South Luangwa & Kawaza

This safari will provide you with some of the best wildlife watching in Africa, based in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and based at luxury camps in beautiful regions of the reserve. However you also have the opportunity to see life in a real rural African village as you stay for one night in award-winning Kawaza village.

Using the Robin Pope Safaris camps as your safari base, enjoy plenty of game viewing by vehicle or on foot in the areas around Nkwali and also in the Nsefu sector further north. Kawaza village is about 30 - 60 mins drive from Nsefu or Tena Tena camps and it's a real treat to spend time with the local people of this part of Zambia. Money from overnight stays here go direct to the village.

Nsefu and Tena Tena are open from mid May to end of October. Nkwali and Kawaza village all year round.

Information

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Included

Lusaka-Mfuwe-Lusaka flights, transfers, most drinks, laundry, national park fees, game viewing excursions, donation to Kawaza village.

Not included

Premium drinks and champagnes.

For you

You need to be comfortable with staying in a mud hut for one night, with very basic facilities and local food (basic but tasty).

Best time

The dry season from May to October is when wildlife begins to congregate at the dwindling water sources, offering good viewing opportunities. October is the hottest month, with temperatures sometimes reaching 40°C or more.

Getting there

There are several direct flights each week from Europe to Lusaka. It is about a 10 hr flight. There are also daily flights to Johannesburg (South Africa). We can arrange the internationals from the UK and all connecting flights. Return flights to Lusaka from the UK start from about £500.

Weather and highlights

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- Jan
- Sunny
- 15
- 28
- Feb
- Sunny with Cloud
- 15
- 28
- Mar
- Heavy rain
- 15
- 26
- Apr
- Heavy rain
- 15
- 26
- May
- Sunny
- 10
- 24
- Jun
- Sunny
- 0
- 20
- Jul
- Sunny
- 3
- 22
- Aug
- Sunny
- 8
- 25
- Sep
- Sunny
- 15
- 30
- Oct
- Sunny
- 15
- 30
- Nov
- Rain
- 15
- 26
- Dec
- Rain
- 15
- 38

Some of the best camps in Luangwa
Superb guiding
Can walk between Tena Tena and Nsefu
Experience a real African village overnight
Fantastic wildlife

Itinerary

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Duration: 10 days.

Day 1:
Fly from Lusaka to Mfuwe airport, South Luangwa. Transfer to Nkwali Camp for 3 nights. Day and night drives and walks.

Day 4:
Transfer to Nsefu Camp for 2 nights, day and night drives and walks.

Day 6:
A day in Kawaza village (with your guide too). Then overnight here.

Day 7:
Transfer to Tena Tena Camp for 2 nights. Day and night drives and walks.

Day 9:
Transfer to Mfuwe airport for flight to Lusaka in the afternoon. Transfer to Chaminuka Lodge (overnight in Lusaka required if flying BA to London - due to flight timings).

Day 10:
Transfer to airport for flight home.

NOTE: The direct BA flights to Lusaka and back operate 3 times a week, so your itinerary will be chosen around those flight dates.

Pricing guidelines for Zambia

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We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £600 to £800 depending on the season and route (unless airlines have special offers). Zambia combines well with Malawi and Botswana.

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

Example tripPrice per person
1 week mid-high season safari staying in one park in good lodge or tented campBetween £3000 and £5000
2 week safari in various parks in quality lodges and tented camps.Between £4000 and £6000
1 week ‘green season’ safariFrom about £2500 +
2 weeks Zambia and Lake MalawiBetween £4000 and £5000

Zambia