Description
South Luangwa National Park sits at the heart of the Zambian wilderness with some of the best game viewing you’ll find anywhere in Africa. As well as traditional 4WD safaris, the area is renowned for the quality of its walking safaris as well as for the majestic Luangwa River, which flows along its length.
Having flown overnight to Lusaka you will continue to Mfuwe from where you can access the park. You'll spend three nights at Kapani Lodge, situated on the crest of an ox-bow lagoon where game often gathers to drink. Spend your time with your expert guide, exploring the park and learning about the wildlife - perhaps watch a family of elephant as they come to drink, or experience the excitement of watching a pride of lion as they shake off the day's lethargy and head out to hunt. At night, after a delicious three-course dinner, sit round the camp fire and listen to tales of the bush before retiring to your comfortable room overlooking the lagoon.
From Kapani head deep into the Luangwa, and your next home will be a luxurious bush camp set on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River, nestled in a grove of towering ebony trees. Mchenja Camp, with just five luxury tents, is the perfect base for exploring this exciting and game-rich park on foot, accompanied by your expert guide and his experienced scout. Set out early in the morning as the game is awake and active, and tread in the footprints of elephant, track lion as they head for their morning drink, before returning to Mchejna for a delicious brunch and an afternoon relaxing in the ebony shade. In the evening choose to walk to your sundowners, and then finish the day with a leisurely night drive back to camp.
From Mfuwe there is a direct flight to Lilongwe where you connect onward to Likoma Island, towards the eastern shore of Lake Malawi. Here lies Kaya Mawa, on a rocky promontory, surrounded by sandy beaches and clear waters. Lake Malawi offers a unique way to enjoy the beach with no tides and fresh water. Amongst a myriad of watersports, guests can also experience lake diving, a novel alternative to the sea. However, Kaya Mawa offers much more than ’just’ a beach with easy access to the local town where guests can explore the local markets and the extraordinary cathedral. There are also quad and mountain bikes, sailing dinghys and great opportunities for snorkelling.
A superb itinerary for those seeking a real taste of Africa.
Guide price
£5,445 per person
£5,445 based on two people sharing for three nights at Kapani Lodge, three nights at Mchenja Bush Camp and six nights at Kaya Mawa on a fully inclusive basis including all flights, transfers and air taxes.
Itinerary
| Stay | Location / Route | Overnight |
|---|
| 1 night
| Fly to Mfuwe (via Lusaka) | Overnight flight |
| 3 nights
| South Luangwa National Park, Zambia | Kapani Lodge |
| 3 nights
| South Luangwa National Park, Zambia | Mchenja Bush Camp |
| 6 nights
| Likoma Island, Lake Malawi | Kaya Mawa |
| 1 night
| Fly to London (via Johannesburg) | Overnight flight |
When to travel
Zambia and Malawi both have 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 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. Alternatively come for some superb bird-watching at the end of the rains.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
South Luangwa, Zambia and Lake Malawi, Malawi
Kapani Lodge is situated on an ox-bow lagoon in the Mfuwe area, just 5-minutes outside the South Luangwa National Park in Eastern Provence, Zambia. Staying within the Luangwa National Park, Mchenja Bush camp is set within an ebony grove, on a bend of the Luangwa River. Then on to Kaya Mawa, on the remote Likoma Island, Lake Malawi. Lake Malawi is situated on the eastern boarder of Malawi, in which Likoma Island is nearest to the eastern shores of Lake Malawi, across from the Kahingina Forest Reserve.
How to get there
10-hour international flight to Lusaka followed by a 1-hour flight to Mfuwe airport. It is then approx 40-minutes by road, in and open game viewing vehicle, to the lodge.
