Reviews of safaris to South Luangwa National Park
942 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include South Luangwa.
"Return to Zambia after 4 years!"
With a total of thirteen nights there, I had many excellent wildlife sightings (returning with over 2000 images to process!) as a result of superb guiding. And the friendliness of all the camp staff made my time there so wonderful. Everything went according to plan.
I am grateful to Megan for constantly updating my itinerary as a result of the postponements of my trip originally scheduled for 2020, then postponed to 2021.
But finally I was back there! Africa is only a night flight away.........." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
"My Aug 2022 trip"
"My Aug 2022 trip"
We would certainly not hesitate to rebook the same itinerary in the future and have already booked another Safari in Kenya with Expert Africa.
The trip was perfect. Thank you" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
"My Aug 2022 trip"
In the end (given the time we had available) we really loved the structure and scheduling of the trip and it was particularly special to be able to visit all the Remote Africa camps. The walking at Chikoko, Big Lagoon and Mwaleshi was totally immersive and engrossing, allowing us to see and hear things we never would have done from a vehicle, and when paired with the full on game driving at Old Mondoro, it made for a fantastic holiday.
We found we especially liked being able to walk from camp to camp - and if visiting again, would definitely put in an advance request to do so between Mwaleshi and Takwela, which by good fortune happened to be possible on this occasion without us having pre-planned it. And if Remote Africa were ever to think about opening a third bush camp in North Luangwa, we can only imagine how lovely it would be to do a walking circuit between the camps in that area.
Very many thanks to Claire for putting together such an amazing trip and also for all her good advice on flight options, in terms of both getting to and getting about Zambia." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
"My Aug 2022 trip"
Other than Shawa Camp we knew all the other camps visited which continued with the high standards they have maintained over the years.
With regard to Shawa Camp it is a tented camp albiet with big tents and we would describe it as rustic. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there and found it very relaxing with lovely staff. However whilst this is far from a critism we would understand if it did not suit some people.
As we have, dare we say, reached a more elderly age, in two camps I found myself pointing out to their management that they must make sure that they fully take account of older guests who are now travelling more and who may well have reduced mobility. Thus for intance steps should be safe and not too steep and access into vehicles be much easier.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I do not have any suggestions to improve service. It has always been a pleasure to deal with Expert Africa over the many years." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 18 on a Zambia safari
"My Aug 2022 trip"
"My Aug 2022 trip"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
One reason we contacted with Expert Africa is because of the detail of the information on the website and the transparency with which you operate. Keep up the good work." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
"Our Aug 2022 trip"
Game can be hard to find - it is not unheard of to be out for an hour or two and see little so we have fostered our interest in African birds. They are always there even if the animals are being secretive. We always tell camps we are interested in birds as well as animals and the good camps (like these three) note this and give us knowledgeable guides and try to avoid putting us with the 'red meat' type of client s who only want to see lion and other predators. Result - we see the same amount of game but fill in the time between sightings with lots of the colourful and abundant African birds.
We go by past experience of safaris and often select our own itineraries however Expert Africa staff are actively send on fact finding missions to many of there camps and speak and advise from personal knowledge. If you do not have personal knowledge then use their staff - they are all helpful and will design trips for you having listened carefully to your preferences. We would not dream of using anyone else now.
Please note that our neutral recommendation for Megan reflects that we have admiration for all of Expert Africa staff and would trust them all to be excellent rather than pick one as better than another.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just keep doing what you do cos you do it well.
These travellers noted about their flights:
Emirates had a bad hair day on our flights out.
Our flight out of Heathrow was severely delayed although we were not warned until we were queuing in the check in. We managed to get on an earlier flight otherwise our Dubai connection would have been missed. Our Dubai to Lusaka flight was also several hours delayed so that we eventually missed our connection between Lusaka and Luangwa. Seems Dubai had had a severe sandstorm which severely affected all their flights. We were not kept informed about this and so became quite stressed at the prospect of missing flights.
What was very impressive about this episode is that we received texts from Chris McIntyre himself whilst this was evolving (boss of Expert Africa) telling us of the problems and what Expert Africa were doing for us. We were met in Lusaka by their agents who had booked us a hotel for the night, arranged transfer vehicles and arranged replacement flights for the next morning. Chris McIntyre continued to monitor the situation and ensured the camp we were going to were informed so we felt very well cared for by Expert Africa.
Things don't often go wrong in Africa nowadays and when they do a bit of patience and common sense usually get you through but this was seriously impressive service, sorting out the problem before we had even landed in Lusaka and keeping not only tabs on their clients in transit but being aware of the problems in the first place and having solutions to hand. Emirates had no problems on our return flights however their lack of information during this episode was disappointing." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
"My Aug 2022 trip"
All of our in-country travel and accommodations were arranged by Expert Africa. Upon our arrival in Lusaka we were met by kind and very helpful representatives from Expert Africa to get us to our hotel and to get us to the airport the next day. They helped us with our luggage and the entire check-in process. All in-country flights on Proflight Zambia were arranged by Expert Africa and coordinated with the bush camps to ensure we were met at each airport/airstrip.
Our experience with Expert Africa started in 2019 when we originally booked an August 2020 safari. That trip, due to COVID-19, did not happen but Lucy, our Expert Africa Travel Specialist, was able to coordinate the move of our reservations to 2021. In 2021, travel to and from the US to Africa was problematic due to COVID test requirements and frequent airline cancellations. Lucy was able to coordinate yet another extension of our reservations to August of 2022.
Throughout this entire timeframe we found the service provided by Expert Africa to be outstanding. Before our August 2022 safari, we thought a safari would be a once in a lifetime experience. After the amazing experiences we enjoyed at Anabezi Camp and Lion Camp it is now not a question of if we will return, but when. And when we do return, we will use Expert Africa to book the trip." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
"My trip with my 11 year old grandaughter"
It was an excellent combination of camps and Matilda loved every minute of it. She is a coeliac but we had no problems with food.
A very memorable trip.
This is the second time I have used Expert Africa and I could not fault either of my trips" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
Where to stay in South Luangwa
Our suggestions for safari camps in South Luangwa National Park
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.
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.
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.
