Why You Should Consider a Safari in North Luangwa

There are two things that Africa seems to have in bucket loads which I don’t think any other continent has in quite the same way - firstly vast open spaces that seem to go on forever, and secondly an ever-present population of magnificent mammals, birds, insects and reptiles. The combination of the two is utterly intoxicating for wildlife enthusiasts, birders and photographers alike.

Imagine sitting in front of your chalet, by the side of the huge silty Luangwa and Mwaleshi Rivers at their confluence, with your binoculars or camera in hand, looking out at the whole of Africa. There are a hundred or more hippos in front of you, impala and waterbuck coming to drink, baboons playing on the far bank, elephants having a dust bath at the river’s edge, crocodiles basking in the heat, Cape turtle doves calling in the background, and a raptor or two overhead. And most importantly of all, there’s no one else for miles around. This is wilderness. This is North Luangwa at its very best.

On our new North Luangwa – Off the Beaten Track safari we spend a whole week at Takwela – a beautiful camp in a wild and remote part of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley. With near exclusive access to about 50 kilometres of the fabulous Luangwa River, there really is no one else around and we have the camp entirely to ourselves. This is the ultimate wilderness experience in a park of nearly 5,000 square kilometres.

As you would imagine, the game viewing from Takwela is second to none. There are expertly guided game drives both day and night and you can also enjoy walking safaris in the company of an armed scout (both morning and afternoon) to see the wildlife at its own ‘eye-level’… it really is a wonderful experience. A full week on safari gives you plenty of time to explore the park which hosts a highly successful black rhino sanctuary and healthy populations of lion, spotted hyena, elephant, buffalo, leopard, Cookson’s wildebeest and wild dog amongst others.

The birding here is superb too with bee-eaters, rollers, waxbills, hornbills, and numerous raptors all possible. Being based at a single camp for an extended period allows for a more immersive experience, the opportunity to sit back and observe the comings and goings of the park’s wild inhabitants or to simply rest in the shade of a tree with a good book and to soak in the sounds of the bush.

Getting to Takwela is an adventure in itself, with a light aircraft journey from Mfuwe in the south flying over a dramatic riverine landscape which delivers you directly into the heart of North Luangwa National Park. From here a short game drive takes you to the river and your first chance of seeing Zambia’s iconic wildlife before you get into a canoe for the short river crossing to camp itself.

This is a week-long safari like no other, in a wilderness that needs to be seen to be believed.

Images by Takwela Camp

Escape the crowds whilst on safari with our North Luangwa - Off the Beaten Track holiday to Zambia. To find out more, contact our expert team.