ABOUT THE ITINERARY
South Luangwa National Park – the birthplace of the walking safari – is one of Africa’s most celebrated game reserves, and for good reason. As well as breathtaking landscapes and outstanding guiding, it’s home to an incredible concentration of wildlife. Gathered here are lion, leopard and elephant, herds of zebra, puku, impala and kudu, and around 50 hippos for every mile of river.
As well as day and night games drives at Tafika, you’ll stay at two small satellite properties where days are dedicated exclusively to walking safaris. With few roads, moving on foot from camp to camp is the most rewarding way to explore the park and offers you a more authentic taste of the African bush. You’ll wander alongside knowledgeable professionals who’ll help you discover big and small game alike.
DESIGNED BY SPECIALISTS
Bear in mind, these are just a starting point as all holidays are customised to the specific requirements of our guests. Whether you prefer a different style of accommodation, a greater focus on a particular interest or to go to a different destination all together, every itinerary is created individually around your preferences.
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
Fly into Johannesburg and connect on to Lusaka. From Lusaka, you’ll board a scheduled light aircraft flight to Mfuwe in the legendary South Luangwa. You’ll be met by your guide and transferred by road to the camp on the western banks of the Luangwa River. Tafika enjoys a quiet location just north of the park’s Nsefu Sector in an area known for its leopard sightings.
The beautiful scenery, exceptional guides and truly unequalled density of wildlife of the South Luangwa make any safari here a memorable experience. On your daily day and night game drives and bush walks you can expect to meet with bushbuck, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, wild dog and huge herds of elephant and buffalo. Not forgetting endemic species like the Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra. The plains and marshes of Nsefu are particularly rich in birds, with yellow-billed storks, carmine bee-eaters, herons, egrets and storks all to be ticked off your list. We’d also recommend a mountain bike safari, a different and fun way to view the region’s wildlife.
Stay: Three nights in a double room at Tafika – full board
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
Today you will make the two-hour walk to Chikoko Tree Camp, an intimate, rustic bush camp just 8km upstream from Tafika. Overlooking the seasonal Chikoko River, this area is dedicated to walking safaris, meaning you’ll find no roads or vehicles to interrupt your wilderness experience.
You’ll head out – binoculars and camera in hand – along various walking trails alongside your guide and an armed scout. You’ll learn how to identify different animal spoor and follow the tracks yourselves in hopes of a sighting. Walks are conducted at a leisurely pace and typically last between 3 – 4 hours with a mid-morning/afternoon tea break. Back at camp, you’ll have a great view of an acacia grove where many scenes of wildlife unfold throughout the day.
Stay: Two nights at Chikoko Tree Camp – full board
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
On day seven you’ll walk to Chikoko’s sister property, Crocodile River Camp, nestled in another remote, walking-only area of the South Luangwa. The camp overlooks an open pan that, when filled with water, becomes a magnet for nearby game. Like Chikoko, the activities here are focused purely on on-foot excursions. During your walks, you’ll get to take advantage of the knowledge of your guide whose extensive experience of this corner of Zambia will serve to enrich your own experience.
Stay: Two nights in a double room at Crocodile River Camp – full board
FLY HOME
PRICE INCLUDES
- Domestic flights
- Airport transfers in private vehicles
- Full board, scheduled activities and park fees at Tafika, Chikoko Tree Camp and Crocodile River Camp
- Based on two people travelling
PRICE EXCLUDES
- International flights
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