Kakuli Bush Camp
South Luangwa National Park, Luangwa Valley, Zambia
At a Glance
Set on the confluence of the Luwi and the Luangwa River, the "lawn" in front of camp attracts all sorts of game
Walk with your expert guide along the river, spotting hippos and crocodiles along the way
Gameview from the camp's deck, with sweeping views round a bend of the Luangwa River
Watch the elephants as they cross the river in front of camp with lots of splashing and trumpeting
Enjoy delicious meals on the deck under the stars, as the African night draws in and the moon rises
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
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
Listen to the sounds of the hippo calls at night as you drift off to sleep in your luxury tent.
Sit round the fire and listen the sounds of the African night and chat about the evenings events on the game drive
Call us on 858 345 1761 to start planning your vacation to Kakuli Bush Camp or take a look at our itineraries to Luangwa Valley
Description
Kakuli is a seasonal luxury bush camp, set just a few hundred yards downstream from the confluence of the Luwi and the Luangwa River inside the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, and perfectly placed for exploring this game-rich area on foot.
Kakuli is one of four seasonal bush camps owned by Norman Carr Safaris and it takes its name from the numerous old buffalo which inhabit the area - the "old Kakulis" - which was also the nickname given to Norman Carr in his later years. It's a simple camp, with five tented chalets under thatch, all overlooking the river. Set on the confluence of the Luwi river and the main Luangwa River, the camp overlooks several pods of hippos which, as the weather warms during the season and the river levels drop, become more and more vocal.
The safari tents are luxurious in design and spaced along the riverbank. The bathrooms are large and open to the skies, and each room has a seating area at the front. Inside are double or twin beds, and plenty of storage space. The camp's main area overlooks a floodplain and is raised up on a wooden deck, with a bar and lounge section, and a large deck, perfect for game-viewing while enjoying a cool drink!
The game in the area is extremely good, with large populations of lion, some good leopard, and occasional sightings of wild dog. Spotted hyena are also seen very regularly, as are numerous breeding herds of elephant who often cross the river into the Nsefu Sector of the park, opposite the camp. There is also a known site for Carmine bee-eaters close to the camp, so in September and October guests are taken down at dusk to watch these little birds returning to their colony.
Activities here focus on day and night game drives and walks in the bush accompanied by a professional guide and armed scout. Generally, walks are taken in the morning when the weather is cooler, and game drives are taken in the evenings when they can, after a sun-downer drink by the edge of the river, become night drives. With the use of a powerful spotlight, nocturnal animals such as lion, leopard, hyena and honey badger can be found, and, on occasion, tracked as they head out to hunt.
Kakuli combines perfectly with its sister camps - Luwi, the most remote of the Norman Carr Camps, Nsolo, which is also on the Luwi sand river and Mchenja, set on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River and the most luxurious camp. We would suggest starting at Luwi and traveling through the camps to finish at Mchenja, which is a super spot to end your safari adventure.
Accommodation
Kakuli Bush Camp comprises just five spacious, traditional safari tents under shady thatched roofs, each with an open-air bathroom and are decorated with neutral materials. All of the tents overlook the river with stunning views up and down this hippo-packed stretch of the Luangwa. Two of the tents at Kakuli are linked to make a two bedroom family tent and all of the tented suites have been replaced and will be brand new for every season.
Facilities
A lovely thatched chitenje (sitting area) acts as the center of camp. It is on a wooden deck overlooking the grazing lawn that leads down to the two rivers and is a perfect spot in which to relax enjoy a book from the 'library' whilst watching the river and the wildlife meander by.
Activities
Safari activities from Kakuli will usually be a mixture of game drives and walking safaris. Guests are able to decide each day if they want to venture out on foot or with the vehicle. Most evenings however, guests have the opportunity to explore the area after dark. This stretch of the Luangwa is fantastic for wildlife. It is bustling with predators and the best time to see them in action is during those first few hours of darkness.
Reviews
Louisa Verney (Staff)
Kukuli is a wonderful traditional style bush camp over looking the confluence of the Lewi and Luangwa Rivers. The four tented rooms are each covered with a thatched room to keep them cool and each room has an ensuite bathroom behind built using the traditional reeds as walls. There is a small mess area where we met round the fire to chat about the evenings exciting game viewing before moving pity side for a delicious dinner under the stars hosted by Aubrey, our fantastically informative guide.
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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Green Season Walking Safaris
Walking in the African bush is a special experience at any time of the year, but the opportunity to walk in somewhere like the Luangwa Valley in the Green Season is a treat for even the most experienced visitor to Africa.
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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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Best of Zambia Safari
South Luangwa & Lower Zambezi
from $12400 pp 10 nights
- Enjoy day and night game drives and motor boat trips on the mighty Zambezi
- Both Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa have a thriving population of the endangered Wild Dog; often spotted on game drives
- Spend three nights in a pure walking safari camp for an intimate South Luangwa experience.
Location & directions
South Luangwa National Park, Luangwa Valley, Zambia
Kakuli Bush Camp is situated at the confluence of the Luangwa and Luwi rivers in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.
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 two hours.