Duration
15-Day
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Our aim is not to offer the 'classic' walking safari experience that renowned operators in the Luangwa Valley are famous for. We offer a safari with occasional short walks in areas that are suited to explore on foot. The walks are not strenuous, but normal fitness and health are required to enjoy the excursions on foot. You'll also visit Bangweulu Swamps and see the bat migration in Kasanka National Park in October each year.
Plan snapshot
Duration
15-Day
Route
Mfuwe to Lusaka
Via South Luangwa NP, North Luangwa NP, Kapishya Hot Springs
Country & park
Zambia / South Luangwa National Park
Style
Shared safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
On request
Minimum age
12 years
Activities
game drives, walking safaris (with an armed guide), nature hikes/walks & boat trip
Accommodation
Budget camping Bordering South Luangwa NP without fences – Day 1: Dinner Included – Day 2: All Meals Included - Bordering South Luangwa NP without fences
Meals
Day 1: Dinner Included; Day 2: All Meals Included; All Meals Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
EUR
Solo travelers
Can join this group tour
Rates
EUR
Before booking
Quote flow
This budget tour includes camping and hotels. Guests must assist with camp chores.
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 10 people per vehicle.
This tour starts on fixed start dates only.
The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed.
Single travelers can join this group tour, but it requires a minimum of 4 people to run.
The minimum age for this tour is 12 years.
Day 1-2
Bordering South Luangwa NP without fences
Day 1: Dinner Included; Day 2: All Meals Included
Day 3-4
Inside South Luangwa NP – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 5
Bordering South Luangwa NP without fences – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 6-7
Bordering North Luangwa NP without fences – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 8
Kapishya Hot Springs (Highlight) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 9-10
Inside Mutinondo Wilderness – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 11-12
Inside Bangweulu Wetlands – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 13
Inside Kasanka NP – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 14
Mid-range hotel near Lusaka (City) – Breakfast & Lunch Included
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day 15
(No accommodation)
Breakfast Included
Tour step
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
After arrival at Mfuwe Airport, you will meet your guide and the other participants at the small airport in Mfuwe. Afterwards, transfer to our camp (Croc. Valley Camp or similar). Clients are requested to help set up camp that's next to the Luangwa River. Dinner is being served underneath the clear African sky. Bordering South Luangwa NP without fences Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
These days we will spend game viewing inside the national park. We will explore the area with our game viewing vehicle. Game drives along the Luangwa River often produce spectacular sightings. Hippo families occur in high numbers in the river, unequalled in Africa. During the dry season (July to October), many side channels of the river dry up, leaving the fish trapped. This attracts many different species of predators, such as the African fish eagle, jackal, and hyena, to mention but a few. The colourful carmine bee-eaters are often seen perching in front of their nests on the river banks. Participants are requested to help with setting up tents and loading the vehicle. You'll be camping on the banks of the Luangwa River at Wildlife Camp (2 xFB). Bordering South Luangwa NP without fences All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
After another morning game drive, we pack a small backpack and start our walking trip in the afternoon to the Bush Camp, which is situated on the banks of the Luangwa River under huge Natal Mahogany trees providing shade during the hot days. Wildlife is in abundance and can be spotted from the bush-camp. A fully qualified guide and scout will lead the trek. The next morning sunrise and birdsong wakes up the bush. After breakfast, it is time to pack up and head back to camp on foot – another three hour through Africa’s wilderness In the afternoon of day 4 we will do another game drive in this area for sunset. (2x FB). Inside South Luangwa NP All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5
Early in the morning we pack up our camp and drive via traditional villages to the Nsefu sector of the park. South Luangwa NP is known for its abundance of African wildlife: Thorneycroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s Gnu, Crawshay’s Zebra and big herds of buffalo and elephant. In the afternoon we will do a game drive with our 4x4 vehicle in the Nsefu Sector. Camping on the Luangwa River close to Chibembe Nature Reserve. (FB). Bordering South Luangwa NP without fences All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6
Packing up and drive via Luambe National Park to North Luangwa Park which is remote and wild. We will do a short game walk in the vicinity of the campsite and along the Luangwa River with a scout. Big herds of hippos call this area their home; elephants, various species of antelopes can be seen from our camp. Camping at the campsite just outside the National Park. (FB). Bordering North Luangwa NP without fences All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 7
Today’s stage takes us from the hot Luangwa Valley up the steep escarpment (altitude 1400 m). While we drive the temperature gets cooler and the dry savannah gives way to the Miombo forest. In the northern area of the park, we set up our camp at an exclusive campsite near the Mano Gate. In the afternoon we will take a walk along the river, and it is possible to take a refreshing bath in the mountain stream. Camping at the Samala Campsite at the park’s border (FB). Bordering North Luangwa NP without fences All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 8
Next stop over on our trip is Kapishya Hot Springs, which allows us to relax in the hot springs. Nearby situated is the historic house Shiwa N'Gandu (possible visit at own expense). In the afternoon we will take a walk to the Chusa waterfall. Camping (FB). All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 9
Early in the morning, we'll drive to our next stop, Mutinondo Wilderness. Huge ‘whalebacks’ (granite boulders) scattered in between the Miombo forest create the unique landscape of Mutinondo. We will do a sunset walk to enjoy the special atmosphere at dusk. Participants are requested to help with setting up tents and loading the vehicle. You'll be camping at the campsite of Mutinondo Wilderness (full board basis). Inside Mutinondo Wilderness All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 11
We'll move on foot or on water (depending on the water level) to find the water birds, the huge herds of Lechwe antelope and other animals like tsessebe (a species of antelope), zebra, buffalo and black-backed jackal. The herds of thousands of Lechwe in this seemingly endless landscape is an unforgettable African experience! Participants are requested to help with setting up tents and loading the vehicle. You'll be camping at Nsobe Campsite (2x VP). Inside Bangweulu Wetlands All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 13
Early in the morning we go further to the Kasanka National Park. Towards the end of October and in November millions of straw-coloured fruit bats arrive from the Congo. This is known as the world’s biggest migration of mammals - a sight not to be missed! With some luck we will be able to observe the rare and shy Sitatunga Antelope (among other animals). The bird life is amazing as well at this time of the year. Camping inside the National Park. (FB). Inside Kasanka NP All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 14
On the Great North Road, we head towards Chisamba (around 6 hours drive), where we stay overnight at Protea Safari Lodge. We can still do a short walk on the premises of the hotel. Overnight at Protea Safari Lodge in modern rooms. Dinner in the restaurant (B/L/-). Mid-range hotel located near Lusaka (City) Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 15
After Breakfast transfer to Lusaka International Airport and departure. Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Tour step
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
Camping equipment
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Sleeping bag
Bath towels
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Offered by
After being in the mobile safaris business since 1992 , Johannes Stallmann founded Bundu Safaris /Adventure Purists Ltd Zambia in 2005 concentrating thoroughly on Zambia and being one of the first offering fully catered mobile Safaris in this country. Rely on our experience and equipment and enjoy Zambia - The Real Africa!
Office In
Zambia
Size
1-5 employees (Founded in 2005)
Tour Types
Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
Destinations
Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Traveler feedback
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Hi! Recently me and my girlfriend visited Zambia for our first time, and had our first ever safari there! We booked via Adventure Purists/Bundu Safari's, and we couldn't be happier with our choice! We first wanted to book for Kafue National Park, but Christa (our lovely contact person) recommended another tour which would be easier accessable during this time of the year. We simply told them what we wanted, for how long, and any additional requests, and they made it happen! Of course we booked this trip hoping to see beautiful nature and amazing animals. (We definitely did see everything we wanted, including the entire Big 5!) But having two of these amazing guides with us really made our trip complete. Moses and Joseph are two wonderful guys that really know what they’re doing and talking about. They make a great duo who can cook, drive, care, spot even the most well hidden animals, and tell us everything about all we want to know like behavior, characteristics, looks and so much more of all the animals we found. Please take good care of such amazing safari guides, as you probably won’t find them of this kind very often. They always asked if we could see everything back in the truck, they asked if there were specific species we should look after. They asked when we wanted to leave, eat, come back to camp, take on extra activities or just chill a bit. Super kind, caring, funny, sweet and pure people. We absolutely would recommend booking with these guys if someone books a safari with Bundu. It was amazing seeing all these different species together and in the wild, and the hunt to always spot even more was really exciting! We think we got really lucky with everything we found, and are really appreciative about being able to make such a unique trip with very unique people! Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity, and we will definitely see you in the future! Kind regards, Babette and Jari
Jari and Babette · Netherlands
Safari was amazing thanks! All was well. We very much enjoyed our time there. Frank and Sabine were very friendly, and our guide Isacc very knowledgeable.
P N · United Kingdom
I wanted to say a big thank you for all the planning and organization of our trip. (17 Days - 6 people including two children ages 11 and 9) From the initial exciting camping, to the last wonderful lodge in South Luangwa – All the locations were very well chosen. The boat on Lake Kariba, staying at Dawn's cottages, the estate with wild life and many polo horses, the big chalet in Lower Zambezi! And thank you to all the team that assisted us - Andrew, Monica, Joseph. Also in Bostwana and South Luangwa we had really great guides. We were very lucky to see amazing animals, not at once but at each location new and even more special – I won’t bore you with photos :) But there all the usual suspects – highlight was the leopards, the pride of lions, the big heards of elephants, buffalos, wild dogs… and everything in between. All the best from Switzerland
Swiss Family · Switzerland
We thank Christa for recommending the best nature park for our budget during this season. We were lucky to do our 6-day camping safari in the Lower Zambezi with a wonderful Dutch couple who were also nature lovers. In our small group of four, we were guided by Moses who is an incredible expert at spotting even the most inconspicuous animals like panthers. Thanks to him, during our short safari we were able to see the big five: lions, elephants, panthers, buffalos and rhinos (the latter in a private reserve near Mazabuka where we also encountered giraffes and ostriches). Of course, we saw many other species, such as wild dogs, zebras, impalas, baboons, hippos, crocs, and so on. Each time, Moses explained to us the reasons for their behaviour and how they were linked to each other within their ecosystem. It was fascinating! We learnt a lot! Moses is also an incredible cook who, every evening at Mvuu camp, puts all his heart into preparing delicious traditional dishes in huge portions over the campfire. During our stay in Zambia, we couldn't find a restaurant that could match the quality of his cooking. We were also lucky enough to be driven by Joseph around the bumpy tracks of the park in a unique and beautiful modified Land Rover that we loved so much. Joseph is an extremely skilful (and joyful) driver who took us down tracks that no-one else would have dared. No track or path was impossible to follow the animal footprints of the Lower Zambezi NP! We highly recommend the expertise of Adventure Purists for safaris in Zambia.
Marie-Laure and Serge · Australia
Practical answers
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in Euros (EUR).
This tour accepts children who are 12 years and older.
The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed.
Budget camping Bordering South Luangwa NP without fences – Day 1: Dinner Included – Day 2: All Meals Included - Bordering South Luangwa NP without fences. Meals: Day 1: Dinner Included; Day 2: All Meals Included
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators () Requests are sent directly to the tour operator If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Operator policy
This tour is offered by Adventure Purists, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
This group tour requires a minimum of 4 people to run.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Adventure Purists.
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