Description
Mwaleshi is a superb, intimate little camp, set on the banks of the Mwaleshi River in the heart of the North Luangwa National Park. The camp offers the ultimate safari for those seeking a pure and remote wilderness experience. Whether you want to track large mammals, from elephant to the endemic Cookson’s wildebeest, or identify some of the 350 bird species recorded, at Mwaleshi you will be in the company of people who know and love this area.
The North Luangwa National Park is bordered on the east by the Luangwa River and on the west by the Muchinga escarpment, and stretches for 4,600 km sq. It is criss-crossed by a number of tributary rivers which eventually trickle into the Luangwa. The Mwaleshi river is the lifeblood of the park; streaming down from the escarpment in a number of waterfalls (which can be visited on foot) the river weaves its way through the park. During the dry season, the river recedes, leaving a number of pools along the way which attract large numbers of game. The vegetation in the park is varied, including acacia thickets, open savannah grasslands, mopane woodland and riverine forest. In contrast to South Luangwa, the North Luangwa is wild and untouched, with large herds of elephant, enormous herds of buffalo (sometimes seven hundred or more strong), and a good population of lion.
Mwaleshi Camp has just four reed and thatch chalets, each spread out along the banks of the Mwaleshi River. A thatched main area holds a small library of bird and mammal books and down on the riverbank is the camp fire, surrounded by chairs - this is where guests will meet before their morning activities and for evening drinks as the night falls. Activities here focus on walking safaris; exploring the wild bush with your expert guide and scout.
Mwaleshi Camp works perfectly in combination with its sister-camp, Tafika, in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, to give a wonderful introduction to both North and South Luangwa.
Activities
The principal activity during your stay at Mwaleshi Camp will be walking safaris. Accompanied by an experienced guide and an armed national park scout, you will explorethe untouched North Luangwa Park. The availability of a vehicle means that you can explore more areas and areas further afield as a driver will drop you off and pick you up. During your safari you will be able to spot some of Africa's finest game and gain an understanding of life in the bush.
When to travel
During the green season, Mwaleshi is closed– as North Luangwa is very difficult to access this time of year.
Zambia has a moderate to sub-tropical climate with three distinct seasons: from November to March is the Emerald, or the rainy season, April to July is Zambia's winter, when the weather is cool and dry, and August to October is summer, when the weather is hot and dry. In terms of game-viewing, the dryer months, meaning a higher concentration of game at the permanent water sources, are a superb time to visit.
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Location and directions
North Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Mwaleshi Camp, located in the remote North Luangwa National Park, is situated 10km from the Mwaleshi and Luangwa river confluence.
How to get there
10-hour international flight to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Lusaka, followed by a 70-minute flightto Mfuwe. The nearest airstrip to Mwaleshi Camp is Mwaleshi Airstrip 45-minutes from Mfuwe. The transfer time from the airstrip to camp is approximately 15-minutes in 4X4 vehicles
Please note the luggage restriction is 15kg per person in a soft-sided bag.
