With near exclusive access to approximately 50 kilometres of the fabulous Luangwa River, there really is no one else around. This is the ultimate wilderness experience in a park of nearly 5,000 square kilometres.
Takwela Camp, much like North Luangwa National Park, is exclusive and remote. With seven nights based in this delightful camp, you have the rare opportunity to visit a beautiful and unexplored area and enjoy an intimate wilderness experience, both from the comfort of the lodge and during vehicular safaris. Walking safaris add another dimension to the experience. With virtually no roads and the guidance of expert local naturalists, the North Luangwa is a perfect destination to explore on foot.
The Mwaleshi River cuts through the remote North Luangwa until its confluence with the vast Luangwa River, which forms the park’s Eastern boundary. Here, around 450 hippos reside, as well as Takwela Camp where you're based.
Staying 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.
On morning and afternoon safaris, you search for large predators such as wild dog, leopard and lion while elephant and buffalo are included in the cast of iconic species. On night drives you observe the nocturnal antics of owls, genets, civets, hyena, lions on the move, leopard, four-toed elephant shrew, several mongoose species and much more.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
Depart from London Heathrow to Lusaka via Dubai International Airport.
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Day 2:
Arrive Lusaka
Arrive in Lusaka, where you're met and transferred to your accommodation.
Accommodation: Ciela Resort & Spa, 1-night
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Day 3:
Transfer to North Luangwa
You're transferred back to the airport in Lusaka, where you check in for your domestic flight up to Mfwue in the Luangwa Valley. After landing at Mfuwe International Airport, you check in for your charter flight up to North Luangwa National Park, which takes approximately 45 minutes.
You land in North Luangwa National Park during the afternoon, where you're met at the airstrip and then transferred by 4x4 safari vehicle to your accommodation. Depending on when you arrive, you can have a bite to eat and some time to settle into your new accommodation before heading out on your first late afternoon excursion in North Luangwa.
Accommodation: Takwela Camp, 7-nights
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Days 4-9
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Walking safaris & game drives in North Luangwa National Park
Over the course of the next six days, you enjoy a mixed programme of game drives and walking safaris to experience the wildlife and habitats of North Luangwa, immersing yourself in this serene and unspoilt environment.
Activities take place in the early morning and late afternoon, avoiding the heat of the day and concentrating your efforts when the wildlife is at its most active. Between activities, there's plenty of time to unwind in the comfortable surrounds of the lodge, observing the comings and goings of the birds and mammals that frequent the nearby river. Your stay at Takwela in North Luangwa provides you with a truly authentic safari experience as you explore on foot and by vehicle, which allows you to get two different perspectives on this beautiful national park.
Some of the species that you can hope to encounter include lion, elephant, Cookson's wildebeest, Crawshay's zebra, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, spotted hyena and even leopard and African wild dog if you're lucky. North Luangwa National Park is also home to the only black rhino in Zambia, following a reintroduction programme started for this species back in 2003. Whilst there's now a population of around 30 individuals, you will have to be extremely lucky to see these amazing creatures, as they remain elusive and skittish.
In addition to the mammals there's also a wonderful variety of birdlife for you to enjoy with notable highlights that you might encounter including yellow-billed stork, Verreaux's eagle owl, African skimmer, dwarf bittern, western banded snake eagle, collared palm-thrush, Pel's fishing owl and Narina trogon. If you travel from September onwards, you can enjoy some of the migrants that arrive in the Luangwa Valley towards the end of the dry season, in particular the southern carmine bee-eater.
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Day 10:
Depart Zambia
You return to the airstrip in the North Luangwa this morning to catch your charter flight back to Mfwue where you connect with your flights back to the UK or with any onward travel arrangements.
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Day 11:
Arrive UK
