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Ostrich.

There is also a large amount of game alongside the Zambezi River which can be seen from boats while at Chundukwa Lodge. This includes elephant, hippo, crocodiles and many antelope.

This is a low-risk malaria area - however, we encourage all guests to take the usual precautions against mosquito bites!

Zambia is a completely landlocked country in Southern Africa bordered by Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Its border with Botswana is only a kilometre (about half a mile) long while the Victoria Falls forms a natural barrier with Zimbabwe.

The Falls – traditionally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya or The Smoke That Thunders for the intense noise and colossal spray – are a major tourist attraction and a must-see on an African safari. Zambia is also known for its unbelievable birding (around 860 recorded species!) and productive national parks like Kafue, South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi. The country was also a pioneer in walking safaris in which you leave behind the game-drive vehicle and set out on foot, the way ancient Zambians always traversed the bush. This is an exciting, inspiring and humbling way of encountering wildlife. One of the most water-rich countries in Africa, Zambia has five vast lakes, three major rivers, at least 17 waterfalls and various wetland areas.

In addition to major conservation areas, the country also has considerable mineral wealth. Copper is mined in the north and forms a significant part of Zambia’s income. Lusaka, the capital, is growing quickly with over three million people calling it home. In the rural areas, subsistence farming provides a livelihood for many people. Zambia is one of the fastest growing economies on the African continent and respectful, ethical tourism is crucial to the country’s on-going development.