Mwamba Camp-out: Our full report
Walking out in the afternoon, after your afternoon tea at the main camp, you will head through the bush to ...
... the camping area, where you will spend the night. Accompanied by a senior guide and armed scout, you will head north of Mwamba, into a totally remote area. With a maximum of four guests, this is an exclusive experience.Although none of the Expert Africa team have been on a Mwamba Sleepout, we have been able to put together a good description of this exciting option in the bush.
You’ll arrive at camp, which is situated next to a waterhole, deep into the park. Fires will be lit and lanterns set around the camp. Your bed is a bedroll with sheets and blankets, and a round mosquito net above.
In the evening, you’ll sit round the camp fire with your scout and guide and enjoy a simply cooked braai (barbeque) as the night sounds start. As the camp is close to a waterhole, you can expect some nocturnal visitors – perhaps a family of elephant, a herd of impala or zebra, or maybe even a cat or two! The guide and the scout keep watch at night to make sure that nothing gets too close to camp.
The camp does have a simple “bush-loo" – a long drop with a throne, separated from camp by a sheet of canvas. You’ll be escorted to and from this.
After a night spent under the stars, there will be tea, coffee and toast round the camp fire before you set off back to camp with your guide and scout.
Our view
Camping out in the Luangwa Valley really is spending the night in the wilds. You may lie awake for a few hours at first, just listening to the night sounds of the bush, but you’re likely to remember the experience for much longer. We usually love raw, real experiences like this, but they’re not for those who require luxuries at night, or are of a nervous disposition.
Country manager: Zambia
Geographics
- Location
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
- Ideal length of stay
- These ‘sleepouts’ are just one night long – and would always be combine into a longer safari in South Luangwa. Typically this would last around a week, and include time at Kaingo Camp, and its small, satellite bushcamp, Mwamba.
- Directions
- These camp-outs are normally done within about an hour’s drive of Kaingo or Mwamba.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Outdoor Dining
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children under 12 are not allowed on the sleepouts, and aged 12 to 16 is at the discretion of the guide. Camping in the bush sometimes frightens adults who aren't familiar with the sounds and ways of the bush; children would need to be very mature to cope well.
- Generally recommended for children
- No.
Communications
- Communications
- The guide/scout has limited radio communication with the camp.
- TV & radio
- Only a radio for communications.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The closest doctor is in Mfuwe (1 ½ hours fast drive away)
For emergencies clients will be evacuated by Medivac. - Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- An armed game scout and guide will remain with you.
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Fly-camping
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry would need to be done at the main camp; there are no laundry facilities here.
- Money
- No exchange facilities offered.
- Accepted payment on location
- None.
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.
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.
Luwi Riverbed Sleepout
For an adventurous night in South Luangwa National Park, come and sleep out in the bush, around a campfire, with an experienced guide and game scout.
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.
