Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Zambia – South Luangwa National Park
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Your Zambian adventure begins today, so head to the airport, breeze through security and board your overnight flight to Lusaka, Zambia. With a quick stopover, the journey will take between 14 and 15 hours, so cosy up in your seat, get stuck into your holiday read and catch some Z’s if you can.
When you arrive the next day, you’ll be met at the airport and whisked straight to your hotel by private transfer. After a long journey, you’ve earned some serious R&R, so check in and spend the rest of the day as you please – whether that’s a dip in the pool, basking in the glorious Zambian sunshine or simply crawling into bed and calling it a day. Tomorrow promises plenty more excitement.
This morning, leave Lusaka behind as you’re privately transferred back to the airport for your one-hour flight to Mfuwe.
When you touch down, meet your local safari guide and bundle into the back of a comfortable 4x4 for the two-hour drive into the bush. Consider the tarmac firmly behind you as you pass local villages, cross the Luangwa River and enter South Luangwa National Park. Grab some binoculars and keep your camera at the ready – this is where the magic begins. Elephants seek shade under the trees, giraffes lope across the plains and pods of hippos wallow in the river. If luck’s on your side, you might even spot a prowling leopard eyeing up its prey – quite the start to your safari adventure.
When you arrive at your camp, drop your bags and settle into your home for the next three nights. As evening draws in, enjoy your first safari sundowner with the rangers, who’ll fill you in on what’s to come, before heading up to bed for a good night’s sleep.
The next two days are all about getting into the swing of safari life. After breakfast each morning, climb into an open-sided 4x4 and head deep into South Luangwa National Park, where elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, giraffes and hippos roam alongside an impressive cast of birdlife.
As you glide through the bush, your guides bring the landscapes to life – equal parts expert trackers and enthusiastic storytellers.
Back at camp each night, swap stories over dinners and relive the day’s highlights before venturing out for an evening game drive as the light softens. Golden hour in the Luangwa Valley is something special, as the landscape glows and nocturnal animals begin to stir.
Rise early this morning and fuel up with a hearty breakfast – you’ve got a proper adventure ahead. Lace up your comfiest walking boots and set off on a five-mile hike (around three hours) through South Luangwa National Park, with your next bush camp as the finish line.
With your ranger leading the way, track fresh footprints in the dust, identify medicinal plants used by local communities and learn how to recognise bird species by their calls.
Not quite up for the full trek? There’s always a vehicle on standby, so you can opt for a game drive transfer instead.
When you arrive, check in to your next bush camp, located on the Luwi River. Take it easy for the rest of the day with a dip in the pool or a snooze in the hammock – after all that walking, you’ve earned it. As evening falls, get stuck into a traditional braai (an African barbecue cooked over the fire) – best enjoyed with an ice-cold drink in hand.
Today is all about getting even closer to the action in this remote corner of South Luangwa National Park. With a busy waterhole right in front of your camp, you won’t have to go far for sightings – in fact, some of the best views can be enjoyed right from your deck.
Spend the day exploring with your rangers, on foot or by vehicle, keeping your eyes peeled for the park’s resident wildlife. The region is home to herds of elephants, wild dogs, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, hippos and so much more – but the true stars of the show are its big cats. This stretch of the Luangwa is known for its thriving lion population, with several pride territories overlapping the area, drawn to the river as a hunting ground and a vital water source.
At dusk, embark on an evening drive. Predators here are on the prowl, their calls echoing through the landscape as you explore under the cover of night. Fear not, your ranger will be right beside you to ensure you’re not mistaken for a midnight snack...
Today’s journey is one for the books – another walking safari, trekking from your current camp to the next. After a hearty lunch, begin the journey, which will take a total of six hours over two days. Rather rest your legs? There’s always the option of a vehicle transfer instead.
Walk alongside your ranger, who’ll bring the bush to life one story at a time. One moment you’re learning how to identify rhinos by the age of their dung, the next you’re marvelling at a soaring eagle or a playful troop of meerkats, uncovering all the quirks of the animal kingdom as you go.
Once you’re halfway to your next camp, you’ll reach a sleep-out camp, where you’ll be staying tonight. As your guide cooks dinner over a crackling fire, cosy up for a night of true fly-camping, sleeping under the stars with just a mat and mosquito net between you and the wilderness.
At first light, wake to the sounds of the bush – a pretty special start to the day. After your ranger rustles up some breakfast, set off on foot once more, continuing your journey through the park towards your next bush camp.
The final half of the trek takes around three hours, and by now you’re likely a pro at spotting cleverly camouflaged animals in the brush and picking up movement in the distance. En route, you may even spot a few creepy crawlies, including praying mantis, scorpions and dung beetles – you’re in the wild, after all.
You'll arrive at your bush camp in good time for lunch, and the rest of the day is yours to take it easy. Kick off your shoes, put your feet up and stretch out on the deck, keeping an eye on the river as wildlife meanders by.
After all that trekking, we’ve left your last day on safari deliberately low-key. With no set agenda, the day is yours to explore at your own pace – whether that’s discovering more wildlife on foot, or, if your legs are calling out for a break, sitting back and enjoying the ride from a 4x4. This is prime game-viewing country, with a final chance to see the iconic Big Five and officially tick off that bucket-list moment.
As the sun dips below the horizon, raise a glass to it all – miles walked, wildlife spotted and an abundance of magical memories made along the way.
Sadly, it’s time to leave the bush behind. After one last morning in the park, you’ll be privately transferred back to Mfuwe Airport (a 30-minute drive), ready to begin your journey home.
From here, take a one-hour flight to Lusaka, then hop aboard your connecting flight to an African hub airport. Including a brief layover to stretch your legs and stock up on some snacks, the journey will take between 16 and 18 hours, landing in the UK the next morning.
You’ll return home with enough photos and memories to keep the thrill alive... at least until the next adventure calls.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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