SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

The South Luangwa National Park occupies some 9050 sq km in the mid Luangwa Valley, about one hours flying time north east of Lusaka. It is bounded by a sharp escarpment on the west and the eastern boundary is primarily the Luangwa River. The Park contains some of the finest game viewing to be found in Africa, with an abundance and great variety of wild animals to be seen most days.

In addition, some of the camps offer guests the opportunity to take night drives when, with the aid of a powerful spotlight, the nocturnal creatures can be seen, often including magnificent leopards. The Luangwa Valley is rich in birdlife, with over 300 species having been recorded in the National Park.

The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in this park and is still one of the finest ways to experience this pristine wilderness first hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter to a lush green wonderland in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species.

The hippopotamus is one animal you won’t miss, there is estimated to be at least 50 hippos per kilometre of the Luangwa River! Thornicroft’s Giraffe, unique to Luangwa Valley should be easily spotted. The park has 14 different antelope species, most of which are easily seen on game and night drives. South Luangwa has a good population of leopard but they are not that easy to spot and tend to retreat when they hear vehicles. Many of the Lodge’s game trackers are skilled in finding leopards on night drives however, and often visitors are rewarded with a full view of a kill. Lions are as plentiful in the Luangwa as anywhere else in Africa, but when a kill is made away from the central tourist area, the pride may stay away for several days and may not be seen by visitors on a short stay. Very often they roam in prides of up to thirty.

Seasonal changes are very pronounced in Luangwa. The dry season begins in April and intensifies through to October, the hottest month when game concentrations are at their height. Warm sunny days and chilly nights typify the dry winter months of May to August. The wet season begins in November as the leaves turn green, and the dry bleak terrain becomes a lush jungle. The rainy season lasts up until the end of March and the migrant birds arrive in droves. Each lodge stays open for as long as access is possible, depending on its location in the area.

Kapani

Kapani is an extremely comfortable, small safari camp of eight standard suites and two Lagoon Houses, each with a private loo and shower. It is built on the edge of a lagoon with lovely views out over the surrounding bush. Though not in the National Park, wild animals often pass by, including elephant, hyena, honey badgers and others. From Kapani, guests can go game viewing in the South Luangwa National Park in open vehicles or walk through the bush escorted by an armed ranger.

It is the ideal place for people to spend their first night in Africa, before moving on to the more rustic bushcamps. There is a main chitenge with a bar and lounge area. Link to Lodge web site.

Season: All year

Luwi

Luwi Bush Camp is a very simple camp of reed walls and thatched roofs, which is only open during the dry season, June to October. It has been built in an isolated part of the National Park, well away from other visitors, by a beautiful ox-bow lagoon. Accommodation is in four huts that are made of grass and thatch with polished mud floors. All meals are served in the shade of the trees, with a view of the grassy plain that normally attracts lots of wildlife.

Guests staying at Luwi Bush Camp will only be able to walk in the surrounding bush escorted by an armed ranger as there are normally no vehicles for game drives based in the camp. Luwi nestles under huge mahogany trees on the banks of a permanent lagoon. Luwi is one of the camps situated deepest in the Luangwa wilderness, lending the camp a rustic appeal and providing a truly African bush experience. Link to Camp web site.

Season: June to October inclusive

Nsolo

Nsolo is a beautiful small thatched roof camp with four comfortable double cottages; a bar and dining area, flush loos and hot showers. Nsolo is sited on the Luwi sand river within a grove of shady evergreen trees, in an area densely populated with game. A permanent waterhole nearby provides a local point for the local wildlife, zebra, impala, puku and warthog are never far away. The camp is primarily designed and sited for walking safaris, however game drives are also conducted in open four wheel drive vehicles. Link to Camp web site.

Season: June to October inclusive

Kakuli

Kakuli is a seasonal camp on the confluence of the Luwi and Luangwa rivers. There are five spacious tents with en suite facilities under a shady thatch roof. All of the tents overlook the river and have modern en suite bathrooms in the shade of huge trees. There is a beautifully designed central area for eating, drinking or simply relaxing in the middle of the day. The camp has its own borehole which provides both hot and cold running water.

The game viewing around the camp is quite spectacular. Link to Camp web site.

Season: June to October inclusive

Mchenja

Mchenja is a seasonal camp on the banks of the Luangwa River. Five wooden chalets have been built on raised platforms under thatch and nestle under a grove of ancient ebony trees. There is main chitenge under thatch, which houses the bar and lounge area, although most meals are enjoyed under the canopy of the magnificent trees outside. Link to camp web site.

Season: June to November inclusive

Tena Tena

Tena Tena is located in the Nsefu Sector on the banks of the Luangwa River facing due west, Tena Tena enjoys fabulous sunsets and glorious views out over the river and into the surrounding bush. The twin-bedded safari tents are erected in a grove of Trichelia evergreens and provide stand-up comfort, mosquito proofing and cool ventilation; each tent has a private loo and shower. Being in an isolated part of the South Luangwa National Park, you will be well off the beaten track in an area of abundant game which frequently comes close to the camp and often when sitting round the camp fire in the evening the roaring of lions and calling of hyenas will be heard. When staying at Tena Tena, you get close to the African wildlife without forsaking the comforts of civilisation. Link to Camp web site.

Season June - October

Nsefu

On a sweeping bend of the river, 12 kilometres north of Tena Tena, lies Nsefu. Nsefu was the first photographic safari camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognised then as a phenomenal area and it still is. The view of the river is superb and includes a terraced area where game grazes during the day. The bar, tucked in beside a huge extinct termite mound, overlooks a waterhole that is very productive for game, especially leopard at night. The original rondavels have been extended, with a spacious bathroom added. Each room has a clear view of the river, through large windows and from the new wooden verandah. The camp lies in the heart of the undeveloped Nsefu sector and so offers charm and total comfort in remoteness and seclusion. Link to Camp web site.

Season June - October

Nkwali

Nkwali is situated in a quiet and secluded area on the east side of the Luangwa River, 10km south of Mfuwe bridge (40 minutes from the airport). Situated on the banks of the river, in a grove of mahogany and ebony trees, the camp overlooks the National Park. The area surrounding the camp is exceptionally beautiful, with stream beds, wooded groves and a large grass plain. Walks can be taken through this untouched area, or you can boat across the river and walk in the National Park. Guests can also join the morning, afternoon and night drives into the National Park. All day with a picnic lunch into the outlying areas of the park are also an option.

The camp has six spacious double rooms, with woven bamboo walls and thatched roofs. The rooms are very open, with mosquito nets over the beds. There are shared facilities, two showers and flush toilets. From the open, thatched dining "sitenji" you can view the small lagoon behind the camp. Elephants have been watched drinking from the lagoon during the lunchtime meal. The bar area is under a huge ebony tree, on the edge of the river bank. Antelope and other game can be seen drinking from the river on the other side. From the bar the view stretches across the valley floor to the western escarpment.

Nkwali is simple and delightful. There is no generator and lighting is by lamps and the evenings are spent around the camp fire. Link to Camp web site.

Season April - December