South Luangwa Explorer

Kafunta River Lodge
Kafunta River Lodge is located in a quiet corner of the South Luangwa Valley, where it overlooks a game-rich floodplain adjacent to the National Park. This ensures great game-viewing throughout the year, and not only on game drives – elephants may join you in front of the deck while you enjoy lunch, and puku and impala can often be seen grazing close by the lodge!

Kafunta River Lodge has its own river pontoon, which allows for river crossings into the more remote regions of the park, where you can expect extraordinary wildlife encounters.

Kafunta Lodge comprises ten thatched safari cottages, each built on raised wooden decking and positioned with a view of the floodplain. They feature large queen-size beds draped in mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms, and private verandahs.

The spacious lounge and dining area is built around a wild mango tree. Meals are typically served outdoors on the raised dining deck, which directly overlooks the floodplains, or under thatch when the weather necessitates.

Kafunta also boasts a pool, spa, and the only natural hot spring tub in the Luangwa Valley!

Irrigated by the Luangwa River, which cuts across Zambia from north to south before merging with the great Zambezi River, the valley provides a haven for a diversity of wildlife, including vast buffalo herds, masses of hippo, huge lion prides, and endemics such as Thornicroft’s giraffe. It is among the greatest concentrations of game in Africa, rivalling even the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

The South Luangwa is also one of the best places in central Africa to see carmine bee eaters from August to November. These beautiful birds make their nests, which can be as deep as 2 metres depending on the size of the colony, along the banks of the Luangwa River. They love to chatter and can be heard as far as 1 km from their nests!

You’ll be able to explore the park at length today on morning and afternoon game drives, returning to camp around midday for lunch before setting out again just before dusk. The game-viewing will focus on the river, where the highest concentrations of game can be found, but you’ll also search for rare game-sightings away from the river’s edge, among the wild bush and dense vegetation.

Expect to arrive at Island Bush Camp, where you stay for two nights on full-board basis, in time for lunch.

Island Bush Camp
Island Bush Camp is located in a secluded part of the South Luangwa National Park, and is the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding wilderness. The camp has been built from natural, locally sourced materials, lending it a decidedly rustic vibe. Guests are accommodated in grass and reed thatched chalets positioned on the banks of the Luangwa River.

Though very much a bush camp, Island Bush is exceptionally comfortable. Each of the five chalets is furnished with a queen-size bed decked in fabulous linens, and features an open-air bathroom and private deck. The rooms are raised on stilts, providing a view over the Luangwa River just below.

In the afternoon enjoy a walking safari in the local area, accompanied by an experienced guide and ranger.

Walking safaris are a great opportunity to get as close as possible to the African wilderness. During these guided excursions, you’ll be accompanied by experienced safari guides and armed rangers, ensuring your safety.

The Luangwa Valley is one of the few major national parks in Africa where it is still possible to walk amongst the wildlife. You’ll be exploring a region of the valley that is rich in game, so encounters with larger mammals such as lion or buffalo are not unlikely. Maintaining a sensible distance, and following the example set by your guide and ranger, is important.

As well as tracking the larger mammals, your walking safari is also an opportunity to learn more about the smaller creatures often overlooked on game drives, as well as the wider ecology of the park, as interpreted by your guide.

In Lusaka, connect with your international flight home/onward travel arrangements.