Zambia Madagascar

11-Night Safari & Beach Escape: Zambia to Madagascar in Style

Hidden Africa | Safari Tour Ideas | 11-Night Safari & Beach Escape: Zambia to Madagascar in Style
Travel Logistics

Travel Logistics

Starts: Johannesburg
Ends: Johannesburg
Itinerary

Itinerary

Visits: South Luangwa Nosy Ankao
Timing

Timing

Duration: 11 nights
Price Guide

Price Guide

From USD $29375
per person

Counting your lucky stars Zambia safari and Madagascar beach

Pair wild Zambia with a palm-fringed island paradise, the perfect ending to the safari of a lifetime. We believe that every bush safari needs a beach ending where you can hide away from the world. And, yes, counting your lucky stars will take on a very literal meaning.

Your stay will be split between South Luangwa, located in the eastern part of Zambia, at the tail end of Africa’s great rift valley, where you’ll find one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa; and Nosy Ankao, an island on the north-eastern tip of Madagascar, peopled with dolphins, migrating humpback whales, five different turtle species and abundant tropical fish.

Trust us, this is a safari not many have experienced… and no-one forgets.

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Highlights

  • The Luangwa River winding its way through the park, leaving lagoons and ox bow lakes in its wake.
  • The over-400 species of birds. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see the rare Pels fishing owl.
  • Flying into Nosy Ankao over breathtakingly blue water on a helicopter transfer from the mainland.
  • Diving, deep-sea fishing and other water sports – on what’s called a ‘blue safari’ (for obvious reasons.)

Cool & Unusual

  • South Luangwa is considered the home of the walking safari, pioneered by the legendary Norman Carr. Few activities beat the experience of being on foot in the middle of wild, untouched Africa.

Break it down Itinerary overview

You’ll be met at Lusaka airport and flown on to Mfue, South Luangwa’s gateway and closest airport. Such is the abundance of wildlife, your transfer to the lodge becomes your first of many game drives – and a great introduction to the area.

Chinzombo is your home for the next five nights. Zambians are known to be some of Africa’s friendliest and happiest people, and here you’ll experience the best of Zambian hospitality, and enjoy the exclusivity of an area that few have had the privilege to visit.

Head out on traditional game drives by day, or venture out after-dark for a nocturnal perspective. For dinner experience the very best of African cuisine on the banks of the river, while absorbing the sounds and peace of the bush. Ahhh yes. Counting your lucky stars takes on a very literal meaning.

Within spitting distance of the airport, Intercontinental does downtime quite well. Grab a spa treatment or three and sip on fine South African wines. You’ll find comfy suites with wonderfully dark curtains for your over night stay. Fall asleep dreaming of lazy river safaris.

On the morning of the sixth day, you’ll start the journey to Nosy Ankao in Madagascar. This time you get wings not wheels, flying over reefs on your very own, private helicopter transfer before checking in to the sublime Miavana. The private resort was only built in 2017, and here you’ll spend the next six days in one of 14 luxury villas.

The exclusivity of the resort plays second fiddle only to the beauty of the island’s white sandy beaches, and the wealth of its famed marine bio-diversity. For those inclined to action, there’s fly-fishing, deep sea fishing, snorkelling or diving off the reef that surrounds the archipelago. Even if you feel like a beached whale from abundant servings of seafood, you’ll want to take a nature walk in search of the island’s resident lemurs.


Your stay Camps & lodges

5 Nights

Chinzombo

In a kink in the Luangwa River, vast lawns topple over the edge of the sandy river banks, anchored by six enormous tented suites. While not out of place, Chinzombo’s lowkey high design elevates it above the more classic style...

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1 Nights

Intercontinental O.R. Tambo

OK, so technically this one doesn’t tick the boxes of one of our typical out-of-the-ordinary destinations. But that certainly doesn’t make it any less extraordinary. (We’re very fussy when it comes to that sort of thing.) Just a martini olive...

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5 Nights

Miavana by Time+Tide

Dotted with towering baobabs and ruled (in part) by King Julien himself, Madagascar is a wonderfully strange micro-continent of rainforests, exotic beaches and unusual species you won’t find anywhere else on earth. Just off the north-eastern tip, on its own...

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Itinerary gallery

Zambia safari and Madagascar beach Rates & Dates

SeasonDatesPrice Guide
GreenJan - Jun 2025 & Nov 25from $29,375 per person sharing

Pricing intended as a guideline. Subject to availability, airfare and rate of exchange fluctuations. E&OE

Bang for your buck What’s included

5 nights at Chinzombo Camp including all meals

5 nights at Miavana by Time+Tide

1 night at Intercontinental O.R. Tambo including breakfast

All internal flights from Lusaka and transfers

All meals at safari lodges

Local wines, beers, soft drinks at meal times

All game drives and standard lodge activities

Experienced Safari Guides and Trackers on safari

Snacks and drinks during game drives

Conservation fees for game parks and reserves

Complimentary laundry service while on safari unless specified

Frequently asked Questions

You’ll spend five nights in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, a one-night stopover in Johannesburg, and five nights on Nosy Ankao.

From June to October, South Luangwa is at its peak for game viewing, with dry weather concentrating wildlife along the Luangwa River. This period also coincides with Madagascar’s best beach conditions — warm, sunny days and calm seas for snorkelling and diving. July to September is particularly special for humpback whale sightings around Nosy Ankao.

This itinerary blends luxury safari camps in South Luangwa with a private beachfront villa on Nosy Ankao. Expect elegant safari tents with riverside views in Zambia, followed by spacious, sea-facing villas in Madagascar with plunge pools and direct beach access.

Yes. All domestic flights, light aircraft connections, helicopter transfers to Nosy Ankao, and necessary ground transfers are included, making the transition from bush to beach effortless.

South Luangwa offers big cat sightings (lion, leopard), large elephant and buffalo herds, and hippo-filled lagoons, plus more than 400 bird species. Walking safaris allow you to track wildlife on foot, while night drives reveal nocturnal species like genets, civets, and owls.

Your days on Nosy Ankao can be as active or as relaxed as you like. Activities include snorkelling, scuba diving, dhow sailing, deep-sea fishing, whale watching (in season), sea kayaking, and turtle-spotting.

Absolutely. With its mix of secluded game drives, candlelit dinners in the bush, and private island villas, this is tailor-made for honeymoons and romantic escapes.

Yes! You can easily add a few days at Victoria Falls before heading to Madagascar, or include time in Nosy Be and other Madagascan islands for more beach variety.

This is why we do what we do Our travellers' stories

HOW IT WORKS

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