Explore Zambia’s land of the leopard, staying at charismatic bush camps, each uniquely situated in secluded areas with excellent wildlife viewing and stunning views of the valley.
Journey into the Luangwa Valley, where you take part in early morning, afternoon and night drives with an expert naturalist guide, plus magnificent walking safaris for which the valley is justifiably famous. This itinerary combines a selection of superb satellite camps, set along dry river beds and in perfectly wild locations.
Our Leopards of Luangwa itinerary has been one of our best-selling 'trip ideas' for more than 30 years. It is just that, though, an 'idea' of what we can offer. Below we have suggested the combination of small and intimate bush camps; Luwi, Nsolo and Mchenja, but there are many other accommodation options to choose from. We know the camps intimately and will be more than happy to consider your needs (whether they be photographic, ability to offer walking safaris or a more general appeal) and put forward a tailored itinerary accordingly.
We can extend your stay to include other Zambian gems such as North Luangwa, Kafue, Lower Zambezi National Park or Victoria Falls. You may even wish to visit neighbouring countries such as Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana or Namibia. Speak to our team to start planning your perfect holiday in Zambia.
Suggested Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Lusaka, Zambia.
Day2: Arrive Lusaka
On arrival in Lusaka, you are met and transferred to your overnight hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day3: Fly to Mfuwe & transfer to South Luangwa National Park & Luwi Bush Camp
On arrival at Mfuwe Airport, you are met and transferred to your first accommodation, on what is essentially a game drive. The journey typically takes around two and a half to three hours, depending on what you see along the way.
Over the next few days, you enjoy a variety of wildlife safaris in South Luangwa National Park. Safaris from all the camps are conducted both by open 4-wheel drive vehicles and on foot (in the dry months of mid-May to early November), with armed scouts and fully qualified safari guides. Night drives with powerful spotlights are a highlight.
Day4: Explore the area around Luwi, South Luangwa National Park
Commence your exploration of South Luangwa by vehicle and on foot. Animal activity is often greater at sunrise and sunset, so your days on safari will reflect this. Your stay here features early morning departures and time to relax and unwind at camp during the hottest part of the day before heading out in search of wildlife again late afternoon, returning for dinner.
Day5: Transfer to Nsolo Bush Camp
Continue on to Nsolo, which can be undertaken on foot or by vehicle (or indeed through a mixture of both). Rest assured that your baggage shall be delivered to Nsolo direct.
Days8-9: Explore the area around Mchenja, South Luangwa National Park
After waking to the sounds of the dawn chorus and hippos bellowing from the Luangwa River, two full days are spent enjoying all that this area has to offer.
Day10: Depart South Luangwa
As your time in this magical part of the world comes to a close, contemplate all that you have seen and experienced as you are transferred to Mfuwe airport for your onward arrangements.
Depart on a domestic flight back to Lusaka, to connect with an onward overnight flight to the UK.
Day11: Arrive UK
Key info
Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 11 daysfrom £6,495 pp: May-June & November: from £6,495 pp July-October: from £7,595 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 9 daysfrom £4,995 pp: May-June & November: from £4,995 pp July-October: from £5,995 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Comprising some 9,050 square kilometres of unspoilt African wilderness, South Luangwa is undoubtedly the jewel of Zambia’s national parks and a magnet to outstanding wildlife, particularly leopard. Its eastern boundary is the meandering Luangwa River whose regular changes in course leave scenic oxbow lagoons.
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Starting life as a village, Zambia’s capital city was expanded by colonial settlers and is now very much the beating heart of the country. With vibrant market stalls and tree-lined boulevards, it offers an authentic African experience as well as a variety of good quality accommodation and a cosmopolitan sensibility.
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Where: Southern region of the Central plateau
Excellent for: City stopover
Suggested accommodation options are shown below.
Please
contact us
for further recommendations.
Kakuli is a luxurious ten-bedded tented camp located on an elevated section of the Luangwa’s west bank. As well as offering walking safaris, and day and night drives, you can watch wildlife on the river and even the lawn right in front of you, from the camp’s central thatched dining area.
Find Out More about Kakuli Bush Camp
An ideal stopover hotel either before or after an unforgettable wildlife trip to Zambia, Latitude 15° is a well appointed hotel in the country’s capital, Lusaka. The hotel is conveniently located just 30 minutes from the international airport and 20 minutes from the city centre.
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Nestled under an ancient ebony grove, the intimate and exclusive Luangwa River Camp is made up of just five bush suites. The surrounding oxbow lagoon and plains of the Luangwa Valley hold vast concentrations of wildlife, including elephant, leopard, lion, hippo and puku, as well as over 400 bird species.
Find Out More about Luangwa River Camp
This stunning four-bedroom private house is situated on the edge of a seasonal lagoon where herds of elephant and giraffe feed and drink throughout the day. It provides a large living area, verandahs, a swimming pool and an open-air terrace for dining, as well as hosted activities for children.
Find Out More about Luangwa Safari House
Luwi is a superb camp constructed on the site of legendary Norman Carr’s first every walking safari in the South Luangwa National Park. Five reed-and-thatch chalets, accommodating a maximum of ten guests, sit in a beautiful shady grove and offer probably the perfect bush camp - remote yet comfortable.
Find Out More about Luwi Bush Camp
Set under the shade of ebony trees, this stylish and luxurious camp overlooks the Luangwa River in an impossibly picturesque location. Each of the five spacious tents stands on a wooden deck under a thatched roof. Activities from the camp consist of day and night drives and walking safaris.
Find Out More about Mchenja Bush Camp
Located on private land just outside South Luangwa National Park, this lodge lies in an area of ebony woodland and open grassland that is superb for wildlife viewing. It consists of six cool and spacious chalets - including one for a family - built from woven bamboo with stone floors and thatched roofs.
Find Out More about Nkwali Camp
On a sweeping bend of the river, in the heart of the South Luangwa National Park, lies what was the first photographic safari camp in Zambia, dating back to the early 1950s. The dining room overlooks the river where elephants come to drink and cross, with the bar overlooking a busy waterhole.
Find Out More about Nsefu Camp
Nsolo is a simple, yet luxurious tented camp with five open-fronted chalets overlooking a nearby waterhole. One of the more historic camps in Zambia, it is also one of South Luangwa’s more remote. Walking safaris are a speciality, and there are also opportunities for night drives to see nocturnal animals.
Find Out More about Nsolo Bush Camp
Tafika is superbly situated just to the north of the Nsefu sector of the South Luangwa National Park on a magnificent stretch of the Luangwa River. The camp consists of six comfortable chalets and offers a highly personalised, friendly service and flexible wildlife-viewing activities.
Find Out More about Tafika Camp
One of the most stunning sites in the Luangwa Valley, this remote, small camp stands in a grove of mahogany trees on a wide sweep of river. It consists of six beautifully designed safari tents, and a charming open-sided dining room and bar. Morning, evening and night drives and walking safaris are all offered.
Find Out More about Tena Tena