The Luangwa Valley

Our Leopards of Luangwa itinerary features Kapani and its satellite camps, Luwi, Nsolo, Kakuli and Mchenja, but these are just a few of the excellent camps that are on offer in Luangwa. The camps we work with in Zambia, as with other countries, we hand-pick, and we know them well. All of the camps have en-suite facilities, superb guides, great food and wonderful views. Most camps offer game-drives in open 4-wheel drives (daytime and night-time), and walking safaris - we will chat through the options with you.

Why not consider one or more of the following:

Tena Tena , operated by Robin Pope Safaris, is a well established camp accommodating only eight guests in spacious tents, beautifully furnished in rich colours creating a Middle Eastern feel. The bathrooms are made from woven bamboo and join the tents under a large grass archway. In addition to the normal game-viewing activities Tena Tena offers extended camp-to-camp portered walking safaris. This is featured in our South Luangwa Mobile Walking Safari.

Nsefu (Luangwa's original tourist camp first constructed in the 1950's) is nearby, offering accommodation for twelve guests in six rooms, each with large windows and a wooden verandah. The view of the Luangwa River is superb from here and includes a terraced area where wildlife grazes during the day.

Nkwali is set in a stunning area of ebony woodland and open grasslands and accommodates twelve guests in six comfortable, cool and spacious chalets. The area is well known for its Leopard, Elephant and giraffe sightings. Nkwali offers walking safaris, game drives and night drives.

Tafika , owned by John and Carol Coppinger, is superbly situated just to the north of the Nsefu sector of the South Luangwa National Park on a magnificent stretch of the Luangwa River. The camp consists of six comfortable grass and pole chalets catering for a maximum of twelve guests. With so few guests the camp offers a highly personalised, friendly service and the game-viewing activities are very flexible. Lighting and refrigeration at the camp are solar powered. In addition to traditional game-viewing Tafika offers unique boating and canoeing safaris between mid-February and mid-April when the river level is high.

Whilst being a brilliant naturalist guide John is also a highly skilled pilot and offers early morning micro-light flights - a great way to start the days game-viewing.

Combine your visit to Tafika with a stay at its two satellite camps Chikoko and Crocodile Camp . Both are simple camps constructed of thatch overlooking grassy plains. The chalets at Chikoko have been built three metres above the ground to perfect the view! All luggage and supplies are portered into the camps as there are no roads - this is a walking safari at its very best. The camps lie slightly upstream of Tafika on the opposite bank of the Luangwa in a wilderness area of great natural beauty teeming with big game.

Kaingo, run by Derek Shenton, is one of the very special Luangwa Camps. Set in a wooded grove on the banks of the Luangwa, Kaingo is a luxury property accommodating only 12 people. The have Mwamba, a satellite camp along the Mwamba river which sleeps 6 and the 2 make an excellent combination. A special feature of these camps is the photographic hides designed by Derek and used by some of the world's top photographers.

Chichele Presidential Lodge used to be the president's private wilderness retreat. For years it fell into rack and ruin, but has since been refurbished into a luxury (if fairly large) lodge in the southern region of the park. Close by is Puku Ridge, its satellite camp. Puku Ridge is beautifully appointed and accommodates twelve people.

In the southern area of the park is a series of unique and superb camps - Kapamba, Chamilandu, Chindeni, Bilimungwe and Kuyenda. Each one has a unique setting, they all offer great walking and driving safaris and they are exceptionally well run. They combine well with the other camps in South Luangwa, and can easily be combined with a safari to the north.