Safari Zambia: Camping Safari in Luangwa

On day 1 of your safari, you will be warmly welcomed at Lusaka International Airport by a representative, who will help you with your luggage after immigration and baggage claims before assisting you to check into your hour-and-a-half flight to Mfuwe Airport. There, a guide will be waiting there to take you to Luangwa River Camp. The ten-bed camp is located opposite the game-rich Luangwa Wafwa in the Upper Lupande Game Management Area. All the amenities of a camp await you here but with the intimacy and flexibility of a bush camp.

On arrival, you will be checked into your cosy bush suite with brick walls and a thatched roof overlooking your private corner of Africa. Luangwa River Camp has five spacious brick and thatch chalets shaded by evergreen Natal mahogany trees. Inside, a comfortable bed under a generous mosquito net awaits you.
In the afternoon, you can set off on your first game drive or other activity if time permits. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Luangwa National Park and experience the beauty of the Zambian wilderness.

An unforgettable adventure awaits you on the second day of your safari: start the day with the magical sight of the sunrise and a delicious breakfast around the campfire. Afterward, the whole day is yours to explore, be it on foot or a game drive - just as you like it.

Did you know that the concept of guided walking safaris originated in this park? It is an exciting and intimate way to experience the wilderness on foot. This region is also a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with great conditions all year round. It is particularly fascinating during the rainy season when migratory birds arrive, and many birds can be seen in their magnificent breeding plumage.

In your free time, you can enjoy other activities at an additional cost, such as a visit to the Wildlife Education Centre, or a relaxing spa treatment. You will spend the evening back at Luangwa River Camp, where you will eat your dinner, probably a 3-course meal, together with the other guests. Luangwa River Camp is committed to responsible tourism and sustainable practices. They utilise solar energy, source local produce, and support conservation initiatives.

On the third day of your safari, the morning starts early with a hearty breakfast, followed by an exciting game drive through the park to the Luangwa River crossing opposite Tena Tena. This three-hour drive offers the opportunity to experience the beauty of this special region. Tena Tena staff will meet you at the river crossing and take you across the river by boat, followed by a short 20-minute drive to Tena Tena Camp. The camp is in the exclusive Nsefu sector, surrounded by majestic mahogany trees. This small and secluded camp offers a stunning location on a wide bend of the Luangwa River.

At the camp, you will be checked into a standard room that offers all the necessary luxuries. The tents are designed with nature in mind, with curved walls around the trees, subtle colours, and stunning views from every room. The camp's location close to the river and a lagoon system makes it a magnet for wildlife, offering guests the opportunity to spot a variety of animals including elephants, lions, hippos, and giraffes. In the afternoon, you can take part in another activity. All walks are led by experienced guides and accompanied by an armed national park scout. Immerse yourself in nature, observe the details and tracks of the animals, and experience the wilderness up close.

In the evening, you will be greeted with a few drinks around the campfire before heading to dinner in the main area or under the open sky. Indulge yourself, savour the new memories, and round off the day in style.

The fourth day of your safari starts early at sunrise. After a hearty breakfast, you set off with your group to the first bush camp, where the real adventure begins. Mobile walking safaris offer a unique experience for nature lovers. With the best guides, you explore real wilderness areas and spend the night in mobile camps set up every evening.

The camp is in a remote area of the Nsefu sector and offers the perfect "bush" atmosphere. The walk takes you through one of the most lagoon-rich areas of the Luangwa, which promises an abundance of wildlife. After a relaxed lunch and siesta, you will take an afternoon walk with tea before returning for a sundowner and dinner around the campfire. Here you will enjoy a simple but delicious meal, stories by the fire, and the comfort of the camp. After an exciting day, you spend the night in the safari camp, listening to the sounds of the wilderness and letting the impressions of the day sink in.

Note: The kitchen can cater to most dietary requirements. However, unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a completely nut-free environment. Therefore, it is not possible to cater specifically to people with severe nut allergies.

On the fifth day of your safari, an exciting hike through the game-rich area of the Luangwa River is on the program, surrounded by ebony groves, numerous lagoons, and of course the majestic Luangwa River itself. During the morning hike, the camp will be moved to a new location and a delicious lunch will be waiting for you on arrival. Alternatively, you and your group could decide to have a picnic en route.

This day offers many flexible options, and your guide will discuss with you and the other guests which activities suit you best to provide an unforgettable experience that will be remembered for a lifetime.

In the evening, you will relax together around the campfire, eat your dinner, and listen to the sounds of the wilderness before retiring to your Meru tents for a restful night's sleep.

After a relaxed breakfast, you leave the camp and make your way to Nsefu Camp. On the way you stop for tea and cake and arrive in time for lunch. The camp is situated on a winding bend in the river and has a rich history: Nsefu was the first game camp in Zambia and dates to the early 1950s. The Nsefu sector was recognised as a phenomenal area even then and still is.

Only twelve guests can stay in the brick and thatch round houses with en-suite bathrooms, making it a remote and popular destination. From every room you have an uninterrupted view of the river, be it from your bed or the chairs on the veranda. The rooms have an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, mosquito nets, and cotton linen.

The so-called "Nsefu Hide" is located next to the communal area and overlooks a man-made lagoon that attracts a variety of wildlife and birds. Guests are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to observe elephants, buffalo, and zebra up close. The camp is built to be in harmony with the environment. Raised walkways connect the charming open-air rondavels (circular rooms), allowing the animals to move freely around the camp. In the afternoon, you will take part in another activity in the Zambian wilderness and then relax with your group over a delicious dinner.

Start your day with a full-on buffet breakfast. On this last full day in the Nsefu sector, it's up to you to decide how you want to spend your time: You can either take a drive through the ebony groves or hike. Use the day to explore the Zambian landscape in the Luangwa National Park.

You also have the option to take further game drives or safari walks in another area to maximise your game viewing and leave no stone unturned (also at an additional cost). End your day in peace, reflect on the memories of the last few days, and enjoy your last evening in the Zambian wilderness.

On your eighth and last day of the safari, the morning begins with a delicious breakfast before a vehicle takes you to Mfuwe Airport, which is about 1.5 hours from Nsefu, depending on the flight time. If time permits, you may have the opportunity for one last exciting game drive before you depart. On the way to the airport, you can take your time to process all the impressions and breathe in the last breeze of Zambian nature.

Upon your arrival at Lusaka International Airport, our Tours Africa representatives will help you organise your luggage and then assist you with checking in for your international flight home.