South Luangwa Walking Safari

This morning you take a scheduled flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe close to the South Luangwa. National Park. On arrival at Mfuwe airport, you are transferred to the lodge (40 minute drive). This is quite a busy road and you travel through villages, so your drive is punctuated by the opportunistic greetings of savvy youngsters, who wave madly in the hope of sweets!

On arrival at your camp you enjoy some lunch and settle into your room. Nkwali Camp is on the banks of the Luangwa river overlooking the South Luangwa National Park,. This is superb game-viewing country, famous for leopard and giraffe sightings. This charming small camp of six thatched en suite chalets has an unusual bar encircling an enormous ebony tree. Elephants often cross the Luangwa river to frequent the waterhole near the thatched dining room.

Later on, after some afternoon tea, you enjoy the first of your game drives. This drive will introduce you to some of the nocturnal animals and their predators as they become active and begin to hunt. You stop for drinks at sunset to enjoy the sounds and smells of the bush before continuing with the night drive. Afterwards you return for an atmospheric dinner back at the lodge.
Full Board & Game Activities

The brooding Luangwa River meanders through the luxuriant valley, supporting thousands of hippo and crocodile and sustaining the park. Elephant, a wide variety of antelope, buffalo, kudu, zebra, Thornycroft’s giraffe and wildebeest occur in great numbers, as well as over 400 bird species. Lion, wild dog and hyena are also common and the park is famed for its excellent leopard sightings.

You enjoy an early morning game drive immediately after early morning tea and coffee, as the animals rise early to hunt in the cool of the day. The three hour game drive finishes in time for brunch, which will be keenly appreciated after your early morning start! After brunch, you can simply relax around the lodge or at the swimming pool during the heat of the day. Afternoon tea is served just prior to your late afternoon game drive. Nkwali offers a choice of game drives or game walks.
Full Board & Game Activities

Today you are transferred to one of the Bushcamp Company’s five bush camps, Chamilandu, Chindeni, Kuyenda, Bilimungwe or the more luxurious Kapamba. The six camps all vary in character and location and we recommend different lodges depending on whether you wish to walk from one camp to another, what time of year you are coming, and your specific safari interests.

For example, Chamilandu Camp offers comfort, class and beauty in one of the South Luangwa’s prime river locations. Chamilandu has three reed and thatch tree house chalets, each two metres high, with wrought iron four poster beds and mosquito nets.
Full Board & Game Activities

Your safari activities will revolve around walking safaris. The day begins with tea/coffee and light snacks prior to setting off on your walking safari. Typically the game walk focuses on the smaller wildlife, the birds, the plants and their local medicinal uses and you’ll find yourself tracking spoor to identify different animals. Sometimes you’ll also encounter larger wildlife so your guide is always alert and ready. However the attraction of a walking safari lies in the overwhelming sense of being an active part of the bush.

You return to camp in time to freshen up before a sumptuous brunch. Afterwards there’ll be some time to relax in your room, or in the sitting area overlooking the river. Why not enjoy an afternoon siesta before meeting again for afternoon tea. Typically the afternoon game walk is shorter and then after drinks, you continue by vehicle on a night drive before returning to camp for dinner.
Full Board & Game Activities

Today you transfer to a second bushcamp. You may like to walk from one camp to the next, with your luggage being portered separately so that it is waiting for you on arrival. The pattern of activities is similar with a morning bush walk and an afternoon bush walk/night drive.

For example Chindeni Camp is situated on the edge of a permanent lagoon within the South Luangwa National Park, with the Nchindeni Hills as a magnificent backdrop. The lagoon offers the opportunity of bird-watching and wildlife viewing from the comfort of your private deck.
Full Board & Game Activities

Today you are transferred back to Mfuwe Airport by road in time for your scheduled flight back to Lusaka.

Note: It is possible to link this safari with other Zambian destinations such as Victoria Falls or the Lower Zambezi by paying a supplement for the additional flight.