13 Days Wildlife Safari & Likumbi Lya Mize Festival
13 DAYS
The Likumbi Lya Mize of the Luvale people is a cultural experience in the centre of Zambian traditional masquerade. This trip is mainly lodging in National Park and hotels in the major cities. To make the most of your trip, you will be accompanied by a local guide with vas knowledge about wildlife Safari and another one in local tradition.
Likumbi Lya Mize Ceremony is a traditional ceremony of the Luvale speaking people in which the Makishi masquerades are displayed. The Makishi masquerades are very special and artistic, it is what makes this ceremony of the Luvale so interesting. The ceremony takes place on both sides of the Zambezi River in the North-Western Province of Zambia. It takes place at the last weekend of August every year. The Likishi is one of the two masquerades in Zambia that have received official recognition by UNESCO as ‘Artefacts of Intangible Culture’.
Highlights
- South Luangwa National Park
- Game Drives & Walking Safari
- Cultural experience with Likumbi Lya Mize is a traditional ceremony
- Explore Zambia Safaris and Cultural Tour
About
M’kango Golfview Hotel – Lusaka
- 3 Nights Ensuite Rooms (Bed & Breakfast)
Zikomo Safari Camp – South Luangwa National Park
- 4 Night Ensuite Chalet Accommodation
- Two Game Viewing Activities Per Full Day (Morning and Night Game Drive Safari)
- All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Afternoon Tea/Coffee with Snacks)
- National Park Entry Fees & Conservation Fees
- Laundry & Wi-Fi Services
- Government Taxes and Service Charge
Royal Kutachika & Likumbi Lya Mize Annual Festival – Zambezi
- 5 Night Ensuite Accommodation
- Breakfast & Dinner
Transportation:
- All Road Transfers & Driver services
- Visa Fees
- Flights & Travel/Medical Insurance
- Lunch & Dinner at Cresta Golfview Hotel
- Lunch at Royal Kutachika Lodge in the Zambezi
- Laundry Service at Cresta Hotel & Royal Kutachika
- Anything of personal nature
- All Drinks
M’kango Golf view Hotel – Lusaka
M’kango Golf view Hotel Lusaka has 78 air-conditioned bedrooms. The Lusaka Hotel boasts four spacious Conference Facilities that can accommodate up to 300 delegates. When in Lusaka come to stay at the luxurious, yet affordable M’kango Golf view Hotel. M’kango Golf view Hotel is located near the airport as well as the Central Business District (CBD). The M’kango Golf view Hotel Lusaka has 78 air-conditioned, en-suite rooms, and of course, offers free Wi-Fi. The Golf view hotel boasts four spacious Conference Facilities and two Executive Boardrooms that can accommodate up to 300 delegates. For all your functions in Lusaka, whatever the occasion.
M’kango Golf view Hotel provides Airport transfer services. And, as with all Cresta properties, a pleasant stay. A home away from home. The University of Zambia, Manda Hill Shopping Centre and Arcades Entertainment Centre are only 5 minutes away. M’kango Golfview Hotel in Lusaka is a fully licensed hotel with a 24-hour front desk.
PLEASURE: Chatters Restaurant, Chatters Cocktail Bar, Coffee Bar & Lounge, Swimming Pool & Children’s Pool
ACCOMMODATION: Room Service, Satellite TV, Tea / Coffee Making Facilities, Air-Conditioned Rooms
Zikomo Safari Camp – South Luangwa National Park
Zikomo Safari is in Zambia, across the river from South Luangwa National Park. It is set amidst an ancient valley filled with diverse African wildlife. This peaceful Eco Hotel in the African bush offers spacious accommodations: comfortable handcrafted chalets, or if you are self-driving, an expansive campground on the riverbank. A central Main Hall offers a fine restaurant, bar and gathering place overlooking the swimming pool and the sprawling flood plains of the tranquil hippo filled Luangwa River.
Only a forty-five (45) minute drive from Mfuwe International Airport, this affordable Eco Hotel is in an area away from other safari lodges, camps, and accommodations. Zikomo Safari is spread under a canopy of ageless shade trees on the banks of the Luangwa River. Its placement in the isolated Nsefu sector allows guests immediate access to one of the least crowded and most wildlife-rich areas in the world.
Whether you choose a driving tour to view the abundant wildlife (game drive), an exciting bush walk with a trained armed scout, a call on the local village for some tribal culture, or time out simply relaxing in a hammock, your visit will amaze you.
Zikomo Safari is the perfect setting for your Zambian Photo and Wildlife Viewing Safari.
Royal Kutachika Lodge (LIKUMBI LYA MIZE)
The Makishi (the singular is Likishi) are masked characters, each with its distinctive dancing styles, from the graceful to the funny and acrobatic. Most characters are from Luvale mythology but some are based on modern-day situations.
Examples include Munguli the hyena, Ngaji, an elephant dancer who, with his beautifully woven costume, is considered to be the most beautiful of all the Makishi. There is also Likishi Lya Mwana-Pwebo, a crowd puller and perhaps the best known Likishi. Dressed as a girl, he dances on a string tied between two poles.
It is believed that as he is dancing on the string the spirit of his wife is with him. That is why a dancer’s wife will never look up to her husband dancing. Only once he is safely back on the ground will she go to meet her husband, at which point her spirit is thought to return to her.
All Makishi are dressed in flamboyant masks and costumes, which show off the unique Luvale skill and traditional intricate mask-making. Women and children are told by their menfolk that the Makishi are in fact from the world of the dead.
Praise singers reciting the history of the tribe and the Luvale royalty offer the Luvale a chance to reaffirm social ties and their loyalty to the tribe’s paramount chief.
The people get a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of their chief, who is elaborately clad in colourful robes, wearing his Muchama crown and carrying a fly whisk. The Luvales are one of the peoples who migrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Traditionally, they were fishermen and hunters but also, they became one of the first Zambian people to establish trade links with non-Africans. By the eighteenth century, they were trading with Portuguese and Brazilian traders to West Angola.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival/Transfer to the Hotel, Lusaka
Upon arrival at Lusaka international airport, Meet & greet our representative then assist you with the luggage and transfer to Cresta Golfview Hotel where you will overnight on dinner , bed and breakfast.
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Day 2: Trip to Zikomo Safari Camp, South Luangwa NP
Breakfast in the morning and then the transfer of about 9 hrs to Zikomo Safari camp in South Luangwa National Park, if you arrive on time, you check in and tea/coffee with snacks and then afternoon/night game drive returning in time for dinner and later bedtime.
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Day 3 – 5: Explore South Luangwa NP (Nsefu Sector)
Breakfast in the morning followed by morning game drive and then return to the camp in time for lunch and free time to relax. Later in the afternoon, you will have afternoon tea/coffee and snacks then an afternoon game drive returning to the camp in time for dinner and then bedtime
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Day 6: Road Trip to M’kango Golf view Hotel – Lusaka
Breakfast at Wildlife Camp then the lodge will make some pack lunch for you and then our driver will take you on about 9 hours’ adventure drive through the towns and mountains to Lusaka, check-in at M’kango Golf view Hotel and relax.
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Day 7: Transfer to the Zambezi for the Festival
Breakfast at the hotel in Lusaka and preparation to start the journey to the Zambezi through the Copperbelt route. We will stop for lunch in Solwezi, a mining town, to try the region’s traditional meal: Nshima. Arrival in the Zambezi is at around 6:00 pm, with Check-in at a local guest house, Guests are advised to make their dinner arrangements through the restaurant.
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Day 8: Likumbi Lya Mize
The Likumbi Lya Mize Ceremony is kickstarted by KUVUMBUKA, the resurrection of over 100 Makishi from the land of the dead. The Luvales believe that the Makishi are not humans, but spirits of their ancestors. Every year, the Makishi resurrect from the Graveyards on the Eastern banks of the mighty Zambezi River and make their way to the plains called CHILENDE.
During this procession, Business in Zambezi districts comes to a standstill as scores of people line up the streets to have a glimpse of the Makishi Masquerades. The spectacular procession of Makishi displays a diversity of masked characters, each with its distinct features, personality traits and dancing style, from elegant to naughty and acrobatic. Most characters are from LUVALE FORKLORE, but some are based on modern-day situations. Before proceeding further, some Luvale women called NYATUNDANJI to hide gifts called VISWEKA in sandy mounds called LIHANGA.
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Day 9: Likumbi Lya Mize
The following day, the Makishi and different cultural groups host another Chilende called CHILENDE CHA HAUSEKESEKE, a dance show on the sandy beach of the Zambezi River. This is another remarkable count down to the Likumbi Lya Mize and attracts Makishi from all parts of Zambia.
The beautiful sandy beach and waters of the mighty Zambezi River set the mood for great jubilation. The performances start from midday to sunset and after which the Makishi Proceed to the Mize capital of His Royal Highness Senior Chief Ndungu.
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Day 10: Mize
The performances continue, this time in the palace from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. This Proceeds to an overnight performance to welcome the official day of the ceremony.
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Day 11: Mize
After breakfast, we cross the Zambezi River and reach the royal palace arena, where the climax of Likumbi Lya Mize will take place. We will have VIP seats in a vantage position, being personal guests of the Royal Family. Please note that we may have to wait for quite some time to allow all the heads of state, politicians and representatives of all tribes to reach the Arena.
Therefore, we will have to be patient while waiting for everything to be ready. During the day, there will be many celebrations and rituals that will be explained by your guide. Makishi will enter the arena and kneel in front of their king, while the living will be chanting the praise of the Luvale people. There will be numerous dances by the traditional dancers’, including an animal sacrifice. Lunch and drinks can be bought from the numerous stands next to the arena.
On the actual Mize Day or Likumbi Lya Mize, the ceremony starts with various cultural performances in the main arena by the Luvale speaking people from different parts of Zambia, while most dignitaries invited to the event are already seated in the enclosure awaiting the arrival of His Royal highness Senior chief Ndungu while listening to the royal slit drum.
Senior chief Ndungu then makes a grand entry into the main arena on a 3- wheel carriage known as Kalikoki, accompanied by his wife, Lisano. This makes the event colourful and interesting as the people have a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of their chief, clothed in a colourful robe, wearing his Muchama Crown and carrying a fly whisk. At sunset, we will return to the guesthouse for our last night in the Zambezi.
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Day 12: Transfer Back to Lusaka
Early departure for a transfer of about 9hours to Lusaka, we arrive and check-in at the hotel then relax before our flight the following day.
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Day 13: Departure
Today we have breakfast from our hotel and check out, based on your flight schedule, you will be taken to Lusaka International Airport for your outbound flight to wrap up your tour!