Accommodation
Owner-operated Chundukwa River Lodge offers five River Front Chalets (one is a family room with space for two extra beds) and a 3-bedroom Cottage, all of which are constructed of blockwork and traditional reedwork under thatch, set up on stilts above the river. Every chalet is individually designed - all focus on their unique open-fronted layout with views over the Zambezi River. The decor and furniture has been made by the owners themselves using recycled wood, metal and sustainable reeds.
The center of the lodge is open-plan lounge and dining area, thatched with ceiling fans for the hotter months. An open-air deck over the river with comfy couches and loungers is the perfect spot to enjoy beautiful views. By night, the deck and patio are transformed with candles, solar lights and a fire. Guests can cool off in the rock plunge pool in the hot months and warm up as it is heated during the colder months. Most of the food comes from local farmers or from the lodges own garden.
The Zambezi River originates in the northwest of Zambia and flows 2700 km to the Pacific Ocean. It also flows past Livingstone before tumbling 100 m into the Batoka Gorge, which marks the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.The falls are known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ or ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ because the mist can rise several hundred metres above the gorge during the wet season, making it visible for miles around and therefore a well-known landmark.
If you prefer less action, then we recommend the really good camps Toka Leya, River Club and Tongabezi, which are all located some 30 minutes upstream, close to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. There is no helicopter noise here and the camps offer guides, who can organise everything on site and accompany you on your chosen activities.
Flight to Busanga Bush Camp
Accommodation
Busanga Bush Camp is a small, intimate camp with four double en-suite rooms positioned in pairs either side of the main building. The tents and main building are constructed at ground level offering guests a genuine bush experience. Those in need of a little more comfort can stay at Shumba Camp, which is located just 15 minutes away.
A fire pit is situated close to the main building, ideal for those cooler evenings, and a boma lit by paraffin lamps provides the setting for evening meals. Located just around the corner is the lookout point, which offers guests superb views of the plain to the front of the camp. Lions seem to love this place and visitors are well advised to take a quick look around before leaving their tents!
Kafue National Park covers an area of 22’400 km² which makes it one of the largest parks in Africa. The northern part of the park is home to the spectacular Busanga Plains, which flood during the wet season and gradually dry up again as October approaches. As the dry season progresses and the surrounding water holes dry up, more and more wildlife find their way onto the plains. Most camps open in May/June and close again in November when the rains arrive.
Kafue National Park sits at a height of 1350 m above sea level and covers 22’400 km². The three rivers Lufupa, Lunga and Kafue all carve their way through the park before being blocked by the Itezhi Tezhi Dam in its southern part.The northern part of the park is home to the spectacular Busanga Plains, which flood during the wet season and gradually dry up again as October approaches. Flooding reaches its peak in March/April. Most camps open in May/June and close again in November when the rains arrive.
Busanga Plains supports a broad spectrum of wildlife, but not in large numbers. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth a visit, as there are not many places where you get to see wattled crane, crowned crane, sitatunga, puku, red lechwe, wildebeest, sable and roan antelope, leopard and lion all in one day.
The park also supports cheetah and wild dog. Elephant wander across the plains, but again not in large numbers. The Busanga Plains become a paradise for bird lovers from April to June: 491 species have been spotted here to date.
Flight to LusakaFlight to Kutali & Chula
Accommodation
Tusk & Mane’s (Classic Zambia) intention is to return to simplicity, back to the roots of the original safari. The owners - Kyle Branch and Luke Evans - both grew up in the African bush and wish to give guests an understanding of the pure safari experience of their childhoods. This is achieved by good guiding, simple but very functional and well thought-out fly camps and plenty of campfire story-telling.
Tusk & Mane operates two camps, Kutali and Chula. Each camp consists of 5 very airy and identical tents that are positioned far apart on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. All tents have comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms with traditional bucket showers, flush toilets and washbasins with mirrors. A simple bedouin-style tent with a large table and a well-stocked bar defines the main area.
Each camp is small and well-structured, which makes the safari experience very personal. At the end of the season the camp will be torn down, only to be rebuilt in April / May next year.
Both Kutali and Chula are located in the vicinity of Old Mondoro Camp, about a 15 minute boat ride apart. The camps are accessed by airplane from Lusaka to Jeki Airstrip. The flight is followed by a 30 to 40 minute drive in an open game drive vehicle to the respective camp. The camps are often referred to as beeing on an island, but in fact it is just a smaller channel that separates the "island" from the main land. Having said that, a boat transfer is required to access Chula, whereas the channel surrounding Kutali can be crossed by vehicle.
The camps are all located on the riverside, which pulls in large herds of elephant and buffalo. The best camps offer canoeing safaris on the Zambezi’s tributaries or trips on the Zambezi River in flat-bottomed boats. In addition to game drives, walking safaris are also usually on offer – there is something different to do here every day.An abundance of elephant gathers in the Lower Zambezi region, and the pachyderms are permanent visitors to the camps, so keep your eyes peeled when walking back to your room.It gets very hot and sultry in October, just before the wet season begins. If you keen on walking and suffer from the heat, please visit earlier in the season.
Flight to Mfuwe
Travel by road to Nkonzi Camp
Accommodation
This small intimate camp is set on the dry Mushilashi River and has this area of the park pretty much to itself. Accommodation is in five fairly simple, Meru-style tents. Whilst the camp is comfortable enough the emphasis here is on the safari experience rather than the frills of camp.
The walk-in safari tents are a mix of back-to-nature charm and safari comfort. Each has an open-air ensuite bathroom (with hot water bucket showers and flushing loos), wooden-framed double or twin beds with crisp cotton linen, canvas safari chairs, fan, solar-powered lighting and a small charging station. Adjoining the tents an inviting outdoor lounge area with two recliners has been added to the rooms. As the camp is small and intimate, you will always receive a personalised holiday experience.
Most camps here are located close to the river, as this is where animals come to quench their thirst during the dry season. The dry season is also when the water level reaches its lowest point, exposing large sandbanks. The residual pools support high concentrations of crocodile and hippo, which tussle for the remaining water. When the wet season arrives in November, the water level rises rapidly, and the Luangwa becomes a raging torrent – it has even been known to take the odd camp with it. The walking safari is South Luangwa’s speciality, and is available at every camp. At 500 m above sea level, the park is very hot during the summer months. If you’re not a fan of intense heat and don’t like walking safaris, then it’s best to visit earlier.
The Muchinga Escarpment, a natural boundary to the west, prevents the migration of animals. The park is bordered by the river to the east and extends into the Nsefu Sector, which stretches out from the other side of the river.
The park’s entrance gate is located at the town of Mfuwe, which has a small airport (this is where guests are picked up). Many of the less expensive camps are located outside the park, close to the main bridge. In our opinion, the central sector around Mfuwe Lodge suffers a bit from traffic coming in over the bridge. For this reason, we recommend that you avoid the main bridge and visit the southern sector, the northern sector or Nsefu sector to experience quieter safaris.
Travel by road to Kafunta River Lodge
Accommodation The eight private safari chalets at Kafunta River Lodge have been built on raised wooden platforms and have thatched roofs. Additionally, there are two luxury suites which feature a private deck, an upstairs viewing veranda and a luxurious bathroom. The rooms overlook a game rich flood plain with the Luangwa River in the background. In the dry season elephants and plains game can easily be watched from the comfort of your room.
Central to the lodge is the spacious lounge and dining area and the open fireplace. Kafunta River Lodge’s spacious wooden deck provides guests with undisturbed views over the plain and is of the perfect place for a sumptuous dinner under the stars. Next to the bar is the infinity pool and the only natural hot tub in the Luangwa Valley (37°C)! During the cooler nights from May to July you may want to give it a try. Located under the main deck, a photographic hide has been built, a great place to relax during the day and watch the game at the lodge and waterhole.
Flight to Lusaka
Basic Information
Individual journey. The journey will be planned on your preferred dates.
Duration 14 nights. Min 2 guests. Minimum age 12 years. Weight limit of luggage 20 kg. Luggage in one soft bag only.
Includes all transfers from Livingstone to the hotels/camps to Lusaka
- Chundukwa River Lodge: Chalet. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Busanga Bush Camp: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Kutali & Chula: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Nkonzi Camp: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Kafunta River Lodge: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
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