ZM-NOR7 · 7 days
Northern Discovery.
Zambia’s frontier route — mining heritage, hidden waterfalls and the shores of Africa’s longest lake, for travellers who want the road less taken.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Best time
- May–October
- Starts / ends
- Lusaka
- Group
- Small group, private guide-driver
- Fitness
- Moderate — rough roads
Kalambo Falls, Northern Province
The journey
Our pioneer route. Where few visitors go.
Zambia’s north is still building its tourism infrastructure — and we treat that as the point, not a problem. Seven days trace a corridor from the Copperbelt’s mining cities, through Northern Province’s waterfalls around Kasama, to Mbala and the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Expect more basic accommodation than our flagship journeys, longer transfer days, and a genuine sense of arriving somewhere few visitors go — with buffer time built in, because that is how this part of Zambia works. We brief every guest honestly before departure.
- Chishimba Falls — a three-tier cascade
- Mwela Rocks — ancient San rock art
- Kalambo Falls — 221m single drop
- Lake Tanganyika boat outing
Chishimba Falls, Kasama
Day by day
The road less taken.
- Day 1
Lusaka to the Copperbelt
Fly Lusaka–Ndola (about 40 minutes) or drive (roughly 320 km / 3 hours). Copperbelt orientation — Ndola’s mining heritage and city sights.
- Day 2
Deeper into the Copperbelt
Kitwe and the wider Copperbelt for a fuller look at Zambia’s mining economy, then transfer toward Kasama.
- Day 3
Waterfalls & rock art
Chishimba Falls, about 35 km from Kasama, then Mwela Rocks — one of Central Africa’s largest concentrations of ancient San rock art.
- Day 4
North to Mbala & Kalambo Falls
Drive to Mbala (about 2 hours) and on to Kalambo Falls — at 221 m, Africa’s second-highest single-drop waterfall, on the Zambia–Tanzania border.
- Day 5
Lake Tanganyika
Drive to Mpulungu (about 40 minutes): boat outing on the lake, a fishing-village visit and lakeside lunch.
- Day 6
Buffer & return south
A contingency morning for roads and small-aircraft schedules, or an optional second lake outing; transfer back towards Kasama.
- Day 7
Homeward
Fly Kasama–Lusaka (via Ndola where required).
Inclusions
Honest about the frontier.
What's included
- All internal transfers as listed
- Guided excursions to Chishimba Falls, Mwela Rocks, Kalambo Falls and Lake Tanganyika
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Professional guide-driver throughout
Not included
- Lusaka–Ndola and Kasama–Lusaka flights (quoted separately)
- Zambia visa fees
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Optional lake activities beyond the included outing
Lusaka–Mbala is around 800 km by road, so flying between hubs is strongly recommended. Talk to us about current road and flight conditions before committing your dates.
The north
A part of Zambia most never see.
ZM-NOR7 · 7 days
For the curious and the patient.
Let’s talk about current conditions and the right dates for you.
One message · One accountable team · All of Zambia
Part of a wider collection
Pair it with another journey.
This journey is one of nine curated itineraries across Zambia. Combine them — we connect every transfer in between.
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ZM-KAF55 days / 4 nightsVast ZambiaKafue — bigger than Wales, a fraction of the visitors. Woodland to floodplain at an unhurried pace.Quote on request
ZM-GRA1210–12 daysZambia Grand ArcCity, river, wildlife, culture and Victoria Falls — five faces of Zambia as one connected story.Quote on request