The Personal Touch South Luangwa

African Services & Safaris

About the Park | Accommodation | Activities

South Luangwa National Park - Accommodation

Looking for a place to stay?

Where to stay
There are many varied places to stay in the Valley ranging from luxurious safari camps to the lower budget chalets and camping. Most of the lodges are spread along the east bank of the Luangwa River, in the adjoining Game Management Area, conducting game drives and walking safaris along the west bank and in the Park itself. Some of the Lodges have bush camps deep in the Park for remote walking safaris.

As currently there are many operators in this area, there is plenty of choice. Most budgets or requirements can be catered for, however we must warn you: “South Luangwa does not come on the cheap” and real backpacker accommodation is not available!

Should you be interested in any camp or lodge not listed, or want additional information on lodges mentioned below, send us an e-mail as we can sort out your questions and bookings for any of the valley establishments.

Mfuwe Lodge
This is a unique lodge situated in the South Luangwa National Park with 18 luxury en-suite thatched chalets, each with a private decking area that overlooks a lagoon that attracts abundant wildlife and game from the African bush. A fine luxury lodge in one of the South Luangwa's prime locations, built between busy lagoons within the Park itself. They have various Trail Camps, for walking safaris operating from July to October. Otherwise the main lodge is open all year round.

The Bush Camp Company, operating alongside Mfuwe Lodge, owns and runs a group of five individual bushcamps, all within walking distance of each other, allowing you to choose, to experience each camp individually, walk through the park by day and camp at a new location at night or to relax for the entire duration of your stay in the camp of your choice.

Kapani Lodge and Norman Carr Bushcamps
Kapani is one of the more well known and established lodges, built by Norman Carr, the ‘father’ of conservation in Zambia. With their main safari lodge, Kapani, and four individually designed bushcamps, Norman Carr Safaris pride themselves on offering a varied range of safari experiences. You can choose between a simple, back-to-nature walking safari, journeying from one bushcamp to the next; or alternatively set a slower pace with a longer stay at the main lodge complemented by a stay at one or more of the more luxurious bushcamps. Kapani is open all year and located within ten minutes of the park entrance gate.

Luangwa River Lodge
Nestled under an ancient ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa River overlooking the Wafwa Oxbow Lagoon, Luangwa River Lodge offers open plan lounges, with dining under the endless canopy of African stars.
The Lodge’s gentle but exquisite décor fuses vibrant earth tones and raw materials such as palm stalks, indigenous timber, thatch and red earthen plaster, create a strikingly elegant yet warm and tactile atmosphere that rejects the rigidity of modern life making way for the natural flow of Africa's endless wide open spaces. Luangwa River Lodge has all the creature comforts of a 5 star lodge, yet with all the intimacy, tailored activities and flexible mealtimes you come to expect from a bushcamp as they only cater for up to 10 guests at one time. Luangwa River is open all year, while in the emerald wet season guests are brought into camp by boat, another experience!

Nkwali Lodge
Operated by Robin Pope safaris, Nkwali needs no introductions. Located on Robin's private land, Nkwali is overlooking the National Park. The land is superb game-viewing country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grasslands. Elephants regularly cross the Luangwa, seen from the bar, or come to the waterhole near the thatched dining room. Their chalets are cool and spacious, overlooking the river and access to the park is by boat or their nearby pontoon. Nkwali is open all year.
A special feature and designed by Neil Rocher, The Luangwa House is a stunning private house situated approximately 1 km from camp. The super structure of the house is twenty five ancient and weathered leadwood trees – powerful and natural. The entrance side of the house is grand, castlesque and is exquisitely faced with stones from the hills. The massive door opens into the huge main room and instantly you see incredible views through the front of the house – which is completely open. Besides Nkwali camp and Luangwa House, Robin Pope Safaris offers seasonal safari camps in the remote areas of the park.

Kafunta River Lodge
Each spacious log cabin is made from natural material with a splendid view over the winding Luangwa River. Kafunta offers excellent cuisine, personal services and top notch game activities. Located deep in the game management area, Kafunta is in the midst of wildlife and frequent sightings from your private balcony are all part of the experience. All game activities are offered, plus Kafunta offers the extra bonus of bushcamp facilities on their island in the bush.

Chichele Presidential Lodge
Chichele is an elegant Victorian “Gentleman’s Lodge” initially constructed as a residential retreat for the former President of Zambia – Dr Kenneth Kaunda. Chichele occupies one of the most breathtaking sites in the entire South Luangwa National Park, home to elephants, lions, their prey and their habitats. With its magnificent hilltop position inside one of Africa’s most prolific game-viewing areas, Chichele is one of the greatest Victorian safari lodges in Africa.

Puku Ridge Tented Camp
This camp offers a real wilderness experience under canvas with attention to luxury and comfort and emphasis on exciting wildlife opportunities. This superb property is located on a ridge overlooking spectacular game rich floodplains. Game to be seen includes elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, buffalo and giraffe. Guided walks, game drives and night drives are conducted by professional safari guides.

Track and Trail River Camp
On of the latest additions to the establishments, Track and Trail River Camp is located on the Luangwa River. This is a rustic small camp close to the main entrance of the South Luangwa National Park and offers four comfortable chalets and camping spots. An elevated unique looking pool with sundeck located directly on the river, makes the time in between game activities well spend. Their a-la-carte restaurant offers a unique blend of cuisine. Track and Trail is open all year round.

Luangwa Wilderness Lodge lies within Luambe National Park in eastern Zambia. It is cradled on the banks of the Luangwa River in the Luangwa Valley, between the North and South Luangwa National Parks. It can serve as a convenient stopover for people going to North Luangwa from South Luangwa or vice versa, 4x4 vehicles are essential for these safari tours or contact us for transfer arranagements.
Luambe National Park itself is comparatively small (about 35–38,000 hectares), but has a varied and beautiful landscape, and a large number of game and species diversity due to its year-round water-holding lagoons. The lodge has five safari-style tents built on wooden platforms overlooking the river. Each has two beds, cupboard space, an en-suite toilet, wash-basin and hot shower. There is also a campsite where showers are taken under huge African skies.

For the lower budget traveller,
Due to the remoteness of the Park and the difficulties of operating here, South Luangwa does not come “on the cheap”. Real backpacker-accommodation is not available, but below mentioned establishments cater for the lower end of the market

Flatdogs Camp
A famous camp: well known by overlanders and independent travellers throughout Africa. We heard about Flatdogs while travelling in the North West corner of Kenya and somewhere in the southern tip of South Africa. Flatdogs is renowned for their lively bar and spacious campsite, frequently visited by the overland trucks carrying the younger travellers. But this camp has more to offer; four very comfortable and airy, self catering chalets are for rent, a fully serviced camping site with excellent ablution facilities, the famous bar and an a-la-carte and take away restaurant. Their Jackal-Berry Tree House is something special and semi-permanent Safari Tents also offer extra possibilities. Flatdogs you’ll find situated 500 metres before the park gate on the left, you can not get any closer! Walks, night drives and game drives in open vehicles are available and the camp is open most of the year, only closing in the height of the rainy season.

Wildlife Camp
At Wildlife Camp a much-needed niche for the budget traveller is offered. Providing rustic en-suite chalets, a secluded en-suite tented camp and a beautiful campsite on the riverside.
The main restaurant and bar area is conveniently located in the centre of camp and caters for all tastes. The spacious and green camp site features it’s own bar with the arguably the best views in the valley. They also offer game drives and walking safaris and are open year round. The seasonal Wildlife bush camp offers guests a chance to experience an overnight walking safari on the river’s peninsula- complete with bucket showers and meals cooked on an open fire.

All the bigger lodges offer game drives, night drives and walking safaris as part of the package. Budget lodges charge separately for these services or you can choose to book their "full inclusive package".

Note, South Luangwa has more to offer then safaris only! Have a look at our tours and safaris to find extra curriculum activities right here in the Mfuwe area! A cultural Zambian experience is awaiting and offers a true insight in the life of the African People!

More information on South Luangwa and the rest of beautiful Zambia you can find on the Tourist Information site

About the Park | Accommodation | Activities