Chindeni Bush Camp
South Luangwa National Park, Luangwa Valley, Zambia
At a Glance
Stylish, contemporary camp in South Luangwa
Four enormous guest tents with separate living areas and large decks
Main deck overlooks the perennial Chayumba lagoon with its resident wildlife
Outdoor dining under the stars in the evenings
Day and night game drives and walks in the bush accompanied by a guide and scout
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Chindeni is open from April to the end of November.
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 drier 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.
Insider's View
Enjoy delicious homemade pizza from the Bush Camps very own pizza kiln!
Call us on 858 345 1761 to start planning your vacation to Chindeni Bush Camp or take a look at our itineraries to Luangwa Valley
Description
Chindeni Bush Camp, named after the Chindeni Hills, is a luxurious and stylish little camp, contemporary in design, and situated on the edge of the permanent Chayumba Lagoon. Expect serious walking in quiet areas, and exciting night game drives!
Designed with just four chalets, and in muted, restful tones, Chindeni Bush Camp is a lovely place to relax and recharge your batteries while enjoying some superb gameviewing.
The four tents overlook the permanent lagoon in front of camp, giving some spectacular gameviewing right from your deck! Expect to see good numbers of hippo, crocodiles, a huge variety of waterbirds and of course the animals which come down to drink every day. The camp is thoughtfully designed with a splendid split-level deck - the top for dining, with a large dining table and underneath for relaxing with comfortable chairs and a great view.
Chindeni works perfectly in combination with one or more of its sister-camps - Kuyenda, Mfuwe Lodge, Chamilandu, Bilimungwe, Kapamba and Zungulila. Ask us how to put together the perfect trip to explore this wild and remote area of the South Luangwa.
Accommodation
Chindeni Bush Camp features four luxury and spacious en-suite tents. Two of the tents have a king size bed and two have twin queen size beds. The rooms have stripped wooden floor, comfortable four poster beds, a cosy sitting room and vaulted canvas ceilings. The private verandas offer wonderful views of the wildlife on the lagoon whilst you sway in your hammock.
Childcare
Children over the age of 12 years are welcome to come and stay at the camp. Children under 12 years are only permitted if a private camp is booked. There are no specific child friendly facilities available at Chindeni Bush Camp, but children are bound to have a fun and educational time during their stay.
Activities
Activities from Chindeni follow a slightly different format - after an early morning wake up and light breakfast around the camp fire, head out on foot in the company of your expert guide to explore the surrounding area, before returning to camp in the late morning for a delicious brunch, served on the top deck. Walks in the mornings, when the temperature is cooler, are very rewarding!
Your afternoons are then yours to relax, before meeting again on the top deck for tea and cake before heading out in the open 4X4 game drive vehicles for an afternoon drive. After sundowners on the banks of the river or in a suitably scenic spot, the spotlights are turned on so the drive can find leopard, lion and other predators. These night drives can be extremely exciting with occasional hunts and kills being seen!
Reviews
Meg Shepro (Staff)
I enjoyed my stay at Chindeni, an authentic bush camp in the southern section of South Luangwa National Park. The camp brings luxury to the bush with elevated tents overlooking a stretch of the Luangwa River. During my stay there were many elephant who enjoyed snacking on the trees in front of my rooms and the birdlife was buzzing in front of the main lounge and dining area. The staff are incredibly friendly and the guiding is superb!
Anna Devereux Baker (Staff)
After a fascinating and game-packed drive south from the central Mfuwe driving area, we arrived at Chindeni Camp - a welcome oasis!
A few years ago Chindeni had a full refurbishment and is now one of the most stylish and contemporary camps in the South Luangwa. Moving away from the "bush-camp" style, the new camp is quite minimalist, and decorated in muted tones. All in all it gives a very restful feel to the camp, and blends in perfectly with the surrounding area.
The Chindeni deck is fantastic for just sitting and gameviewing - it's double storey, and overlooks a lagoon where game often comes down to drink. We particularly enjoyed lazy afternoons on this deck - alternately dozing and bird-watching!
Chindeni is a stylish and contemporary little camp, in a remote area of the South Luangwa, which combines well with any or all of its sister-camps.
Experiences
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Game Drives in the South Luangwa
Game drives are the most common way of exploring the African bush. A vehicle allows you to cover distance quickly and comfortably and offers visitors the best opportunity of getting very close to wildlife in a safe and controlled way.
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Green Season Game Drives
The Green Season, Rainy Season, Emerald Season, Secret Season - what ever you decide to call it, this is a beautiful time of year to be on safari. Activities are rarely disrupted by weather and the bush is full of life.
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Night Drives
If you get the opportunity to head out after sunset you should take it. The bush transforms under the cover of darkness as the nocturnal wildlife gets going. Using a spotlight your guide will scan the bush for eye-shine picking out some great action.
Vacation Ideas
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Authentic Zambia
Luangwa Valley, Zambia
from $6700 pp 8 nights
- Incredible game viewing in pristine areas of the South Luangwa National Park
- Expert guides lead you on foot along ancient hippo tracks and through towering ebony glades
- Staying in remote, intimate little camps overlooking perennial rivers and waterholes
Location & directions
South Luangwa National Park, Luangwa Valley, Zambia
Chindeni Camp sits above a permanent oxbow lagoon, with striking views of the nearby Nchendeni Hills, South Luangwa.
How to get there
10-hour international flight to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Lusaka. After a 70-minute flight from Lusaka, you arrive at Mfuwe Airport where you are met for a game drive transfer to camp, through South Luangwa National Park which takes approximately three hours.