Download a PDF of
this itinerary (399Kb)

Classic Luangwa Safari

Zambia Safaris - Lion, South Luangwa

12 days from £2620

excluding international flights

This Classic South Luangwa Safari includes all the best that the South Luangwa has to offer. There is plenty of time to explore the amazing variety of habitat and species. This is no nature trail - this is the real thing - you are tracking big game through the African bush, on foot like the first Luangwa pioneers or on the back of a 4X4 open game viewing vehicle.

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: British Airways from London Heathrow to Lusaka (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrival in Lusaka. Fly to South Luangwa National Park.

You will be met at Lusaka Airport by a representative of World Discovery and escorted onto your 1 hour flight to Mfuwe, gateway to South Luangwa National Park, considered to be Zambia’s best gameviewing area. You will be met by your safari guide at Mfuwe Airport and driven to Kapani Lodge in time to settle in before lunch. The Luangwa Valley is home to a vast array of different mammal species. It used to be known as the 'Valley of the Elephants' and elephants are one animal that will be ever present throughout your stay in this Park.  After sundowners, the night drive is a search for nocturnal species such as genet, civet, porcupine and honey-badger, rarely seen in daylight hours. This is the best chance of spotting leopard and lion when they are at their most active. Return to camp at around 7:30pm in time for dinner.
Meals included: Lunch, dinner.

DAY 3 - Kapani Lodge.

Days at Kapani Lodge start early with a light breakfast around the camp-fire watching the sun rise over the lagoon. Your morning game-drive in an open four-wheel drive vehicle lasts for about four hours and brings you back for a well earned lunch. The few hours after lunch can be used to relax by the pool or to browse through the camp's library; perhaps choose a book and find one of the quiet corners of the garden to lose yourself for a while before the excitement of the afternoon/night safari. Dinner is served in various locations after your safari but invariably the star studded sky is directly overhead.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAYS 4 to 9 - Walking Safari - Luwi, Nsolo and Kakuli Bush Camps.

From Kapani you will be driven deep into the National Park to Luwi Bush Camp, a wonderfully rustic camp set in the deep shade of large trees close to a permanent lagoon that is home to a large population of Hippo and even more Crocodile.  On arrival your professional guide will introduce you to the armed escort scout who will accompany you on your first real walking safari. Your guide will take time to point out the tracks and signs that he uses to interpret the bush that you are walking through. This first excursion will be a taster for what is to come.  Your first night in the bush camp is likely to be accompanied by the noises of animals around camp. You will lie awake, eager for dawn to come. When it does, your guide will interpret the calls that kept you awake as you head out together and pick up the fresh tracks of a pride of lion or investigate the alarm calls of the local troop of baboon. On the second morning at Luwi Bush Camp you will head out from camp as you did on the previous day but this time your guide will walk you down the Luwi river course. Your destination is Nsolo, the second of your bush camps.  After a few hours' gentle walking you will wander into the new camp. A cool drink will be ready for you, lunch will be on the table and your bags will be in your room.  The next morning will see another move, this time further down the Luwi River, again on foot, to its confluence with the main Luangwa and to Kakuli Camp.  Most of the gameviewing is still on foot although there are more roads in this area so it is possible to use vehicles and with a dense population of leopards in the area the night drive safaris are usually most rewarding.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAYS 10 and 11 - Mchenja Camp.

Luxury awaits you at Mchenja.  The last of your camps is set under the shade of immense ebony trees.  The four individually designed tents have a bath inside as well as an open, ensuite shower and toilet.  The main chitenje (lounge) houses a small plunge pool alongside the bar and sitting area, and meals are usually taken on the riverbank.  You will be able to do both game walks and drives, and the wildlife viewing in this area is some of the best in the park.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAY 12 - Depart for UK.

Your flight from the Lower Zambezi is early this morning in order to have you in Lusaka in time for your onward flight back to the U.K.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights

We recommend the services of British Airways' direct service to Lusaka. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Lusaka. Depart at 19.10; arrive Lusaka at 06.20 (next morning)
Lusaka/Heathrow. Depart at 08.45; arrive Heathrow at 18.00

Zambia Safaris: Classic Luangwa Safari (Tour Reference: WDZM005)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Single Room Supplement on request.

The price includes:

• Flights within Zambia: Lusaka - Mfuwe - Lusaka, including airport taxes.
• Lodge and tented accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded or double rooms with ensuite facilites.
• 10 full breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Soft drinks, house wine, local beer, teas and coffees (premium wines and champagne are charged to the guests' account).
• Transportation throughout: this will be shared as appropriate with other guests at the camps.
• All sightseeing and gameviewing as shown, including guiding and National Park entrance fees.  On the walking safaris there is a maximum of 6 guests, accompanied by both a guide and an armed escort scout.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter

A deposit of 25% of the total cost is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Zambia safari must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.