Zambia > Safaris > Luangwa Valley Beetle Explorations
Trip Summary | Tafika Camp | Chikoko Trails | Mwaleshi Camp | Locations
Offering a fantastic opportunity for walking in one of the greatest wilderness areas in Africa, this trip combines both South Luangwa National Park and the more remote and rarely visited North Luangwa National Park. The majority of your stay is spent deep in the bush, where activities are all on foot, providing a genuine “Return to the Wild” experience.
Days 1-3: You will be met at Lusaka International Airport for a flight to South Luangwa National Park, where you will spend three nights at the owner-run Tafika Camp, on the bank of the Luangwa River just outside the Nsefu sector of the Park. Flexible activities include day and night game drives and walking. A visit to the local village, Mkasanga, and school is possible for those who are interested, along with a refreshing trip to a natural hot spring. There is also an option to micro-light over the Luangwa River for a breathtaking bird’s eye game-viewing experience (at additional cost).
The Nsefu sector is popular with birders because of a large heronry where yellow-billed storks breed. Here martial and fish eagles have a free members-only restaurant in early winter. Masses of hippo in front of camp visit the rooms at night and are accompanied by bushbuck, water mongoose and elephants. Lion and leopard are common, with the former being lured in by buffalo and zebra herds and the latter by impala and puku. Nile crocodile and monitor lizards are abundant in the area.
Days 4-7: This morning you start your four-night Chikoko Trails experience. South Luangwa is renowned for walking safaris that are offered by most camps. However, Chikoko Trails differs as both of the walking camps you use are situated in the heart of a wilderness area. Instead of roads you follow the footpaths of elephants and hippo. The camps are based upstream from Tafika around the spot where David Livingstone first crossed the Luangwa in 1866. This is a remote and beautiful wilderness area with great game densities.
The walking trails are between Chikoko Tree Camp and Crocodile Camp, both basic camps constructed of thatch overlooking plains of game. Chikoko rooms are 3 metres above the ground to perfect the view as you relax during the afternoon. Crocodile Camp rests within a beautiful ebony grove on the banks of the Crocodile River bed. You will spend two nights at each camp.
The facilities at the Chikoko Trails walking camps are simple and comfortable, the location and exceptional quality of the guiding gives these camps a reputation for being amongst the Valley’s best bush camps. Overlooking plains filled with game, there is always something to watch as you rest in camp during the midday heat. All game activities are on foot, accompanied by an experienced walking guide and an armed escort scout.
Days 8-11: A short flight takes you to Mwaleshi Camp in North Luangwa National Park, where you will spend four nights. North Luangwa is a remote tract of land covering over 4,600 square kilometres of the Luangwa Valley. There are no permanent lodges here and access is with one of the few operators granted permission to conduct safaris in the area. The beauty of visiting this Park is the truly remarkable opportunity to experience Africa as it was – wild and untouched. There are limited roads and most game viewing is on foot. The walk from the airstrip is memorable, as you cross the clear water of the Mwaleshi into camp.
Images supplied courtesy of Remote Africa Safaris
The area is legendary for its large population of lion, some elephant, zebra, leopard, huge herds of buffalo, elephants and the endemic Cookson's wildebeest, which you can track down on foot. A day trip to the beautiful Mwaleshi Falls has been rated by one travel writer as a top highlight in Zambia.
Day 12: Today you will transfer by light aircraft to Lusaka International Airport. Depending on your flight time, you may require an additional night in Lusaka prior to your international flight.
Please note that all of our itineraries are tailor-made to suit the particular interests and requirements of our guests. The itinerary shown above is just one recommended combination of camps. Please contact us for a bespoke proposal.
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