Both sides of the Falls
Victoria Falls Classic Safari
See both banks of Victoria Falls, cruise the Zambezi at sunset and stay with a village host.
Luxury · 8 days · Zambia + Zimbabwe
Zambia River Lodge Retreat
Stay beside the Zambezi for guided game walks, birding and a Victoria Falls visit.
Duration8 Days
EnquiriesWhatsApp
RegionZambia
Group size2–12
DifficultyVaries by departure
What you’ll actually do
Slow safari, riverside
Stay beside the Zambezi for guided game walks, birding and a Victoria Falls visit.
- Airport welcome and route briefing
- Locally led activities throughout
- Small group or private departure
- 24/7 in-country support
Day by day
The full itinerary
Your guide adapts each day to conditions, wildlife and how the group is going — the shape stays, the detail flexes.
Wildlife is free-ranging. Species and sightings vary with season and conditions, and no animal encounter is guaranteed.
- D1
Arrive Livingstone — Lodge Transfer
Arrive at Livingstone's Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Airport and transfer directly to the river lodge. Afternoon at leisure on the deck watching the river — elephant often cross opposite at this time.
- Airport pickup
- Transfer to riverside lodge (30min)
- Welcome briefing and lodge orientation
- Afternoon on the river deck
- Sundowner drinks watching the Zambezi
- Welcome dinner under the stars
- D2
Dawn Game Walk
The daily rhythm that makes this retreat special — dawn game walks along the Zambezi bank with your guide. Elephant, hippo, giraffe, and extraordinary bird life in the soft morning light.
- 5:30am: dawn game walk briefing
- 1.5hr riverside walk — elephant and hippo territory
- Carmine bee-eater colony observation
- African fish eagle calls at sunrise
- Return for lodge breakfast
- Afternoon rest and journaling on the deck
- D3
Birding Day
Full-day birding sessions with an expert guide — morning on the river, afternoon in the floodplain forests. Over 400 species recorded in this area. Non-birders will become converts.
- Early morning river birding
- Carmine bee-eater colonies (seasonal)
- African skimmer watching
- Floodplain woodland afternoon session
- Bird list compilation and guide discussion
- Evening sundowners on the deck
- D4
Victoria Falls Visit
Visit the Zambian side of Victoria Falls and Knife Edge Bridge in the morning. If time and entry rules allow, you can also cross to the Zimbabwe side in the afternoon. This optional crossing requires a passport; travellers pay any applicable visa and Zimbabwe Falls entry charges separately.
- Morning drive to Victoria Falls (30min)
- Zambian side — full rainforest walk
- Knife Edge Bridge above the gorge
- Optional Zimbabwe-side visit, subject to border and visa requirements
- Return to the Zambia side after the visit
- Return to lodge for farewell dinner
- D5
Final Zambezi Sunset Cruise & Departure
Final morning walk at dawn, then the iconic Zambezi sunset cruise — two hours on the river watching wildlife as the sun drops over the Zambian plains. Airport transfer for evening flights.
- 5:30am: final dawn game walk
- Morning rest and packing
- 2pm: Zambezi sunset cruise (2hrs)
- Look for hippos and elephants along the river
- Sundowners on the boat
- Airport transfer for onward flights
One package
What is included
Check the lists alongside for this trip’s inclusions and exclusions. Message us for current booking details.
Included
- All accommodation (riverside lodge — all meals full board)
- All guided activities
- Guided game walks
- Birding sessions with expert guide
- Victoria Falls visit (both sides)
- Zambezi sunset cruise
- Airport transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional Zimbabwe-side visa and Falls entry charges
- Tips
Before you ask
Common questions
What exactly is included in the price?
Everything on the included list on this page — accommodation, meals as stated, all ground transport, permits and park fees, your guide team, and every activity in the itinerary. International flights, travel insurance and personal spending are not included. The Zimbabwe-side Falls visit is optional; travellers pay any required visas and Zimbabwe-side entry charges separately.
How much is the deposit and when is the balance due?
Message us on WhatsApp for current booking and payment details. It holds your place and is fully refundable if you cancel 90 or more days before departure. The balance is due 8 weeks before you fly, in a single payment.
Can I travel solo, or do I need to bring people?
Most travellers book alone and join a small group. If you'd rather have the trip run privately for you or your friends, tell us in the enquiry and we'll price it — private departures usually work from two people.
What if I'm not fit enough?
Tell us honestly in your enquiry and we'll say honestly whether it's realistic. On trekking routes we'll often suggest a shorter itinerary rather than sell you one you won't enjoy. Nobody is talked into a trip here.
Are the dates fixed?
The itinerary length is fixed but start dates are flexible on almost every trip. Give us the window you're working with — term dates, exam finish, a flight you've already found — and we'll build around it.
Your next step
Ask about Zambia River Lodge Retreat
Chat with us about dates, availability, inclusions and booking details.
Your message includes this trip and its page link, so we know exactly which plan you mean.
Enquire on WhatsAppAlso worth a look
If this one isn’t quite right
Delta by dugout
Botswana Okavango Expedition
Explore the Okavango by mokoro, on foot and by 4x4, then connect onward to the Zambezi.
Three countries, ten days
Victoria Falls, Chobe & Livingstone Safari
Link Victoria Falls, a Chobe boat safari and a Zambezi sunset cruise across three countries.
Zambia River Lodge RetreatWhatsApp us