Chamilandu Bushcamp
With stunning views over the Luangwa River and the Chindeni Hills beyond, the exclusive Chamilandu Bushcamp's understated elegance and exceptional game viewing make it a place to remember.
Three stilted chalets are set on the riverbank beneath a soaring ebony grove and the open plan raised rooms offer guests the perfect birds-eye view of the wildlife that the river and lagoon attract. Each has a private veranda and even the bathroom is open fronted, so you need never take your eyes off the animals roaming the landscape.
Enjoy a sundowner in the comfort of the thatched dining room and bar, as you watch the wildlife do the same at the river.
Spend the days on walking safaris or game drives with expert guides who will introduce you to the impressive range of habitats in the area. With several oxbow lagoons just behind the camp, there are always plenty of thirsty animals around, so even if you just want to while away an afternoon lazing in a hammock, you're sure to see something fairly spectacular.
Why We Love It
There's nothing quite like waking up in your own open-fronted tree house.
Bilimungwe Bush Camp
There's always a warm welcome at Bilimungwe. The heart of camp is the rustic lounge area set beneath a huge winterthorn tree and looking out over a shady waterhole - an establishment favoured by local warthogs, elephant and other thirsty game.
The buzzing outdoor eating area with its unique open-air kitchen (the only 'bistro' in the park!) is the perfect spot for a lively barbecue in the heart of the African wilderness. When it comes to wildlife-watching at Bilimungwe, it's hard to know where to look first - choose from the tangle of mahogany trees surrounding camp, the nearby plain where leopard prowl, the popular waterhole, or the open waters of the Luangwa River.
Bilimungwe's four thatched brick-and-grass chalets have been effortlessly styled to blend with the surrounding landscape. The dark wood of the surrounding trees is echoed in the wooden furniture and rich colour scheme to create warm and cosy rooms that stave off the chill of an African night. Each has a private porch that looks out onto the peaceful neighbouring plain, an ensuite bathroom and twin beds (queen-sized beds). Bilimungwe sleeps up to eight guests.
Put simply, this is a nature-lover's paradise, and with Manda Chisanga - Bilimungwe's award-winning resident guide - to lead you, you could not be in better hands.
Why We Love It
There is a fantastic water hole in front of the camp that attracts plenty of game, in particular a rather friendly resident elephant...
Lion Camp
An intimate refuge accommodating 18 guests in nine stylish chalets, each of which has a private balcony and en-suite bathroom with shower and loo.
The chalets stand high above the savannah on stilts, and the entire lodge is linked by a system of boardwalks. Elephant, hippos and small antelope such as bushbuck and puku are frequently seen in camp. At the heart of Lion Camp is an infinity pool, a boma fireplace, and a woven copper bar.
The staff are attentive and courteous, providing personalised service with attention to detail. Guests can explore the surrounding savannah on expertly guided game drives and night drives, or walking safaris.
Why We Love It
With no fences surrounding the lodge, wildlife moves unhindered under the walkways and through the camp.
Luangwa Safari House
Luangwa House is a unique private house for up to eight guests, located on the edge of the South Luangwa National Park.
The beautifully designed house contains four large, en-suite bedrooms and a huge, open-sided dining / sitting room with incredible views. Outside is a terrace with further seating and a swimming pool. Luangwa House is sited on the edge of a seasonal lagoon, with a backdrop of the Chindeni Hills. Nature is right on your doorstep, and there is a viewing platform from where guests can watch elephant, giraffe and the wide variety of other game that uses the area to feed and water throughout the day.
From the terrace, a raised walkway leads to a wooden deck surrounded by a cluster of huge ebony trees overlooking the lagoon. The house is run by a house manager and comes with a private chef, its own safari vehicles and guides, and an armed scout for walking safaris.
Why We Love It
There is a viewing platform in Luangwa House from where guests can watch elephant, giraffe and the wide variety of other game that feed and water there throughout the day.
Mfuwe Lodge
Despite being just inside the parks main gate, game viewing at Mfuwe Lodge is second to none with giraffe, lions, antelopes and crocodiles regularly visiting the Lodge's lagoon.
18 thatched bungalows built from local stone and timber are scattered along the banks of two picturesque lagoons and blend unobtrusively into the surrounding landscape. The interiors were fully renovated in 2010 with beautiful African fabrics and furniture and each bungalow has a private veranda from where you can watch wallowing hippos and thirsty game stopping by for a drink.
The impressive open-plan main lodge houses a comfortable lounge area, bar and dining room and outside the traditional boma and the swimming pool both look out over the lagoon.
This is a great place to base yourself at the beginning of your safari before heading into a more remote bushcamp. The game is prolific and drives are led by experienced guides who can take you on walking safaris at your request.
Why We Love It
In November elephants regularly walk straight through the Lodge's lobby, lured by the smell of the tasty mango tree nearby
Nkwali
Nkwali is one of three Robin Pope safari camps in the South Luangwa region.
Perhaps the most luxurious of the three, Nkwali offers stylish accommodation and fine dining together with a superb wildlife experience.
Nkwali is located on Robin's private land, overlooking the Luangwa River. The six thatched chalets are cool and spacious and there is a swimming pool. From the bar, built around a huge ebony tree on the river bank, elephants can regularly be seen crossing the river. There is also a waterhole close to the thatched dining room.
Like all the Robin Pope safari camps, Nkwali specialises in walking safaris led by some of the best private guides in Africa and accompanied by an armed game scout. Game viewing is conducted in the South Luangwa National Park, one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, which is accessed from Nkwali by boat. Boating trips and game drives (including night drives) are also possible.
Why We Love It
The area around Nkwali is characterised by woodland and open grassland and is famous for leopard and giraffe sightings.
Kutandala Bush Camp
Kutandala Bush Camp is set on a stunning site on the banks of the Mwaleshi River in the heart of the North Luangwa National Park.
Kutandala Camp offers the ultimate walking safari for those who seek true wilderness. The camp is home to Rod and Gus Tether who own and run the camp. With a capacity for only six guests exclusivity is guaranteed and you can walk for days without seeing another soul. The North Luangwa is renowned for its superb wildlife in a pristine environment. Safaris at Kutandala are primarily undertaken on foot but for excursions further a field, such as the scenic Chipopma falls, which involve some driving there, in a game-viewing vehicle. The guest rooms all have an unrestricted view of the Mwaleshi river and its floodplain - each have an en-suite flush toilet and hot shower and are built entirely of reed and grass. Lighting is by rechargeable solar lanterns and paraffin hurricane lamps. Due to its remoteness, the camp is seasonal and only operates from mid June to early November.
Why We Love It
Walking from camp is always interesting thanks to the abundance of game, 350 species of birds and the natural beauty of the area.
Walking Trails
Walking safaris between Crocodile Camp and Chikoko Camp explore wilderness areas, entirely free from roads and vehicle access so all game viewing is done on foot.
Chikoko and Crocodile Camps are both situated in the riverine area of the Luangwa River, on the opposite bank and slightly upstream of Tafika.
Spend a couple of nights at the beginning or the end at Tafika to enjoy some game-viewing by 4x4 before the walking starts. With a maximum of six guests, each walking safari lasts three to four days and includes time at both trails camps and daily walking excursions. Accommodation at the two rustic and exclusive camps is in chalets constructed of local timber and grass, with flush loos and showers on the ground, and open-sided bedrooms above.
The boma at Chikoko Tree Camp has a cosy fireplace and the shady dining room is a cool lunchtime spot. At Crocodile Camp there is a split-level bar, lounge and dining area cut into the riverbank. All luggage and supplies are carried ahead by porters so guests need only carry binoculars and cameras. Gentle walks along the maze of animal footpaths are led by highly experienced guides, and accompanied by an armed National Park scout and all-important tea-bearer.
Why We Love It
The landscapes here are beautiful and the diverse game have become increasingly relaxed to those passing on foot.
Chinzombo
Chinzombo, formerly the green season base of the 80s, now pioneers the Bush glamping movement in Zambia, with its ultra sleek and stylish design, putting it in direct competition with the glamour's of South Africa and Tanzania.
All six villas are simple yet modern in design, with large living areas and private plunge pools on canopy shaded decking overlooking the Luangwa Valley. Chinzombo is particularly peaceful, and with the privacy of the villas, guests can truly unwind and soak up the Zambian surroundings. So if it's tranquillity you are after then look no further.
Situated in 60 acres of private land bordering the Luangwa River, Chinzombo makes for a rather exclusive safari experience. And by exclusive we mean direct private access to game rich areas of the National Park, should a stroll take anyones fancy. A daily safari experience brings guests in to close proximities with animals and bush life.
The beauty of the place is that the serenity, adventure, luxury and exclusivity are on offer all year round.
Why We Love It
The villa decking is a great location for wildlife-watching and to do a spot of yoga during your stay.