With just five rooms, of which one is a family room, Kakuli Camp is a very intimate bush camp by Norman Carr Safaris (current time + tide). Kakuli is a local word meaning ‘old buffalo bull’, a nickname bestowed upon Norman Carr by the valley’s native inhabitants.

Located just a few metres from the water’s edge, the rooms are built on a high embankment offering spectacular views of the river. Guests can simply loll under the outdoor canopy and enjoy the scenery. The lavish guest rooms are a combination of tent and reed house, with a large and comfortable bathroom to the rear (outdoor shower included).

Breakfast is served around the morning fire at the main building on a deck built over a small side lagoon. All other meals are also served under the open sky. The lagoon is visited frequently - especially in the early afternoon - which makes some guests linger on deck. The freely roaming animals can also be observed at eye level from a hide that is part of the main building.

Kakuli Camp is situated in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park on the very edge of the Luangwa River, where the the dry riverbed of the Luwi River merges with the Luangwa. Journey time form Mfuwe Airport is 1.5 hours.

Lots of lions! Leopard and hyena are quite abundant too, and the odd wild dog may also be encountered. Luangwa River is on the doorstep and supports crocodile and hippo. Furthermore, the National Park is also home to a large number of elephant, buffalo, zebra, kudu, impala, puku and a large variety of birdlife.

Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra are unique to South Luangwa National Park. .

The camp offers game drives in an open 4x4 vehicle, walks with armed rangers and night drives.

Transfer to one of the other time + tide tide camps, such as Nsolo or Mchenja, can be done on foot. The walk to Nsolo takes around 3-4 hours (14 km) and some 2 hours to Mchenja. The walk is tackled early due to the heat, particularly in October when temperatures can soar. Luggage is taken on ahead by vehicle. A sleep-out between Kakuli and Nsolo is also possible (mattress plus mosquito net on the riverbed plus ranger dinner). Guests choosing this option leave camp at nightfall, sleep out on the riverbed and continue the journey to camp next morning. This walk may include encounters with lion, elephant, hippo and buffalo.

Kakuli is one of the few camps in South Luangwa that is open during the rainy season from January to March. Boat trips from Kakuli can be arranged during the rainy season.

No wifi or phone reception at Kakuli Camp..

SwissAfrican Travel Service
Dammstrasse 27
8702 Zollikon
Zurich, Switzerland


Telephone: +41 (0)44 451 40 51