Wild dogs seen on Robin Pope Safaris' Carnivore Week in South Luangwa, Zambia

Carnivore Week in South Luangwa Itinerary

A rare chance to accompany members of the Zambian Carnivore Programme as they track lions, hyenas and wild dogs in the Luangwa Valley, interspersed with safari activities.

8 days from £3650pp plus international flights.

Full itinerary

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Day 1

Arrive South Luangwa

You arrive into Mfuwe airport where a guide from Robin Pope Safari is waiting to meet you. You'll be driven the hour or so to your home for the next week, Nkwali Camp. Along the way you pass through villages, cultivated land and bush, arriving at the camp on the banks of the Luangwa River. You'll have the rest of the day to unwind after your journey and settle into life in camp. In the evening you'll meet one of the staff working for the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP), to learn about their work and current projects, as well as witnessing a demonstration of the tracking equipment you'll become familiar with over the next few days. Enjoy a delicious dinner then retire to your tent for a well-earned sleep.

Dinner

Day 2

In South Luangwa

Your days start early at Nkwali, with a wake up call around dawn and breakfast by the campfire. Sufficiently refreshed you'll join the morning game drive for your first sight of South Luangwa's wildlife. This includes hippos, elephants, buffalos and Thornicroft's giraffe with its distinctive coat pattern. A ZCP team member will join you and you'll see the tracking equipment in action! You'll learn about lion identification and counts, vital to the work of the ZCP. Lunch is served back in camp, followed by time to relax and enjoy a refreshing swim. In the late afternoon you'll go back out into the park on a drive that includes the chance to view nocturnal species.

Full board

Day 3

In South Luangwa

You'll have a choice of activities today. As well as the twice daily game drives, you can take a guided walk. South Luangwa was the birthplace of the walking safari and this remains one of the best ways to explore the flora and fauna of the area. This can last an hour or so, or you can plump for a full day trip for an immersive experience, stopping for a picnic lunch en-route. Tonight you'll have a talk from a ZCP member, focusing on the relationships between lions, wild dogs and hyenas.

Full board

Day 4

In South Luangwa

Today you'll visit the Chipembele Environment Education Centre. Education is key to the survival of endangered species and the reduction of human-animal conflict, and you'll see how this is achieved and the children are engaged in conservation work. You'll also hear about other education projects run by Chipembele. You'll return to Nkwali for lunch and a siesta, with the option of a late afternoon game drive if you wish.

Full board

Day 5

In South Luangwa

You'll have more game drive and guided walks today. A member of ZCP will accompany you on either the morning and afternoon drive, and you'll have further chances to observe the tracking programme in progress. This non-profit organisation has been operating in this area since 2005 and concentrates largely on the lion population as the Luangwa Valley is one of 10 lion strongholds remaining in Africa. It's a real privilege to be involved first-hand in this vital work.

Full board

Day 6

In South Luangwa

Another day top enjoy the rich and varied wildlife of South Luangwa, with you choice of drives and walks, and spending time with the ZCP. As well as lions, wild dogs and hyenas, with luck you'll observe leopards as Luangwa is home to one of Zambia's largest leopard populations. When not out exploring you'll be able to enjoy the relaxed pace of life in Nkwali Camp, watching wildlife by the river while sipping a drink from the bar, leafing through a book in the library and sampling the chef's tasty food.

Full board

Day 7

In South Luangwa

Get the most out of your last day in South Luangwa, joining a game drive with a ZCP team member, accompanying a guide on a nature walk, taking to the water for a boat cruise, and maybe enjoying a picnic in the bush. Depending on the weather there may also be a chance to visit Kawaza village for an insight into local life. There's almost too much to squeeze into one day! Tonight you'll gather for your last dinner at Nkwali, an opportunity to look back at all that seen and learnt over the last week.

Full board

Day 8

Depart

All too soon it's time to leave. Take time to enjoy views of the river as you eat breakfast and later, bags packed, you'll be transferred to Mfuwe airport for your onward flight.

Breakfast