Luwi Riverbed Sleepout: Our full report
For a really adventurous night out in the bush, the Luwi River Sleepout allows travellers to sleep out for ...
... a night under just a mosquito net in the sandy riverbed beside a campfire. Guests are cared for by a senior guide, an armed scout, a chef and a camp assistant.Although none of the Expert Africa team have been on a Luwi River Sleepout, we have been able to put together a good description from one of our travellers who experienced the trip in June 2009:
The sleepouts start in the afternoon – after a delicious afternoon tea, you set out with your scout (generally Batwell or John Saili – both very experienced and knowledgeable scouts) and your guide (generally Abraham Banda – one of the senior guides at Kapani). Following the winding Luwi River, you reach the spot where camp will be set up, usually on a sweeping bend of the dry river bed. Then it's all hands on deck as you collect firewood and the camp staff build a series of fires – a few around the periphery of camp, and one in the centre. Then it's time for sundowners, and you'll enjoy a cold beer, or gin and tonic as the night draws in.
Supper is a friendly affair – generally a braai (barbecue) over the fire, cooked by the guide. It's simple, delicious fare, eaten on your knees, sitting on a seat made from an old log. You then have time around the camp fire with a tea or coffee, listening to the night noises and chatting with your guide and armed scout.
The camp does have a “loo-with-a-view" – situated a short distance from the main camp and lit with spirit lanterns, this is a long-drop loo with a throne, surrounded on three sides by canvas walls. You'll be escorted to and from this.
Water is provided for washing faces and brushing teeth, then you climb into your bedroll, a comfortable mattress on the ground with sheets and blankets. A mosquito net, oblong shaped, is set up over the bedrolls.
During the night, the scout and the guide are always around the fire, resting but generally keeping an ear out for any inquisitive animals, as you sleep soundly under the stars.
The following morning, you'll be given warm water to wash your face and brush your teeth, and after a light breakfast of toast, tea and coffee, you'll set off walking to your next camp. By the time you arrive, all your luggage will have been brought there and you can continue your Luangwa Valley journey.
Geographics
- Location
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
- Ideal length of stay
- One night only, which can be taken between any combination of camps – although we feel that it's ideal when taken between Luwi and its sister-camp Nsolo Bushcamp.
- Accessible by
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- On the Luwi sleepout, the food is usually very simple, and cooked by your guide over the open camp fire.
Dinner is a braai (barbeque) over the fire, with a main meat course (chicken or beef), a selection of vegetables and usually baked potatoes, cooked in the embers.
In the morning, breakfast is very simple before your early morning walk to the next camp. Usually you'll have toast, tea, coffee and perhaps fruit juice. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Yes except champagne and imported wines and spirits.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Property’s age restrictions
- No children under 12.
- Notes
- Children under 12 years are not allowed out on guided walks.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Luwi Riverbed Sleepout
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Luwi Riverbed Sleepout have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is based at a clinic near Kapani (about 1½ hour's fast drive) For emergencies one would need to be airlifted to Lusaka or Jo'burg.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- The scout and guide stay with you all night. If any animals approach too closely, they will handle the situation.
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Fly-camping
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- No Laundry Facilities
Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Tafika
One of the best camps in Zambia, Tafika is naturally built, combining excellent service and food with top guiding skills for a superb wildlife experience.
Nkwali
On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.
Kaingo Camp
Small and owner-run, the riverside Kaingo occupies a a quiet but excellent game area, with a series of wildlife hides and a focus on photography.
Nsefu
One of the Luangwa's oldest camps, Nsefu is a great safari camp in a remote, beautiful and game-rich location with top-rate guiding.
Mwamba Bushcamp
Small, remote and owner-run, Mwamba offers first-class walking, 4WD safari drives and superb hides, with excellent guides and a real bush feel.
Tena Tena
One of the Luangwa's best camps, in a beautiful, remote bush location, Tena Tena is very small, exceedingly well-run and has top-rate guiding.
Chikoko Tree Camp
Chikoko Tree Camp is an excellent small, rustic bushcamp that concentrates on walking safaris, and is run by a top-quality operation.
Big Lagoon Camp
Big Lagoon Camp is a great little rustic bushcamp built to high standards that focuses on excellent walking safaris, with the emphasis on top wildlife guides.
Luangwa River Camp
Luangwa River Lodge is a small and consciously stylish lodge in the Mfuwe area, overlooking the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond – an area renowned for great game.
Flatdogs Camp
A relatively big safari camp, Flatdogs offers value for money with great guiding and good food in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
Kapani Lodge
Kapani Lodge is now the main office base for Norman Carr Safaris, one of the Luangwa's oldest safari operations.
Mchenja Bushcamp
Set in a shady ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa, Mchenja is a smart tented bushcamp. It combines well with Kakuli and Nsolo – its sister camps with a focus on walking safaris.
Kakuli Bushcamp
Beside the Luangwa River, Kakuli is a comfortable tented bushcamp offering 4WD safaris and walking safaris – the best of which are camp-to-camp walks linking Kakuli with its nearby sister camps.
Nsolo Bushcamp
Nsolo is a small, comfortable bushcamp overlooking one or two pools in the usually dry Luwi riverbed. It concentrates on walking safaris in an interesting and diverse area, led by a knowledgeable guide.
Kafunta River Lodge
Kafunta is a laid-back, friendly and good-value lodge on the outskirts of South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Bushcamp
In a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park, Luwi is a rustic bushcamp whose emphasis is on walking safaris with great guiding and a chance of seeing some rarely seen and elusive antelope.
Lion Camp
Lion Camp is an established and comfortable camp with a swimming pool, located near to the game-rich Lion Plain in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park.
Robin Pope mobile
RPS mobile safari camps are at the heart of their set-itinerary walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park, which start and finish at a permanent camp.
Puku Ridge
Puku Ridge is a luxurious designer camp set in a stunning location, high on a hill overlooking a floodplain within South Luangwa. Explore from here on 4WD safaris and walks.
Kapamba Bushcamp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Kapamba is a small and very comfortable bushcamp offering good walks and game drives.
Mfuwe Lodge
In a game-rich area close to the South Luangwa’s main Mfuwe Gate, Mfuwe Lodge is relatively large by park standards, but it’s stylish, modern and family friendly.
Kuyenda Bushcamp
Kuyenda Bushcamp is a classic bushcamp with particularly delightful hosts and offers top-class walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.
Luangwa Safari House
Luangwa Safari House is a vast and very smart four-bedroom house specifically designed for families and small groups, and offering an exclusive and flexible safari experience.
Three Rivers Camp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Three Rivers Lodge sits at the confluence of three of the valleys rivers.
Island Bush Camp
Island Bushcamp is a good-value, rustic, walking-only camp, in arguably one of the most remote parts of the South Luangwa, well away from all other camps.
Bilimungwe Bushcamp
A smart bushcamp with four very spacious chalets, Bilimungwe offers interesting walking safaris in pretty riverine woodland, as well as day and night safari drives.
Chinzombo
Opened in early June 2013, Chinzombo offers luxurious and stylish accommodation with very high levels of service and excellent guiding.
Chindeni
Chindeni Bushcamp is a very modern and minimalist camp, which is a far cry from your traditional bushcamp and unlike most of the other camps in South Luangwa.
Robin's House
With your own expert guide, private vehicle, chef and valet, the two-bedroom Robin's House offers an exclusive, flexible safari experience – and is open year round.
Kawaza Village
Kawaza Village – beside the South Luangwa National Park, offers guests the rare opportunity to appreciate local village life. Visit for a few hours or stay overnight.
Chamilandu Bushcamp
A comfortable little bushcamp, Chamilandu has a picturesque setting by the Luangwa River, in an area with a range of habitats to explore on foot and by 4WD.
Mwamba Camp-out
The Mwamba-Camp Out allows you to have an incredibly adventurous night in the bush, sleeping under mosquito nets with activities led by some of the best guides in Zambia.
Zungulila
Zungulila is a small, comfortable tented bushcamp with an emphasis on walking safaris, in the remote southern section of the South Luangwa.
Shawa Luangwa
Opened in June 2021, Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small, intimate and rustic camp, with a good location in a remote section of the South Luangwa National Park.
Chichele Lodge
Currently in the final stages of an extensive rebuild, Chichele Presidential Lodge stands high within the park, with superb views, and is due to reopen in early 2025.
Nkonzi Camp
A simple and rustic bush camp, Nkonzi has a strong focus on walking safaris in this remote section of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.
Chikunto
Chikunto Safari Lodge is a more traditional property in the South Luangwa National Park, sitting on a peninsula of land created by the meandering Luangwa River.
