Our Ultimate South Luangwa safari trip idea visits the wildest and most remote areas of the Luangwa Valley and is complimented with some of the best guides in the business.
The adventure begins just a short game drive from the airport at the stunning Mfuwe Lodge; famous for the elephants that pass through the property between October and December to feast on fallen mangoes in the lodge grounds. Followed by stays at two of the best camps in the Valley on offer in this remarkable wilderness, this itinerary provides you with an unrivalled bush experience full of diverse wildlife and landscapes. These camps are located at opposite ends of the park in some of the least visited areas and as such, offer guests intimate and immersive sightings on vehicle and walking safaris with some of Africa’s most iconic mammals and a bonanza of birdlife, fascinating flora, intriguing insects and remarkable reptiles - the quintessential South Luangwa experience!
The dry season (May to October) presents as the ideal time for wildlife viewing, with diminishing water sources leading to large congregations gathering to quench their thirst, huge pods of hippos battling for shelter from the sun in the remaining pools and long searches for food across barren plains and forests for many of the parks inhabitants, all whilst trying to avoid the large quantities of lion, leopard and African wild dog that call South Luangwa National Park home. Migratory birds abound too, as hundreds of dazzling southern carmine bee-eaters arrive towards the end of August into early September to nest in the steep sandy banks of the retreating Luangwa River to add to the spectacle before the rains arrive in November.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Lusaka, Zambia.
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Day 2:
Arrive Lusaka & overnight
On arrival in Lusaka, you're met and transferred to your overnight accommodation in Zambia’s capital city. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to spend as you wish.
Accommodation: Latitude 15°, 1-night
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Day 3:
Fly to Mfuwe & transfer to South Luangwa National Park & Mfuwe Lodge
Today you transfer back to the airport for your flight to Mfuwe, the gateway to the South Luangwa National Park.
On arrival at Mfuwe Airport you're met and transferred to your first accommodation, on what's essentially a game drive. So make sure you have your cameras ready! The drive will take around 45 minutes, depending on what you see along the way, as you can stop to watch and photograph a variety of species.
Once you've arrived at the lodge and settled into your room, there's time for a delicious lunch, serenaded by birdsong where you're able to marvel at your new surrounds, taking in astounding views of the floodplain from the picturesque decking area and any wildlife that wanders through it. As the heat of the day begins to subside, you board a game viewer and explore the park on an afternoon game drive for your first opportunity to truly experience this amazing part of Zambia and its tremendous wildlife before returning for dinner.
Accommodation: Mfuwe Lodge, 1-night
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Day 4:
Transfer to Kapamba Bushcamp
Today, you embark on a three and a half to four-hour transfer to your next accommodation. However, this prospect is not as daunting as it first sounds, as you will be driving through the park with your guide and observing wildlife along the way, this transfer is actually a game drive. Following the direction of the Luangwa River south, this drive will cover a good amount of the park, allowing you to witness some variation in landscape and also a wealth of wild and birdlife.
Accommodation: Kapamba Bushcamp, 3-nights
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Days 5-6
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Explore the southern regions of the South Luangwa National Park
Over the next two days, you leave camp each morning and afternoon on a series of vehicle and walking safaris in the southern reaches of the national park. The South Luangwa is one of the finest wildlife locations in the whole of Southern Africa, and this combination of observing wildlife both on game drives and on foot allows for different perspectives into the daily lives of South Luangwa’s fascinating and diverse species. There are few thrills greater than the humbling received as a giant bull elephant wanders past with no physical barrier between you, just a mutual respect. Aside from elephant you can hope to find African wild dog, spotted hyena, hippo, Thornicroft's giraffe, lion and leopard, of which the park is home to the world’s highest naturally occurring population.
This camp, along with its sister camps, is lucky enough to possess its own private network of tracks traversing this area of the Luangwa Valley which no other camps are allowed to use, meaning your sightings should be intimate and authentic. This private networks also means you are able to do vehicle safaris not just during the day, but venture out on night drives too, offering opportunities to search for the variety of nocturnal wildlife that call the South Luangwa home, such as aardvark, African civet, honey badger and large-spotted genet to name a few. Time can also be spent enjoying the birdlife as the national park supports an astounding number of species with saddle-billed stork, Pennant-winged nightjar, African fish eagle, African spoonbill and Pel's fishing owl being just some of the notable highlights.
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Day 7:
Transfer to Tafika
The day begins with a morning vehicle safari and breakfast, before transferring to a nearby airstrip where a light aircraft flight awaits to transport you to the northern reaches of the South Luangwa National Park. The low-level flight will take roughly 20 minutes and will provide wonderful views of the Luangwa Valley.
Upon arrival at Lukuzi airstrip, you transfer the short distance to your next camp in time for lunch. Again, you will have time to settle into your new accommodation and enjoy the tranquillity of the park before heading out on a late afternoon vehicle safari.
Accommodation: Tafika Camp, 4-nights
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Days 8-10
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Explore the northern regions of South Luangwa on vehicle & walking safaris
Exploring the northern sectors of South Luangwa National Park by vehicle and on foot will be on the agenda over the next three days. This remote camp is positioned the furthest north of any camp in the park and is therefore away from the busier areas. This once again means wildlife sightings are able to be enjoyed in relative solitude, on an intimate basis. Birdlife is also prolific and there are chances to observe martial eagle, southern carmine bee-eater, Grey crowned crane, white-browed sparrow weaver and Lilian’s lovebird.
Walking safaris are one of the best ways to experience the pristine habitats of South Luangwa National Park. Vehicle safaris are perfect for viewing the larger mammals of the park, but exploring on foot allows you to observe and encounter some of the smaller fauna species as well as some of the special flora that can be found here. There is also nothing quite like watching elephant, zebra or giraffe on a walking safari or catching a glimpse of a predator on foot.
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Day 11:
Drive to Mfuwe & departure
Awake to the sounds of the bush for a final morning wildlife activity before breakfast and transfer to the airstrip for a short flight to Mfuwe airport prior to your return flight to Lusaka and onward travel arrangements.
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Day 12:
Arrive UK
Please note: Although we believe that this trip will spoil you with exceptional encounters, incredible guiding and accommodation, Zambia still has more amazing parks to discover which are easily combined with this itinerary. Venture into the magical winterthorn forests of the Lower Zambezi National Park, relaxing on a canoe as you gently drift past bathing elephants in the Zambezi River or head to the vast wilderness of the lesser visited Kafue National Park, another remote area where exclusivity is almost guaranteed at sightings in one of the largest parks in Africa, teeming with abundant wildlife, or of course there's the Victoria Falls. Speak to our expert team to further explore your Zambia safari options in our favourite destination.
