Luangwa Valley Nature Exploration
Explore Tours
Join an unparalleled adventure with our Discover the Luangwa Valley safari, an immersive journey through Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Beginning at the luxurious flat dogs Camp, where riverside tents offer comfort amidst the wild, guests are treated to exhilarating game drives led by expert guides, unveiling the park’s rich biodiversity from towering elephants to elusive leopards. Continuing the expedition at the secluded Kuyenda Bush camp, nestled deep within the wilderness, visitors partake in captivating walking safaris, delving into the intricacies of the bush and encountering wildlife in its natural habitat. With each moment unveiling the raw beauty of the African landscape, which promises an unforgettable safari experience, leaving travelers with cherished memories and a deep connection to nature.
- 8 Days
- 2025
- Pickup: Mfuwe International Airport
Departure & Return Location
Mfuwe International Airport (Google Map)
What to Expect
Embark on an unforgettable safari adventure through the untamed wilderness of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, a pristine haven teeming with diverse wildlife. Your journey begins at flat dogs Camp, nestled along the banks of the Luangwa River. Here, you’ll find comfort in luxurious tented accommodation amidst the sounds of the African bush. Each day promises thrilling game drives led by experienced guides, offering intimate encounters with majestic elephants, elusive leopards, and graceful giraffes against the backdrop of sweeping plains and ancient baobab trees. As the sun sets, gather around the campfire to swap stories under the star-studded sky, immersing yourself in the magic of the African night.
Venture deeper into the heart of the wilderness as you make your way to Kuyenda Bush camp, an exclusive retreat tucked away in the remote corners of the national park. Surrounded by vast grasslands and acacia woodlands, Kuyenda offers a true escape into nature, with rustic yet charming accommodations blending seamlessly with the environment. Here, you’ll experience the thrill of walking safaris, allowing you to track wildlife on foot and witness the intricacies of the bush up close. From encounters with prides of lions to sightings of rare bird species, every moment at Kuyenda is a testament to the raw beauty and unspoiled wonder of the African wilderness, leaving you with memories to last a lifetime.
ITINERARY INCLUDES/EXCLUDES
- All accommodation including all meals
- Two game-viewing activities per day at both camps
- All National Park Entry fees & Conservation levies in the South Luangwa National Park
- Laundry
- All local drinks while at Kuyenda bush camp
- Airport and inter-camp transfers
- Visas
- Drinks while at flat dogs
- Personal expenses such as alcoholic and other beverages, telephone calls and laundry
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities
- Optional Tours
Tour Plan
Tour Amenities
Days 1-4: flat dogs Camp
You will be met on arrival at Mfuwe airport by one of our safari guides and transferred to camp for 4 nights (+/- 30 minutes).
FLATDOGSCAMP:
The luxury ensuite safari tents offer you a back to nature taste of the wild, with large windows all around the tent so you can see and hear the animals feeding in camp as well as the hippopotamus honking to each other in the river in front of you! The tents are spacious with a king bed or two single beds, large mosquito net, electric lights and plug sockets for re-charging batteries (UK style plug sockets). There is also a room safe and tea and coffee-making facilities. The luxury tents have semi-open air en-suite bathrooms with solar heated hot shower, WC and basin.
If you arrive on the midday flight then you will be able to do a night drive and if you arrive on the late flight then you can start your drives the next day, but when you arrive we will show you around camp and give you a safety briefing for what to do if you see animals in camp, then you can settle in and freshen up before your lunch or dinner as soon as you would like it.
It’s an early start the next morning; we offer you an early breakfast of toast and cereal, tea and coffee from 5.30am before you head out at 6.00amfor your first safari. Your guide will introduce himself to you and the other guests and will explain his plan for the morning, exploring this magnificent wilderness. There is a brief tea stop at around the half way point where you can stop to stretch your legs, usually in a scenic spot where you can enjoy a view or an interesting sighting. You will head back to camp at around 10.00am, in time for either breakfast or a brunch/lunch style meal – whichever you would prefer is fine in our a la carte restaurant. Then there is time to relax during the heat of the day, enjoying a dip in the pool perhaps or a siesta after your early start?
We will all meet again in the courtyard for tea at 3.30pm. You will usually head off into the Park at 4pm, further exploring the park, taking the sightings as they come, with your guide detailing all you are seeing and adding interesting observations drawn from his years of experience. Our guides take huge pride in their work, being able to identify numerous alarm calls and to track animals and try to anticipate their next move so as to position you for the best sightings.
As the sun starts to dip towards the horizon, your guide will find a good spot to stop so you can watch the sun set with a cold drink in hand… Then, once it’s nearly dark, you will carry on game-viewing with a spotlight, searching for some of our interesting nocturnal residents, like the leopard, lion, porcupine, night jars, civet, genet, owls and hyena.
You will return to camp at around 20h00 in time for dinner and to relive your sightings with us!
Your next couple of days will follow the same pattern, possibly spending longer out in the Park one morning, or trying your first walking safari another, we will try to work your activities around your preferences.
If you are interested in seeing a little of Zambian rural village life, we can also happily organize a visit to the nearby Mfuwe village, including a visit to our anti-poaching and conservation base as well as some of the local community projects, including schools, that flat dogs and the Bush camp Company are supporting in this area.
This safari package includes your accommodation in luxury en-suite safari, all meals, two game-viewing activities per day, National Park Entry fees, LCCF (Luangwa Conservation & Community Fund fee), an hour’s internet per day, laundry and return airport transfers. Not included are drinks or items of a personal nature like shop purchases, gratuities or extra internet use.
Days 5-7: Kuyenda Bush camp
This morning we will transfer you across to Mfuwe Lodge after your morning safari where they will explain the plan for the next three days and complete any extra paperwork. The drive to
Kuyenda camp will be taken in an open vehicle with a covered roof and will take just over an hour without stops, longer if you see something exciting en-route!
KUYENDBUSHCAMP
Kuyenda epitomizes the old charm of bygone safaris in Africa. There are only six thatched rondavels which are set on the edge of a grassy plain, along the Manzi River, surrounded by seemingly out of place palm trees. Completely redesigned and rebuilt in 2021, all of the chalets have private large verandas, and the chalets and main lounge/dining area are all on raised teak platforms. The camp site was chosen by Phil Berry who lived in the Luangwa for more than 30 years, for the diverse landscapes found within walking distance of camp. Game drives are available both morning and afternoon/evening, as well as walking safaris in the morning, where you can explore the nearby salt pans where game come for the mineral rich grazing, the dry river bed of the Manzi river where elephant dig for water, the mopane woodland, the riverine habitat along the Luangwa river and the open plains just behind camp. Each excursion brings different highlights and new beauty to witness. Activities at camp are taken on a similar time scale to at Flat dogs, taking advantage of the coolness of the early mornings and late afternoons when game is most active and hopefully there will be the most to see.
Raised on teak platforms above the ground, each chalet is sited to have a spectacular view of the Manzi River plain. Each chalet is ensuite, with hot/cold running water, including outdoor showers. Solar electricity and solar lights, as well as rechargeable fans, provide modern comforts while retaining the feel of an authentic bush camp.
The spacious lounge and dining area sit on a raised platform under a shady canopy of majestic mahogany trees, overlooking the Manzi plain, with a fire pit seating area in the front.
Kuyenda is a solar powered camp, there is no mains electricity, but it is possible to charge camera batteries on their inverter system. There is no cell phone signal at the camp or Wi-Fi, this is an “off the grid” camp where you can sit and enjoy the stars and firelight at night and the eerie whooping of hyena in the distance…
Day 8: Mfuwe
You will be transferred back to Mfuwe airport for your onward flight.
