South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s most visited safari location, preserves a sizable wilderness region that is traversed by the evocative Luangwa River. It is renowned for providing excellent leopard sightings both during the day and at night, as well as for the caliber of its guided walking safaris. Along with healthy populations of lions and African wild dogs, there are also sizable herds of elephants, buffalo, and hippo. People seeking a private luxury safari experience have an abundance of options because South Luangwa’s camps and lodges are often small and upscale.

There is no set order of quality for the hotels listed below.

1. The Kafunta River Lodge

This opulent, owner-run resort is well-known for its walking safaris and photographic hides.

Facing the national park, this owner-run resort is located on the wooded east bank of the Luangwa River. On stilted wooden platforms are ten roomy thatched chalets and apartments. Each features a private observation balcony with a view of a floodplain that frequently draws sizable elephant herds.

Special features include an excellent photographic hide located beneath the main deck, a well-equipped spa, and an infinity plunge pool that is fed by natural hot springs. One can travel to Kafunta as a stand-alone destination. It can also be included in a longer walking safari in South Luangwa that includes nights at two bush camps run by the same operator.

2. The Camp of Three Rivers

At this little, isolated bush camp near the confluence of three rivers, you may escape from it all.

Under the same administration as Kafunta River Lodge, this isolated bush camp is located close to Mfuwe major Gate, 90 minutes’ drive south of the major wildlife-viewing circuit. It is beautifully situated next to an oxbow lagoon on the Luangwa River, which is shaded by green sausage trees.

The Kapamba and Lusangazi rivers, which both empty into the Luangwa near camp, are the additional rivers mentioned in the name. Five opulent standing tents with separate semicircular hardwood decks make up the serene setup. The camp is an excellent starting point for 4×4 safaris and guided walks, and you can anticipate seeing many of hippos and other animals from there.

3. Lodge Mfuwe

This premier South Luangwa lodge offers opulent lodgings in a prime waterfront setting.

As one of the oldest South Luangwa lodges, Mfuwe enjoys the ideal location within the park, just five minutes’ drive from the main entrance. It is situated next to a shaded lagoon where antelope, baboons, and hippos are always present, and it is centered around a wild mango tree whose fruit frequently draws elephants.

The architecture and interior design of Mfuwe Lodge appear completely modern despite its antiquity thanks to frequent renovations and refurbishments throughout the years. The lodge, which has 18 thatched bungalows with air conditioning, spacious en suite bathrooms, and private decks, is fairly substantial by Zambian standards. A swimming pool, a well-known spa, and excellent guided game drives and walking safaris are among the facilities.

4. Bushcamp at Kapamba

Kapamba is a modest bush camp that offers year-round indoor and outdoor sleeping options.

Run by the same people as Mfuwe Lodge, remote Kapamba is likely the best of six jungle camps in South Luangwa. It is located on the heavily forested banks of the Kapamba River, one of the biggest seasonal tributaries of the Luangwa River, in a wildlife-rich region in the deep south of the park. It features four chic riverfront cabins with spacious decks and open fronts. Additionally, two offer elevated platforms for stargazing.

The camp features a plunge pool where visitors can cool down in the noon heat, despite its small size and isolated setting. Being one of the few camps open from January to April, Kapamba is especially well-suited for photography safaris and bird-watching excursions during the off-season.

5. Camp Shawa Luangwa

An environmentally friendly camp where you can drive solar-powered open 4×4 cars to explore South Luangwa

Tucked away in riverbank woodland on the east bank of the Luangwa River, this modest (five unit) eco-friendly establishment specializes in silent safaris. Furthermore, you won’t be deprived of the captivating noises of the African jungle as a result.

On the contrary, game drives will allow you to truly experience them as you stealthily navigate the bush in a solar-powered Land Cruiser. Stilted A-frame tents that gaze far into the forest canopy are another distinctive feature of this entirely solar-powered property.

The actual camp is far from quiet. During your time at Shawa, you will undoubtedly hear a variety of scene-setting sounds, like hooting owls, croaking frogs, trumpeting elephants, braying hornbills, and grunting hippos.

6. Camp at Puku Ridge

A chic, isolated lodge with glass-fronted rooms that look out over the Kakumbi Floodplain, which is home to a variety of species.

Perched on a rocky ridge, elegant Puku Ridge has expansive views of the Kakumbi Floodplain, which is home to the puku antelope, which gives it its name. Elephants, buffalo, hippo, lions, leopards, and African wild dogs are among the many additional species that may be found in the area.

The accommodations are in extremely roomy canvas units with glass fronts, each situated on a separate hardwood terrace with a plunge pool and outdoor shower (in addition to the en suite inside shower and bathtub). Visitors to this upscale South Luangwa lodge will rarely see other cars on game drives because of its location off the park’s main safari circuit.

7. Camp Tafika

Riverbank Tafika, renowned for its professionally led hikes, has been owned by the same people since 1995.

Tafika, one of Zambia’s oldest camps, is situated in a picturesque riverbank setting in a little-traveled region north of Nsefu Sector in South Luangwa. The same family that established it in 1995 still owns and runs it, and this continuity is evident in the excellent guiding as well as the laid-back yet attentive hospitality manner.

Tafika is an excellent location for photographers because of two well-placed hides that face an elephant-frequented waterhole. A specialty is guided walks, which frequently entail spending the night at one or more of the wilderness camps managed by the same organization. Mountain bike rides, night drives, and game drives are also available. Inquire about microlight flights over the river if you’re there in May; these aren’t available in other months.

8. Camp at Luangwa River

This small camp is located on the wooded bank of the Luangwa River and has five enormous suites.

Situated in a shaded grove of old ebony trees on a winding bend in the Luangwa River, this comfortable camp is managed by Robin Pope Safaris. First-time safari visitors who are apprehensive about sleeping under canvas will find comfort in the large and beautifully furnished five thatch-roofed bush suites.

A large deck with a swimming pool is accessible from a clever open-plan living and eating space. From the lodge, you can anticipate seeing a lot of wildlife, and guided activities include walking safaris and game drives both during the day and at night.

9. The ultra-luxurious Time + Tide Chinzombo Chinzombo blends a gorgeous riverbank setting with contemporary minimalism.

Now operating five excellent small sites in and around South Luangwa, Time + Tide is pushing the boundaries of bush chic luxury. Although it’s difficult to choose, Chinzombo is by far the best of these. Six enormous open-fronted houses provide captivating views over a bend in the Luangwa River, organic canvas, timber, and reed décor, and modern minimalist lines. Each villa has a large wooden porch with a plunge pool, a king-size bed that is eco-cooled, and walk-in netting.

Whether you take a game drive or a guided walk, the area surrounding Chinzombo provides some of the best wildlife watching in South Luangwa.

 

10. Sungani Lodge

In an idyllic setting, this chic family-run resort provides excellent wildlife viewing.

Located in the park’s isolated and lesser-known Lusangazi Sector, Sungani is a lavish family-run South Luangwa resort that officially debuted in 2022. The lodge’s unusual architecture is based entirely on platforms and stilted wooden pathways, and each of the open-plan tented apartments has its own plunge pool.

Despite being close to the Luangwa River, Sungani has a view of an oxbow lagoon surrounded by woodland, where local hippos and waterbirds are frequently joined by passing herds of buffalo and elephant. In addition, it is one of the very few locations where lions and leopards are more frequently sighted than in other automobiles.