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Highlights

  • Extended walking safaris in pristine wilderness
  • Passionate & experienced rangers
  • Mountain biking, microlighting & village visits
  • Leopard & endemic birdlife

Overview

This 7-night walking safari offers a unique wilderness experience that incorporates excellent guiding and hosting in Zambia’s unspoilt South and North Luangwa National Parks. The programme is aimed at safari-enthusiasts looking for an uninhibited Zambian safari guided by passionate and knowledgeable professionals with decades of experience in this splendid part of Africa. Start your tour at family-run Tafika Camp, nestled on the banks of the Luangwa River, where you sleep in reed-and-thatch chalets under the shade of giant sausage trees. Split your safari time between fulfilling morning walks and evening game drives, with the opportunity for mountain biking and microlight flights.

Your next stop is Mwaleshi Camp, one of Tafika’s smaller sister camps located in the remote north of the park not far from the confluence of the Mwaleshi and Luangwa rivers. Safaris here are exclusively conducted on foot in the form of twice-daily walking safaris accompanied by the same reliable team of professionals. The untouched northern region of the park is even more remote and here you are almost guaranteed not to see another soul besides your walking crew and the convivial staff which work together to make your stay at Mwaleshi Camp a most memorable one.  A day trip by 4x4 to the Mwaleshi Falls located upstream of the camp is also possible and away from the teeming plains and woodlands, you can swim in the clear, safe waters of the river.

Summary

  • Tour Duration: 8 Days

Accommodations Visited

This itinerary combines Zambia’s premier South Luangwa with its very remote North Luangwa. It also offers a wide selection of activities including day & night drives, micro-light flights, cycling trails and walking safaris. If you are looking to tick off some bucket list experiences and combine a relatively simple but high quality safari with experienced guides, then this is the perfect choice.
Bonita Cronje

Bonita Cronje

Africa Safari Expert

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Itinerary

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Sunsets-at-Tafika-Camp
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Days 1-3: Family first

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Detailed breakdown

Days 1-3: Family first | 3 Nights

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South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

This morning you are transferred by light aircraft to Mwaleshi Camp’s airstrip where a vehicle collects your luggage and you take a guided 45-minute walk into the camp.

Located in the remote North Luangwa National Park, Mwaleshi Camp is set 10km from the confluence of the Mwaleshi and Luangwa rivers. It accommodates up to eight guests in rustic thatched chalets.. Safaris here are conducted exclusively on foot in the form of twice-daily walking safaris accompanied by a guide, armed reservist and caterer. Walks take place on the opposite side of the river or behind the camp, and sometimes involve easy paddling across the shallow water.

The immense natural beauty of the Luangwa’s northern region combined with its exceptional wildlife and the intimate setting of Mwaleshi Camp makes for a life-changing wilderness experience in the most unspoilt section of Zambia’s favourite national park. While on foot, stay on the lookout for Cookson’s wildebeest, which is more commonly found in the north, where buffalo and lion are also more numerous.

If you thought you had the splendid wilderness all to yourself in the southern region of the park, wait until you experience the untainted north. Here you are almost guaranteed not to see another soul apart from your walking crew and the convivial staff who work together to make your stay at Mwaleshi Camp an unforgettable one. Thanks to the availability of a vehicle you can explore further afield – your guide able to drive the crew to a particular place to begin walking. A day trip by 4x4 to the Mwaleshi Falls located upstream of the camp is also possible and, away from the teeming plains and woodlands, you can swim in the clear, safe waters of the river.

Enjoy lunch prepared with fresh produce sourced from sister Camp Tafika’s kitchen garden, or the true romance of a candlelit dinner on the banks of the Mwaleshi River. Walk some stairs along the riverbank to a campfire on the edge of the water – a dramatic finale to a long day’s walking and a cosy meeting place to share bush tales. Lie in bed at night looking up through the trees at the starlit sky and listen to the stirs of leopard, lion and hyena.

Sunsets-at-Tafika-Camp
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tafika_camp_drive_with_lions
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Tafika-Camp---biking-safari
Tafika-Camp---chalet-interior
Tafika-Camp---walking-safari
Tafika-Camp--chalet-exterior

Days 4-7: Mwaleshi Camp | 4 Nights

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Zambia

This morning you are transferred by light aircraft to Mwaleshi Camp’s airstrip where a vehicle collects your luggage and you take a guided 45-minute walk into the camp.

Located in the remote North Luangwa National Park, Mwaleshi Camp is set 10km from the confluence of the Mwaleshi and Luangwa rivers. It accommodates up to eight guests in rustic thatched chalets, incorporating the twisted branches of the mopane trees into their innovative design. Safaris here are conducted exclusively on foot in the form of twice-daily walking safaris accompanied by a guide, armed reservist and caterer. Walks take place on the opposite side of the river or behind the camp, and sometimes involve easy paddling across the shallow water.

The immense natural beauty of the Luangwa’s northern region combined with its exceptional wildlife and the intimate setting of Mwaleshi Camp makes for a life-changing wilderness experience in the most unspoilt section of Zambia’s favourite national park. While on foot, stay on the lookout for Cookson’s wildebeest, which is more commonly found in the north, where where buffalo and lion are also more numerous. Catch a glimpse of a stealthy hyena hunting puku antelope in the shallows of the Mwaleshi River or a reintroduced black rhino resting under the shade of some acacia trees. Use your binoculars to spot white-winged starling and chestnut-mantled sparrow, which are endemic to this region.

If you thought you had the splendid wilderness all to yourself in the southern region of the park, wait until you experience the untainted north. Here you are almost guaranteed not to see another soul apart from your walking crew and the convivial staff who work together to make your stay at Mwaleshi Camp an unforgettable one. Thanks to the availability of a vehicle you can explore further afield – your guide able to drive the crew to a particular place to begin walking. A day trip by 4x4 to the Mwaleshi Falls located upstream of the camp is also possible and, away from the teeming plains and woodlands, you can swim in the clear, safe waters of the river.

Two loungers under a thatched shelter are ideal for daytime relaxation along a safe section of the river, which is usually deep enough for a refreshing swim in the heat of the day. Enjoy lunch prepared with fresh produce sourced from sister Camp Tafika’s kitchen garden, or the true romance of a candlelit dinner on the banks of the Mwaleshi River. Walk some stairs along the riverbank to a campfire on the edge of the water – a dramatic finale to a long day’s walking and a cosy meeting place to share bush tales. Retire to your rustic chalet built in open-plan with nothing but reed bars over the windows at night, and the flush toilet the only part of your en suite bathroom covered by a roof. Lie in bed at night looking up through the trees at the starlit sky and listen to the stirs of leopard, lion and hyena. Each morning confirm the activity of animals in the camp and search the opposite bank to see if any you heard the night before are still around.

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Day 8: Farewell to Zambia

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After breakfast on your last morning at Mwaleshi you are transferred back to Mfuwe Airport from where you take a connecting flight homewards.

Inclusions tick icon

Inclusions

  • Activities at each camp
  • Contribution to Luangwa Conservation & Community Fund
  • Laundry
  • National Park fees
  • Road transfers
Exclusions tick icon

Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Airport taxes
  • All meals and drinks not specified
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature