An intimate exploration of South Luangwa National Park

Africa's best-kept secret is Zambia's Luangwa Valley, an Eden-like paradise with huge concentrations of wildlife (it's sometimes called the "crowded valley"). This is where African walking safaris were born, and this private adventure zeroes in on South Luangwa National Park, one of the greatest—yet least visited—wildlife sanctuaries in the world, with the lowest ratio of people to animals in Africa!

South Luangwa hosts large herds of elephant, buffalo, kudu, zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe, and is renowned for excellent leopard sightings. Game viewing by vehicle here is always superb, but on this safari you'll experience the freedom of Africa's untamed wilderness as you explore on foot, including walking safaris from remote bush camps in a newly opened area (where hot showers, gourmet meals, and great hospitality await you!). This is your chance to relive the past, to get in touch with the real Africa. The exclusive camps we use throughout are limited to just eight people each—ideal for those who seek an intimate wilderness experience.

You'll end your safari with a stay at the five-star Stanley Safari Lodge, an elegant retreat located close to Livingstone, where you can elect to see the astounding Victoria Falls (the local name is Mosi-Oa-Tunya—"smoke that thunders"), one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Combine this trip with other journeys in Africa to create the ultimate dream safari vacation. Ask a Regional Specialist for details!

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Activities

2-4 days easy to moderate walking, game viewing by 4-wheel-drive vehicle

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an old-fashioned walking safari in a little visited area of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park
• Follow Zambia’s great wildlife corridor on exciting walks and day and night game drives
• Overnight in select, intimate bush camps—the lap of luxury!
• Visit Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world!

Duration: 10 days Start Location: Lusaka End Location: Livingstone

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Lusaka - Mfuwe

  Arrive in Lusaka, Zambia, and connect with your flight to Mfuwe, the gateway to South Luangwa National Park. Settle in at Mfuwe Lodge, followed by a night game drive!

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  Day 2 : Mfuwe Lodge

  A full day to explore the wildlife-rich environs of South Luangwa National Park, and perhaps encounter some of its more unusual residents: Thornicroft's giraffe, Pel's fishing owl, and yellow-billed stork.

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  Days 3 - 4 : Bushcamp South Luangwa National Park

  Drive to one of our remote bush camps deep in the South Luangwa National Park.  Here you'll enjoy walking safaris and both day and night game drives, as well as the eco-friendly, but luxurious amenities of the camp.

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  Days 5 - 6 : Bushcamp South Luangwa National Park

  You'll move to your second bush camp, located in a different area of the park.  It might be possible to walk to your next camp, or you can choose to drive and then take a game walk from the new camp in the afternoon.

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  Day 7 : Mfuwe Lodge

  Transfer by four-wheel-drive vehicle back to Mfuwe Lodge, with an afternoon of game viewing, walks, or simple relaxation by the lodge’s pool.

• Day 8 : Livingstone

  Fly to Livingstone, near Victoria Falls. Optional activities include visiting "Vic" Falls, taking an elephant-back safari, walking with lions...even bungee jumping!

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  Day 9 : Stanley Safari Lodge

  A day to explore Victoria Falls, hike its network of trails, or perhaps partake of the many optional activities in the vicinity.

• Day 10 : Depart

  Transfer to the airport and depart on homeward-bound flight, or on to another of our African adventures.

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  Mfuwe Lodge

  Zambia

  Award winning safari lodge set in the most prolific game area of the South Luangwa. The perfect place to enjoy excellent game viewing, recharge your batteries, or to start and finish your journey to our bushcamps.

  Ease yourself into Luangwa life with a stay at the award winning Mfuwe Lodge. Set inside the park, just five minutes’ drive from the main gate, the lodge’s allure is instantly obvious. Beneath a canopy of ebony and mahogany, its thatched buildings are arranged around the banks of two lagoons where an endless stream of wildlife will keep you enthralled as you lounge on the open deck or take a dip in the swimming pool. Thanks to a thorough refurbishment in 2010 the airy interior of the lodge is an exquisite complement to its natural surroundings.

  This region of the park is renowned for its prolific game – giraffe, buffalo, antelope, crocodile are constant visitors to Mfuwe Lodge’s lagoon, whilst in November the local elephants regularly wander right through the lobby, lured by a nearby wild mango tree. Whether you stay overnight, or just have lunch en route to a bushcamp, Mfuwe Lodge’s relaxed charm and enviable surroundings make it the perfect stopover. Voted Best Lodge in Zambia in 2009 Mfuwe Lodge also offers you the chance to relax at its Bush-Spa or buy a few mementos of your time in Zambia at the Tribal Textiles Curio Shop.
   

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  Bushcamps Zambia

  South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

  Each of our six bushcamps is set in glorious surroundings and can accommodate a maximum of just eight guests, ensuring that your stay is a peaceful one and tailored to your personal needs.  Together with the warmest of hospitality, sumptuous meals and first-class guides, our bushcamps are the perfect gateway for individuals and small groups wishing to explore the spectacular wildlife of the South Luangwa.

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  Stanley Safari Lodge

  Victoria Falls, Zambia

  Set on a hill bordering the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and overlooking unspoilt bush, Stanley Safari Lodge is only 3km from the Victoria Falls. The views are splendid: the spray of the Falls in the distance, the mighty Zambezi river and on top of that yet another beautiful African sunset. From either our main garden, our infinity pool or from the privacy of your room, views are unmatched.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

This private adventure does not have a trip leader, but utilizes the wonderful safari guides based at each different camp.  The camp guides know the area around their camp the best and will escort you on both game drives and game walks.  An experienced tracker and ranger also accompanies every vehicle and walk.  Our Zambian guides have won numerous awards and are truly the best in Zambia!

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File