Zambia: South Luangwa National Park

Park Overview

The concentration of game around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa. The park’s 3,500 square miles is home to a wide variety of game, birdlife and vegetation. The now famous ‘walking safari’ has its origins in this park and is still one of the best ways to experience South Luangwa first hand. The changing seasons only add to the Park’s beauty, ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter to a lush, green forest in the summer. Sixty different animal species and over 400 different bird species call this area home.


Further out on the plains you’re bound to see the large elephant herds, reaching up to 70 in number. Buffalo are also abundant and spread throughout the valley. As you cross over the bridge into the park there are usually between 30 and 70 hippos lounging in the river below. Zebra, giraffe, hyenas, leopard, lion, and crocodile are present in solid numbers. South Luangwa also has a significant primate population consisting of baboons, vervet and Maloney monkeys.

Camps

Description

Price Range
($/person/night)

Nkwaii

Built in 1991, Nkwali is located in Robin Pope’s private land, overlooking the South Luangwa National Park. Made of woven bamboo, the six chalets with attached bathrooms are airy and very spacious, and all have a view of the river. The magnificent bar, set in the banks of the river, has been built around a massive ebony tree. The dining room overlooks a lagoon, where many of the resident animals drink during the day; at night, some of these animals wander through the camp feeding on the vegetation. Activities include daily walks in the bush, morning and night drives, and all-day drives with bush picnics, with the length of the drives determined by the enthusiasm of the guests.

 

Tena Tena

Tena Tena is located on the banks of the Luangwa River, under a grove of shady mahogany trees within South Luangwa National Park. Accommodating twelve guests, the six large custom-made tents each have an attached bathroom with a shower and flush loo. The thatched dining room and bar, from which herds of elephant can be seen, stand on a wide bend of the Luangwa River. The hide behind Tena Tena overlooks a water hole and guests can spend many hours with their cameras as the game pass through. Activities include daily walks in the bush, morning and night drives, as well as all-day drives with bush picnics. The length of the drives are determined by the enthusiasm of the guests.

 

Kapani

Kapani Safari Lodge is an exclusive sixteen bed lodge situated on a large lagoon beside the Luangwa River. The eight stone-built rooms are designed for the warmer weather with high ceilings, overhead fans and large gauzed windows. Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and a verandah with bar/fridge. The camp is designed for the slower pace of life, between safaris guests can relax by the swimming pool or browse through the library. Meals are taken in the open air on our dining platform, shaded by evergreen foliage and overlooking the lagoon.

 

Nsolo

Located in the South Luangwa National Park, Nsolo Camp has four spacious rooms, which accommodate up to 8 guests, and are built from grass with en-suite shower, washbasin, flush toilet and verandah. At Nsolo, guests enjoy a little luxury in the heart of the wilderness. In a thatched chitenge with a bar and dining areas, superb cuisine is served. A nearby hide overlooks a water-hole, where game-viewing is most rewarding. Professional guides take visitors on walking safaris and open-vehicle game drives, as well as night drives with a spotlight.

 

Luwi

Located in the South Luangwa National Park, Luwi Camp consists of four simple thatched bamboo rooms set in a beautiful shady grove. Accommodating up to six guests, the camp offers an al fresco dining area, hot showers, flush toilet and solar lights. The evenings at Luwi are spent under the stars, absorbing the sounds of the night or listening to tales of the bush around the camp fire. A short distance away lies a large oxbow lagoon teeming with hippos and crocodiles.

 

Tafika

It is superbly situated just to the north of the Nsefu sector of the National Park. It is in an exceptional wildlife area and offers quick, easy access to both the Nsefu sector and the Park on the opposite (west) bank. The camp consists of four comfortable grass and pole chalets with en suite facilities catering for a maximum of eight guests. With so few guests, we offer a highly personalized, friendly service; and game viewing activities are very flexible. Lighting and refrigeration are solar powered. Walks and game drives are on offer, as well as the famous Luangwa night drive. All safaris are led by John Coppinger, who has eleven years guiding experience in the Luangwa Valley and is an Honorary Ranger, or Bryan Jackson who has five years guiding experience in Luangwa, together with an armed escort scout.

 

 
Map