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Luangwa - Kakuli Bush Camp

Kakuli Camp is a small luxurious tented camp located on an elevated section of the Luangwa's west bank, at its confluence with a small tributary called the Luwi River. This beautiful 10-bedded camp consists of large walk-in tents each with en-suite bathrooms made from natural materials. A central dining and relaxation area is constructed of sympathetic reed and thatch. It is a great place to curl up with a book or simply watch the wildlife on the river and wide grazing lawn in front of you.

Game-viewing activities here include walking, driving and night-driving. Kakuli and its sister camps Luwi, Nsolo and Mchenja are ideal for anyone seeking a personalised remote bush experience in the South Luangwa, along with great hospitality and spectacular opportunities to explore this magnificent wildlife sanctuary on foot. Each camp is unique in location and style and perfectly suited to an African walking safari moving from camp to camp.

Kakuli Camp, Luangwa Valley, Zambia

Kakuli Camp, Luangwa Valley, Zambia

Kakuli Camp, Luangwa Valley, Zambia

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The newly designed Kakuli Camp will be the venue for our 2009 River's & Rainbows safaris in February and March. Having run these trips from Mchenja for the past 2 years we believe that Kakuli will provide us with a better Emerald Season experience and are already looking forward to this most exciting time of year.

  • Location:

    South Luangwa is the jewel of Zambia's national parks. It lies in the north-eastern part of Zambia and comprises some 9,050 square kilometres of unspoilt African wilderness. Its eastern boundary is the meandering Luangwa River whose regular changes in course leave characteristic ox-bow lagoons which are one of the most scenic aspects of the park. Set amongst beautiful riverine vegetation of evergreen Mahogany and Ebony Trees, these lagoons and the 'grazing lawns' around them are a magnet to the outstanding wildlife of the park.

    You can expect to encounter numerous large animals here - Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Lion, Nile Crocodile, Warthog, Puku, impala, Spotted Hyena, Greater Kudu and Eland are all common, and the Luangwa Valley probably has the world's highest, naturally occurring population of Leopard. Unique to the Luangwa are the Thornicroft's Giraffe, Cookson's Wildebeest and Crawshay's Zebra, which are found nowhere else. For the birdwatcher too, Luangwa could hardly be better with some 400 species of bird. The sun-scorched riverbanks play host to vast colonies of Carmine Bea-Eaters, which together with numerous raptors, lovebirds, weavers and kingfishers lend more than a splash of colour to this beautiful destination. Concentrations of game along the riverine area increase throughout the dry season and are at their maximum during September and October. Buffalo herds of over a thousand and large herds of Elephant are frequent sightings. Hippos collect in huge numbers, often several hundred strong, in the deep-water channels of the river, accompanied by unknown numbers of Nile Crocodile.

    The beautiful 'green season' begins with the first rains in early November. The occasional rain storm is unlikely to affect your safari activities and there are many advantages to visiting at this time. There is a glorious cleansing of the dust and haze that has built up during the intense heat of the dry season and a wonderful green flush adorns the previously parched earth. Flowering trees and plants come into bloom, and the young of most animals are born, including African Wild Dog puppies. The sky is full of migrant birds from Europe and central Asia, and the resident birds are in colourful breeding dress and of course full song. Not only is it a beautiful time to visit, but the lodges also offer attractive discounts.

    Safaris from all the camps and lodges are conducted both by open four-wheel drive vehicles and on foot (in the dry months of mid-May to early November), with armed scouts and fully qualified safari guides. Night drives with powerful spotlights are a highlight.