good for you

Imagine sipping cocktails as you watch lionesses prowl through the grass, warming up for the evening hunt. Your guide readies the vehicle, and you head out from the camp to follow the lionesses as they sniff out their dinner. You're startled by the sharp calls of the lioness' prey and arrive in time to observe them as they stalk, working together to corner their prey as you watch them by the infrared light - you hold your breath as all of a sudden the lioness becomes a flash of honey-coloured fur, her companions snarling as she takes down the puku and it cries its last. But the show's not over yet - a herd of hyenas has arrived, screeching, and attempts to steal the lionesses' kill. A vicious fight ensues and the air fills with howls and snarls before the queen of the jungle prevails.

It's not easy to describe the thrill of seeing raw nature up close but here at Wildlife Camp you'll have every opportunity to watch the great beasts of Africa as they struggle for survival. All while being comfortably ensconced in your chalet or ensuite tent by the river, enjoying great meals at the restaurant or around the bush camp fire, led by local guides who are committed to the preservation of the wildlife and its habitat, and are passionate about their country and its savage natural beauty. Heading out on both morning and night safari drives, as well as on walking safaris, you'll come to appreciate the richness of animal and plant life in the South Luangwa National Park, where you'll spot leopards, lions, elephants, impala, puku, troops of baboons, buffalo, flocks of water birds, crocodiles and hippos. You can also take tours to local villages, where you can stay the night and experience Zambian culture.

good for zambia

The Wildlife Camp is owned by the Wildlife & Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia, and the camp itself was built to leave a minimal footprint and to blend in with the natural surrounds, according to the recommendations of an environmental impact study undertaken before construction commenced. Nearly all the staff is made up of locals, and all the guides are local people. Waste is disposed of carefully and firewood is spared by the moderate use of conventional electricity. The camp purchases locally and helps train local growers on sustainable, chemical-free farming methods. Wildlife Camp supports the local medical clinic and local village schools and 60% of the camp's accommodation revenue goes to the Wildlife Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia to help fund programs that educate local children about conservation. Kids are welcome at the camp, which can easily cater to guests with disabilities.

Rooms

Food

You don't have to leave the wilderness behind while you dine at the camp restaurant, as the Luangwa River flows past and animals are still within sight. During afternoon tea, sightings of elephant herds, the elusive lions and impala are not uncommon.

The chefs can cater to all tastes or dietary needs, and are on hand to prepare early hearty breakfasts and full, three-course dinners in the evening. Local products are used where possible, and the camp supports many of the farmers in the area - you might spot them cycling into the camp with baskets full of fresh vegetables. The home baked bread is a highlight, and if you spend a night at the Bushcamp, you'll see what marvels the chef can perform on an open fire.

Large groups can request a traditional buffet-style dinner.

full board

Full-board guests enjoy a varied menu, starting with an early, light breakfast in the morning. After your return from the game drive, a warm brunch awaits you, before you start your relaxing afternoon at the swimming pool or a siesta in your chalet.

Before you head out on your evening excursions, you'll be served with afternoon tea - you come back for a set menu three-course dinner after the drive. Any dietary requirements you may have can be easily incorporated into the meals of the day, just let the kitchen know.

non-full board or self catering

If you opt for self-catering, you bring your own supplies and either prepare meals yourself, or hire one of the Wildlife Camp cooks. There is a well-equipped kitchen for you to use. However, you can also decide to mix it up and cook some of your own meals, but pay for meals at the restaurant whenever you wish.

Features & Facilities

• Restaurant
• Two bars
• Swimming pool
• Bush Camp for overnight stays outdoors
• Campsite for independent travellers and campers
• On-staff trained local guides
• Vehicles for safari drives

ACTIVITIES Fully guided range of Safaris are included in the 'Full Board' rate. Here are the prices for the non-full board rate.

Walking safaris - $40 per person

Game Drives - $35 per person

Village and school tour - $20 per person

Village and Tribal textiles tour - $25 per person

Airport transfers - $20 per person - minimum charge of $40

See the LOCAL INFO section for more information on activities and safaris.

Local Info & Activities

Walking, 4WD and night safaris are included in the 'Full Board' price.

South Luangwa National Park is in the Luangwa Valley, which sits at the southern end of Africa's Great Rift Valley, leading southwards from Lake Tanganyika. It is low in altitude and experiences higher temperatures than the rest of Zambia. The park covers an area of 9,050 square kilometres or 2,235,400 acres.

South Luangwa is Zambia's premier game viewing park where you can enjoy a unique type of habitat seldom seen elsewhere in Africa. Lying on the valley floor, between the meandering Luangwa River and the steep Muchinga Escarpment, this is the best national park in Zambia and one of the finest in all of Africa.

The seasonal floodplains create an environment that supports a huge diversity of wildlife including over 100 species of mammals and over 420 species of birds as well as many reptiles, insects, amphibians and plants.

A totally different experience from parks elsewhere in Africa, Luangwa offers a real immersion to the bush life in an attractive habitat of sausage trees and lagoons. In the stunning light of early morning and late afternoon, one can often see elephants, impala, puku, troops of baboons, buffalo, flocks of water birds, crocodiles and hippos all through the same view finder of your camera or binoculars!

The park is reputed to have the highest concentration of leopard in Africa. It is estimated that there is one Leopard for every kilometre of river in the Luangwa Valley, so your chances of seeing this elusive nocturnal cat are heightened in this park.

It is possible to view pods of up to 500 hippos in the dry season as the river shrinks and they are confined to areas of deep pools. On average during the year there are probably 35 - 42 hippos per kilometre!

At Wildlife Camp, you'll come to appreciate the full range of animal and plantlife at the national park by taking morning safaris, night safaris and fascinating walking safaris. The area's famous walking safaris are a favourite activity in South Luangwa and operate from June until November. Morning and night drives in open topped safari vehicles are available year round.

The Wildlife Camp also offers overnight walks with a stay at the Bush Camp, village tours and trips to the local schools.

game activities

The quality of South Luangwa National Park is reflected in the quality of the Wildlife Camp guides - some of the best in Zambia. The local professional guide association sets high standards, and all the camp's guides have passed their examinations. These experienced guides lead all your activities and, as they are all Zambian, they give you a true insight into their own South Luangwa Park.

On walking safaris you will be accompanied by an armed scout assigned by the National Parks Board, as well as a camp guide.

For guests joining one of the licensed game drive vehicles the entrance fee to the park is paid directly to National Parks and the permit is valid for 24 hours. Children under 12 enter the park at half price. Please note, amounts are only payable in US dollars or Zambian Kwacha, no other currency or credit cards are accepted.

Entrance regulations are subject to change without notice.

To make the most out of your visit to the park, you use your entrance permit wisely. For example, if you choose to book a morning drive / walk and a night drive with the Wildlife Camp guides, your park entry is only paid once.

morning drive safaris

These leave camp at 6am and return around 10.30am. A morning drive allows you to enjoy the full beauty of Luangwa in the early sunlight and the cool temperatures, before the day heats up. You'll get a chance to see the last hunt of the night predators, the waking up and starting day-to-day business of the smaller mammals, the sound of over 470 species of birds, all before the sun rises too high.

Safaris are conducted in open vehicles to let you smell and feel the bush around you. The knowledgeable guides can tell you all you care to know about a great variety of mammals, birds and trees as well as some local insight and folklore, along with the history of the area.

All safaris are half price for children between the ages of 2-12.

night drive safari

The night drives leave camp at 4pm and return around 8pm. You'll enjoy two hours of afternoon sunlight, followed by a sundowner drink. Once refreshed, you will continue to search by spotlight for nocturnal animals.

Your guide may also find time for some star gazing, as the clear night skies give a fantastic view of the constellations. The guide, accompanied by a 'spotter', will help you witness at close hand the change in animal life, from diurnal to nocturnal activities. _All safaris are half price for children between the ages of 2-12.

walking safaris

These operate during the dry season from June to October and are not to be missed - they provide a more intimate encounter with the bush compared with the drives. Walking quietly through the bush you can explore close up the fascinating insect and plant world, as well as getting closer to the habitat of the birds and mammals. Your guide will help you spot footprints, and explain the behaviour of animals like monkeys and birds. As the walking safaris are conducted in small groups, there is time enough to answer any questions you might have as you enjoy the variety of the bush.

In addition to the National Park walking safaris, you can enjoy walks on the camp side of the river, which is situated in a Game Management Area on Wildlife Society land. This area is much the same as the National Park, and wild animals are as common here as in the park proper, since they cross the river from the park to the Wildlife Camp.

Tea and coffee are provided on your walk. You will enjoy a rest and refreshment halfway through the safari.

The walking safari sets off at 6am and return around 11am. Afternoon walks or revised times can always be discussed with management, just let staff know.

If you're a self-catering guest, you can always pre-book a delicious breakfast or brunch to be ready at the end of your walk or drive or a hearty meal to await your return from a night drive.

wildlife bush camp

The Wildlife Bush Camp offers guests a chance to experience an over-night walking safari, complete with bucket showers and meals cooked on an open fire. The camp cooks will surprise you with the menu and you'll sleep surrounded by the sounds of the bush. The camp consists of 4 twin tents, two bush toilets and bucket showers - it has no electricity and is basic in many ways but rich in atmosphere and location.

The camp's knowledgeable and qualified Zambian guides, an armed scout and bush chef escort you on this overnight trip. It begins with a morning walk to the bush camp, where the cook awaits with refreshments. After brunch, you'll spend a relaxing afternoon in the middle of the bush with bird song, hippo sounds and other animal noises. Regular visits from elephants or giraffes make the afternoon complete. After tea is served, the second walk of the day goes out, to return just before sunset.

The bush camp is offered as a full board option only, including all your meals and activities from the day you depart, until the last breakfast and return walk from the bush.

village tours

Besides the safaris into the South Luangwa National Park, The Wildlife Camp is happy to offer a village tour for you to get a full understanding of the beauty of Zambia and its people. You can sample some local dishes, pound some mealie meal for nshima, or just a stroll through the local village and enjoy a chat at the market - it's up to you. Your choices range from an early morning market visit, or a full night out in town. Just let camp staff know what you would like to do and they will arrange it.

Kawaza is a truly authentic Zambian village where you can see how people live in the real Africa. This tour offers the unique chance to stay overnight, to get a proper feel for the local community, or you can just spend the day there.

The camp's local village is also a truly Zambian village, but this one is visited by a day trip only. Three-hour tours take you to the local market to see the daily business of the local community adjacent to the National Park. Since the camp guide accompanies you in the car, you can make up your itinerary as you go along. This tour is subject to vehicle availability and number of clients.

The price of village tours is not included in the Camp rates.

Sustainability

The Wildlife Camp is owned by the Wildlife & Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia.

The camp is built so as to blend in with the environment and a lot of local material has been used in the construction. Before construction, an environmental impact study made sure that the buildings would conform to the laws of Zambia pertaining to this issue.

At least 90% of the camp's staff are from the local area, and all the guides are locals. The camp is committed to the ongoing training of local safari guides and other staff members.

The main environmental issues at the camp are waste disposal and the depletion of the natural resources. The camp uses septic tanks and soak- a-ways to deal with grey water disposal in a safe way. All other waste is incinerated. The camp uses electricity for heating etc, so that firewood is spared and there is no need to cut down trees.

The camp kitchen purchases vegetables from the local community, and the camp has helped teach local growers to use only environmentally friendly pesticides.

The camp's role in the community is active and important. It offers employment, supports local businesses, supports the local medical clinic and has helped electrify the local Mfuwe Basic School. The camp has also assisted in the building and stocking of a library at that school, and has built a classroom at the Kakumbi Basic School. The community is compensated for any natural resources such as sand, stone and fire wood that the camp uses. The camp pays 60% of its accommodation income to the Wildlife Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia. The funds are then used in the education of school children on conservation issues.

The camp helps fund the W.E.C.S.Z and the South Luangwa Conservation Society.

The Wildlife Camp is happy to accommodate disabled guests, and is very child-friendly. The owners have their own children, and kids are always welcome.

Getting There

There are daily flights from Lusaka to Mfuwe International Airport. From there, you self-drive via Chipata or Petauke or take public transport from Chipata.

Arrival by road:

The road up to the park from Chipata is an adventure. As you pass through rural Zambian villages you will see some of the out of the way scenery often missed by tours that don't go off the beaten track.

directions:

Drive to Chipata (about 15 km from the Malawi border in the Eastern Province of Zambia).

Take the signpost to South Luangwa National Park (coming from Malawi, as you go under the arch at the end of Chipata town turn right, or if coming from Lusaka, it is a left turn just before you would go under the arch signaling the start of Chipata town). Follow the road for approximately 3-4 hours (about 140 km), keep following signs to South Luangwa National Park. The road is mainly dirt with two small stretches of tarmac. Parts of it are being graded each year, but rains have their influences. When you have passed through the Jumbe police check stop, you will be almost onto the good road again! When you reach the tarmac junction, the airport is to the left, you must turn right to come to Wildlife Camp. Follow the good tar road for about 20 minutes and as you come to the BP fuel station, look for the left turn ahead of you. The main gate to the national park is straight on and you need to turn left to Wildlife Camp. Follow the signs for another 3 km.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

full-board option

Peak season - from 1 July to 30 October

All-inclusive package - US$160 per person per night

(single supp extra $50 per night)

Green season - from 1 November to 30 June

US$130 per person per night

(single supp extra $20 per night)

full board option includes

Accommodation in en-suite chalets OR en-suite tents - please request which option you would like

All drives and walks (walks from June to October)

Airport transfers

All meals - breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and a three course dinner

Excludes - bar and park entry fees

suggested itinerary:

An early wake up call and light breakfast before heading into the park for a morning walk or drive

A relaxed brunch in camp and time for a siesta or swim before meeting for afternoon tea

The night drive leaves camp around 4pm, and the powerful spotlights will reveal many of Luangwa's nocturnal secrets.

A three course dinner will be awaiting your arrival back in camp and a chance to discuss the day and relax around the campfire before retiring to your chalet.

the bush-camp overnight walking safari

US$160 per person per night (June to October)

(single supp $20 extra per night)

• An early rise with light breakfast before leaving with your guide and armed scout for a walk on our peninsular. Here you have the chance of seeing elephant, giraffe, numerous small antelope, many birds and maybe even a lion or two.
• On arrival at our secluded camp, you will have brunch under the natal mahoganies and have time to relax and watch the hippo.
• Afternoon tea sees the start of the afternoon walk where once again you will return to the camp for sundowners on the riverbank.
• Dinner is cooked over an open fire while the guides will keep you enthralled with stories and legends of the bush and life in Zambia.
• Next morning, coffee will be boiling on the fire as you awake to the morning sounds. Breakfast in camp and then a walking safari back to the main camp.
• The camp - rustic with no electricity, four 3mx3m dome tents, bush shower and toilet, camp beds and one of the best sites in the valley.
• Includes all meals, airport transfers, accommodation and activities and excludes bar and park entry fees (only needed if we do a night drive from here into the National Park)
• The camp can be a one or two night option and runs from June to October

accommodation only option

You can book accommodation only and then are very welcome to book activities, order meals and basically plan your safari on a day-to-day basis.

Chalets: Peak season - from 1 July to 31 October

$40 per person per night sharing

$60 for single occupancy

Children from 5-11 sharing with parents - $20

Children under 5 sharing with parents - no charge

Chalet only: green season - from 1 November to 30 June

$30 per person per night sharing

$40 for single occupancy

Children from 5-11 sharing with parents - $15

Children under 5 sharing with parents - no charge

_

Tented camp: peak season - from 1 July to 31 October

$25 per person per night sharing

$30 for single occupancy

Children from 5-11 sharing with parents - $12.50

Children under 5 sharing with parents - no charge

Tented camp - green season - from 1 November to 30 June

$20 per person per night sharing

$25 for single occupancy

Children from 5-11 sharing with parents - $12.50

Children under 5 sharing with parents - no charge

CAMPING (bring your own tent) peak season - from 1 July to 31 October

$7.50 per person per night - children under 12 receive a 50% discount.

Camping - green season - from 1 November to 30 June

$5 per person per night - children under 12 receive a 50% discount

extras - for non-fullboard option

Walking safaris - $40 per person

Game Drives - $35 per person

Village and school tour - $20 per person

Village and Tribal textiles tour - $25 per person

Airport transfers - $20 per person - minimum charge of $40

booking & cancellation policy

• A 15% deposit is required to secure a booking and full payment is required in advance of arrival.
• Cancellations made at any time will incur a 10% cancellation fee.
• Cancellations made nearer the time of arrival will incur further cancellation fees. Full details will be provided before a booking is confirmed.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.