SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
Experts have dubbed South Luangwa to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River, and its oxbow lagoons, is among the most intense in Africa.
The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9059 km2 Park. The Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in this Park and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness, ranging from; dry, bare bushveld in the winter, to a lush, green wonderland in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction.
With about 400 of Zambia’s 732 species of birds appearing in the Park, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season. An interest in the vegetation of Zambia will enhance your experience of the bush. Some magnificent trees and plants grow in the Luangwa Valley and it certainly adds to the richness of one’s experience to be able to recognize the different tree species and to discover exotic wildflowers.
Among the more common trees in the valley are the mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, the tall vegetable ivory palm, the marula and the magnificent tamarind tree. The are some magnificent baobab specimens and a few large ebony forests to admire.
Chinzombo Camp Zambia
Situated in 24 hectares (nearly 60 acres) of private Luangwa River frontage, just upstream from sister camp Kapani Lodge in the South Luangwa National Park, is the new generation of Zambian bush camps: Chinzombo. Designed by award winning architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens and nestled under the shade of ancient trees on a wildlife rich ridge, Chinzombo brings levels of comfort, style and elegance previously unseen to the Luangwa Valley. Here, modern architectural forms were combined with organic geometry, regional materials, and indigenous Zambian building methods. “Minimalism for the bush, the least environmentally obtrusive structure, yet fitted with all the requisite luxury for a first-class camp,” explain architects Rech and Carstens. Ground-breaking and truly original design make for a unique safari experience, and we didn’t even get to the excellent guiding – also award-winning – and abundance of wildlife yet. Read More
Chikunto Safari Lodge
Chikunto Safari Lodge is located inside the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s premier National Park. This unfenced Park is approximately 700 km northeast of Lusaka. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Luangwa River (Big Bend Site) and is approximately 75 minutes transfer from Mfuwe Airport. About 45 minutes of this transfer will be in the National Park so will be done as a game drive.
South Luangwa offers fantastic wildlife viewing – it is for good reason that the area is known as ‘The Valley of the Leopard’. And indeed, South Luangwa is considered by many to be where walking safaris originated! There are some 60 different animal species in the South Luangwa National Park. Hippo and crocodile are very common in the Luangwa River. One of the best known endemic species in the Luangwa Valley is the Thornicroft’s Giraffe. Read More
Lion Camp Zambia
Lion Camp is an intimately private lodge, offering 10 individual thatch and canvas suites with unobtrusive views. Situated in the most northern reaches of the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, a truly authentic safari experience awaits you in one of the most exclusive, remote and abundant game-viewing areas of Africa. During the dry season (May to October), game viewing is impressive with sightings of lion, leopard, wild dog, large herds of elephant and buffalo, the unique Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest, Crawshay’s zebra and incredible birds. Read More
Shawa Luangwa Camp
Elegance and comfort combine with the quiet intimacy of a classic African bush camp in our five Shawa Luxury Tents. The tents have been raised above the ground on wooden stilts, which lessens their impact on the environment, and they open entirely on three sides to offer an unblocked 270-degree view over the river and across the park. Read More
Shenton Safaris Kaingo
Kaingo was built in 1992 and is Shenton Safaris’ flagship camp. Here, six chalets sit idyllically along the Luangwa River. Kaingo is designed simply, to make you feel at home in the bush and to offer you a chance to get close on safari the Shenton family way. Read More
Tafika Camp
Tafika Camp’s location on the east bank of the Luangwa River, north of the Nsefu Sector of the South Park, makes it ideal for those who enjoy the serenity of the bush. Here, exceptional game viewing is combined with exciting activities including daily day and night drives, mountain bike safaris, walking safaris, visits to the local Mkasanga Village and microlighting in May (only offered in May). Tafika also has two hides which offer the opportunity of game viewing in-between activities. Hides overlook the camp waterhole which is frequented by herds of elephant, bushbuck, puku, impala, mongoose and several bird species. Read More
