SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

The Luangwa Valley marks the end of the Great Rift Valley and is one of Africa’s last unspoilt wilderness areas, covering an area of 9,000 km2 through which the meandering Luangwa River flows. The ox bow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley are host to huge concentrations of game, including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo and over 400 species of birds. The size of the giant mahogany, leadwood, coconut ivory palm and baobab trees add to this incredibly beautiful landscape. Walking safaris are offered and are the best way to really discover the secrets of the bush, as well as day and night game drives in open top vehicles, providing excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities. Night drives generally include a sundowner and then the drive continues with a powerful spotlight to see the nocturnal world of the bush from owls and genets to hunting lions and the graceful leopard. There are many superb safari camps to choose from, in different habitats and with different game viewing highlights, so combining the areas is not repeating the experience but enhancing it!

Kapani Safari Lodge
Kapani Safari Lodge is an exclusive lodge situated on a quiet lagoon beside the Luangwa River near the all weather Mfuwe area. 16 guests are accommodated in comfortable stone chalets with high ceilings, overhead fans and large gauzed windows. Excellent day and night game drives. Open all year with green season rates 01 November - 31 May. Norman Carr, who founded walking safaris in Zambia, started the Kapani School Project which funds the education of local children and teaches an appreciation of the value of the environment and its wildlife. Swimming pool.

Kapani Walking Safaris
Kapani Walking Safaris operate 3 bush camps along the Luwi tributary deep within the National Park. Luwi Bush Camp accommodates 8 guests in thatched bamboo huts under a shaded grove of trees, adjacent to the Luwi Lagoon, teeming with hippos and crocodiles. Nsolo Bush Camp accommodates 8 guests in spacious grass and canvas chalets with wooden decks on the banks of the Luwi Sand River. Kakuli Bush Camp is a tented camp accommodating 8 guests overlooking the confluence of the Luwi and Luangwa Rivers. Each camp offers walking safaris with its own guide and armed scout and guests may walk or be driven from one camp to another. Open June to October.

Nkwali Camp
Nkwali Camp is the home of Robin and Jo Pope near the all weather Mfuwe area on the banks of the Luangwa River overlooking the National Park. Accommodation for 12 guests is in spacious bamboo and thatch chalets. The area is rich in wildlife and has beautiful ebony woodlands and open grass plains. Elephant are often seen from the camp crossing the river and the area is famous for leopard and giraffe sightings. The camp offers walking and day and night game drives. A visit to Jo’s vegetable garden is a treat! Children under 12 pay 50 % in April, May, Nov, Dec.

Tena Tena Camp
Tena Tena Camp ... is altogether beyond superlatives, and must be one of the best safari camps in the whole of Africa” The Times, London. This remote camp within the Nsefu Sector of the Park enjoys stunning views on a sweeping bend in the river. A grove of evergreen mahogany trees shade large tents under thatched roofs accommodating 12 guests. The guiding and game viewing are superb and the camp offers walking and day and night game drives. Nearby is the spectacular Buca Buca lagoon where a whole morning can be spent quietly sitting while the game comes down to feed and drink.

Nsefu Camp
Nsefu Camp dates back to the early 1950s and was the first game camp in Zambia. It is situated on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River with superb views over a terraced area where game grazes during the day. The bar is beside a huge extinct termite mound overlooking a very productive waterhole, especially for leopard at night. Accommodation for 12 guests is in thatched rondavels with river views and activities include walking and day and night game drives. Open July - October.

Kawaza School and Village
Kawaza School and Village has been supported by Robin Pope Safaris for the last 10 years and is a fine example of how help from tourism can improve a community. You can spend a night in the village sleeping in traditional huts on raised mats and all food is traditional. Guests are invited to join the villagers in their daily activities. Suggested stay is 1 - 2 nights (April to December) or lunch only. A donation to the village is included in the fee.

Robin Pope Walking Safaris
Robin Pope Walking Safaris are led by brilliant guides and are always in high demand! They operate a choice of 3 different walking safaris. Firstly the Walking Mobile Safari is known to be THE wilderness experience of the South Luangwa It consists of 2 nights at Nkwali, 5 nights following the Mupamadzi River walking about 10 km per day between 3 fully serviced mobile tented camps in an area that is remote and wild and where game is shy and unused to man, and 2 nights at Tena Tena. These trips operate on set dates for a minimum 9 nights for 6 guests (mid June - September) and are nearly always sold out a year in advance, especially those guided by Robin. Secondly, the Nsefu Trails consist of 2 nights at Nkwali Camp, 3 nights at Chibembe's bush camps considered to be in one of the best walking and riverine areas, and 2 nights at Nsefu. These operate on set dates for a minimum of 7 nights for 6 guests (June - October). Thirdly, the Mupamadzi Walking Safaris consist of 2 nights at Nkwali, 2 nights at Luwi, 3 nights at Mupamadzi Walking Camp and 2 nights at Tena Tena. These operate on set dates for a minimum of 9 nights for 6 guests. On all these trips you learn the many facets of the bush, from ant to buffalo and birds' nests to tracking lion.

Chibembe Safari Lodge
Chibembe Safari Lodge on the confluence of the Chibembe and Luangwa Rivers accommodates 12 guests in ensuite tents shaded by mahogany and winter thorn acacia trees. It is the start and finish point for walking safaris and a base for game and night drives exploring the National Park. The ensuite thatched walking camps (Mumbulu, Kasansanya and Changa) are in a private concession area inside the park and are 2 - 4 hours walk apart. All are sited in shady woodland with river views. The area has no roads and is mainly woodland with rich and varied mammal and bird life; elephant, buffalo and many species of plains game are commonly seen. The length and pace of walking safaris are set to meet the requirements, comfort and interests of the guests. Operated by Chilongozi Safaris.

Tafika Camp and Mwaleshi Camp
Tafika Camp is nestled in the shade of huge leadwood trees with breathtaking views up and down the Luangwa River. It is the home of John and Carol Coppinger and accommodates 10 guests in simple comfortable chalets constructed entirely from local materials. John lives his dream of working with wildlife and is one of the most highly respected guides in the valley. During the dry season safaris on foot or open vehicle are offered. The adventurous can do microlight game flights at an additional cost of $ 60 for a 15 - 20 minute flight. During the wet season (10 Feb - 10 April) the roads are swamped so river safaris - canoeing, boating and microlighting are offered. For guests who really appreciate remoteness John operates Mwaleshi Camp in the North Luangwa National Park. The area is legendary for its large lion population. There are few roads so most game viewing is on foot. The camp accommodates 6 guests for a minimum of 4 nights from mid June to the end of October.

Other South Luangwa camps are Kaingo, Kuyenda, Chinzombo.