South Luangwa National Park is Zambia’s premier wildlife destination and covers an area of 9050 km sq to the east of the country. The park, renowned for its unspoilt beauty and varied habitats, supports one of Africa’s richest concentrations of game and birdlife. Over forty species of large mammal and some four hundred species of bird thrive in this last haven of wild Africa.

The meandering Luangwa River with its many ox-bow lagoons and shady ebony groves forms the eastern boundary of the park, whilst the western horizon is dominated by the spectacular Muchinga escarpment, rising almost a kilometre from the Valley floor. Game viewing activities are tailored to the guests within each camp and are generally day and night game drives and walking safaris. Night drives with a spotlight are one of the highlights of the Luangwa Valley, giving the chance to see nocturnal animals, particularly leopard, for which the area is now famous. Luangwa is regarded as the home of walking safaris and during the dry season (1 June to 31 October) those with a sense of adventure can set out on foot with a guide and armed scout for morning walks from their lodge or enjoy a more extensive foot safari from their bush camp.

Day 1 & 2:

Guests are met on arrival at Lusaka airport where they connect onto a charter flight to Mfuwe in the South Luangwa National Park. Accommodation has been reserved for 2 nights at Kapani Lodge on a full board basis, including all meals, drinks, game activities and national park entry fees.

Kapani is an exclusive, privately owned camp situated on a large lagoon beside the Luangwa River accommodating only 20 guests. The ten brick and thatch rooms are designed for the warmer weather with high ceilings, overhead fans and large gauzed windows. Each of the eight standard suites has an en-suite bathroom and lounge with a bar fridge.  The two Lagoon Houses overlook the Kapani Lagoon and are very private and spacious with en-suite facilities.

The camp is on mains electricity and offers most modern facilities. A thatched building in the centre of camp houses the bar and lounge area and is a pleasant place to relax between game drives. According to the season, dining is al fresco with dinner taken on the terrace and brunch taken on a shady platform overlooking the lagoon. There is a small gift shop offering books and local crafts as well as a secluded swimming pool at the far end of camp.

Walking Safaris

Kapani operates the following three bushcamps situated in remote areas of the National Park. For the more adventurous the camps have been combined, walking out of one camp early in the morning and arriving at the next for brunch to find your bags already waiting for you… These walking safaris from camp to camp are not strenuous and are conducted at a pace determined by the guests - but usually last 3 to 4 hours. They are led by a fully qualified guide and armed game scout.

Day 3 & 4:

After breakfast guests are transferred by road to Luwi Camp for 2 nights accommodation on a full board basis including all game activities.

Luwi Camp consists of 4 thatched bamboo huts set in a beautifully shady grove of trees on the banks off the Luwi sand river. Although the huts have flush toilet and hot showers, this camp is kept as simple as possible and, to most, this is its greatest appeal. We eat under the trees and stars and listen to the noises of the African bush.

Day 5 & 6:

Today, guests walk to Nsolo for 2 nights accommodation on a full board basis including all game activities.

Nsolo has 4 spacious canvas roofed chalets built on raised wooden decks with reed walls and en-suite bathrooms. Each chalet is set under the shade of large evergreen trees with private verandahs overlooking the surrounding bush. There is a thatched chitenje with bar and dining offering a peaceful refuge where guests can study the camps collection of books or view a variety of game at the waterhole.

Day 7 & 8:

Today, guests walk to Kakuli, which makes a wonderful base to end the trip. Accommodation is on a full board basis including all game activities.

Kakuli has five traditional walk-in safari tents each with en-suite bathrooms made from natural materials. The bar and dining chitenje is constructed of reed and thatch forming the centre point of camp. This building along with each of the tents is on an elevated stretch of riverbank overlooking a wide grazing lawn that follows the Luangwa River until it meets the confluence of the Luwi and Luangwa rivers.

Day 8:

After an early morning activity, guests are driven back to Mfuwe Airport and board a charter flight to Lusaka, to connect with onward international flight connections.

Includes:            All accommodation, meals, air charters, road transfers, national park entry fees, game activities, government taxes, local drinks, domestic flight departure taxes and emergency evacuation cover.

Excludes:            International flights, international airport departure taxes, immigration visa fees (if required), gratuities, personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature.

Notes:   Guests are strictly restricted to 12kg of luggage per passenger for charter flights (soft duffle bags only). We reserve the right to transfer guests by commercial flight if necessary. Itinerary is based on a minimum of 2 guests traveling together.

Children:            This itinerary is suitable for children of 12 years and over